These days the Endangered Species Act and the Wilderness Act have become a way for power-hungry organizations to push other people around. It's no longer about a love of nature. It's about keeping you out.
What can we do? Unite! We're already united in our mindset. We need to carry that a step further and become united politically. If you're reading this and you're not a member of an off-road political organization, I challenge you to find one and join it. The Blue Ribbon Coalition, the California Off-Road Vehicle Organization (CORVA), the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), the Access Army, the SEMA Action Network, and the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs are a few such organizations. They represent a united front and are our best hope for fair treatment in the political arena. Many of these organizations ask for a membership fee, but it's not an expensive amount. For the price of a set of shock boots, you can be a part of saving our trails and OHV recreation areas for now and the future.
The political challenges we face are daunting, but times aren't hopeless. We have a choice: join or die. If we band together, we can keep areas open. Many might think it's impossible, but those are the same people who would've placed their bets on the French and the British back in the day.
This month, contributing editor Kevin Blumer is guest ranting, and you better listen. Times are going to get tough, you're going to have fewer areas to off-road in, and your off-road ride may be in jeopardy. I can guarantee you that we'll lose our off-road areas and possibly our rides if we don't stick together.
I was contacted by the EPA recently, and all I can say is that you better make sure your junk is emissions legal, and there's no funny business going on with your (registration) tags. The EPA has a list, they're checking it twice, and if you're a potential violator, they're not going to be nice.
-Jerrod
Off-Road Organizations:
Access Army
www.accessarmy.com
Blue Ribbon Coalition
(208) 237-1008
www.sharetrails.org
California association of 4 wheel drive clubs
(800) 4x4-FUNN
www.cal4wheel.com
Corva
(800) 42-CORVA
www.corva.org
ORBA
(661) 323-1464
www.orba.biz
Sema Action Network
www.semasan.com