Supreme Court sides with BLM, OHV group

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Utah District Court ruling dismissing claims brought in 1999 by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and other anti-access groups against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The suit targeted BLM’s alleged inaction in managing off-highway vehicle access. SUWA’s demands to immediately close nine popular OHV recreation areas were rejected by the Utah District Court, but that decision was reversed by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Both the BLM and the OHV groups petitioned for review with the Supreme Court. The Court granted review and heard argument in March of this year.
“Needless to say, we’re delighted,” said Bill Dart, executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. The BRC led a coalition of OHV enthusiast groups who successfully petitioned for defendant-intervenor status to aid BLM’s defense of OHV management.
“We are pleased the Justices rejected the ‘management through litigation’ model that is popular with anti-access groups,” he said, adding that numerous other cases at various levels of the federal court system will be affected by this ruling.
KAWASAKI REVEALS QUADS FOR 2005
Kawasaki revealed its 2005 ATV line-up just as this issue of Powersports Business went to press. The biggest quad news from KMC comes in a big 604-lb. package, the Brute Force 750 4x4i.
Featuring an engine derived from the Prairie, the Brute Force is constructed around an all-new chassis, has an independent rear suspension with outboard shocks — out from within the A-arms for easy adjustment — and a traditional A-arm front suspension without those MacPherson struts.
The Brute Force is available in Aztec Red, Hunter Green, Desert Yellow and Realtree Hardwoods Green HD at a MSRP of $7,599 to $7,899.
In the rest of the Kawi line-up, the Prairie 700 returns, now available in Team Green trim; the KFX receives Suzuki-engineered updates; and the Prairie 360, Bayou 250, and smaller KFX models come offered much as they did last year.
See the next issue of Powersports Business for a complete report from Kawasaki.
CALI OHV GROUPS RETAIN LOBBYIST
Five off-highway vehicle recreation groups in California combined resources to retain a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. to further off-road recreation issues in Congress and with the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.
The American Sand Association (ASA), the California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WD), the California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA), the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and the San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC) have jointly retained the firm of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP.
The leaders of the off-road recreation groups involved decided at a recent summit meeting that lobbyist representation on Capitol Hill, for issues regarding public use of public lands in California, is a basic necessity. Paul Kavinoky, managing director for the Sonnenschein Group, will be the account manager for the OHV recreation groups.
SUZUKI ADDS OFF-ROAD PR SPECIALIST
Jackson Esselman has been hired as Off-Road Press Relations Administrator for the motorcycle/ATV division of American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC).
Based at ASMC headquarters in Brea, Calif., Esselman is responsible for press relations in regards to Suzuki ATV and off-road/motocross product lines. He will report directly to Glenn Hansen, ASMC’s advertising and press relations manager for the motorcycle/ATV division.
Esselman worked in the marketing department at the off-road aftermarket company Pro Circuit prior to joining Suzuki. There, he specialized in new product releases and dealer relations.
cpi acquires JAG Powersports
Taiwan-based CPI Motor Company has acquired JAG Powersports, L.P. A. supplier of ATVs and scooters. CPI has seven manufacturing plants and laboratories around the world, and produces approximately 70,000 units a month. Its major customers are in Europe and Asia.
While CPI is looking to introduce a line of products to the North American market, the company will continue to use the name JAG, and will support the products JAG Powersports previously distributed. CPI/JAG products will be available for U.S. distribution beginning in August. psb