Invest 3 Hours to Save Access to Your Public Lands

UPLA, BlueRibbon Coalition, SLOREX, and At Your Leisure are cosponsoring a Workshop to be more effective in preserving access to our Public Lands. We need you to invest 3 hours to learn how you can make a difference.

Even though motorized OHV has always had a strong relationship with BLM and Forest Service staff, and been quick to volunteer to complete projects on public lands, we have been at a disadvantage in Travel Management Planning because we have not been as effectively engaged as our opponents. If we fail to improve our strategies,  these closures will expand to affect every outdoor recreationist. Equestrians, campers, rock climbers, base jumpers, snowmobilers, hunters, fishermen, boaters, and mountain bikers will all be affected as more public lands are designated as wilderness, areas with wilderness character, or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) The elimination of roads and dispersed camping areas will limit access to staging and parking areas, making your favorite areas further and further from accessible roads. Even those clamoring for more wilderness experiences will have much longer treks to get to their favorite areas, a weekend trip now will become a week long trip in the future. Cyclists, rock climbers and canyoneers are currently facing rulings that propose elimination of e-bikes and fixed anchors in National Parks. As remote areas are more limited with accessibility, injuries and rescue attempts will increase and be even more expensive, resulting in further restrictions or closure.

In Utah, there are 25 Travel Management Areas on BLM’s calendar for development or reevaluation of current plans. More are in store for Forest Service and National Monuments.

The importance of understanding the NEPA process, and being able to proactively and effectively participate in the process has never been greater, and we must become smarter and more effective at working together to influence the NEPA process.

Utah Public Lands Alliance, BlueRibbon Coalition, Salt Lake Off Road Expo, and At Your Leisure are cosponsoring a workshop on February 29 to help us all understand how we can make a difference. Our workshop presenter will be Tammy Pike, a retired BLM Travel Management Planner, who is a renowned expert in the NEPA process. Her experience spans 30 years, the last 25 focused on trails, off highway vehicles and travel management planning while both conserving our natural resources AND providing the best recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy now and in the future. She has won countless awards from not only BLM, but the Forest Service, Arizona State Land Department, and many OHV and other recreational groups.  She earned a National Customer Service Award from BLM, one of the highest possible commendations.

Tammy will help us develop a strategy to communicate clearly in the NEPA process at all levels to get our views considered in the process. We believe she is the best person to teach us how to restore balance to a system that has been heavily weighted against us. Making comments is a critical step in influencing final outcomes, and she will teach us how to make comments that are both substantive and effective. Questions and answers are an invaluable part of any discussion, because it allows you to ask your questions  and get answers from an expert. We have a full hour at the end of the program allocated just to your questions and answers where she will be joined by panelists Ben Burr and Simone Griffen from BlueRibbon Coalition, as well as Rose Winn, our new UPLA Public Policy Consultant.

For us to change the tide, we must all come together, and we must start acting as Big As We Are. If you really care about making a difference in keeping our lands accessible, make plans to attend this workshop the day prior to SLOREX opening.

What:            NEPA Comments Training Workshop

Where:          Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 State Street, Sandy UT

When:           February 29 1:30 -4:30

Space is limited, RSVP and submit questions and topics you would like included in the presentation.

#default-btn-0ba25f9254324fbab1bc6d4d029ab966.ico-right-side > i { margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 8px; } #default-btn-0ba25f9254324fbab1bc6d4d029ab966 > i { margin-right: 8px; } RSVP To Attend Here




Salt Lake Off Road Expo March 1-2, 2024

The giant Salt Lake Off-Road and Outdoor Expo is coming to Sandy, UT March 1-2. Utah Public Lands Alliance and BlueRibbon Coalition will be in Booths 2330 and 2331, stop by and pickup up a free backpack and learn what you can do to keep our public lands open.

Learn More About the Show and Get your Tickets Here




Partnership Between Matt’s Off Road Games and UPLA

UPLA is supporting Matt’s Off Road Games from March 14-16 again this year, and we need your help. MORR hosted their first Off Road Wrecker Games last year, and made a very significant donation to UPLA and Washington County Search and Rescue, and they are stepping up their commitment for the 2024 Off Road Games. Matt’s will donate $10 out of every ticket sold to UPLA and Search and Rescue, $5 to each.

