Monuments FOIA Update - Did Green Lobby Influence Treasured Lands Program in 2009?

Designated OHV Trail in Stonyford Monument

As many of you remember, HQ, BRC, Congress, and other access interests had concerns in 2010 about the now infamous leaked DOI documents regarding its “Treasured Landscapes Initiative” that proposed to designate National Monuments throughout the West.

Article on TLI and Monuments
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/50066713-78/salazar-bishop-listening-memo.html.csp?page=1

Based on those concerns that the proposal had been cooked up behind the scenes in smoke-filled backrooms with environmental groups, Don Amador, on behalf of BRC, filed a FOIA in February 2010 to see if those concerns were valid. That initial FOIA saga was filled with FOIA denials and appeals.

2010 FOIA Saga and Shell Game
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/06/national-monument-shell-game-continues.html

Then in June of 2010, Amador filed another FOIA to again try and ferret out any back door deals. Finally on Friday, May 13, 2011 (almost one year later), the BLM complied in part with the FOIA request. Under provisions of the “Deliberative Process Privilege of Exemption 5 of FOIA,” DOI/BLM redacted portions of the 405 pages of released documents. But, DOI withheld 2,016 pages of documents from the FOIA.


HQ has done an initial review and found that most if not all of the info was NOT relevant to the FOIA request. Our search was for evidence of where the agency had collaborated with environmental groups in 2009 while failing to include other publics and Congress in those discussions. No documents were provided that showed such enviro collaboration. Remember it was the agency’s narrative at the time that assured the public the plan was not unfairly influenced by the green lobby.

However, one email (dated 11/9/09) did reference a letter outlining thoughts from The Wilderness Society related to Salazar’s Treasured Lands Initiative.

Link to 11/9/09 Email in FOIA Response
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/FOIA_DOI_Response_May_2011_TWS.Jones0001.pdf

May 2011 DOI Partial Response to BRC FOIA
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/FOIA_BLM_response_May_2011_Stonyford0001.pdf

Did anybody really think the agency developed this plan in a vacuum without direct input from the green lobby? Don’t be ridiculous! It looks like the FOIA shell game continues because another FOIA appeal will have to be filed seeking a copy of the referenced TWS input.

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Update and Thoughts on July 7 Meeting for Stonyford NCA and Video

The HQ apologizes in advance for bombarding riders this weekend with last minute alerts and updates on the July 7 meeting at U.C. Davis hosted by Congressman Mike Thompson.

Cong. Thompson Invite and RSVP
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Americas_Great_Outdoors_invite-MThompson.pdf

The General is concerned about this meeting being one-sided because the enviros appear to be looped in and, in fact, are included in the formal panel discussions. On the other hand, OHVers and even some in the Forest Service only found out about this meeting last Friday.

HQ believes in genuine collaboration, honest discussions, and public processes that are not front-loaded and agenda driven. The General has sent an RSVP to Jonathan Birdsong (see his email address in the link above) and is hopeful that the HQ will be given some floor time to champion the designated OHV programs on the Mendocino and the partnerships we have with OHMVR/State Parks, volunteer groups, and the local community.

Usually new environmental land designations programs are proposed in good economic times. HQ questions the timing of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain NCA (or National Monument for that matter) when there are a number of economic factors that should be considered such as the cost of administering this multi-agency NCA, the impacts to ongoing recreational activities such as OHV, power boating, hunting, equestrian use, etc, and existing permitted activities such as cattle grazing, recreation events, and timber.

As you attend these Great Outdoor Meetings be sure and talk about what great (and fun) exercise OHV riding is as highlighted in the video below about how OHV impacts York University students who are learning to ride off-road. Great little video!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/off-road/article1203557/

The General hopes to see some riders at the U.C. Davis event on July 7 and then again at the July 8 Outdoor Meeting at Occidental College.

Thanks for your service!

ALERT - July 7 Meeting at U.C. Davis on Stonyford OHV National Conservation Area

Even when the Recreation HQ is closed for a national holiday, The General is still on duty monitoring important land use news. Well folks, an issue of such high import occurred on Friday July 2 (regarding a July 7 Great Outdoors Meeting at UC Davis) The General is sounding a Fourth of July “all hands on deck and man your battles stations” alarm
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PHOTO; Flag Flying at the Recreation HQ

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For many months you have recieved updates on the Stonyford Obamument/National Conservation Area proposals. BRC filed a FOIA, FOIA Appeal (which was denied), and subsequent site-specific appeals to various departments in DOI to ferret out correspondence between green groups and government agencies regarding the push for either National Obamuments or National Conservation Areas that would include the Stonyford and Upper Lake OHV Areas.

