goosewa
09-27-2002, 03:43 PM
Want to preserve the sport?
Read the latest Legislative Report from the Michigan Snowmobile Association.
URL:
http://www.msasnow.org/linked/legislative%20report.htm
******************************************
Get Involved in the Review of Michigan's Forest Plans
All snowmobilers, as well as other recreationalists, need to be aware that the process to review and change Land and Resource Management Plans for the state's three national forests is set to get underway. Forest plan revisions for the Hiawatha, Ottawa and Huron-Manistee national parks are required by law and must be complete by 2007.
What that means to us, as users of the national forests in this state, is that it is time to get involved. We need to be involved in this process every step of the way. Understand, the review process won't happen overnight, but I'm bringing it up now so that we can get on mailing lists.
I'm hoping that each and every snowmobiler in the state will pick one of the three national forests in Michigan and get on the mailing list for everything that takes place in regards to the forest plan review. If your from southern Michigan and snowmobile in the Ottawa National Forest, put your name on that mailing list. If you ride the trails through the Hiawatha National Forest or the Huron-Manistee do the same. We have to get involved with this planning process, and get our ideas included in the new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) plan. Our participation and input will ensure our rights and public access. We must ensure our ability to recreate in these national forests. Be assured that radical environmentalist groups are already involved, and if we don't do the same they will put us out of our Michigan National Forests.
A forest plan outlines the broad goals and priorities for a national forest. There are several required steps involved in this planning process. First, the Forest Service will undertake a review of the current plan to identify changes and determine issues that need to be looked at. A "need for change" analysis will then be created. Based on this data, a preliminary description of proposed changes will be published in a Notice of Intent. This step is slated to take place in September 2003. The Notice of Intent advises the public of their intent to revise the forest plan. Each of the proposed alternatives for the revisions will be carefully evaluated and documented in an EIS draft. This will take place in 2005. The EIS draft will be made available to the public for comment prior to the final EIS and revised forest plan being put in place in 2007.
National forest officials are promising extensive "public outreach" participation in this process. However, as users of the forests, we need to do our part to make sure we are included in that process. We need to make sure they are addressing our needs as they are related to management of these public lands. The Forest Service has said they want to engage the "american public, interested organizations, private landowners, state, local and tribal governments, federal agencies and others in the stewardship of the National Forest System lands in our state."
Let's not leave anything to chance and our continued access up to their promise. Take the time today to make sure you're kept informed. Get on their mailing lists.
¥ Hiawatha National Forest, Forest Planner: Dave Maercklein(906) 789-4062, www.fs.fed.us/r9/hiawatha/
¥ Ottawa National Forest,Forest Planner: Bob Brenner(906) 932-1330, ext. 317, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/
¥ Huron-Manistee National Forest,Forest Planner: Jim DiMaio(231) 775-5023, ext. 8759, www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/
Did you know...
Did you know... is a new feature of the Michigan Snowmobile News designed to educate riders on current issues and increase awareness on topics like grooming, state law and trail permits.
The following are excerpts from Michigan law governing the operation of a snowmobile in the state:
A person shall not operate a snowmobile under any of the following circumstances:
¥ On the frozen surface of public waters within 100 feet of a person, including a skater, not in or upon a snowmobile or within 100 feet of a fishing shanty or shelter except at the minimum speed required to maintain forward movement of the snowmobile or on an area which has been cleared of snow for skating purposes unless the area is necessary for access to the public water.
¥ In an area of which public hunting is permitted during the regular November firearm deer season from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except during an emergency, for law enforcement purposes, to go to and from a permanent residence or a hunting camp otherwise inaccessible by a conventional wheeled vehicle, or for the conduct of necessary work functions involving land and timber survey, communication and transmission line patrol and timber harvest operations, or on the person's own property or property under the person's control or as an invited guest.
¥ Each person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling accepts the risks associated with that sport insofar as the dangers are obvious and inherent. Those risks include, but are not limited to, injuries to persons or property that can result from variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare sports; rocks, trees, and other forms of natural growth or debris; or collisions with signs, fences, or other snowmobilers or snow-grooming equipment. When a snowmobile is operated in the vicinity of a railroad right-of-way, each person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling additionally assumes risks including, but not limited to, entanglement with tracks, switches and ties and collisions with trains and other equipment and facilities.
by Bill Manson
Legislative Committee Chair
************************************************
-Goosewa
Read the latest Legislative Report from the Michigan Snowmobile Association.
