Keep our public lands accessible by opposing H.R. 980!

Sign the Petition : 11,565 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

Dear Elected Official,

As a concerned motorized outdoor recreationist and a registered voter, I am writing you today to voice my opposition to H.R. 980, the "Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act", and to ask that you oppose this legislation. If this bill passes, it would represent a fatal blow to the already struggling power sports industry and would negatively impact tens of thousands of businesses that directly or indirectly rely on public access to the lands in question.

H.R. 980 would designate 23 million acres of land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming as Wilderness. This means each of these 23 million acres would be made permanently off-limits to motorized and mechanized recreation, including off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, 4x4s, snowmobiles and mountain bikes, closing all trails in these areas to responsible motorized and mechanized access. Forest Service studies show that less than 4% of total forest visitors use the existing wilderness and that the demand for motorized recreation is rising (www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum, FY 2007 National Summary Report, p. 7).

In addition, much of the land that would be designated as Wilderness does not meet the criteria set forth in the 1964 Wilderness Act. Many of the federal lands addressed by H.R. 980 include roads, bridges, campgrounds, trails, etc. This contradicts the intent of the original Wilderness Act, which essentially defines wilderness areas as lands that show little or no signs of human involvement.

Most importantly, Congress should honor the established protocol of respecting State and local rights by not imposing wilderness designations on people whose elected Congressional delegation are not in full support of the designations.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue. Please oppose H.R. 980.		Keep our public lands accessible by opposing H.R. 980!

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People signing the "Keep our public lands accessible by opposing H.R. 980!" petition!

  1. Sat., Jan. 23, 2010 3:57 AM    link joseph s. | Quinnesec, MI

  2. Mon., Jan. 18, 2010 9:16 AM    link Name not displayed | Ishpeming, MI

  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 2010 9:15 AM    link Name not displayed | Ishpeming, MI

  4. Mon., Jan. 4, 2010 7:29 PM    link Name not displayed | Wasilla, AK

  5. Mon., Dec. 28, 2009 1:19 PM    link Dennis C. | Billings, MT

  6. Thu., Dec. 24, 2009 8:59 PM    link Gerald F. | Haslett, MI

  7. Tue., Dec. 22, 2009 10:58 AM    link dennis m. | Amarillo, TX

  8. Sat., Dec. 19, 2009 2:21 AM    link John S. | Corvallis, OR

  9. Wed., Dec. 16, 2009 2:09 PM    link Patrick C. | Anchorage, AK

  10. Mon., Dec. 14, 2009 5:57 PM    link JERRY H. | Hamilton, MT

  11. Mon., Dec. 14, 2009 5:48 PM    link RICKY P. | Hamilton, MT

  12. Thu., Dec. 10, 2009 1:23 AM    link Claude B. | Cantwell, AK

    When you close off land to motorized vehicles you are hurting the kids, the elderly and the handicapped. Yeah, some of us still in good shape can get into access them, but your taking families out of having the ability to enjoy getting back too far in. Let's spend some money on improving the trails!

  13. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  14. Wed., Dec. 9, 2009 11:56 PM    link John J. | Eagle River, AK

  15. Wed., Dec. 9, 2009 11:16 PM    link Matthew P. | Wasilla, AK

  16. Tue., Dec. 8, 2009 3:11 PM    link cliff l. | Girdwood, AK

    Wilderness is defined as "Untrammeled by the aspects of man" in the 1964 act. Trying to call reclaimed land as widerness does not fit the charecter and is a method to restrict public access of multiple choice from OUR publci lands. The USFS has already gone to extreme measures to restrict access on National Forests and has gone well out of the way to restrict motorized access on OUR public lands and enough is enough. We do not need MORE wilderness area created which is nothing more than an effort to restrict the public. No more National Parks or Widerness Areas!!!

  17. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  18. Sun., Dec. 6, 2009 1:59 PM    link Daren W. | Watertown, NY

    united we stand divided we fall tug hll ny god bless the army sniper

  19. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  20. Thu., Nov. 26, 2009 8:54 PM    link Curt R. | Cumming, GA

  21. Sun., Nov. 15, 2009 12:24 AM    link julie s. | Phoenix, AZ

  22. Sun., Nov. 15, 2009 12:23 AM    link raymond r. | Phoenix, AZ

  23. Fri., Nov. 13, 2009 1:52 PM    link edward c. | Edmonds, WA

    I love my country. It is the government I fear. Go green, recycle congress!

  24. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

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