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
In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the Yuma East travel management plan in Southwestern Arizona. They explain the different alternatives proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the potential impact on off-roading routes. They highlight the importance of understanding the terms 'OHV limited' and 'administrative use only' when evaluating the proposed closures. They also discuss the presence of wilderness areas and la...
In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the current wildfire season and the importance of responsible forest management. They highlight the impact of wildfires on air quality, road closures, and public access to recreation areas. Simone explains that the majority of the comments she submits are related to vegetation projects and reducing wildfire risk. They also discuss the opposition to forest management projects from environmenta...
In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben and Simone discuss Chevron Deference and its recent overturning by the Supreme Court. They highlight the problems with Chevron Deference, which allowed executive branch agencies to interpret laws without judicial review, leading to an imbalance of power and lack of accountability. They address concerns about the loss of expertise and argue that the administrative state was alre...
In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the issue of disability access in outdoor recreation on public lands. They highlight the importance of motorized recreation for individuals with physical disabilities and the therapeutic benefits it provides. They mention that they consistently bring up disability access in their comments and lawsuits, but the agencies often ignore these concerns. They also discuss specific cases, such as the...
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...
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