A U.S. Department of the Interior document indicates that the agency plans to designate 14 new or expanded national monuments in the western United States. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar provided subsequent assurances that the plans were preliminary and that the Obama Administration would not bypass input from the local communities, governors and Congress if the plans move forward.

Unlike wilderness designations, motorized recreation is permitted within national monuments. However, closing off-highway vehicle (OHV) roads and trails is a frequent byproduct when land receives the National Monument designation. The potential monuments encompass nearly 13 million acres. Targeted lands include popular OHV areas, such as the San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa (Utah), Berryessa Snow Mountains and Bodie Hills (California), parts of the Great Basin (Nevada), the Otero Mesa (New Mexico) and the northwest Sonoran Desert (Arizona).

SEMA supports land-use decisions that are reasonable and enjoy local community support. However, SEMA opposes unnecessarily restrictive land-use policies. Under current law, the president may designate national monuments without Congressional approval. However, legislation has been introduced in Congress to rescind this option. SEMA is urging the U.S. Congress to take an active role in determining the size of monuments if such a designation is deemed appropriate and for existing OHV roads and trails to be specifically included within the permitted uses on such lands.

To learn more about off-road issues, access SEMA’s “Land-Use Policies and Off-Road Recreation” guide. For questions, contact Ethan Landesman.

A U.S. Department of the Interior document indicates that the agency plans to designate 14 new or expanded national monuments in the western United States. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar provided subsequent assurances that the plans were preliminary and that the Obama Administration would not bypass input from the local communities, governors and Congress if the plans move forward.

Unlike wilderness designations, motorized recreation is permitted within national monuments. However, closing off-highway vehicle (OHV) roads and trails is a frequent byproduct when land receives the National Monument designation. The potential monuments encompass nearly 13 million acres. Targeted lands include popular OHV areas, such as the San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa (Utah), Berryessa Snow Mountains and Bodie Hills (California), parts of the Great Basin (Nevada), the Otero Mesa (New Mexico) and the northwest Sonoran Desert (Arizona).

SEMA supports land-use decisions that are reasonable and enjoy local community support. However, SEMA opposes unnecessarily restrictive land-use policies. Under current law, the president may designate national monuments without Congressional approval. However, legislation has been introduced in Congress to rescind this option. SEMA is urging the U.S. Congress to take an active role in determining the size of monuments if such a designation is deemed appropriate and for existing OHV roads and trails to be specifically included within the permitted uses on such lands.

To learn more about off-road issues, access SEMA’s “Land-Use Policies and Off-Road Recreation” guide. For questions, contact Ethan Landesman.

A U.S. Department of the Interior document indicates that the agency plans to designate 14 new or expanded national monuments in the western United States. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar provided subsequent assurances that the plans were preliminary and that the Obama Administration would not bypass input from the local communities, governors and Congress if the plans move forward.

Unlike wilderness designations, motorized recreation is permitted within national monuments. However, closing off-highway vehicle (OHV) roads and trails is a frequent byproduct when land receives the National Monument designation. The potential monuments encompass nearly 13 million acres. Targeted lands include popular OHV areas, such as the San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa (Utah), Berryessa Snow Mountains and Bodie Hills (California), parts of the Great Basin (Nevada), the Otero Mesa (New Mexico) and the northwest Sonoran Desert (Arizona).

SEMA supports land-use decisions that are reasonable and enjoy local community support. However, SEMA opposes unnecessarily restrictive land-use policies. Under current law, the president may designate national monuments without Congressional approval. However, legislation has been introduced in Congress to rescind this option. SEMA is urging the U.S. Congress to take an active role in determining the size of monuments if such a designation is deemed appropriate and for existing OHV roads and trails to be specifically included within the permitted uses on such lands.

To learn more about off-road issues, access SEMA’s “Land-Use Policies and Off-Road Recreation” guide. For questions, contact Ethan Landesman.

The U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator has requested public comments on how to shape an intellectual property (IP) enforcement strategy which unifies all of the federal government’s resources towards a common goal. The comments should address 1) the economic, health and safety threats posed by IP violations and 2) recommendations to combat the threats whether through changes in law and regulations or better coordination between government and industry. 

