Trump Rescinds Ban on OHV use on Public Lands

I think it may be fair, given the track record of the current admin and those put in positions of power in this admin, to say that we're already on the slippery slope, and every little EO and decision, which each in and of itself may indeed be fairly insignificant, are all adding to the speed on that slope. At least, in regards to the threats to public lands and wildlife.

There is certainly rarely good reason for hyperbolic outrage, but there is also great risk in shrugging off each little thing as no big deal, then you wake up one day and wonder what the hell happened.
Possibly. I suppose we all have our own trigger pull.

Found it funny how my tipping point not being identical to another HT'er got me labeled a blind, short-sided, loyalist. This forum constantly preaches stop voting for a team and vote for positions. One opinion that this EO isn't the end to ATV restrictions and I'm fully on team Trump. Interesting.
 
By the time you will grab your pitch fork coalminer it will be far too late. Thank goodness for proactive guys like Big Fin and Buzz who don’t have their heads buried into the coalbanks like you, who see this for what it is. I know you know the wheels of govt turn slow and once that snowball starts rolling down hill there’s no stopping it. That’s a fact. Seen it a thousand times and that’s one thing about govt that’s not going to change.
Still wondering to who or what I am a blind, short-sided loyalist to.
 
Still wondering to who or what I am a blind, short-sided loyalist to.
Your level of outrage and hyperbole is not up to par for the forum ragers. Its one thing to be concerned and keep your eye on something like a few on here do and another to blow it completely out of proportion and turn it into something that fits your rage guage. There is alot of rage guages on here that need fuel. Cant wait for this term to be over so they all go back into hibernation.
 
Found it funny how my tipping point not being identical to another HT'er got me labeled a blind, short-sided, loyalist. This forum constantly preaches stop voting for a team and vote for positions. One opinion that this EO isn't the end to ATV restrictions and I'm fully on team Trump. Interesting.

Well, let's keep the record clear that I never said that.
 
Still wondering to who or what I am a blind, short-sided loyalist to.
What’s the point of me stating it? Just so you can deny it and set me straight? It’s super clear to me from the cumulative of all your posts which I have read to this point that you think this admin can do no wrong. The PM function works if you want to have a personal conversation.
 
Your level of outrage and hyperbole is not up to par for the forum ragers. Its one thing to be concerned and keep your eye on something like a few on here do and another to blow it completely out of proportion and turn it into something that fits your rage guage. There is alot of rage guages on here that need fuel. Cant wait for this term to be over so they all go back into hibernation.
I guess you’re into politics more than hunting. If one road gets opened that costs someone a future bull elk, that’s something to be ticked off about as a hunter imo. The thought of an ohv rolling through one of my hunts which happens enough as is makes my blood boil. I could care less which color admin takes the step
 
Your level of outrage and hyperbole is not up to par for the forum ragers.
I'll try to step it up.
Its one thing to be concerned and keep your eye on something like a few on here do and another to blow it completely out of proportion and turn it into something that fits your rage guage. There is alot of rage guages on here that need fuel. Cant wait for this term to be over so they all go back into hibernation.
With each hibernation comes another awakening. We hate the machine when it doesn't align with our views. We feed it when it does.
 
I guess you’re into politics more than hunting. If one road gets opened that costs someone a future bull elk, that’s something to be ticked off about as a hunter imo
Conjecture: refers to an opinion, theory, or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete or uncertain evidence. It is essentially an educated guess or speculation
 
Conjecture: refers to an opinion, theory, or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete or uncertain evidence. It is essentially an educated guess or speculation
Foresight: the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future

This convo has been enlightening to me and shows why imo Chief gave you a beat down. Still my all time favorite thread.

We will just agree to disagree.
 
Conjecture: refers to an opinion, theory, or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete or uncertain evidence. It is essentially an educated guess or speculation
I suppose it is speculating until it happens.

Can you explain the value, benefits, or otherwise good intent of the executive order?

Skepticism is warranted when there is a history 🤷‍♂️
 
Now I can camp wherever I want on the Grand Mesa in Colorado! I'm just gonna drive 300 yards offroad to one of the little secluded fir and aspen groves I can see from that flat stretch of highway 65 across the top of the mesa.

They think they hate Texans in Colorado - just wait!
 
Can we get worked up about HR 7695?

