Friday, September 2

TO:  INTERESTED SNOWMOBILERS

FROM:  Christine Jourdain, AMERICAN COUNCIL OF SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATIONS

I've just returned from attending the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation, which was the 4th of it's kind.  The first was convened by President Theodore Roosevelt.  President Bush requested this conference be held and it's been in the planning stages for about one year.

About 1,000 people were there  --  and representatives included 5 of the agencies, Ag, Interior, Commerce, Defense and EPA. 

Colleen Maguire (Washington State Trail Administrator) and I were the only ones there from recreation.......that includes all forms of recreation from motorized to non-motorized to mechanized.  The only ones -- no one from Bikes, Horses, ATVs, Hiking, Boats, etc.

Needless to say, there were lots of opportunities for networking.  I spent an incredible amount of time with many of the senior policy makers in the Department of Interior, which includes the National Park Sevice and Bureau of Land Management, from the Secretary to the Undersecretary and Deputy Undersecretaries to the Directors. 

The decision makers in the Forest Service were also there in full force.  All of the leaders from the Department of Agriculture to the Forest Service.  Nearly all of the Regional Foresters were in attendance as well as the folks from the DC office, which meant lots of time to talk about all of the issues.  

Talked with Suzanne Lewis, Yellowstone Superintendent, who is on her way to DC next week attending the hearing with Judge Sullivan on the grooming issue.  Remember, when the Fund for Animals originally filed suit their basis was to discontinue grooming so the bison couldn't use the groomed trails to get out of the park.  She's recently had a study done which concludes the animals use the river, not the road.  But -- you never know, remember Judge Sullivan is the one who suggested a study be done on the bison wearing respirators -- and he was serious!! 

There were lots of ranchers, timberman, miners, and groups like The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever at this event.  But no recreation??  I'm not sure I understand -- but am certainly glad we were included.

So, the purpose of this meeting?  Basic as it sounds, partnerships.  Remember, these agencies have never had to work with each other, and in many cases, have never partnered with anyone.  Think about it....Defense is one of the largest providers of recreation due to the water and the Corp of Engineers.  But their huge and they've always just done whatever they wanted....but now they need help.

There was a guy from Defense that said you guys need to start planting trees  -- he was shocked, literally shocked when he found out we already do that!!

It was a great week!!  How fun it is to represent snowmobilers!!