***LAND ISSUES & CLOSURES***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sandra Mitchell, (208) 869-3318
Paul Turcke, (208) 331-1800

Date: April 2, 2013

SNOWMOBILERS DISAPPOINTED BY COURT RULING

BOISE, ID (April 2, 2013)--Snowmobile advocates today responded to a recent decision in United States District Court for the District of Idaho, which directs the U.S. Forest Service to promulgate new motorized travel management regulations. The decision was released on March 29, 2013, and declared unlawful the agency's 2005 Travel Management Rule for violating "plain language" in a forty-year old Executive Order and allowing it to be "discretionary" whether the Forest Service designates "areas of use or non-use" by snowmobiles. The 2005 Rule was years and millions of dollars in the making.

While it is typical to conduct further proceedings to determine a proper remedy in an environmental case like this, the court's decision simply announces a new rule must be issued within 180 days. The parties to the case, including snowmobile advocates Idaho State Snowmobile Association, American Council of Snowmobile Associations, and BlueRibbon Coalition, are still interpreting the court's ruling. "This is either a tectonic shift or much ado about nothing," stated Sandra Mitchell. "Forest Service rules and maps have for decades regulated not only areas of 'use and non-use' but details to the gnat's eyelash regarding winter use of specific roads and trails for motorized and non-motorized users. If it does anything, this decision will create unnecessary controversy and further sap the planning budget of an agency already fearful of being raided in the name of fiscal reform," added Sandra.

The decision is subject to appeal for sixty days. A copy of the decision may be

viewed HERE.

# # #

The ISSA is an Idaho nonprofit corporation providing a unified voice for the Idaho snowmobile community, seeking reasonable snowmobile access to public and private lands in Idaho, and educating public and private interests on snowmobile use, safety

and access. www.idahosnow.org

The American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) is a national organization that was formed to unite the snowmobile community. ACSA is your voice for snowmobiling on national issues. ACSA is committed to the future preservation of our sport. Learn more about ACSA at http://www.snowmobilers.org

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through membership, outreach, education, and collaboration among recreationists.

1-800-BlueRib - www.sharetrails.org

Last week the bill IDPR sponsored to move registrations to ITD was held in committee. We thought the issue was done for the year but not so. IDPR continues to be committed to making the transfer happen this year. After having heard repeatedly that “IDPR has to do it” and “they don’t want to” we decided that the only way to resolve this issue was to clarify the statutes to say that IDPR ‘may’ but doesn’t have to. (legislation attached) That gives IDPR the option but does not require them to share information with ITD. We have never believed that titling and registrations are connected; furthermore, we do not believe that it was the intent of recreationists to connect them when registrations were created. Simply put, all we ever wanted to do was collect money, pool it, and put it on the ground to build the infrastructures needed for our sport. We also believe that the registration program should be managed by people with a vested interest in making it successful.

Although we continue to talk with the leadership of IDPR, we believe it critical that our legislation move forward. Time is running out on the 2013 Legislative Session. If a compromise is reached, we can pull the bill.

We need your help!!! And we need it in a couple of ways:

1. Please contact any legislator below that you know or that is your representative and give them this simple message (please feel to write in your own words)

“PLEASE SUPPORT H 279. I RIDE A ___________ AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THE REGISTRATION PROGRAM THAT CURRENTLY WORKS WELL, IS EFFICIENT, ECONOMICAL AND IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. THE REGISTATION PROGRAM SHOULD REMAIN HOUSED IN IDPR. THIS LEGISLATION MAKES IT CLEAR THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH ITD BUT THEY MAY. PLEASE VOTE FOR H 279.”

(If you are a vendor/dealer, please identify yourself as one, “I am a vendor or dealer and I believe……”)

2. The hearing for H 279 is tomorrow, Thursday afternoon, in the House Transportation and Defense Committee at 1:30 p.m. We need people to attend and people to testify. It is absolutely critical that the committee knows this issue is important to the recreationists. Plus it will be FUN!

Representative JoAn Wood District 35 jawood@house.idaho.gov

Butte, Clark, Fremont & Jefferson Counties

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you and remember, we need you!

