The below info affects McCubbin's Gulch events and the Black Dog National Dualsport events. It also affects trails in the Hood River area and Barlow District. Senator Ron Wyden is making attempts to have a legacy under his name. Wyden is making a big push to add a HUGE chunk of area to the [already large] wilderness designation in the Mt. Hood National Forest. See the links below for the environmental extremist's take:

CLICK HERE to read about it in the Oregonian

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. People that are disabled will have no access. Beautiful areas that you could ride or drive to will be no longer.

I hope you take the time to get involved and write something to your senators 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

You can also write to the Mt. Hood F.S. Supervisor, Gary Larsen:

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 THE FOREST SERVICE WEBSITE

If you feel compelled to get involved (hope so) to write a letter to these people about the Mt. Hood National Forest closing down half of the area to motorized vehicles on anything other than designated, freeway-style gravel/dirt roads, or standard OHVs in the miniscule McCubbin's Gulch area, please make talking points of the following:

* Motorized recreation 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 (motorized).
* 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".
* What happened to their proposed forest-wide OHV program?
* McCubbin's Gulch is the only OHV area in this forest, which is too small of an area and consequently overused. Dispersed recreation is the best option.

Be polite, be pointed and remember to leave your contact information.

It's about time responsible motorized recreation got some positive attention, so please write!
-Tom

Just wanted to thank you for putting this on the OMRA website - I think it is important to mention this particular proposal will allow an experimental opportunity for Mtn Biking in the wilderness. ALSO< chain saws will be allowed. SO, Sen. Wyden has included all the other uses that have previously be excluded, leaving only motorized recreationists out.
How public is this public land?!!?