|
U.S. House Members
Poised to Ban Motorized Vehicles from 2.1
Million Acres
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. House of
Representatives could vote as early as next week
on a wide-ranging bill that could shut
off-highway motorcyclists and all-terrain
vehicle riders out of more than 2 million acres
of public land, the American Motorcyclist
Association (AMA) reports.
The measure, Senate Bill 22, also known as the
Omnibus Public Lands Bill, is actually a package
of more than 160 bills that were melded together
to form a single bill more than 1,300 pages
long.
"This bill was on the fast-track in the U.S.
Senate and passed swiftly earlier this year
without public scrutiny or debate," said Ed
Moreland, AMA vice president for government
relations. "The measure is now being steamrolled
through the U.S. House without giving the public
an opportunity to fully digest its impact and
debate the many provisions in the bill."
Moreland isn't the only one upset at how this
legislation is being handled. U.S. Rep. Rob
Bishop (R-Utah), a key lawmaker, said, "Poor
process produces poor product, and this is an
example of congressional process at its worst.
Parts of this bill are good, and parts are very
bad. Each part deserves to be discussed and
voted on its own merits."
Moreland called on all AMA members, off-highway
motorcyclists, ATV riders and everyone who
supports responsible outdoor recreation to
immediately contact their Congressional
representative and ask them to reject the bill.
The measure should be defeated because it
unreasonably bans motorized recreation on 2.1
million acres of public land by inappropriately
designating it as Wilderness, and because the
procedures used for fast-tracking the bill
through the U.S. Senate and House violate the
spirit of open and democratic government.
"Continued responsible access to public lands is
a vitally important right for current and future
generations," Moreland added. "This measure
deserves to be fully analyzed and thoughtfully
debated prior to a final vote."
A rapid way to contact elected U.S.
representatives is in the "Issues & Legislation"
area of the Rights section of the AMA website at
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
About the American Motorcyclist
Association
Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected
the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come
from all walks of life and they navigate many
different routes on their journey to the same
destination: freedom on two wheels. As the
world's largest motorcycle organization with
nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for
motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local,
state and federal government, the committees of
international governing organizations and the
court of public opinion. Through member clubs,
promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more
motorsports competition events than any other
organization in the world. Through its
Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA
preserves the heritage of motorcycling for
future generations. For more information, visit
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
|
