&

It's a long list but don't buy from them and don't support them...

Who Hates 4x4s in Utah?

Posted November 15 2012 06:34 AM by John Cappa
Filed under: Editorials, Land Use, Opinions, Opinions, John Cappa

So who doesn't want you four-wheeling in Utah? Apparently a long list of people and companies that seem to think they can survive without you as a customer, including some that are not even based in Utah!!!

I recently received an email from the Blue Ribbon Coalition that included a letter to the President signed by a list of companies petitioning to limit 4x4 access in the scenic Utah state. CLICK HERE to see the actual letter. If they don't support your hobby, make sure you don't support their livelihood. Hit them where it hurts most, their wallets. See the list of companies that hate you and your hobby in the letter. In the past I have purchased products from several of these companies including Patagonia, North Face, Teva, Jansport, Red Wing Shoes, Camelbak, Outdoor Research, and Burton Snowboards. Not anymore! Some of the companies are right in Moab including Desert Bistro, Miguel's Baja Grill, and several of the tour companies in Moab! Personally, I'd love to see every single one of them go out of business. Keep the list in mind when shopping and for those that visit Moab, print out the letter and list and keep it in your 4x4 or pocket for sure. For more information and to take action CLICK HERE.

• Get a Free Quote

• Find a Local Dealer

Reader Comments:

1. Of that dollar amount how much of that is generated from off roaders? I realize money is a hot button but so many other things come into play here. My honest opinion is most of the people on this list have had no experience within the off road community. My first inclination is to be mad at these companies and not purchase from them. Just a thought... if I was to write a letter indicating my discontinuation of future purchase of products from their company and many people follow suit OR I write a letter and call inviting them to join some events, share stories and pictures of families and friends enjoying the great outdoors. Which one would be more effective? The latter would take more effort and patience and may be a very long haul. Puffing our chest out and getting mad may move us backwards. "You can attract more bees with honey than with vinegar" ..."Hit them where it hurts" is kind of like vinegar. Not everyone is going to agree with me but I would gladly do my part to help with this. I am very concerned with this matter because off- roading is what I LOVE!

melaniehoit - Posted November 15 2012 10:28 AM

2. I find it hard to believe they are bragging about the amount of money "they" bring in, then give no credit to the people(4x4)who spend the most...just what we need, more *** writing letters to people who will never get out and enjoy this land. I would like to see any of the people they write to, come out and join a club for the day and say that sucked...

liljacktrv - Posted November 15 2012 02:11 PM

3. An official update on the matter from Camp Chef.

Camp Chef
3985 N 75 W
Hyde Park, Utah
84318

November 15, 2012

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently, a letter was sent to President Obama seeking National Monument designation for the greater Canyonlands area. Camp Chef has contacted the author of the letter and asked that our company’s name not be used in support of this effort.

Camp Chef understands that not only our consumer base but also our employees are very diverse and enjoy the outdoors in many different ways. We believe in and support, a balanced and responsible approach when considering conservation and utilization of our public lands.

Regards,

Ty Measom
Owner, CEO
Camp Chef

Brandon Sparrow
COO
Camp Chef

CampChef - Posted November 15 2012 02:58 PM

4. Let's take a moment to talk about the good things that are happening in the OHV community! Tread Lightly! is part of the first multi agency partnership focusing on education and fostering good stewards of the land. The RIDE On campaign is an effort that encourages simple actions, such as staying on the trail, that protect opportunities. Restricted access isn't the answer...Education is key! Check out what we are doing and encourage others to utilize this free campaign as a positive, pro-active effort toward future recreational opportunities!
http://www.respectedaccess.org/campaign/motorized-vehicles/

Show your support of companies that are investing in education as a solution. Tread Lightly! has many proud supporters!
http://www.treadlightly.org/page.php/partners-current/Current-Official-Partners.html

treadlightlyinc - Posted November 15 2012 04:34 PM

5. nice to hear camp chef doesn't want their name on the list. begs the question, did they contribute money to the cause, and if so, will they continue to contribute money?

