Voice Support for Permanent Roadless Area Protection
Mountain bikers should contact their congressional representatives in support of legislation that would protect 58.5 million acres of National Forest roadless areas in 39 states, including many areas with important singletrack. A bipartisan Senate coalition has introduced the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007 (S. 1478) to preserve the future of these important lands and the trails they contain.
The legislation is intended to turn the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule into law. The Rule, which IMBA supported, gave special recognition and consideration to roadless areas, but was not a permanent measure. It was approved in January 2001 following more than 600 public hearings across the country and 1.6 million official public comments.
IMBA has consistently supported the protection of roadless lands and is pleased the legislation states, "roadless areas provide unparalleled opportunities for hiking, camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, canoeing, mountain biking, and similar activities."
The new bill would prevent most new roads from being built in roadless areas, protecting the character of these wild places and preserving the unique mountain biking experiences they provide. Unlike federal Wilderness designation, formal roadless area recognition does not permit or prohibit recreational activities like mountain biking.
Tell your congressional representative that you support protection of roadless areas and the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007. Write your representative and your senator.
- Please support the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007.
- Please retain language promoting diverse non-motorized recreation in roadless areas, including mountain biking.
- Mountain bicycling is a quiet, human-powered activity compatible with roadless areas.
- Roadless areas provide some of the best backcountry mountain bicycling experiences.
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