NEMBA Asks You to Rally for Access in Vermont

By Philip Keyes

IMBA, NEMBA and VMBA urge all mountain bikers to send comments to the National Forest Service. Mountain biking is virtually banned in the Green Mountain National Forest, and the US Forest Service's proposed Forest Plan would further institutionalize this injustice. With your help, we can change this. Please send comments that:

• Demand that the US Forest Service reverse its current policy of prohibiting bicyclists from all trails and roads in the GMNF unless specifically posted open. Trails and roads should be open to bicyclists unless posted closed.

• Support the preservation of Glastenbury Mountain and other roadless areas without Wilderness designation. Wilderness designation would permanently exclude bicycles from these important areas.

• Support Alternative E of the Green Mountain National Forest Plan Revision. Alternative E allows for the greatest potential for future mountain bike opportunities.

Comments must be sent by July 5th

Management plans being considered by the Forest Service could codify the unusual - and unfair - policies that have effectively banned mountain bikes in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. It's time for the Green Mountain National Forest to live up to its multiple-use mandate. They should follow the National Forest Service tradition that non-Wilderness trails are open to bicycling and horses unless officially closed. Pleae send an e-mail (or postal mail) message that urges the Forest Service to adopt "Alternative E," currently the prefered plan for administering the Green Mountain National Forest. This option is favorable to mountain bikers since it designates the least amount of new acreage to Wilderness. It keeps the door open for more favorable riding opportunities in the future, especially in the Glastenbury area which is covered by old roads and trails suitable for mountain biking.
Send Email Comments to: gmflplanrevision@fs.fed.us

Send Letters to: Forest Plan Revision Green Mountain National Forest 231 N. Main St. Rutland, VT 05701

Be sure to sign your message. Personalized letters and emails are the most effect. We need your letters and emails to be sent by July 5th. This is an important opportunity to increase access for mountain biking so that we can enjoy this area. Act soon: we can't miss this chance to improve mountain biking in Vermont. For more information and a SAMPLE LETTER, go to www.nemba.org