URL:
http://www.msasnow.org/linked/legislative%20report.htm
******************************************
Get Involved in the Review of Michigan's Forest Plans
All snowmobilers, as well as other recreationalists, need to be aware that the process to review and change Land and Resource Management Plans for the state's three national forests is set to get underway. Forest plan revisions for the Hiawatha, Ottawa and Huron-Manistee national parks are required by law and must be complete by 2007.
What that means to us, as users of the national forests in this state, is that it is time to get involved. We need to be involved in this process every step of the way. Understand, the review process won't happen overnight, but I'm bringing it up now so that we can get on mailing lists.
I'm hoping that each and every snowmobiler in the state will pick one of the three national forests in Michigan and get on the mailing list for everything that takes place in regards to the forest plan review. If your from southern Michigan and snowmobile in the Ottawa National Forest, put your name on that mailing list. If you ride the trails through the Hiawatha National Forest or the Huron-Manistee do the same. We have to get involved with this planning process, and get our ideas included in the new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) plan. Our participation and input will ensure our rights and public access. We must ensure our ability to recreate in these national forests. Be assured that radical environmentalist groups are already involved, and if we don't do the same they will put us out of our Michigan National Forests.
A forest plan outlines the broad goals and priorities for a national forest. There are several required steps involved in this planning process. First, the Forest Service will undertake a review of the current plan to identify changes and determine issues that need to be looked at. A "need for change" analysis will then be created. Based on this data, a preliminary description of proposed changes will be published in a Notice of Intent. This step is slated to take place in September 2003. The Notice of Intent advises the public of their intent to revise the forest plan. Each of the proposed alternatives for the revisions will be carefully evaluated and documented in an EIS draft. This will take place in 2005. The EIS draft will be made available to the public for comment prior to the final EIS and revised forest plan being put in place in 2007.
National forest officials are promising extensive "public outreach" participation in this process. However, as users of the forests, we need to do our part to make sure we are included in that process. We need to make sure they are addressing our needs as they are related to management of these public lands. The Forest Service has said they want to engage the "american public, interested organizations, private landowners, state, local and tribal governments, federal agencies and others in the stewardship of the National Forest System lands in our state."
Let's not leave anything to chance and our continued access up to their promise. Take the time today to make sure you're kept informed. Get on their mailing lists.
¥ Hiawatha National Forest, Forest Planner: Dave Maercklein(906) 789-4062, www.fs.fed.us/r9/hiawatha/
¥ Ottawa National Forest,Forest Planner: Bob Brenner(906) 932-1330, ext. 317, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/
¥ Huron-Manistee National Forest,Forest Planner: Jim DiMaio(231) 775-5023, ext. 8759, www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/
Did you know...
Did you know... is a new feature of the Michigan Snowmobile News designed to educate riders on current issues and increase awareness on topics like grooming, state law and trail permits.
The following are excerpts from Michigan law governing the operation of a snowmobile in the state:
A person shall not operate a snowmobile under any of the following circumstances:
¥ On the frozen surface of public waters within 100 feet of a person, including a skater, not in or upon a snowmobile or within 100 feet of a fishing shanty or shelter except at the minimum speed required to maintain forward movement of the snowmobile or on an area which has been cleared of snow for skating purposes unless the area is necessary for access to the public water.
¥ In an area of which public hunting is permitted during the regular November firearm deer season from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except during an emergency, for law enforcement purposes, to go to and from a permanent residence or a hunting camp otherwise inaccessible by a conventional wheeled vehicle, or for the conduct of necessary work functions involving land and timber survey, communication and transmission line patrol and timber harvest operations, or on the person's own property or property under the person's control or as an invited guest.
¥ Each person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling accepts the risks associated with that sport insofar as the dangers are obvious and inherent. Those risks include, but are not limited to, injuries to persons or property that can result from variations in terrain; surface or subsurface snow or ice conditions; bare sports; rocks, trees, and other forms of natural growth or debris; or collisions with signs, fences, or other snowmobilers or snow-grooming equipment. When a snowmobile is operated in the vicinity of a railroad right-of-way, each person who participates in the sport of snowmobiling additionally assumes risks including, but not limited to, entanglement with tracks, switches and ties and collisions with trains and other equipment and facilities.
by Bill Manson
Legislative Committee Chair
************************************************
-Goosewa