Defend Your Ground

Episode 27: What is Wilderness Laundering?

The Lolo National Forest in Montana is recommending more wilderness designations in their upcoming forest plan. We talk about why you should oppose this. 
The Bureau of Land Management recently proposed a new rule to prioritize conservation on BLM lands. The United States Forest Service released a companion rule that raises questions about what exactly the forest should be prioritizing as the forests they manage are increasingly burning up in catastrophic wildfires.

Episode 26: Will New Public Land Rule Lead to Foreign Control of Public Land?

The deeper we dive into the Bureau of Land Management's Public Land Rule to sell "conservation leases" on public land, the more problems we are finding.
They don't have authority to create this rule
The rule won't work
The rule is unnecessary
The rule could lead to foreign interference in public land management.
All public land stakeholders should unite to oppose this plan.
You can add your voice to oppose this rule here: https://www.sharetrails.org/blm-proposed-rule-to-sell-public-land-to-highest-bidder/#/112/

Episode 25: Should the Forest Service Use Fire Retardant to Fight Wildfires?

Lawsuits have been filed to challenge the USFS use of fire retardant dropped from aircraft to fight wildfires. In this episode we discuss the merits of this challenge and what BRC is doing to advocate for better forest management.
In the second half of the episode we discuss the Upper Snake River Travel Plan that is open for public comment in Eastern Idaho. You can add your voice to the comment period until July 10, 2023 here: https://www.sharetrails.org/upper-snake-blm-area-in-idaho-slated-for-numerous-road-closures/

Episode 24: Moab Dispersed Camping Changes and the New Public Land Rule

Ben and Simone discuss the Moab dispersed camping plan that is currently open for public comment. New regulations are in the works to manage some of the impacts. A broad restriction in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Area is in the works to limit open, free, dispersed camping to designated sites.
Take Action Here: https://www.sharetrails.org/the-fight-for-dispersed-camping-near-moab-continues/#/107/
We also discuss the Bureau of Land Management's newly proposed Public Land Rule. This is a controversial new rule that will allow BLM to sell off public lands to the highest bidder in the form of "conservation leases." If you enjoy using multiple-use public land, it is important to learn about this rule and add your voice to opposing it.
Add your voice: https://www.sharetrails.org/blm-proposed-rule-to-sell-public-land-to-highest-bidder/#/112/

Episode 23: Stop Lava Ridge Wind Farm Interview with Dean Diamond

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground Podcast, the BRC team discussed the Lava Ridge Wind Farm proposal in southern Idaho with Dean Diamond - a local farmer from the area. This is one of the largest wind farm proposals ever considered for public land, and it is receiving substantial scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders. BRC is concerned that recreation access will be lost in the area. Dean identifies several additional problems with the proposal. You can add your voice to this process here: https://www.sharetrails.org/proposed-wind-farm-at-lava-ridge-could-restrict-public-access/#/97/
Here is where you can support the Stop Lava Ridge group in their efforts to oppose the project:
Stop Lava Ridge
PO Box 5377
Twin Falls ID 83303
Venmo: Stop Lava Ridge 
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/761309101717598
 

Episode 22: An Update on Dispersed Camping Plans and USFS Litigation in Colorado

In this interview we interview Marcus Trusty from Colorado Offroad Enterprise (CORE) and Stay the Trail to discuss a lawsuit recently filed by his organization against the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado. The lawsuit challenges closures of popular off-road trails in the Pike/San Isabel National Forest.
We also discuss the recently released dispersed camping plans in the Leadville and Salida Ranger Districts.
You can learn more about CORE here: https://keeptrailsopen.com
You can add your voice to the camping plans here: https://www.sharetrails.org/vehicle-based-dispersed-camping-at-risk-in-colorado/#/101/

Episode 21: How the Greenhouse Gas Rule Will Affect Outdoor Recreation

The Biden Administration's Center for Environmental Quality recently released guidance for federal agencies to account for greenhouse gas emissions on all federal planning processes and contracts. This will have widespread impact to outdoor recreation on federally managed land. We discuss those impacts on this episode.
You can also add your voice to the development/implementation of this guidance through the BlueRibbon Coalition Action Alert on this topic: https://www.sharetrails.org/council-for-environmental-quality-seeking-public-comment-on-changes-to-nepa-for-climate-change-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Episode 20: Last Known Position Series - Staying Safe in Garfield County, Utah

n this installment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Bill Weppner, who is a veteran of the Garfield County Search and Rescue Team. In this episode we discuss the challenges that come with managing a sustainable search and rescue team in a rural counties where most land is federal public land. Mr. Weppner also shares many of his experiences performing rescues on the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the surrounding areas in Garfield County, Utah.
The "Last Known Position" series is a podcast project that has been generously supported by the Utah OHV Program and the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association