nuclearlemon - Posted November 15 2012 07:16 PM

6. There has been a misunderstanding. The Outdoor Industry Association proposal for a Canyonlands National Monument WOULD KEEP ROADS AND TRAILS OPEN TO MOTORIZED TRAVEL. The outdoor industry is asking for this Monument to protect recreation of all types---biking, jeeping, hiking, horses, ohv's, hang gliders, base jumpers---EVERYBODY. We are seeking to protect the area from mineral extraction, like oil and gas, tar sands, and oil shale. Development of these resources has already started and is slated to ramp up beginning next year on the 5 million acres to the north, south, east and west of Canyonlands. I don't know about you, but we do not enjoy camping near an oil pump that is making noise all night, nor do we want to ride our bikes, hike, or drive through toxic sludge. The Monument is not Wilderness and would not be closed to motorized travel. I am sorry that this mis-information got out there!

AshleyKorenblat - Posted November 16 2012 12:32 AM

7. Hi Ashley -

Are you saying that there is an OIA Greater Canyonlands National Monument proposal that is not in any way related to the SUWA Greater Canyonlands National Monument proposal found here? http://action.suwa.org/site/DocServer/PetitionWithPhotos_FINAL.pdf?docID=11127

Because that petition specifically targets over 1000 miles of backcountry roads in southwestern Utah to be closed to OHV use, and SUWAs own web page would indicate that they're working intimately with the OIA. Where are you getting your information?

KevinBiddle - Posted November 16 2012 02:49 AM

8. Ashley, I appreciate that Western Spirit Cycling isn't interested in closing roads, but the document you effectively signs states that:

"We also turn to you for action because unfortunately, Greater Canyonlands is endangered. Federal land use plans... fail[s] to address exploding off-road vehicle use that is damaging riparian areas, cultural sites, soils and solitude."

Unfortunately this statement leaves the door wide open for certain groups to push closure of motorized access to these areas.

sixstringsteve - Posted November 16 2012 08:37 AM

9. This is the reply I received from the owner of Miguel's Baja Grill. Is it possible that the folks collecting signatures for this letter didn't give the signers the whole story? Possible..
"
Robert,

My wife and I own two 4 wheel drive vehicles and use them on the backcountry roads in the Moab area. What we are looking for is more protection from the minority of irresponsible people who choose to trash the backcountry and make it harder for responsible people to enjoy the area."

smokinlib1 - Posted November 16 2012 09:29 AM

10. To Camp Chef... Did they trick you into signing onto this one as well? http://www.suwa.org/2011/09/19/outdoor-industry-takes-action-to-protect-wilderness-from-oil-and-gas-development/

Dennis_L - Posted November 16 2012 11:09 AM

11. I'll just make my position clear to any of the signers: If you support SUWA, you lost my business. Simple as that.

smokinlib1 - Posted November 16 2012 11:32 AM

12. From the SUWA website regarding Ashley's comments. http://www.suwa.org/2012/06/28/intern-files-on-getting-shut-out-of-a-meeting-on-utahs-land-grab/ Ashley is opposed to HB148 and as the SUWA moderator pointed out, she understands that this Greater Canyonlands purposel won't hurt HER business. SUWA mod praises her support: " Ashley is very supportive of protecting public lands in Utah - she realizes that wilderness does not mean that people are "locked out" of the lands. Mountain bike trails often form the boundaries of proposed wilderness areas, and mountain bikers enjoy viewing wilderness landscapes while riding. There are very few conflicts with mountain bike trails in our wilderness proposal, and we have been working with Ashley and others on resolving these conflicts. Outfitters like Western Spirit realize that protecting wilderness-quality lands is good for business!" Sort of like driving by a very nice house, but only being able to look in the window, but not allowed to go in and enjoy it. She's got her protection and not a care for the effect it will have on motorized access, hunting, fishing, family recreation, energy production, property rights, ranching, grazing and the jobs that will be lost in the area, just the heck with the rest of us.

