In May, the Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) made a strategic trip to Washington, DC to strengthen our voice at the federal level. Executive Director Chad Hixon, Legal Counsel Kent Holsinger, and Erica Tergeson, Principal of Crosswinds Solutions, held a fast-paced series of meetings with five legislators, two congressional committees, and senior staff from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Department of the Interior (DOI), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
These discussions focused on critical issues affecting the OHV community, including:
- Securing a Federal Work Agreement to allow the TPA and OHV clubs to partner more directly with land management agencies on stewardship projects.
- Advocating for NEPA reform, specifically the expanded use of Categorical Exclusions (CXs) to streamline trail maintenance and construction approvals.
- Addressing decades of restrictive access policies through Travel Management Plans (TMPs), and considering a return to the pre-2005 framework of “open unless stated closed.”
“While the cost of this kind of trip is not insignificant, the return—in terms of influence, strategic insight, and momentum—is valuable,” said Executive Director Chad Hixon. “I left D.C. with a deeper understanding of how this work gets done and a strong sense we will see a tangible return on this investment.”
The meetings were well organized and generally well received across party lines. Beyond policy discussions, the trip helped deepen agency relationships, open doors for future collaboration, and reinforce the credibility of responsible off-highway motorcycle advocates in shaping land management at the national level.
What’s Next
The DC trip was not the end, but a launchpad. Follow-up actions now in progress include:
- Drafting TPA’s preferred version of the Travel Management Rule, with language supporting the “open unless closed” access model.
- Researching additional Categorical Exclusions used by other federal agencies (e.g., Department of Defense, Bureau of Reclamation) to inform more efficient trail approvals.
- Coordinating with agency leaders, including broader work agreement discussions with the BLM and USFS. (A Challenge Cost Share Agreement is already in place with USFS Region 2.)
- Continuing legislative engagement, including:
- TMP reform legislation ideas with Representative Crank’s office
- Wilderness bill progress with Representative Hurd’s office
- TMP concerns in Utah’s Swell and Henry Mountains with the Senate Energy Committee
This kind of proactive advocacy is essential to protecting motorized access and expanding the TPA’s ability to do on-the-ground work. Thank you for supporting our mission—your backing makes this work possible.