|
Pro Off-highway
Recreation Bill Headed to President's Desk
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American
Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that a
pro off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation bill,
H.R. 689, is headed to President Obama's desk
after unanimously passing the U.S. House on July
13. The U.S. Senate passed identical
legislation, S. 1328, on May 7.
H.R. 689 would put the Chappie-Shasta OHV
Area in Northern California under the sole
control of the federal Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) and would reduce the unnecessary
bureaucracy for OHV enthusiasts recreating
responsibly on affected public land.
The President is expected to sign the bill.
"Because the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area is
currently under the dual supervision of the BLM
and the U.S. Forest Service, OHV riders must go
through a complicated process to legally ride on
the land," said AMA Senior Vice President for
Government Relations Ed Moreland. "Public land
is just that: public. Responsible riders should
not have to endure an onerous process to
experience what is rightfully theirs to enjoy."
In a speech on the House floor Rep. Wally
Herger (R-Calif.) said that the legislation will
fix problems that have been lingering for a long
time.
"For years, many of my constituents have
raised their concerns over difficulties in
dealing with two federal agencies to use one OHV
area," Herger said. "Issues such as duplicative
permits -- at substantial and unnecessary cost
to the users -- and even different opening dates
for the same area have resulted in frustration
from the thousands of users, from across
California and elsewhere, who try to cope with
this redundant management."
The AMA is encouraging all motorcyclists to
write or call their U.S. senators and
representatives and thank them for supporting S.
1328 and H.R. 689. Contact information can be
found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights >
Issues & Legislation (http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp).
About the American Motorcyclist
Association
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected
the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come
from all walks of life and they navigate many
different routes on their journey to the same
destination: freedom on two wheels. As the
world's largest motorcycle organization with
nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for
motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local,
state and federal government, the committees of
international governing organizations and the
court of public opinion. Through member clubs,
promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more
motorsports competition events than any other
organization in the world. Through its
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA
preserves the heritage of motorcycling for
future generations. For more information, visit
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
|