To provide that the final rule titled “Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation” and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.

 
Foresight: the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future

This convo has been enlightening to me and shows why imo Chief gave you a beat down. Still my all time favorite thread.

We will just agree to disagree.
Thing is we agree. I just dont think putting the cart before the horse is always warranted. Humans tend to have terrible foresight when its driven by emotion.
 
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Can we get worked up about HR 7695?
To provide that the final rule titled “Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation” and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.

You do you. I have questions that I just don't know the answer to at this point before I could make an informed decision. Perhaps you already know the answers to these and other questions.

(b) Required road construction.—The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall, subject to all applicable environmental requirements (including applicable requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)), construct on National Forest System lands such permanent and temporary roads as the Secretary determines necessary—
(1) to carry out restoration activities of the Forest Service;
(2) to carry out hazardous fuels reduction activities of the Forest Service in—
(A) an at-risk community;
(B) the wildland-urban interface; or
(C) a municipal watershed;
(3) to replace or decommission any existing permanent road determined by the Secretary to be adversely affecting the health of a forest, rangeland, or a watershed; or
(4) to carry out the intent of the Act of June 4, 1897 (16 U.S.C. 473–482, 551).

Are there areas that are in need of restoration activities that the current roadless rule make impossible?
Are there currently municipal watersheds, at-risk-communities or wildland urban interfaces that have hazardous fuel levels that the current roadless rule makes reduction impossible?
Would building a road significantly reduce the money spent defending these at-risk communities and therefore allow that savings to be used on the existing maintenance backlog?
Are there currently roads adversely affecting the health of a forest or watershed that could use replacing or decommissioning but are not allowed to under the current roadless rule?

I personally don't want any more roads in NF areas, would even like to see a few go away. But that doesn't mean that all roads are a bad idea and that the roadless rule is prohibiting otherwise beneficial road construction. Need more info.
 
Are there areas that are in need of restoration activities that the current roadless rule make impossible?
What are we "restoring" them to? I think we have an idealized view of what a wilderness looks like and how effective we are at "manage" it. If there are no roads, it probably looks like ti should, even if we don't like it.

Are there currently municipal watersheds, at-risk-communities or wildland urban interfaces that have hazardous fuel levels that the current roadless rule makes reduction impossible?
Please point me to an urban-wild land interface that doesn't have a road.

Would building a road significantly reduce the money spent defending these at-risk communities and therefore allow that savings to be used on the existing maintenance backlog?
You have to get creative with math regardless, but the main question is what is being "defended"?

This is all gas-lighting. The entire "wildfire" argument is crazy. The current roadless rule affects about 50 million acres, which is roughly the size of Nebraska. Plenty of roads in Nebraska, and it had huge fires this Spring. Roads are don't prevent wildfires and are more like to bring in the primary cause of wildfires - people.

Are there currently roads adversely affecting the health of a forest or watershed that could use replacing or decommissioning but are not allowed to under the current roadless rule?
Legit question. Again though, I haven't seen anyone making an argument to get rid of one road in place of another. When I see that being done at scale with positive benefits, I will be the first to retract my criticism.

I agree that not all roads are bad. Just that those places that haven't had roads for decades and remain relatively wild should have high bar to clear to get a new road. This Admin is not showing any thoughtfulness in implementing these changes. Given it is coming from Russ Vought and his plan, it's not a surprise and it's very clear what they are doing. It's about allowing extraction industries to make $$$.
 
What are we "restoring" them to? I think we have an idealized view of what a wilderness looks like and how effective we are at "manage" it. If there are no roads, it probably looks like ti should, even if we don't like it.
Fair question. One I would like to see answered before I cast a vote. I am assuming planting trees is the goal but dont know
Please point me to an urban-wild land interface that doesn't have a road.
I think that was the same question I asked. Would like to know where this is needed.
You have to get creative with math regardless, but the main question is what is being "defended"?