We need your help in making his event even more successful than last year by volunteering for Event Setup/Teardown, Check In, Safety and Security, Shuttle Drivers, Parking, or just general support. By volunteering, you’ll get a free event pass, ($124.99 value) plus a T Shirt and lunch during your shift. Shifts are only 4 hours long, and your support will generate needed funds to not only keep our trails open, but also to support SAR in their mission to be there in an emergency.

Signup Today Off-Road Games – Volunteer Sign Up (google.com)

Thank You

Loren Campbell
President
Utah Public Lands Alliance




UPLA Announces Artec Partnership for Winter 4×4 Jamboree

Winter 4×4 Jamboree has always been a great event that UPLA is proud to be a part of, plus it’s been a steady and dependable source of funding for our public land use improvements and fights. This year, Desert Roads and Trails are putting UPLA and Blueribbon Coalition in a prominent location in the main building.

As you know, UPLA recently presented BlueRibbon with a check for $70,000 as a result of donations from many clubs, organizations, businesses, and individuals. Artec Industries recognized this and said they wanted to join the fight.

Artec is donating $10,000 of their product for a sweepstakes benefiting BlueRibbon Coalition during Winter 4×4 Jamboree. Stop by our booth and get your backpack and enter to win and help support the fight to keep trails open.

Artec Industries, renowned for its world-class aftermarket automotive parts, takes pride in supporting off-road enthusiasts. The partnership with UPLA and BlueRibbon Coalition reinforces their commitment to trail preservation, and ensures that the trails we all love remain accessible and well maintained for future adventures.

 




Enter Our Sweepstakes at Winter 4×4 Jamboree to Benefit BlueRibbon Coalition

Artec Industries is donating $10,000 in Gift Cards for entries in our Sweepstakes During Winter 4×4 Jamboree. You’ll be entered to win up to $10,000 in Artec Gift Cards as Flash Prizes during Winter 4×4 Jamboree, plus chances to win a $30,000 Dream Build on your Rig in the Grand Sweepstakes.
All Donations Will Benefit BlueRibbon Coalition

www.ArtecIndustries.com
www.BlueRibbonCoalition.org




Crafting and Writing Effective NEPA Comments Training

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) plays a pivotal role by requiring federal agencies to assess the impact of their proposed actions. One crucial aspect of the NEPA process is the public comment period, during which concerned individuals and organizations can provide feedback on proposed projects. Writing effective comments is a critical step in preserving access for all users to our public lands. UPLA together with BlueRibbon Coalition and Salt Lake Offroad Expo (SLOREX) are partnering to bring you a training seminar on how to write effective comments in NEPA actions.

Understanding NEPA and Public Participation: NEPA, enacted in 1970, aims to integrate environmental considerations into federal decision-making processes. It mandates that federal agencies assess the environmental impact of proposed projects and involve the public in the decision-making process. Public participation is a cornerstone of NEPA, as it recognizes the diverse perspectives and expertise that the public can bring to the table.

The Importance of Effective Comments: Effective comments play a vital role in influencing the outcome of NEPA actions. Agencies are required to consider and respond to substantive comments during the decision-making process, making it crucial for comments to be well-reasoned, fact-based, and relevant to the environmental analysis. Well-crafted comments can highlight potential environmental concerns, propose alternatives, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the project’s impact.

Challenges in Comment Writing: Despite the importance of public participation, many individuals and organizations face challenges in writing effective comments for NEPA actions. Common issues include a lack of understanding of the NEPA process, technical complexities in project documentation, and difficulties in navigating regulatory language. As a result, comments may not effectively convey concerns, suggestions, or alternative solutions.

The Solution: UPLA, BlueRibbon, and SLOREX will be offering free training at the Mountain America Expo Center on February 29, the day before SLOREX opens. The session will be recorded and professionally edited as a valuable online resource we can use in the future.

Save the Date for now and Watch for more information about attending the session.