BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Help Protect Snowmobiling in Idaho's Fairfield Ranger District

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber in Idaho,

Last week I sent you an Action Alert regarding potential changes to the Fairfield Ranger District's Winter Travel Plan. Sandra Mitchell from the Idaho State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) wanted us to forward some comment suggestions on the project.

We know Idaho's snowmobilers and OHVers are experienced at commenting, but we decided to do one of our INSANELY EASY 3-Step Action Items so that you won't have to take unnecessary time from work and family.

Thanks!
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

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BRC'S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS:

NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can.

STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to:
comments-intermtn-sawtooth-fairfield@fs.fed.us
Put "Winter Travel Plan Revisions" in the Subject Line.

STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email.
Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.

STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride
and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your
name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! ("anonymous" emails
are often discarded).

It's good to begin with a bit of personal info such as how long you have been riding in the area and/or how important the area is to you. If you have not ridden in the area before you can still say it is important because the Fairfield Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest provides many opportunities for winter recreation.

COMMENT SUGGESTIONS:

Mike Dettori, District Ranger
Fairfield Ranger District
Attn: Winter Travel Plan Revisions
PO Box 189
Fairfield, ID 83327

RE: Winter Travel Plan Revisions

Dear Ranger Dettori,

I would like to offer the following comments on your Winter Travel Plan Revisions for the Fairfield Ranger District.

I strongly support option 3 of your scoping notice, opening a motorized corridor through what is currently a wildlife closure area from Couch Summit to Fleck Summit.

As the wildlife has moved, the open corridor will have little or no impact to elk and it would provide a valuable recreation opportunity for the visiting public. Also, opening a travel corridor is an equitable option between the general public and private land owners.

I support opening the corridor all the way to Featherville. This would open up thousands of acres for snowmobiling and access to many rural communities that are in dire need of additional visitors in the winter months.

Any closures or other measures needed to protect other species such as wolverine, mountain goat and lynx should be based on sound biology and science rather than speculation. You should be able to demonstrate that any closures are truly necessary for the animal's well being and survival.

I support mitigation instead of closure where significant impacts to wildlife can be substantiated. For example, instead of closing those high elevation areas with potential for natal denning, why not develop an Alternative that considers mitigating potential impacts with education or other methods. The Forest Service should consider snowmobilers to be part of the solution rather than assuming we are the problem.

I support the opening of areas where past closures have been found unnecessary and hope other units will consider similar actions. Snowmobiling is a low impact activity enjoyed by thousands of Americans from across the nation. The national forests are indeed public lands and we/I believe that to the extent possible they should be open to public access. We find this action by the Fairfield District both refreshing and historic.

Thank you for considering my comments. We wish to be involved throughout the travel plan modification process.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

Sounds like a manageable time I can handle that 

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association Urges Enthusiasts to Comment on CPSC’s ROV Rulemaking

ROHVA Creates http://www.rohva.org to Facilitate Submission

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2010 -- The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) is calling on enthusiasts and industry representatives to submit comments by March 15, 2010 in response to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed mandatory standards for Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs), also known as side-by-sides and UTVs.

ROHVA previously expressed disappointment with CPSC’s October 2009 vote to issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for mandatory ROV standards. ROHVA believes this action is premature because an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process to develop standards for ROVs had long been underway. Since that time, the process has been completed and the proposed ANSI standard is under final review. Components of the standard include protective gear requirements, a certified roll-over protective structure, a minimum of three point seatbelts for each seating position, and multiple lateral stability criteria.

ROHVA has created a web page -http://www.rohva.org/ - for enthusiasts and industry representatives that contains explanations of ROHVA’s position on ROV standards and links to important documents. The page also contains a link and other resources to facilitate stakeholders’ submission of comments on the CPSC's ANPR.

“ROV stakeholders need to be heard on whether the appropriate next step to establish ROV standards is moving forward with CPSC-imposed mandatory federal standards or instead gaining experience under the ANSI standards and promoting the ROV Safety Rules available at www.rohva.org,” said Paul Vitrano, ROHVA executive vice president.

The ANSI standard development process involves a variety of interests including CPSC and other government representatives, industry, consumers and others. Participants reach a consensus on an appropriate ANSI standard for ROV equipment, configuration and performance requirements.

ROHVA has met several times with CPSC staff in an effort to address their concerns about the ANSI standard.

“ROHVA appreciates the Commissioners’ and CPSC staff’s interest in and willingness to discuss key technical issues, and our dialogue has been productive,” Vitrano said. “While there is agreement between CPSC and ROHVA on many aspects of ROV standards, there continues to be disagreement over some important technical issues, including vehicle stability, vehicle handling and occupant protection and retention.”

Vitrano concluded, "It also should be noted that the overwhelming majority of ROV operators and passengers use the vehicles safely and responsibly and benefit from the unique recreational and utility capabilities of these vehicles.”

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association is a national industry organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of ROVs. ROHVA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop equipment, configuration and performance standards. Based in Irvine, Calif., the not-for-profit association is sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris and Yamaha. For more information visit http://www.rohva.org

Oh sorry mine is an 04 and my son's is an 05 and I'm talking about just the outside joint, not the shaft I know they are different.

Okay Guy
Thanks

Thanks let me know if you can find me a cheap one  Thanks

Here we go again my son broke his left front axle on his Rhino, and being cheap like his Old Man wants me to try to find a cheap used one before he spends the money for new.