Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

stephdp

Re: [cloudtramp] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

hey guys,
I've talked with a lot of people about this, from the local Moab BLM recreation manager (who is extremely pro base and until now has not been included in any discussions) to the director of the Access Fund to the CEO of Backcountry.com to the people who drafted the original letter and came up with the original proposal.
Currently everyone agrees the monument idea is not going to happen, and everyone also agrees it's not a very good one. The thing was born from good intentions (preserve the land from getting messed up by drilling/mining), but was not thought out well at all and is kinda like a two-legged stool. The Utah congress just sent a letter to Obama telling him they hate the idea, and there is really not much danger of it coming to pass.
So the original proposers of the idea are kind of going back to the drawing board. Although I really don't feel like being super involved with stuff like this, I am talking to them and at least trying to keep the basic questions on the table: like, why even try to change the current land management? At any rate, what I'm hearing from everyone (and especially from the Access Fund which is supposed to be a climbing organization) is that they are all pro-base jumping, and they are now very interested in keeping base jumping in mind along with the other recreation groups for any new ideas anyone comes up with. A lot of this is because of all the outcry that happened in the last couple of weeks, so thanks for being concerned and being vocal.

steph

TomAiello

Re: [TomAiello] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

I received this email from Backcountry.com today:

In reply to: Please know that we do not support the closure of lands.

The letter that Jill Layfield, our CEO, signed, was a letter from the Outdoor Industry Association. Jill signed the letter with the understanding that the lands would not be closed to off-roading, BASE jumping, and other sports. That was since reinforced by the OIA and multiple other signers of the letter. We signed the letter conscientiously, referencing all the information that we had at the time.

Steph Davis is one of our pro team athletes and is keeping us informed on developments on this matter. She is working now with Brady Robinson (Access Fund), Jason Keith (part of the original monument proposal plan), and Jennifer Jones (BLM recreation manager in Moab) to understand the proposal and the ramifications, and to ensure that the lands are used responsibly without the threat of closure.

Jason is no longer a proponent of monument status, as there are too many holes in the idea as far as actual implementation, and the letter that the Utah congress just sent to Obama reinforces that.

Please know that we are up on the developments and will continue to learn more as we go.

There will be developments next week, and Steph will be in touch with us. Our goal is, through her consultation, to be totally aware of the developments, so that we may act accordingly.

Please know that Jill Layfield, on behalf of Backcountry.com, will not sign any petition or letter, nor be part of any campaign, that will close lands to recreational use. Our focus is on sustainable, responsible use and stewardship.

MARIT FISCHER
Brand Marketing Director
Backcountry.com

I think this is the first time I've seen a sponsored BASE jumper use their connections with their corporate sponsor to help with BASE access issues. Good for Steph!

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

robinheid

Re: [TomAiello] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

TomAiello wrote: I received this email from Backcountry.com today:

In reply to: Please know that we do not support the closure of lands.

The letter that Jill Layfield, our CEO, signed, was a letter from the Outdoor Industry Association. Jill signed the letter with the understanding that the lands would not be closed to off-roading, BASE jumping, and other sports. That was since reinforced by the OIA and multiple other signers of the letter. We signed the letter conscientiously, referencing all the information that we had at the time.

Steph Davis is one of our pro team athletes and is keeping us informed on developments on this matter. She is working now with Brady Robinson (Access Fund), Jason Keith (part of the original monument proposal plan), and Jennifer Jones (BLM recreation manager in Moab) to understand the proposal and the ramifications, and to ensure that the lands are used responsibly without the threat of closure.

Jason is no longer a proponent of monument status, as there are too many holes in the idea as far as actual implementation, and the letter that the Utah congress just sent to Obama reinforces that.

Please know that we are up on the developments and will continue to learn more as we go.

There will be developments next week, and Steph will be in touch with us. Our goal is, through her consultation, to be totally aware of the developments, so that we may act accordingly.

Please know that Jill Layfield, on behalf of Backcountry.com, will not sign any petition or letter, nor be part of any campaign, that will close lands to recreational use. Our focus is on sustainable, responsible use and stewardship.

