Copy of: News Release-- Recreationists Blast Green Lawsuit
BLUE RIBBON COALITION, INC.
NEWS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: March 16, 2000
Contact: Don Amador
Phone:
925.625.6287
RECREATIONISTS SAY GREEN LAWSUIT TO CLOSE DESERT EXPOSES ANTI-ACCESS
AGENDA OF EXTREMIST ECO-GROUPS
POCATELLO, ID -- The Blue Ribbon Coalition, a national
umbrella group of multiple-use recreationists, is concerned about the green
lawsuit filed today against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These types
of lawsuits designed to close millions of acres of federal lands to general
public access have been filed throughout the West by extreme preservationist
groups who have a land-closure agenda.
Not long ago, over 10 million acres of the California desert were closed
to the general public by the ill-advised California Desert Protection Act. A
scheme foisted on Californians by enviros to supposedly “protect” wildlife
and critical habitat for the next millennium. Now these same groups say they
want another closure of the same magnitude.
Many multiple-use recreation groups say that closures and locked-gates
are really non-management options that do not benefit either the resource or
the public.
Rather than commend the BLM and user groups who have worked hard to
protect natural resources in the California Desert Conservation Area, this
lawsuit appears to club the agency and publics who recreate in, and care
for, the desert.
According to Ron Schiller, president of the High Desert Multiple-Use
Coalition, “How long will the general public put up with this sort of
tactics that only serves to alienate a growing number of users and residents
in California who enjoy their public lands?”
“I am actually glad to see the greens file this suit because it shows the
whole world just how extreme their position is when it comes to the
intelligent use of our natural resources. This suit is an insult to all of
us who live or recreate in the deserts of California.” Schiller concludes.
Don Amador, the western regional representative for the Blue Ribbon
Coalition, states, “From the shovel brigades at Jarbidge Nevada to the rally
this weekend near Fresno by local residents against President Clinton’s plan
to close 400,000 acres of the Sequoia National Forest to multiple-use, a lot
of folks are standing up for their access rights and against the green
agenda of the Clinton/Gore administration and their buddies in the so-called
environmental movement.”
“I would urge the green community to try and work with those of us who
want to protect our natural resources while enjoying them at the same time.
They might be better served if they join some of the recreation groups
during one of the many clean-up projects that are held each year in the
desert.” Amador concludes.
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