Archived Blog on Stonyford Plan and Green Cabal
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/green-cabal-and-imba-push-or-support.html

BRC issued a rare weekend alert yesterday on the Stonyford OHV/NCA meeting on July 7 starting at 11am at UC Davis.
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1194

Be of good cheer as OHV is not the only group issuing a strong concern about the NCA plan. The General’s good friends at the Maxwell-based Family Water Alliance (a long time grassroots farming, ranching, and private property rights group) issued a news release on the NCA plan.

FWA News Release with a quote from The General
http://www.woodlandrecord.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=1484&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2656&hn=woodlandrecord&he=.com

We all know that a NCA proposal in Northern California is simply a precursor to an eventual Wilderness Designation. As I note in my comments…just look what happened to the 1974 King Range NCA… it became the 2006 King Range Wilderness Area.

It will be important for as many of you who can to join The General at the July 7 meeting and speak up for the well-managed and important OHV programs in the NCA.

I hope to see many of you at U.C. Davis.

National Monument Shell Game Continues at DOI

The Recreation HQ continues its efforts to break down the Obama Administration’s “Wall of Transparency” regarding the stonewalling by the Department of Interior to not release documents related to the creation of the Stonyford OHV Obamument.

Rather than being the most transparent administration in American history, DOI and EPA seem to have perfected a paperwork version of the “shell game.”
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Case Study of EPA hiding Clear Creek FOIA’d documents
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/01/epa-violates-public-trust-at-clear.html

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Even Retired Land Management Professionals are asking for info

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=pmr_salazar_treasuredlandscape

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As some of you know, The General (in his role as western representative for the BRC) filed a FOIA on February 19, 2010 after some secret documents were discovered by
Congress.
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See February 19 BRC News Release with Letter to Congress and Link to Secret Documents
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=685&filter=media

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When DOI said they did could not find any related documents, The General filed
an immediate FOIA appeal
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March 28 Blog with link to FOIA appeal
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/03/obamuments-april-16-white-house.html
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On May 24 DOI denied the FOIA appeal (link to FOIA Denial)
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/FOIAs/FOIA%20National%20Monument%20Appeal%20Decision%20may%2024.pdf

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As BRC legal continues to review options regarding the FOIA denial, The General filed separate FOIAs yesterday on BLM, NPS, NLCS, and USFWS. Be assured that HQ will keep you updated on the continuing saga of the non-transparency of this administration as it relates to public land access.

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Green Cabal and IMBA Push or Support Stonyford Designation

The Recreation HQ thanks a local OHV advocate in the San Jose area for the heads-up yesterday regarding IMBA’s support for a National Conservation Area designation for much of the Mendocino National Forest including the Stonyford OHV Area. As many of you know, a NCA designation historically by definition restricts motorized access and at the end of the day (i.e. King Range NCA) usually BANs OHV use via regulations or the eventual “Wilderness” designation.

IMBA Blog on Wilderness Conference and Stonyford NCA
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=615893

See HQ Blog on IMBA Drinking Wilderness Kool-Aid with OHV War History Lesson
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/01/imba-drinks-wilderness-kool-aid.html

While researching IMBA’s support for hosing OHV use and other multiple-uses (while naturally promoting mtn. bike use) on the Mendocino National Forest, The General was not surprised to see the green cabal of the usual suspects (The Wilderness Society, California Wilderness Coalition, and the Sierra Club) and a new group called Tuleyome pushing for a NCA (or Monument) designation for the Stonyford OHV Area.

The Wilderness Society Overview of Snow Mountain/Stonyford NCA Proposal
http://wilderness.org/content/california-berryessa-snow-mountain

Tuleyome Overview with Maps and Outline of Stonyford Proposal
http://www.tuleyome.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=27

As DOI continues to stonewall BRC and pro-access congressional representatives on our requests for documents related to national monument designations at Stonyford and elsewhere, The General believes the aforementioned pro-Wilderness groups will be the ones found to be actually driving the Obama National Monument plan vs. Interior bureaucrats concocting this scheme in a vacuum.

Article on Congressional Hearing Yesterday
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700029888/Democrats-thwart-Rep-Rob-Bishops-move-to-obtain-national-monument-documents.html

Yes folks there is bad news, the OHV Wars continue. Battles will continue at Clear Creek, the Eldorado NF, and at Oceano Dunes and Carnegie SVRAs. New battles will be fought at Stonyford, the AZ and CO OHV programs, the OR Dunes, and other OHV areas.

