Summary
One Voice Communication Meeting
Marcus opened the monthly One Voice communication meeting and welcomed attendees. The meeting was in its early stages with participants joining, including Scott, Fred, Ted, and Patrick, though several people had mentioned they couldn't attend. Marcus began the meeting by reminding attendees about confidentiality guidelines regarding internal information shared during the meeting.
Land Conservation and Access Updates
Scott discussed President Trump's executive order on lead ammunition which emphasizes the value of trails and access for hunters and fishermen. John from the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association reported on their partnership with Blue Ribbon to raise funds to preserve the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area from potential closure due to endangered species concerns. Ted shared updates on a 3,000 acre land acquisition in California where pre-scoping meetings will be held to determine land use, and mentioned an upcoming symposium aimed at building communication with environmental groups and BLM staff.
Vermont Snowmobile Enforcement Updates
Marcus thanked Ted for sharing good news about humanizing discussions through in-person interactions. Fred reported that Vermont doubled penalties for unregistered snowmobiles, making it $750 for first offenses and $1,500 for second offenses, which he viewed as positive progress toward stricter enforcement. Kerry announced that the Forest Service granted an easement to reroute around a collapsed bridge on South Boulder, creating a low water crossing usable during summer months, and noted President Trump's executive order on corner crossings which addresses private property rights.
Trail Access and Updates Discussion
The group discussed updates on trail access, with Marcus reporting that Morrison Jeep trails are officially open and in good condition despite some concerns about it becoming a highway. Marcus noted that the steep slope would likely return to being a challenging four-wheel drive road. The meeting included an update on One Voice, where Jeff Knoll was absent but had posted a new opinion article titled "Have You Already Picked a Team" on the onevoicerec.org site, which discussed contrasting views on the roadless rule after Cam Haynes' appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Roadless Rule Information Strategy
The group discussed the need to address misinformation surrounding the roadless rule and other forest management topics. Scott highlighted incorrect information being shared by agencies, including the Forest Service, and suggested creating a tracking system for accurate information. Ted proposed establishing a non-profit focused on quality messaging to counteract misleading content. Fred confirmed that OneVoice, a national-level organization, has a subcommittee dedicated to ensuring the accuracy of their information and positioning them as a reliable source for facts in this area.
Social Media Misinformation Strategies
The group discussed challenges with misinformation in social media and the need for accurate information dissemination. Fred mentioned progress through a subcommittee working on communication strategies, including recent positive feedback from people who engaged with their content. Ted suggested targeting middle-ground audiences with accurate information to shift public perception, while Rose emphasized the importance of careful fact-checking due to AI's reliability issues. Fred confirmed that a subcommittee including top marketing professionals is developing next steps for expanding their communication efforts.
Environmental Misinformation Correction Efforts
The team discussed ongoing efforts to correct misinformation about environmental proposals and deadlines. Kerry reported actively addressing misinformation on Facebook and proposed creating a list of environmental groups spreading incorrect information. Scott agreed to share information about congressional hearings regarding 19 environmental groups and their business practices. The discussion concluded with updates on regional matters, including deadlines for
travel rule comments and details about Executive Order 14429, which aims to expand recreational access to federal lands.
Executive Orders and Hunting Access
The group discussed the implementation of executive orders related to travel and roadless rules, focusing on how they affect hunting access and coordination with various stakeholders. They explored potential funding opportunities through appropriations processes post-election and considered including relevant measures in the Farm Bill. The conversation also touched on the evolving dynamics among hunting groups and the strategic timing of the executive orders' release during hunting seasons. Kerry highlighted the importance of game retrieval for firewood and firefighting access, while Scott and Marcus noted the broader implications for public access and trail maintenance.
Road Infrastructure and Fire Risks
The group discussed the critical impact of road infrastructure on communities, particularly regarding fire risks and insurance challenges. Scott highlighted how insurance costs rise after fires, with Fred sharing that his fire insurance doubled and some companies stopped writing policies in high-risk areas. Ted described his experience with expensive insurance ($4,300 annually) for his property in the wildland interface, mentioning upcoming meetings about property management options including using goats for grazing. The discussion concluded with Ted noting that rural communities face unique disadvantages that current administration policies may not adequately address.
Rural Commerce and Community Development
The group discussed bringing commerce and recreation to rural communities, particularly those with high Native American populations, as a way to generate income and recover from economic decline. Kerry shared information about a comment period ending on the 30th regarding the Blue Mountains plan, noting that analysis showed significant reductions from the 1990 plan despite claims of increases. Marcus announced he would include Kerry's information in a meeting summary to be shared with the group.