Interestingly, the registration program was originally housed in ITD. The history of the registration program is attached also. I think you will find it extremely telling!

H 279 3-13.pdf

Registration History 3-13.pdf

We are asking for your help PLEASE!

Our snowmobiles and trailer were stolen from Gillette sometime between Tues 03.05 and Sat 03.09. Both machines were on the Yachtclub trailer, along with a small pull behind dog sled trailer.

We have filed a police report-----but???

PLEASE keep your eyes out for these for us, and post this where you can.

They are older, but in good condition with low mileage. They did not have covers on. 1 was a Christmas gift.

We can be reached at the # in the flyer, or by return email.

If you are unable to open the attachment, please let me know and I will paste the info in the body of the email.

WE SO appreciate your HELP!!

Thank you

Jim and Jo – Gillette

At the January 19^th IRC general membership meeting, the vote was unanimous to oppose the transfer.  The issue will be presented as an RS to the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, February 6^th at 1:30 p.m. in EW 40.  There will not be an opportunity to testify but having a number of folks in attendance would be a good idea!  Especially dealers.  A hearing will be held the next week.  As soon as I have a date,  I will let you know.

Also, if you would like to share your opinion about the transfer, now would be a good time to do so.  The members are:

Chairman Joe Palmer:                    jpalmer@house.idaho.gov

Paul Shepherd                                  pshepher@house.idaho.gov

JoAn Wood                                         jawood@house.idaho.gov

Linen Bateman                                  lbateman@house.idaho.gov

Frank Henderson                             fhenderson@house.idaho.gov

Lawerence Denney                         ldenny@house.idaho.gov

Terry Gestrin                                     tgestrin@house.idaho.gov

Marc Gibbs                                         mgibbs@house.idaho.gov

Brandon Hixon                                  bhixon@house.idaho.gov

Clark Kauffman                                 ckauffman@house.idaho.gov

Kelley Packer                                     Kpacker@house.idaho.gov

Mark  Patterson                               Patterson@house.idaho.gov

Rick Youngblood                               ryoungblood@house.idaho.gov

Shirley Ringo                                      Sringo@house.idaho.gov

Phylis King                                           Pking@house.idaho.gov

John Gannon                                     jgannon@house.idaho.gov

You don’t have to write pages.  You might want to include:

·          Any changes to registration should make the program more efficient and less expensive.  The proposed transfer to ITD does the opposite.

·          I want to continue to have the option of registering our snowmobiles, OHVs and boats with dealers and vendors.  Eliminating that option will hurt these businesses.

·          The registration program should be managed by people who understand and care about recreation.

·          IDPR has managed the program for 30 years and can do so without making major changes to the program.

·          Registrations are down statewide, this is not the right time to make a major change and cause confusion.

Thank you!

Please click the link to read the document:  Caribou News Release 11/27/2012

Here is the final map; wow what a difference!                                                                Caribou final habitat designation map 11-12.pdf

The next battle over Mt. Jefferson is here! As you know Senator Tester has attached his nasty wilderness bill entitled, “Forest Jobs and Recreation Act” to an appropriations bill. We are gearing up for the fight believing that it won’t get done in the lame duck session but will be on the front burner in the upcoming session.

I need help! Can you please get me a letter opposing the bill, “Forest Jobs and Recreation Act” from the County Commissioners, the City Council; the Island Park Chamber of Commerce, from any official enity within and close to the county that will be impacted by the loss of access to Mt. Jefferson? I need them by the middle of December please.

They can be addressed to the “Members of Congress”. They only have to say why the Senator’s bill is bad for Island Park and the local area and signed.

We will be doing a poll after the first of the year in Fremont County. Should we expand it to an adjoining county or is that sufficient?

I also need to know of a Freemont County legislator that would be willing to carry a resolution/memorial in the legislature this year opposing the bill? Any ideas?

Thank you in advance for your help. If you need draft letters or statements let me know.

Again, thanks and don’t give up…we have come to far to stop now!