However, the good news is that we have rural counties stepping up to the plate and joining our fight against land closures. Both Glenn and Colusa counties have passed resolutions against the Stonyford Obamument. San Benito County just reopened their county roads and has sent letters of support for historic OHV use at Clear Creek. Shasta County is filing an appeal on the Shasta Trinity travel plan. Others like Del Norte County are fighting back as well. Be strong, we are not alone any longer.

The General, once again, wants to thank all of you who have answered the call to join in the fight and defend our access rights.

To Join BRC or donate to the cause go to:
https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/?c=1

Feel free to comment on this blog topic today in the comment section or send The General a PM at: damador@cwo.com

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Dark Ages and Large Buffer Zones Return to Congress

As certain congressional representatives voted against giving H.R. 1254 an affirmative recommendation to force the Department of Interior to hand over approximately 2,000 pages of documents that are being withheld from Congress, The General is reminded of the Dark Ages where information was also withheld from the public.

*Photo: The General on a designated OHV trail in the middle of the proposed Stonyford Obamument

May 5 info on the 2,000 pages of info being withheld from Congress
http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=184053

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March 17 BRC FOIA Appeal on Stonyford Obamument
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/03/obamuments-april-16-white-house.html

May 5 News Release with links to video clips of House testimony today
http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=184379

The General also wants riders to know that he, on behalf of BRC, has contacted DOI’s
Open Government Initiative today reminding them of Obama’s directive to share information with the public and to get a status report of BRC’s FOIA Appeal.

Info on DOI Open Government Initiative
http://www.doi.gov/open/

BRC legal is also watching this issue and may have to file a lawsuit demanding the agency turnover information regarding the Stonyford Obamument as requested in the Feb. 19 FOIA/March 17 FOIA Appeal.

The Recreation HQ will keep you advised regarding DOI’s response to our request for a status update on the BRC FOIA Appeal.

HQ also wants to thank the Members of Congress who fought for our access rights today regarding H.R. 1254. Congressman Rob Bishop should also be commended for his fight today to try and include amendments that would prevent anti-access groups from basing “closure” lawsuits on arbitrary “buffer zones” that extend for 200-300 miles around the boundaries of National Monuments and National Parks.

Let’s all hope that the Dark Ages are relegated to our history books and are not part of our present day politics.
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Chamber of Commerce Joins Obamument Fight

The Recreation HQ thanks all of you who have sent letters to Congress asking them to support H.R 1254 – the bill to order the Dept. of Interior to hand over secret documents about their 3rd party discussions with pro-Wilderness groups to designate a number of National Monuments including one at the Stonyford OHV Area.
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PHOTO: Designated Motorcycle Trail in Stonyford OHV Area.

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Besides Members of Congress joining the fight, it looks like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has weighed in with its letter today of support for H.R. 1254.

May 3, 2010 Chamber of Commerce Letter of Support for H.R. 1254
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Chamber-of-Comm_HouseResolution1254.pdf

The hearing on H.R. 1254 is on May 5 and I know that your continued support on this issue is still needed. If you have not sent a letter to your Member of Congress, please do so now at the link below and ask your friends to do the same.

BRC Alert with Link to ARRA Letter Generator
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1168

Blog with Alert Info and Info on Stonyford Obamument
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/04/action-order-send-letter-today-on.html

Thanks for your continued efforts on this and other fights.
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ACTION ORDER - Send Letter Today on National Monument Issue

The Recreation HQ knows that a lot of you have been following the Obama “National Monuments” issue and that The General filed a FOIA appeal on March 17 because the Department of Interior basically denied BRC’s February 19 FOIA request.

History of BRC’s FOIA on Obamuments
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/04/obamuments-saga-continues-congress.html

As some of you know, a number of western legislators have been trying to obtain those secret documents since February but are getting stonewalled as well. Recently, House Resolution 1254 was drafted to force the Obama Administration to comply with their own promise of transparency.

H.R. 1254
http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/UploadedFiles/HastingsMonumentResolution.pdf

The Recreation HQ has already sent a letter today and the General wants you to do the same and take a minute and use the letter generator that has been provided by our good friends at ARRA. This letter will be sent to key Members of Congress asking them to support H.R. 1254. There will be an important vote regarding this issue on April 28.

ARRA Action Alert and Letter Generator
https://secure3.convio.net/arra/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=223&autologin=true

Feel free to insert a personal message in the above letter about how this might impact Stonyford or some other riding areas in the West.

Thanks for doing this today!

The Obamuments Saga Continues - Congress Takes Action

The Recreation HQ continues to object to the Department of Interior’s continued stonewalling of The General’s March 17 FOIA Appeal to obtain documents about the 3rd party dealings the DOI had with pro-Wilderness groups regarding the designation of Obamuments throughout the country including the Stonyford OHV Area in Northern California. This stonewalling is in conflict with DOI’s “Promise of Transparency” on April 7.

