Defend Your Ground
Defend Your Ground is a podcast produced by BlueRibbon Coalition - a 501c3 non-profit that works to defend outdoor recreation on public land on a national level. Listen to learn about new areas to explore, new adventures to pursue, and to become a better advocate for promoting all forms of recreation.
Episodes
The BLM recently released their preliminary maps for the San Rafael Swell travel plan. We expect a public comment period on this plan soon.
In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the planning status of the San Rafael Swells in Utah. They provide an overview of the recent developments and the upcoming public comment period. They highlight concerns about road closures and the potential impact on popular trails, particularly for dirt...BRC Executive Director Ben Burr was recently a guest on San Diego Off-Road Radio with Dave Stall. Show Participants discussed recent trail closures, the fight to keep trails open, concerns with new national monument proposals, and more.
Southern Idaho has seen a flurry of BLM travel plans in the last year. In this episode we provide an update on the series of travel plans that have been introduced that will affect the Owyhee region of southwestern Idaho.
In the episode we discuss the Silver City Travel Management Plan, which is open for public comment until February 12. You can submit a comment here: https://www.sharetrails.org/silver-city-travel-management-in-sou...
In this episode we respond to multiple false claims made by Jonathan P. Thompson in his recent blog article: The Arrogance of the off-road vehicle lobby
References from the Show:
Find our lawsuit challenging these trail closures here: https://www.sharetrails.org/release-coalition-of-off-roaders-asks-federal-...
Utah State Treasurer Marlo Oaks joins us in this episode to discuss the SEC's proposal to allow the New York Stock Exchange to create Natural Asset Companies. Natural Asset Companies would be a new form of corporation designed to securitize and privatize nature - including our public lands.
You can read Treasurer Oaks' opinion editorial in the Wall Street Journal about this topic here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administra...
In this insttallment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Tyler St. Jeor, who has served as a volunteer for the Search and Rescue team in Wasatch County. With extensive experience on a variety of rescues in the Wasatch Mountains, Tyler shares his insights on how to recreate safely and responsibly.
We are grateful to all Search and Rescue volunteers, and we encourage everyone to support Wasatch County SAR.
In this installment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Mike Fogg, who has served as a volunteer for Search and Rescue teams in Weber County. With extensive experience on a variety of rescues in the Wasatch Mountains, Mike shares his insights on how to recreate safely and responsibly.
We are grateful to all Search and Rescue volunteers, and we encourage everyone to support Weber County SAR.
The Manti-La Sal forest plan revision will impact snowmobile use on three major mountain ranges in Utah. After attending a US Forest Service meeting on the plan revision process with Mike Davis from the Utah Snowmobile Association, we connected to produce this episode to share additional information about this plan. This plan will affect recreation access to millions more acres in Utah, and we need everyone to add their voice: http...
In this installment of the "Last Known Position series" we are joined by Casey Lofthouse, who has a long history as a volunteer for Search and Rescue teams across the state of Utah. With extensive experience in southwest Utah - and specifically Sand Hollow - Casey shares his stories of rescuing those in need. We also discuss safety and preparation best practices to ensure that your adventures always have happy endings.
This episode was recorded at the Stop 30x30 Conference hosted by American Stewards for Liberty. BRC Board Member, Mark Maynard joins us to discuss BRC's efforts to oppose 30x30. We also discuss a new Resource Management Plan proposed by the Bureau of Land Management that will affect 3 million acres of land in Rock Springs, Wyoming. You can leave your comment on the Rock Springs plan here: https://www.sharetrails.org/southern-wyomi...
The Manti-La Sal National Forest is requesting public feedback on the latest draft of their new forest plan. This will affect all forms of recreation use in over 1 million acres of central and eastern Utah. We appreciate the International Snowmobile Manufacturer's Association who has provided us with a grant to educate users about land management plans that will affect snowmobiling. This plan will affect snowmobiling, and int thi...
In the latest episode of the Defend Your Ground Podcast, Will Harris was our special guest. Will has been one of the key players in correcting the scientific record about the dust emissions - or lack thereof - at Oceano Dunes. Agencies often rely on limited scientific findings to pass sweeping policy changes, and this results in false narratives that become very difficult to uproot. We encourage everyone to listen to this episode t...
Congress needs to defund the monument planners for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. You can notify your member of Congress here: https://www.sharetrails.org/defund-the-bureau-of-land-management-national-monument-planners/
Everyone needs to add their voice to the Kootenai Forest snowmobile plan: https://www.sharetrails.org/action-alert-kootenai-over-snow-vehicle-plan/
Today President Biden is abusing his Antiquities Act authority to create 1.1 million acre national monument in Arizona called the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. This 30x30 land grab will lock the American people out from enjoying the benefits of these public lands. In this episode we discuss the problems with this monument, we discuss our legal challenge to the continued abuse of the Antiquities Act, and...
The National Park Service is re-evaluating their rule to allow e-bikes in national parks. After listening to the show, you can add your voice to the process here:
Make a Public Comment on the Plan
Western Idaho is undergoing travel management, which designates routes in the area of Canyonlands East in Owyhee County. This is the Fossil Butte and Grandview areas. The project area is 815, 677 acres. Known for off roading, single track, camping and access to rivers and lakes, the BLM is analyzing the majority of the routes in this area.
Add your voice here: https://www.sharetrails.org/canyonlands-east-in-owyhee-idaho-travel-mana...
We reviewed the public records for comments that have been submitted for the BLM conservation rule that will sell our public lands to the highest bidder, and we found some hidden gems among the 150,000 comments already submitted. In this episode we read and discuss what advocates for the rule are saying. If you don't add your voice to the process, these are the comments the Bureau of Land Management will listen to.
Former Secretary of the Department of the Interior Joins the Defend Your Ground Podcast to discuss his new book: You Report to Me.
In the podcast we discuss ways the public can hold the administrative state accountable, and Secretary Be...
The Lolo National Forest in Montana is recommending more wilderness designations in their upcoming forest plan. We talk about why you should oppose this.
The Bureau of Land Management recently proposed a new rule to prioritize conservation on BLM lands. The United States Forest Service released a companion rule that raises questions about what exactly the forest should be prioritizing as the forests they manage are increasingly bu...
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