As you know, IDPR is going to be closing down their registration department and turning over those responsibilities to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD).  The reason is because ITD is updating their registration computer system and IDPR’s computer system will no longer be able to interact with ITDs’.  So starting in 2014, all registrations for vehicles that can be titled will go through IDT.  There are still many questions without answers, however, the IDPR board approved the move in April so I expect it will happen.  One of the big questions I have is about costs?  We should have an answer to that one shortly.

Where does this leave NRCs that are not registrations?  IDPR will no longer need the vendor program for registrations because all registrations will have to go through ITD.  No vendors means our NRC program will cease to exist… Over 90% of NRCs are sold by vendors.  ISSA has been making the case from the beginning that eliminating vendors was unacceptable because of the NRC program.  Remember we are the only user group who has NRCs.  After months of discussion, I think we have an answer.  There are still some details left to resolve but essentially the vendor program will continue for those vendors who sell more than 25 stickers. (the vendors will not be able to sell registrations of any kind) No area will be left without a vendor and the out of state vendors (Washington, Utah, Wyoming) will remain.  The hated triplicate form will be replaced by a simpler form that will be transferred electronically to IDPR (unless the vendor does not have that capability)  The NRC program will be run by a staff person from the Recreation Bureau and managed by David and Troy.  The expense for the NRC program will be covered by the up to 15% admin fee.

Thanks to Mark Sabin (Valley County), Tamra (Fremont County) and Warren (Preston) for participating in the meeting.  There will be another meeting this month to finalize details.  Neither Tamra or I will be able to attend so Mark is going to take over the committee and with Warren’s help, make sure this program meets our needs.  Trust me, we all understand the importance of protecting the NRC program!

This is another example of how the right people step up when needed.  If it weren’t for Mark, Tamra, and Warren, I am sure we wouldn’t be this close to a resolution on this issue.  It also demonstrates once again why we have to stay organized and involved.

The comment period for the caribou critical habitat designation has been extended an additional 60 days. Comments will be due May 21, 2012. A public hearing will be held at Bonners Ferry High School on April 28th.

Thanks,

Marc Hildesheim

North Region Trails Specialist

Idaho Parks and Recreation

Office: 208-769-1511

Cell: 208-659-4771

mhildesheim@idpr.idaho.gov

Caribou Critical Habitat Notice

The Payette National Forest (PNF) has issued a one year motorized over snow vehicle special Order that would modify the restrictions to over-snow motorized use currently in effect (451,200 acres closed to motorized use), in three areas. The proposed changes are:

• Granite Mountain: 4,730 acres to be closed to over-snow motor vehicle use from January 15 – March 31, 2012.
• Hitt Mountain: 764 acres to be opened to over-snow motor vehicle use.
• Squaw Point: 1,234 acres to be opened to over-snow motor vehicle use.

All other existing non-motorized over-snow closure areas would be re-instated.

As stated above, 1,998 acres in the areas around Hitt Mtn. and Squaw Point would be opened (change from existing condition) to over-snow motor vehicle use for the entire 2011-2012 season and 4,730 acres in the Granite Mtn. area would be closed to over-snow motor vehicle use from January 15 – March 31, 2012 (75 days).
451,200 acres are currently closed to over-snow vehicle use. The modifications above would adjust the number of total acres closed to over-snow motorized use to 453,932 acres for the 2011-2012 Winter Season. This acreage figure does not include the acres within the PNF portion of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, which are closed by law to over-snow motorized use.

Map

Gas Tax Update:

IRC, out of respect for our Governor, has pulled the legislation for this year.  We will reintroduce it next year with his support.  The reason has nothing to do with the goal of our bill but rather to allow IDPR’s bill that will create a Passport Program for parks to pass and get established.

Fortunately, RTP has a greater chance of being funded for another year than it did three months or even three weeks ago.  I joined with a number of national groups in a meeting in DC two weeks ago with the expressed purpose of hitting the hill one more time to drum up support for funding.  Thanks to the hard work of recreationists from around the country, great progress was made.  The House Transportation Bill includes 85 million for RPT (current level) and now the Senate has an amendment co-sponsored by  - Senators Klobuchar (D.MN), Burr (R-NC),Shaheen (D.NH) and Risch (R-ID) that would do the same.   It isn’t over but it looks a whole lot more like it could happen.

Thanks for all your help on this issue!