April 7 DOI Promise of Transparency
http://www.doi.gov/news/doinews/2010_04_07_news.cfm

BRC March 17, 2010 FOIA Appeal
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=689&filter=media

Based on the following action by Congress today, it appears that Western Legislators are also frustrated with DOI’s refusal to be forthcoming with requested information related to Obamuments.

April 13 Western GOP Resolution and Info on Obamument Issue
http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=180575

The General asks you to remain vigilant on this and other land use issues and thanks you in advance for your support.

Obama "Outdoors" Interview and Access

As western lawmakers including Congressman Rob Bishop and BRC wait for requested information from the Department of Interior regarding the suspected monument discussions between preservation groups and federal land agencies, The Recreation HQ remembers that candidate Obama gave an interview on natural resource issues to Field and Stream in 2008.

PHOTO: BRC's Don Amador on a designated trail at the Stonyford OHV Area - smack dab in the middle of the Snow/Goat Mtn. National Monument proposal

Cong. Bishop News Article on Wait for Info
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700020430/Bishop-blasts-Obama-administration.html

BRC FOIA Appeal
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=689&filter=media

Colusa County Opposes Stonyford OHV Monument Plan
http://www.colusa-sun-herald.com/news/county-4445-national-president.html

Often times political junkies like The General look through these interviews for hints at what a candidate’s views are on any given issue. Since ACCESS to public lands is a key tenet of the HQ, The General remembered that Obama mentioned “access” in the 2008 interview when he said, “…if you talk to sportsmen in my home state of Illinois, they will tell you that I've always been a forceful advocate on behalf of the rights of sportsmen, on behalf of access for sportsmen…”

Link to that 2008 Field and Stream Interview
http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2008/09/exclusive-interview-senator-barack-obama

I think the off-road community will know more after the April 16 White House Great Outdoors Summit (the fact that the WH released that info late Friday afternoon – which is the proverbial dumping grounds for bad news – could be a harbinger of things to come) when the stakeholder names are revealed and the tone and direction of the summit are known.

Will the White House live up to its hint of support for access or will it issue National Monument proclamations that have little or no local support?

The Obamument saga continues….

Obamuments, April 16 White House Conservation Summit, and You

The Recreation HQ has been following the “National Monuments” issue with a keen interest. A lot OHVers and mostly legislators from Western States have sounded the alarm based on secret documents uncovered which showed a plan for the designation of what The General now calls “Obamuments.”

PHOTO: FWMC's Dale (L) and Randy (C) and CERA's Clark (R) on the Ladybug Trail a designated OHV trail in the proposed Stonyford Obamument

BRC Submitted a Letter to Congress regarding Obamuments on Feb. 19
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=685&filter=media

On that same day, The General (on behalf of BRC) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to see who was driving this plan. When he got a letter back from the Department of Interior that they could not find any information because they only looked on the Secretary’s desk – The General filed a FOIA Appeal and is still waiting for a response.

FOIA Appeal
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=689&filter=media

The Recreation HQ appreciates the phone calls that many of you have made to your Congressman regarding your concerns about the Stonyford OHV Area being named as a potential Obamument. Riders are lucky that Stonyford happens to be in the congressional district of Congressman Wally Herger – a champion of public land access.

Article on Cong. Herger’s Fight Against Obamuments
http://www.colusa-sun-herald.com/articles/acres-2049-tcnsyndication-federal-lands.html

Glenn County Joins Fight Against Stonyford Obamument
http://www.orland-press-register.com/news/county-5186-glenn-land.html

This story now gets even more complex with the unofficial announcement today in the LA Times of an April 16 White House Summit on the Great Outdoors to address national monuments, conservation, recreation, and other issues.

LA Times Article on Conservation/Outdoor Summit
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-outdoors28-2010mar28,0,371471.story

As The General awaits a response from DOI on his FOIA appeal this week, it will be interesting to see just who from the recreation community will be invited to the April 16 Summit. If it is anything like the Obamacare summits, you will see “recreation” groups like Trout Unlimited, IMBA, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, PEER/Rangers for Responsible Recreation and other pro-Wilderness organizations sitting at the table speaking for motorized groups like BRC, ISMA, ARRA, AMA, and United 4WD.

At this moment, the Recreation HQ is willing to give the Obama administration a chance to dispel our concerns about how the President will treat the legitimate voices for continued access to public lands. The HQ will know soon who is invited and that list will tell the story.

Stay tuned this week as Congress and the Recreation HQ continues to press the administration for Obamument documents that were obviously the product of many roundtable discussions between government agencies and preservation groups.

Thanks for your service and support!