I have been forwarded this and is originally from Carla Boucher, United Four Wheel Drive Attorney. I've heard "rumblings" about this but this is the first of anything in
depth........... Along with Carla's concerns I'm in my "angry" mode again re "WHY ONLY MOTORIZED"?????

Please pass this information on to your club members and/or your email list. Obviously this is "happening" and we ALL need to get involved and pay attention. THEY WIN, IF WE IGNORE.

Personally I don't have a problem with a "motorized user 'sticker' program"
but I want the funds to support our sport and issues............. not some
"company president's pocket"! Please pay attention to the facts should any of you be selected. I'll forward any additional nformation as I get it.


Subject: Use caution with new group

A company or program called Superior Trails is developing a permit scheme for all federal lands. The company is hoping to get federal
authorization to institute a mandatory permit costing $35.00 as a requirement for all OHV travel on federally-managed lands. The permit
would be required before any person may travel on federal land using four wheel drives, ATVs, or motorcycles. In order to obtain a permit a
user would be required to take a test and pass it pertaining to appropriate mechanical requirements and user ethics. Test taking stations would be available at merchants such as auto dealers, parts places, and 4x4 shops.

In addition to the permit, the company would institute its own law enforcement regulations. Fines for violations of the regulations are
ranging from $900 to $1000 per violation.

I have been discussing the program with one of the partners of the company and trying to explain to them the problems associated with this system. He has recently informed me that he intends to poll four wheel drive clubs to see whether they support the development of such a
system.

One of the initial problems I have with this concept (and I have many problems with it right now) is that their website is currently set up to
allow a user to take the test and if they pass, collect their $35.00 for a permit. The website can be viewed at www.superiortrail.com . However, until the program is approved legislatively through Congress the money you spend on a permit gets you nothing. Also, the website has Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) but it fails to plainly state that this program would REQUIRE every motorized user to have one of their permits to recreate on federal lands and it fails to indicate that a permit paid for now means nothing and the money the user spends to get the permit ($35.00) gets them nothing, it simply lines the pocket of the company developing the program. In short, I have strongly indicated to these people my problems with their idea.

My concern is that your member clubs will only get a part of the story when they are polled for their reaction. Please advise them to proceed cautiously with this company and their program and to ask a lot of questions if they are polled before taking a position on whether to support this program.

Thanks for taking the time to pass this information on to all your members.

If you or your clubs have any questions about this program please don't hesitate to contact me.

Carla


10% of the fines (most are $900-$1000) go to Superior Trail. Read through their regulations, fines, tests, licensing, and fees. The more I read the more I hate this.

Oh, and look at this statement;

Because Superior Trail is an independent company and reserves the right to revoke or suspend any license at any time for any reason, there is no court system. All appeals are processed through Superior Trail and all findings are final.

Did anyone hear of any of this coming? They don't give a date, but say they are in the heart of launching the program.

I think this is something that we need to fight against. We do not want a private company issuing licenses, giving exams, and handing out fines.

 

I read their website and took their pratice exams just for fun. I also emailed them telling them what I think of their ideas and along with telling them that they rank right up there with PETA. I'm not sure what they are smoking over there in Texas but it must be some really good stuff. I agree there are alot of IDIOTS out there off-roading that don't care about anything or respect the land and they are the ones that ruin it for all of us that do. But these Superior trails guys are really dreaming.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Jun-02 AT 12:43 PM (EST)]I talked to NOHVCC and they assure me that neither them or the US forest service support them.

I also just recieved this from the UFWDA

"A company or program called Superior Trails is developing a permit =
scheme for all federal lands. The company is hoping to get federal =
authorization to institute a mandatory permit costing $35.00 as a =
requirement for all OHV travel on federally-managed lands. The permit =
would be required before any person may travel on federal land using =
four wheel drives, ATVs, or motorcycles. In order to obtain a permit a =
user would be required to take a test and pass it pertaining to =
appropriate mechanical requirements and user ethics. Test taking =
stations would be available at merchants such as auto dealers, parts =
places, and 4x4 shops. =20

In addition to the permit, the company would institute its own law =
enforcement regulations. Fines for violations of the regulations are =
ranging from $900 to $1000 per violation.

I have been discussing the program with one of the partners of the =
company and trying to explain to them the problems associated with this =
system. He has recently informed me that he intends to poll four wheel =
drive clubs to see whether they support the development of such a =
system. =20

One of the initial problems I have with this concept (and I have many =
problems with it right now) is that their website is currently set up to =
allow a user to take the test and if they pass, collect their $35.00 for =
a permit. The website can be viewed at www.superiortrail.com . However, =
until the program is approved legislatively through Congress the money =
you spend on a permit gets you nothing. Also, the website has =
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) but it fails to plainly state that this =
program would REQUIRE every motorized user to have one of their permits =
to recreate on federal lands and it fails to indicate that a permit paid =
for now means nothing and the money the user spends to get the permit =
($35.00) gets them nothing, it simply lines the pocket of the company =
developing the program. In short, I have strongly indicated to these =
people my problems with their idea.=20

My concern is that your member clubs will only get a part of the story =
when they are polled for their reaction. Please advise them to proceed =
cautiously with this company and their program and to ask a lot of =
questions if they are polled before taking a position on whether to =
support this program.

Thanks for taking the time to pass this information on to all your =
members.

If you or your clubs have any questions about this program please don't =
hesitate to contact me.

Carla"

Seems to be just someones wet dream. I don't think anyone needs to panic on this now.

Silly rabbit. Jeeps are for chicks!!
"If you're not getting stuck, you're not trying"
76 F100

 

The only way this bunch of Interlopers could ever hope to get any kind of legitimate existence would be for a GROUP of prominet senators and representatives to pressure the Dept. of the Interior to allow them to institute their rules and regulations in lieu of the existing law that is appliciable to current off-roading----That takes lots and lots of money(can you spell legal bribe=soft money)----If they were too setup shop in say Colorado---I would predict that they would find themselves , in very short order , being hungout to dry!!!!!!!!!!Besides who will enforce their damn rule violations and collect the so-called fines!!!!!!They would be about as welcome as a **** in Televive---and would probably have just about the same amount of shelf life------they had just better stay the Hell away!!!!fd :-X11