July 9, 2002

NATIONAL NEWS

Big Cypress National Preserve

Oral arguments on a case brought by the off-road vehicle community to reverse the protective Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan will be held on July 10, 2002 in the federal district court in Fort Myers, Florida.

Yellowstone National Park

On July 15, 2002, the National Park Service will announce their preferred alternative regarding snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Despite overwhelming public and Congressional support and scientific evidence backing the decision to phase-out snowmobiles from Yellowstone, the National Park Service decided to go forward with an alternative that would allow snowmobile use to continue in the parks.

REGIONAL NEWS

Off-Road Vehicle Abuse on Private Property in California

A recent article in the Victorville Daily Press and Barstow Desert Dispatch entitled Off-Roaders vs. Everyone Else highlights the worsening impacts of off-road vehicles on private property. Despite efforts to post signs on private property, many landowners have problems with rampant trespassing, noise and air pollution, and property damage.

When asked about their views on riding off-road vehicles on private property, one person was documented as saying:

"We're all about adrenaline. We don't want to be limited. We're
always looking for the sickest jump, the sickest ride."

The article reported that the paper has received more than 50 phone calls and emails from frustrated landowners regarding noise and other disturbances from off-road vehicles.

Read the article at:
http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgibin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1023675045,54302,

Eight Species Threatened by Off-Road Vehicles Will Be Protected in California

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to designate critical habitat for eight imperiled plant species in San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties of southern and eastern California listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and the Center for Biological Diversity (Center) sued FWS November 15, 2001 asking that the agency designate critical habitat. Off-road vehicle abuse is one of the major threats to species survival.
Read the release: http://www.naturaltrails.org/pressroom/index.htm

For More Information Contact:
Alix Rauschman, Communications Specialist
(202) 429-2672 phone
(202) 549-2860 cell
alix_rauschman@tws.org
www.naturaltrails.org

The Natural Trails and Waters Coalition includes conservation, recreation, hunting and other groups working to protect and restore all public lands and waters from the severe damage caused by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, jet skis and all other off-road vehicles.