BLUERIBBON COALITION, INC

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Don Amador - 925.625.6287 Email: damador@cwo.com
Jon Crowley – 530.677.1651

Date: September 2, 2003

*Note to editor: Photos of event are avail. upon request by email

RECREATIONISTS ENJOY LABOR DAY CLEAN UP EVENT AT NEVADA RECREATION AREA

FALLON, NV (Aug. 30, 2003) -- Hundreds of off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts participated in a clean-up day at a popular Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recreation area located about 25 miles from Fallon, Nevada. Hosted by Friends of Sand Mountain (FoSM) this event successfully engaged the public in a significant stewardship project by filling up a 40 yard garbage bin with trash and other debris collected at the Sand Mountain Recreation Area (SMRA).

FoSM had raffle prizes for those who collected a bag of garbage plus the organization held other raffle and silent auction events to help raise funds to assist the group in its effort to keep SMRA open for future generations. Recently, the Center for Biological Diversity and other anti-access organizations have been pressuring the BLM to close some or all of the 4,700 acre area to OHV use.

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and California Off-Road Vehicle Association have also been working with FoSM to develop a plan that encourages the BLM to manage the area with a sensible user education and signing program that allows for a viable trail system and protects resources. The main species at the center of this controversy is the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly and its habitat of Kearney Buckwheat.

Other access groups supporting good management instead of closure include; Friends of Oceano Dunes, Escarabajo Buggy Club, American Sand Association, Off-Road Business Association, DUNERS, AMA and Reno Dust Devils Motorcycle Club.

Don Amador, the western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, stated, "Friends of Sand Mountain should be commended for hosting this program which teaches land stewardship and also educates the riders that they need to support the fight to preserve our access to public lands."

Jon Crowley, president of Friends of Sand Mountain, said, "I'm proud of the many families who came out this weekend to help show that OHVers are true stewards of the land. Seeing youngsters alongside mom and dad picking up garbage shows that we are teaching our children the importance of caring for the land we use and enjoy. They are also learning the we often have to fight anti-access groups to keep our areas open for future generations."

Crowley wants to thank the following businesses for supporting this event with prizes and donations: Sierra Motorsports, PRP, ITP, PPD Racing, Works Performance Products, Michaels Reno Powersports, Water Unlimited, Ledgewood Creek Winery, Funco Motorsports, Rubicon4x4.com, Rocket Factory, Pro Design, Camco Fabrication, Lazer Star, Hilton Construction Products, Garrahan Electric, TMS, Helmetlight, Renner Equipment, ClickWhip.com, Motion Pro, Tatum, Sand Addiction Magazine, Summit Racing, Crazy Keven., Dan’s Performance Parts, ATV Addiction, Big Valley Honda.

For more information on Friends of Sand Mountain go to: www.SandMountain-NV.org