Moabmom - Posted November 16 2012 11:46 AM

13. Ashly Korenblat is correct when she says there would be SOME motorized access to the proposed monument, but as I understand the proposal close to half of the current existing roads would be closed. What the monument is really about is closing the area off to oil and mineral extraction. The rural counties that the monument would be in need those revinues and jobs available to us as well. It's tough to keep the doors open for you visitors with the seasonal recreation economy let alone keep the doors open on our schools. If you like visiting ghost towns with little or no services then support the monument.

Dennis_L - Posted November 16 2012 02:41 PM

14. I received a great response from the owner of Desert Bistro in Moab. I thought the entire letter was worth posting and I hope that there are others who signed the petition who also felt the same:

Hello:

Thank you for the e-mail and also bringing this to my attention. I assure you that, while we have spoken to the folks who organized this letter in the past, we were under the impression that we were simply speaking out against exploitation of this land for oil drilling. Admittedly, we did not receive a copy nor did we take the time to look through any letters that were signed on our behalf which is obviously a gross oversight and for that I apologize. There is not a valid excuse other than we were very busy at the time and truly didn’t realize that we were signing a “much bigger” picture initiative. While I can understand the need to protect certain areas, I do believe in access to these wonderful areas and understand that motorized vehicles and roadways are a necessity for access a lot of the time.

Having lived in Moab for almost 12 years and Salt Lake for another 8 years prior to that, we are also outdoor enthusiasts! While many of our outdoor pursuits are not motorized, we have absolutely enjoyed some good fun on dirt bikes, jeeps, snowmobiles, etc and also understand that it’s an important aspect of our tourism based economy down here in Moab. We feel that Moab represents a wonderful multi-use model for many other communities struggling with the various user groups all trying to co-exist in the same space, on the same trails, etc. We applaud the efforts of those creating single track trails/spurs off main trails so that those who don’t like the motors can escape that, but we appreciate the fact that everyone has the opportunity to at least access these areas no matter their form of transportation.

While I realize this may not do much to change any opinion, I felt it important to note that we are not 4x4 haters and do not want to close off access to the wonders that this beautiful part of the country has to offer. Again, my apologies for not doing my part in researching this a bit more and knowing what we were actually signing.

Thank you for your time and also consideration in reaching out to us.

Michelle Kelley

smokinlib1 - Posted November 16 2012 05:14 PM

15. The Canyonlands letter and a couple similar to it have been going out for a few years now! Indeed, boycott whom you want but that will not really be felt by most of these companies. I have not purchased goods from many on that list for other reasons than the above letter! Some on that list are visited by and my clients and me regularly while in Moab. I talk with the local people often enough to realize they don't HATE 4x4 people or vehicles! Quite the contrary - for the locals! What WE all HATE are the idiots that are consistently driving off road/trail/rightofway at a speed not appropriate for said travel path. Yes, I do invite many people to come along and most already own a 4WD vehicle of some sort anyway! What we, out here, don't want is the Fracking and Smacking of the pristine area we make a living in, share with clients and really try to keep pristine and wild! Even the SUWA folks own a 4WD for use on those back roads!! I agree with the TREAD Lightly! person and those that ask us to get the letter signers to come out for a fun mellow day in a SUV 4WD vehicle. I have been guiding and teaching in the area of discussion for almost 30 years. We need to take time to pay attention to the groups that support ANTI-ACCESS and either write directly to them or invite them to experience the wild lands from our perspective. The letter is correct in stating about the explosion of "off-road vehicles" which is pointed to the newest menace the BLM faces; that of the Razor/UTV crowd who are certainly changing the face of the roads, riparian habitat and creating this Ill-will toward all Off-Highway vehicle operators. Just take a look at the Monitor/Merrimack trail system! Thanks for keeping this issue up front Four Wheeler. Bill Burke Owner: BB4WA.com

BillBurke60 - Posted November 16 2012 09:32 PM

Add a Comment: (Must Be Registered)

User Name

Not Registered?
Signup today

Password

Comment