OK maybe this should be in OTB - maybe not. Check out this article (anyone paying attention knew this was coming) and then think about mtbs not being allowed in "Wilderness Areas" we have had previous access to within a National Forest. Makes you wonder a little bit about forest management and how our user group manges to get squeezed out. Not sure what yields more environmental impact, an mtb or a bulldozer :. And before anyone freaks out, calls me a hippie and trys to run me over with their Suburban - yes, I understand the difference between a NF and NP etc. I just don't get how we get managed out of the equation when it comes to uses allowed in a NF when companies are allowed to set their own environmental guidleines and subsequently be judged by outside auditors (this type of regulation has worked so well in other industries - think financial services, insurance etc. :). Our Gov't scuttles it's previous management strategy (which was cumbersome) for a form of industry self regulation and they limit public input. Meanwhile we may not be able to ride our bikes in the White Mtns. As they say in the Guiness commercials - Brilliant! Here's the article - you need a password to view it, it takes 2 seconds to set one up with the nytimes. This wasn't posted to start any left v. right ranting just for informational purposes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/po...hPdVAPBSYe9sjQ