Opinions... Are environmentalists willing to compromise?

[TJx2]

Are ORV enthusiasts?

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[campingdad]

It seems to me that this is a major stumbling block. Each side has been way to busy demonizing the other for serious useful dialog to happen.

The good news from my perspective is that this is starting to change. I have heard tell of decent meetings of so-called greenies and ohv'ers actually getting together and helping to map out mutually beneficial arrangements.

That is my short answer http://forums.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/images/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Ed A. Stevens]

If history is our guide: OHV Advocates usually compromise from the "give" end of the bargaining table, and environmentalists from the "take" end of agreements.

A few weeks/months/years later the environmentalists are back at the bargaining table asking for another compromise, requesting more "take."

This position is as much due to the finality of commercial development (preservation opportunity is lost, forever) as much as Mechanized Recreation opportunity is lost through Wilderness Designations. Each is a total "win now or lose, forever" proposition.

The lesson learned (long past lessons gained by the environmentalist legal teams) is to only compromise on what you may return to claim at a later date.

Never bargain away the right to contest any decision, and never agree to permanent regulation of your position.

The OHV community should never agree to Wilderness that does not meet the tenants of the Act as approved in 1964. Roadless Areas erode the 5000-acre requirement of the Wilderness Act.

There are better methods to protect the RARE identified areas that restrict commercial development and preserve mechanized and motorized recreational access. It should be a goal of all recreation access advocates to lobby Congress to implement a land designation that provides for motorized access and protection from commercial development. A Congressional designation would demand management guidelines that cross land management boundaries much like Wilderness.

Is this an area where mutually beneficial compromise could be achieved?

Happy Trails!

[Yellowsub1962]

<font color="blue">If by comprimise you mean, "take everything we can get and don't give an inch" - then yes, environmentalists are willing to comprimise.

Very well put Ed...</font c>

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"Its a Wheelbase Thing, Your Jeep Wouldn't Understand"

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E.A. Officer - Ventura County Axle Snappers 4WDC
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[gts]

I'll speak for myself and my riding friends: OHV users are much more willing to share the trails with other users than other users are willing to share with us. I think there are hikers that walk just a few miles into the woods and enjoy the beauty of it but get dissapointed if they see even another hiker. It's a selfish thing. I agree, OHV users have made more access concessions than any group.

[This message has been edited by gts (edited 05-23-2001).]