an update message from ismas ed klim

During the last presidential election, there was a clear distinction presented by the candidates regarding their position on federal land management issues. Candidate Al Gore vowed to continue the Clinton era policies, which would have maintained central control of all of our public land in Washington DC.

President Bush, on the other hand, promised to empower the land managers at the state and local level to manage the federal lands based on local needs, following federal guidelines and policies, with input from enthusiasts from all interest groups.

I am happy to report that President Bush has followed up on his campaign promise and has appointed people to key positions (in the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, National Park Service, and the US Forest Service), who believe in and agree with his philosophy. The President and his Administration understand that individuals on the ground at the local level have the greatest degree of knowledge and are the best managers of our public land.

The Washington DC based staff is busy traveling across the country, working long hours visiting federal lands, empowering the local land managers to manage and oversee the federal lands appropriately. This administration is demanding that local and state organizations have input into the decision-making process, and we can make a difference.

Important for all snowmobilers to realize, is that along with local empowerment comes local responsibility to participate in the process and voice our opinions.

Nowhere is this clearer than in Yellowstone National Park, which is eagerly gathering information from the seven cooperating agencies that are reviewing the supplemental environmental impact study (SEIS). The final decision on what occurs in Yellowstone National Park will be the result of input provided by the three states encompassing Yellowstone National Park and the other cooperating agencies in cooperation with them and the Park Service Management itself. Those most aware of the Yellowstone issues will have the most to say and ultimately the most to gain or lose in the final decision.

Additionally, the US Forest Service Chief has verified that the review of Forest Service Management Plans, and any considerations on designating roadless areas within those forests, will be completed and performed by the local foresters in cooperation with the Friends of the Forest in the local area and enthusiast groups such as snowmobile clubs and state snowmobile associations.

As a community, we have consistently asked for input into the land management decision-making process at the local level. Our opportunities are now here and along with those opportunities come greater responsibility to provide input in the decision-making process.

Those efforts take time, energy and commitment. Along with our input, there will be local input from our enemies, who will also be meeting with our local foresters to express their concerns. The local residents that use or live adjacent to a National Forest have the most knowledge of the forest and are encouraged to participate in updating any of the plans for either their Forest, National Park and/or National Refuge. Hard work and determination have shown many successes and gains in the last few months in Montana, Vermont and Minnesota, just to name a few.

We are encouraged to see that the system really does work and that Federalism, when it is appropriately applied works. If you need help in preparing for any of the upcoming Land Management meetings, we encourage you to visit the ISMA web site at www.snowmobile.org .

The snowmobiling Fact Book, contained in its entirety on the web site, has pages of helpful information that can help all snowmobilers better understand the big picture of snowmobiling and the economic activity it provides. The Fact Book also refers to numerous studies that support the responsible use of snowmobiling on public land. For those of you that participate in these events, the manufacturers thank you for your support. In addition to the local snowmobilers, we encourage involvement of local and county government officials, who also have a vested interest in the continued responsible use of our federal lands.