Most troubling to the AMA are the order’s unbalanced focus on climate change science, its lack of meaningful civic engagement and the references to you, the general public–for whom the parks are managed–simply as “other stakeholders.”

In a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S. Forest Service Chief Thomas L. Tidwell stated that, if he were allowed to add only one type of scientist to his staff, he would choose social scientists. That approach makes sense as competing public demands for our national parks and forests dominates so much of our news, as well as the concerns for those of us who expect reasonable access for responsible use.

Director’s Order DO 100 requires NPS “managers and aspiring managers” to base park use and management decisions first and foremost on their potential impact on climate change. If the order is enacted, those officials are even directed to apply the “precautionary principle” of taking an anticipatory action. That approach is much like de facto Wilderness management applied, sometimes for decades, to lands under consideration for federal Wilderness designation, without having actually been designated as such by Congress.

Establishing this guideline with only 30 days for comments and without a single public meeting as the presidential election drew to a close is certainly insufficient civic engagement. The AMA believes that the comment period should extend into 2017 and include numerous public meetings.

With no alternatives to DO 100 offered by Park Service staff and no intention of changing the rollout of the policy in mid-December, it is critically important that the public speak out as clearly and loudly as possible, stating that the plan is flawed and further comment periods are warranted. The AMA has already submitted comments to the National Park Service. We hope you’ll add your voice to our concerns by submitting comments as well.

Deadline: The 30-day comment period ends Friday, Nov. 18.

Submit Comments: Fill in your information here to submit AMA’s prewritten comments that you can preview before sending. Our software will address your comments to NPS Director Jarvis and add your name at the bottom. You can also submit your unique comments by visiting the website below.

For more information: Visit the NPS webpage regarding the Director’s Order 100 where you can download a complete copy of the order.

Thank you in advance for submitting comments. If you submit unique comments, please copy and paste them into an email to us at grassroots@amacycle.org before sending to NPS. We also hope you’ll forward this alert to your friends and ask them to comment as well.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that you and your riding friends become members of the AMA to help protect our riding freedoms. More members mean more clout against the opponents of motorcycling. That support will help fight for your rights–on the road, trail and racetrack and in the halls of government.