The effort to enhance the federal government’s IP strategy stems from the Bush Administration’s “Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy” (STOP!) Initiative, begun in 2004, in which the U.S. government works with industry and foreign governments to fight global piracy. STOP! was made permanent under a 2008 law to coordinate all government anti-counterfeiting actions and put more law enforcement officers “on the streets” to help find and prosecute criminals (the law does not change a basic requirement that businesses should first register their copyrights, trademarks and patents with the appropriate government authorities in order to establish enforceable legal rights.) 

SEMA will coordinate its comments through the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP), sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Comments are due by March 24, 2010. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein.

The U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator has requested public comments on how to shape an intellectual property (IP) enforcement strategy which unifies all of the federal government’s resources towards a common goal. The comments should address 1) the economic, health and safety threats posed by IP violations and 2) recommendations to combat the threats whether through changes in law and regulations or better coordination between government and industry. 

The effort to enhance the federal government’s IP strategy stems from the Bush Administration’s “Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy” (STOP!) Initiative, begun in 2004, in which the U.S. government works with industry and foreign governments to fight global piracy. STOP! was made permanent under a 2008 law to coordinate all government anti-counterfeiting actions and put more law enforcement officers “on the streets” to help find and prosecute criminals (the law does not change a basic requirement that businesses should first register their copyrights, trademarks and patents with the appropriate government authorities in order to establish enforceable legal rights.) 

SEMA will coordinate its comments through the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP), sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Comments are due by March 24, 2010. For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein.

SEMA is opposing legislation in the Michigan legislature that threatens to change the $30 registration fee for historic motor vehicles (renewable every 15 years) to an annual fee. Under current Michigan law, the owner of a historic vehicle may also choose to use restored authentic Michigan plates from the same year as the vehicle’s model year for a one-time fee of $35.

This measure would increase that one-time fee as well, to an annual registration fee of $30. Under the bill, each of the registrations would come up for renewal every year on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Follow this link for more information. For details, contact Steve McDonald.

SEMA is opposing legislation in the Michigan legislature that threatens to change the $30 registration fee for historic motor vehicles (renewable every 15 years) to an annual fee. Under current Michigan law, the owner of a historic vehicle may also choose to use restored authentic Michigan plates from the same year as the vehicle’s model year for a one-time fee of $35.

This measure would increase that one-time fee as well, to an annual registration fee of $30. Under the bill, each of the registrations would come up for renewal every year on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Follow this link for more information. For details, contact Steve McDonald.

SEMA is opposing legislation in the Michigan legislature that threatens to change the $30 registration fee for historic motor vehicles (renewable every 15 years) to an annual fee. Under current Michigan law, the owner of a historic vehicle may also choose to use restored authentic Michigan plates from the same year as the vehicle’s model year for a one-time fee of $35.

This measure would increase that one-time fee as well, to an annual registration fee of $30. Under the bill, each of the registrations would come up for renewal every year on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Follow this link for more information. For details, contact Steve McDonald.

SEMA is opposing legislation in the Michigan legislature that threatens to change the $30 registration fee for historic motor vehicles (renewable every 15 years) to an annual fee. Under current Michigan law, the owner of a historic vehicle may also choose to use restored authentic Michigan plates from the same year as the vehicle’s model year for a one-time fee of $35.

This measure would increase that one-time fee as well, to an annual registration fee of $30. Under the bill, each of the registrations would come up for renewal every year on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Follow this link for more information. For details, contact Steve McDonald.

SEMA is opposing legislation in the Michigan legislature that threatens to change the $30 registration fee for historic motor vehicles (renewable every 15 years) to an annual fee. Under current Michigan law, the owner of a historic vehicle may also choose to use restored authentic Michigan plates from the same year as the vehicle’s model year for a one-time fee of $35.

This measure would increase that one-time fee as well, to an annual registration fee of $30. Under the bill, each of the registrations would come up for renewal every year on the vehicle owner’s birthday. Follow this link for more information. For details, contact Steve McDonald.