Defend Your Ground

Episode 47: BLM Releases Final Version of Conservation Leasing Rule

Summary:
This episode discusses the final draft of the BLM landscape health and conservation rule, which aims to flood money into the public land system to control management. The rule introduces new types of leases, such as restoration and mitigation leases, and prioritizes areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs). The hosts express concerns about the rule's lack of statutory authority and its potential impact on motorized recreation. They also question the need for the rule, as many of its provisions are already covered by existing laws and programs. The conversation discusses the proposed conservation rule and its potential impact on public lands. The hosts argue that the rule is a power grab by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and gives unilateral authority to state directors to designate Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) without congressional approval. They highlight the potential consequences for grazing allotments and the transfer of wealth from public land users to environmental groups through mitigation funds. They emphasize the need for congressional oversight and support for the West Act.
 
Takeaways
The BLM landscape health and conservation rule aims to flood money into the public land system to control management.
The rule introduces new types of leases, such as restoration and mitigation leases, and prioritizes areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs).
There are concerns about the rule's lack of statutory authority and its potential impact on motorized recreation.
Many of the provisions in the rule are already covered by existing laws and programs. The proposed conservation rule gives unilateral authority to state directors of the BLM to designate ACECs without congressional approval.
The rule could have significant consequences for grazing allotments and other public land uses.
Mitigation funds created through the rule could result in a transfer of wealth from public land users to environmental groups.
The criteria for ACEC designation are vague and could be subject to abuse.
Congressional oversight and support for the West Act are necessary to address the concerns raised by the rule.
Sound Bites
"The BLM landscape conservation rule will only affect BLM land. The Wall Street rule would have affected everything."
"There is an organized political movement that is doing everything it can to remove roads off the landscape so that it can create wilderness."
"This is a land grab. This is them saying, we no longer need presidents in the antiquities act. We no longer need Congress and wilderness designations."
"Once they get it designated as an ACEC, then it's going to be nearly impossible to remove that ACEC designation."
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and recent events
04:46 Legislation and potential legal challenges
09:29 Prioritization of ACECs in the rule
13:44 Concerns about the rule's provisions
23:32 Ulterior motives and the need for the rule
26:57 Unilateral Authority: The Power Grab by the Bureau of Land Management
29:35 Consequences for Grazing Allotments and Public Land Uses
36:23 Wealth Transfer: Mitigation Funds and Environmental Groups
41:21 Vague Criteria: Potential for Abuse in ACEC Designation
48:23 Congressional Oversight and the Need for the West Act

Episode 46: Problems with the Grandview Travel Plan

Summary: In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben and Simone discuss the Grandview travel management plan in Idaho. They highlight the problems with the plan, including outdated information, missing routes, and the potential closure of desert racing routes. They also discuss the lack of analysis of social and economic impacts, as well as the potential connection between the plan and the development of solar farms in the area. The deadline for submitting comments on the plan is April 15th.
 
Comment here: https://www.sharetrails.org/grandview-idaho-input-needed-on-proposal-to-close-65-of-routes-in-area/
 
https://www.sharetrails.org/western-solar-plan-22-million-acres-up-for-grabs-for-solar-projects/
 
Takeaways
The Grandview travel management plan in Idaho has several problems, including outdated information and missing routes.
The plan could potentially close desert racing routes, which would have a significant impact on the motorcycle and desert racing communities.
The plan lacks analysis of social and economic impacts, which is a requirement under NEPA.
There may be a connection between the plan and the development of solar farms in the area.
The deadline for submitting comments on the plan is April 15th.
Titles
Deadline for Submitting Comments on the Plan
Connection Between the Plan and Solar Farm Development
Sound Bites
"Implementing any of these alternatives will shut down desert racing."
"There's not a single alternative that I'm willing to say, here's what we support."
"The landscape itself is creating this really awesome network of single track trails."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Grandview Travel Management Plan
02:43 Problems with the Number of Inventory Miles
03:46 Potential Closure of Desert Racing Routes
06:42 Lack of Support for Alternatives
10:05 The Unique Landscape and Trail Network
14:13 Impact on Single Track Riders
25:16 Connection Between the Plan and Solar Farm Development
32:52 Deadline for Submitting Comments

Episode 45: A Deep Dive into the San Rafael Swell

The BLM recently released their preliminary maps for the San Rafael Swell travel plan. We expect a public comment period on this plan soon.
In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the planning status of the San Rafael Swells in Utah. They provide an overview of the recent developments and the upcoming public comment period. They highlight concerns about road closures and the potential impact on popular trails, particularly for dirt bikers. They also discuss the implications of the Dingell Act and the creation of wilderness areas in the San Rafael Swell. The episode concludes with suggestions for how listeners can prepare for the public comment period and support the Historical Roadways Protection Act. This conversation discusses the potential closure of roads and trails in the San Rafael Swell. The hosts emphasize the importance of public involvement and documentation to protect these routes. They provide a detailed overview of specific roads and trails that are at risk of closure, including their locations and potential impacts. The conversation highlights the need for users to explore and document these routes to gather evidence for legal protection. The hosts also encourage listeners to support the Historic Roadways Protection Act and join organizations that advocate for off-road access.
 
