The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced that this can do nothing but help, so here's the address to the Mt. Hood Forest Supervisor:
Mr. Gary Larsen
Forest Supervisor
Mt. Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055-2799
Telephone
Voice: (503) 668-1700 TTY: (503) 668-1431 FAX: (503) 668-1794
CLICK HERE FOR THEIR WEBSITE
If you feel compelled to get involved (hope so) to write a letter [sorry, can't find his email yet] to Mr. Larsen about Mt. Hood National Forest (NF) not allowing the use of street-legal, muffled vehicles on anything other than designated, freeway-style gravel/dirt roads, please make talking points of the following:
* Dualsporting is a family-oriented, publicly acceptable sport.
* If any of you are disabled, this may be your only way to get to "the great outdoors".
* You are a taxpayer that is not getting your forest experience needs met.
* The amount of time and money that you spend locally to enjoy your chosen mode of forest recreation (dualsport).
* If you are like me, this is how you feel closer to a higher power, by being out in the forest. I call it "The Church Of The Great Outdoors".
* They have instituted a "Closed unless posted Open" policy for the event (I am not sure if this is legal).
* What happened to their proposed forest-wide OHV program?
* McCubbin's Gulch is the only OHV area, which is too small of an area. Dispersed recreation is the best option.
Be polite, be pointed and remember to leave your contact information. As I always do, I plan on having a letter writing opportunity at the event. I will then plop the letters into their main office. I have also requested a face-to-face with Mr. Larsen for end of next week, so here's hoping I get it.
Also remember that Senator Ron Wyden's big push to add a HUGE chunk of area to the wilderness designation in the forest may also be affecting this.
CLICK HERE to read about it
CLICK HERE for the Wilderness Society's take
HERE'S THE REALITY CLICKER: CLICK HERE to see the Oregon Wild Campaign - be SURE and select 'The Map' That's right, the wilderness areas will approximately double! I love wilderness too, but you will no longer have access to many common areas, other than by foot.
I hope you take the time to get involved and write something to your senators too about not wanting this added designation. Wyden will not be receptive, and Smith hopefully will be. It is probably best to FAX letters to Wyden, Smith et al since email is deleteable and US mail can take months.
Wyden, Ron - (D - OR)
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Wyden FAX 202 228 2717
http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Smith, Gordon - (R - OR)
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Smith FAX 202 228 3997
Web Form: http://gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm
So I hope you do write something. It's about time responsible motorized recreation got some positive attention!
-Tom