This is all gas-lighting. The entire "wildfire" argument is crazy. The current roadless rule affects about 50 million acres, which is roughly the size of Nebraska. Plenty of roads in Nebraska, and it had huge fires this Spring. Roads are don't prevent wildfires and are more like to bring in the primary cause of wildfires - people.
In the last 14 years on two separate occasions I have had BLM fire fighters ask me to use my equipment to cut a road for them to be able to access a current range fire. On both occasions I asked for them to provide, in writing, authorization for me to do so as the road requested was not on my permit or on land that I have surface rights to. Once I had that I would gladly help them out at no cost to the taxpayer. On both occasions they did not respond. Maybe that's the type of stuff they are talking about, the red tape required to be cut before sensible things can happen. I don't know.
Legit question. Again though, I haven't seen anyone making an argument to get rid of one road in place of another. When I see that being done at scale with positive benefits, I will be the first to retract my criticism.

I agree that not all roads are bad. Just that those places that haven't had roads for decades and remain relatively wild should have high bar to clear to get a new road. This Admin is not showing any thoughtfulness in implementing these changes. Given it is coming from Russ Vought and his plan, it's not a surprise and it's very clear what they are doing. It's about allowing extraction industries to make $$$.
Agree with the high bar. But like the bill states NEPA is still required. Given that NEPA and other environmental regulations are still in place I am not certain that simply removing the roadless rule means that timber, mining and O&G can just start building roads. The bill states the reasons a road could be ordered built and not one of those reasons is to mine. Now, will the bill be followed as written, amended or is it even needed are all fair questions. Currently I am happy with no new roads so if the bill goes nowhere I will be perfectly happy.
 
Fair question. One I would like to see answered before I cast a vote. I am assuming planting trees is the goal but dont know

I think that was the same question I asked. Would like to know where this is needed.

In the last 14 years on two separate occasions I have had BLM fire fighters ask me to use my equipment to cut a road for them to be able to access a current range fire. On both occasions I asked for them to provide, in writing, authorization for me to do so as the road requested was not on my permit or on land that I have surface rights to. Once I had that I would gladly help them out at no cost to the taxpayer. On both occasions they did not respond. Maybe that's the type of stuff they are talking about, the red tape required to be cut before sensible things can happen. I don't know.

Agree with the high bar. But like the bill states NEPA is still required. Given that NEPA and other environmental regulations are still in place I am not certain that simply removing the roadless rule means that timber, mining and O&G can just start building roads. The bill states the reasons a road could be ordered built and not one of those reasons is to mine. Now, will the bill be followed as written, amended or is it even needed are all fair questions. Currently I am happy with no new roads so if the bill goes nowhere I will be perfectly happy.
My response was simply sarcasm. There is no place that can be called an urban-wilderness interface that doesn't have a road. The Urban part of the label makes this pretty clear. In most of these roadless places roads don't exist because they are expensive to create or can't be built. In a few areas, old logging roads have grown over. I'd be ok with re-cutting the road and logging them again but only with a proper review. This process was already in place. The obstacle to the approvals is still in place, so I expect lawyers to benefit from this.

Anecdotal. Knowing where to cut that road is easy after the fire starts and you know the direction it is heading. As a preemptive measure should we cut roads everywhere "just in case"? This administration is so unqualified I doubt it could put out a candle without spending a billion $. The "fire prevention" argument is silly.

Any NEPA review is a joke under this Administration. You continue to have a lot more faith in them than I do. What I am sure of is this bill moving on or dying won't matter. They are going forward and the only constraint is human labor to do the work.
 
Any NEPA review is a joke under this Administration.
Has not been my experience. Here is the EIS I was involved in that was approved under this Admin. Take a look, let me know what the joke is. What reviews have you been involved with that were a joke?
You continue to have a lot more faith in them than I do. What I am sure of is this bill moving on or dying won't matter. They are going forward and the only constraint is human labor to do the work.
Maybe not faith but you definitely approach this Admin with the view that they are out to F you. I do not. I didn't start out the Biden admin with that view but by the end I got there. At that point nothing was going to change my mind. You sound like you are at the same point with this one. That's what made voting for Trump for the first time such an easy choice for me.
 
Has not been my experience. Here is the EIS I was involved in that was approved under this Admin. Take a look, let me know what the joke is. What reviews have you been involved with that were a joke?

Maybe not faith but you definitely approach this Admin with the view that they are out to F you. I do not. I didn't start out the Biden admin with that view but by the end I got there. At that point nothing was going to change my mind. You sound like you are at the same point with this one. That's what made voting for Trump for the first time such an easy choice for me.
When did you start the review? Was it approved? Are you sure anyone read it?

I have been told directly they are out to F me, or at least the things I value. No reason the think they were lying.
 
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