Takeaways
The San Rafael Swells in Utah are undergoing planning for road closures and trail restrictions.
The Dingell Act created wilderness areas in the San Rafael Swells and established the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area.
Cherry-stemmed roads were created to allow for wilderness designation while keeping some roads open.
The Historical Roadways Protection Act aims to prevent further closures and restrictions in the area.
Public input and engagement are crucial during the planning process to protect access to popular trails and recreational opportunities. Public involvement and documentation are crucial to protect roads and trails from closure.
Specific roads and trails in the San Rafael Swell area are at risk of closure, and users are encouraged to explore and document these routes.
Supporting the Historic Roadways Protection Act and joining organizations that advocate for off-road access can help protect these routes.
The San Rafael Swell area offers a diverse range of trails and camping spots, and it is important to preserve access for future generations.
In the episode we discuss how the BLM maps aren't useful for comparing the different alternatives they are considering. Here are two great maps that show the hundreds of routes that could be closed by this plan:
Arizona Backcountry Explorers Map: https://maps.azbackroads.com/maps/san-rafael-swell/index.html#7/39.483/-111.088
PLPCO's Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3b4d111082054f3ebf893cd279325c9b/page/Page/?fbclid=IwAR27kC0m_HxXXC-rTMKLLXz8lwI0SurEAMvvAJZoTcPX7gAPAsHut39xnSM
In the episode we made several references to the Dingell Act, and the text can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/47/text
If you want to enter our Build Your Dream Rig Sweepstakes and receive a copy of Volume 1 of our Lost Trails Guidebook (while supplies last), use this link: https://www.tapkat.org/blueribbon-coalition/0E73gE?promo=SWELL
If you are interested in volunteering to do field work in the San Rafael Swell, please contact BlueRibbon Coalition here: Contact Us

Episode 44: BRC Guest Appearance on San Diego Off-Road Radio

BRC Executive Director Ben Burr was recently a guest on San Diego Off-Road Radio with Dave Stall. Show Participants discussed recent trail closures, the fight to keep trails open, concerns with new national monument proposals, and more.

Episode 43: The Flurry of Idaho Travel Plans

Southern Idaho has seen a flurry of BLM travel plans in the last year. In this episode we provide an update on the series of travel plans that have been introduced that will affect the Owyhee region of southwestern Idaho.
In the episode we discuss the Silver City Travel Management Plan, which is open for public comment until February 12. You can submit a comment here: https://www.sharetrails.org/silver-city-travel-management-in-southwest-idaho/
 

Episode 42: The Arrogance of Environmental Bloggers

In this episode we respond to multiple false claims made by Jonathan P. Thompson in his recent blog article: The Arrogance of the off-road vehicle lobby
References from the Show: 
Page 127: https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2001224/200479500/20067049/250073231/LabyrinthGeminiBridges_EA_DRAFT.pdf
Find our lawsuit challenging these trail closures here: https://www.sharetrails.org/release-coalition-of-off-roaders-asks-federal-court-to-halt-closure-of-public-trails-in-moab-utah/
Support the Historic Roadways Protection Act: https://www.sharetrails.org/release-blueribbon-coalition-supports-the-historic-roadways-protection-act/

Episode 41: Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks Takes a Stand Against Natural Asset Companies

Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oaks joins us in this episode to discuss the SEC's proposal to allow the New York Stock Exchange to create Natural Asset Companies. Natural Asset Companies would be a new form of corporation designed to securitize and privatize nature - including our public lands. 
You can read Treasurer Oaks' opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal about this topic here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-invents-companies-that-cant-make-money-ad71f8f3
You can read BlueRibbon Coalition's briefing on this topic here: https://www.sharetrails.org/oppose-the-sell-off-of-our-public-lands-and-national-parks-to-wall-street/

Episode 40: Last Known Position Series - Interview with Wasatch County Search and Rescue

In this insttallment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Tyler St. Jeor, who has served as a volunteer for the Search and Rescue team in Wasatch County. With extensive experience on a variety of rescues in the Wasatch Mountains, Tyler shares his insights on how to recreate safely and responsibly.
We are grateful to all Search and Rescue volunteers, and we encourage everyone to support Wasatch County SAR.
The "Last Known Position" series is a podcast project that has been generously supported by the Utah OHV Program and the International Snowmobile Association