MARIT FISCHER
Brand Marketing Director
Backcountry.com

I think this is the first time I've seen a sponsored BASE jumper use their connections with their corporate sponsor to help with BASE access issues. Good for Steph!
Thanks for passing that on, Tom. Kudos to Steph and the backcountry.com peeps, and everyone elese who lent their voices to beating back this probably well-intentioned but definitely misinformed and fundamentally flawed attempt to "save" the land from evil capitalists.

And for anyone still harboring any illusions that the NPS is a reasonable agency with which to deal, look no further than here.

44

The beginning of wisdom is to first call things by their right names.

cloudtramp

Re: [robinheid] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

It seems like in the end this whole hubbub in Moab will have worked to shed some light on the legitimacy of BASE Jumpers as responsible recreational users of the land thanks to people like Steph and Tom.

For those concerned with mineral development in the area here is a other perspective by a geologist and land manager of 30 years in SE UT: http://sagebrushcoalition.com/...ater-canyonlands-nm/

Ashley Korenblat is one of the spearheads of this monument movement and she also happens to own Western Spirit Cycling here in Moab. I personally believe that she (Ashley) has alterior motives in presenting this proposal that will result in financial benefits for her at the expense of others.

robinheid

Re: [cloudtramp] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

cloudtramp wrote: It seems like in the end this whole hubbub in Moab will have worked to shed some light on the legitimacy of BASE Jumpers as responsible recreational users of the land thanks to people like Steph and Tom.

For those concerned with mineral development in the area here is a other perspective by a geologist and land manager of 30 years in SE UT: http://sagebrushcoalition.com/...ater-canyonlands-nm/

Ashley Korenblat is one of the spearheads of this monument movement and she also happens to own Western Spirit Cycling here in Moab. I personally believe that she (Ashley) has alterior ulterior motives in presenting this proposal that will result in financial benefits for her at the expense of others.
Kaaaaaa-CHING!

As the age-old adage goes, follow the money.

What I don't get, though, is how she could benefit financially because, IIRC, this proposal includes designating the area in question as wilderness, which means no "mechanized transport," which means... no bicycles.

So it appears that either there's a flaw in your analysis or she's just going Jane Curtain on us.

44

The beginning of wisdom is to first call things by their right names.

explorer09

Re: [FrankieB] Good Point

Hello, my name is John from http://www.thumpertalk.com/

I've suggested forming alliances and relationships with as many people this could affect as possible. Such as anyone who actually does spend REAL time outdoors. Driving an 8mpg Range Rover from a McMansion (the people who wish to enforce this garbage) wearing the most expensive hiking gear to the woods once a year, if that, doesn't count.

We are having a discussion about this as well and are also very concerned. I was quite surprised at some of the companies vying to stick their greedy little fingers in the land pie. Very disappointing to say the least. Many of us are also climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, campers, etc.

Feel free to join us.

One of the most powerful organizations we have is http://www.sharetrails.org/

More information can be found here for those who are interested,

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/46-land-uselegislation/

Thank you for mentioning this in your post.
It is greatly appreciated,

John

Here is fantastic rebuttal from a geologist who actually lives there,

http://sagebrushcoalition.com/2012/12/07/a-rebuttal-to-the-oia-ashley-korenblat-statement-on-the-proposed-greater-canyonlands-nm/#more-97

Lovey74

Re: [explorer09] Good Point

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_bd029d04-64e2-11e2-8c0b-001a4bcf6878.html

From the Moab Newspaper. Apparently count officials do not agree with or support the idea of a National Monument.

MRGreen

Re: [robinheid] Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

cloudtramp

Re: Moab BASE jumping in jeopardy

The Greater Canyonlands debate still smolders and has been recently re-ignited albeit with some friendlier terms (transparent democratic process instead of executive order). The latest news is here:

http://www.sltrib.com/...reater-utah.html.csp

If you are in the SLC area and are interested in having your voice heard tomorrow is your chance:

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