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Wilderness Snowkite Bliss!

Snowkite Access in Jeopardy

Target:
Interested Parties in the Sport of Snowkiting!
Sponsored by: 

Letter of Support:

Please help the kitesurfing family maintain access to beautiful locations at sites around the globe. All popular snowkiting sites within "Wilderness" designated areas in the U.S. are in jeopardy of being shut down. For instance, The Three Sisters Wilderness next to Bend and the Mt. Hood Wilderness area, which are incredibly beautiful spot's to Snowkite with vast snow-covered terrain and mountains.



Small groups of people feel that snowkiting should not be done in a winter wilderness area and want to shut down access to kiters. Therefore, we have formed a committee and will be meeting with the U.S. Forest Service, who does a great job of overseeing these areas, to discuss this issue. Some of the points that we will bring out in the meetings will be that snowkiting is eco-friendly, helps local businesses, is a healthy winter recreation, has a no impact on wildlife during the winter months, and has a large following of passionate participants. The one worry that we have is that if for any reason these sites are shut down, then a precedent could be set that could cause similar sites in the U. S. and around the world to also be shut down. The worldwide kite family loves to Snowkite and to kite surf in beautiful locations. These locations are away from the crowded cities and are in remote areas. Kiting in these areas makes the most sense because of the eco-friendly nature of our sport. Please help our sport maintain access to these beautiful locations by signing in to show your support.


Letter of Support:

Please help the kitesurfing family maintain access to beautiful locations at sites around the globe. All popular snowkiting sites within "Wilderness" designated areas in the U.S. are in jeopardy of being shut down. For instance, The Three Sisters Wilderness next to Bend and the Mt. Hood Wilderness area, which are incredibly beautiful spot's to Snowkite with vast snow-covered terrain and mountains.



Small groups of people feel that snowkiting should not be done in a winter wilderness area and want to shut down access to kiters. Therefore, we have formed a committee and will be meeting with the U.S. Forest Service, who does a great job of overseeing these areas, to discuss this issue. Some of the points that we will bring out in the meetings will be that snowkiting is eco-friendly, helps local businesses, is a healthy winter recreation, has a no impact on wildlife during the winter months, and has a large following of passionate participants. The one worry that we have is that if for any reason these sites are shut down, then a precedent could be set that could cause similar sites in the U. S. and around the world to also be shut down. The worldwide kite family loves to Snowkite and to kite surf in beautiful locations. These locations are away from the crowded cities and are in remote areas. Kiting in these areas makes the most sense because of the eco-friendly nature of our sport. Please help our sport maintain access to these beautiful locations by signing in to show your support.


"We the undersigned"
                                                             
Would like to help the kitesurfing family maintain access to beautiful locations at sites around the globe. All popular snowkiting sites within "Wilderness" designated areas in the U.S. are in jeopardy of being shut down. For instance, The Three Sisters Wilderness next to Bend and the Mt. Hood Wilderness area, which are incredibly beautiful spot's to Snowkite with vast snow-covered terrain and mountains.

Small groups of people feel that snowkiting should not be done in a winter wilderness area and want to shut down access to kiters. Therefore, we would like to show our support because we beleive that snowkiting is eco-friendly, helps local businesses, is a healthy winter recreation, has a no impact on wildlife during the winter months, and has a large following of passionate participants. The one worry that we have is that if for any reason these sites are shut down, then a precedent could be set that could cause similar sites in the U. S. and around the world to also be shut down. The worldwide kite family loves to Snowkite and to kite surf in beautiful locations. These locations are away from the crowded cities and are in remote areas. Kiting in these areas makes the most sense because of the eco-friendly nature of our sport, please help our sport maintain access to these beautiful locations.

Thank you for your time and support,

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We signed the "Snowkite Access in Jeopardy" petition!
# 973:
11:46 pm PST, Nov 18, Gianni Biancolin, Nevada
# 972:
1:11 pm PST, Nov 18, Name not displayed, Montana
It's up to us to keep it open and keep it clean.
# 971:
8:49 am PST, Nov 17, Alex Woodgate, United Kingdom
non comprehension is no reason to ban this sport. far more damage is done by various other sports.
# 970:
5:16 am PST, Nov 15, Christopher Johnson, United Kingdom
As a Conservation Biologist (BSc) I can see of no reason to ban snowkiting on wilderness areas, Kiting with the aid of a Snowboard or Ski's does not have any impact on the diversity, ecology or winter foraging activity of resident species. Snowkiting does also not hinder or intefere with any other winter activities.
# 969:
1:25 pm PST, Nov 14, Elizabeth Archer, United Kingdom
snowkiting is a enviromentally friendly sport.. how rediculous to ban a sport which will do no damage to the enviroment.. people to do the sport whether it is on land, snow or water are all incredebly enviromentally friendly.. and enjoy being at one with nature
# 968:
11:06 am PST, Nov 14, Austin Topolnicki, Colorado
# 967:
10:00 am PST, Nov 14, Mackenzie Bierowiec, United Kingdom
# 966:
12:21 am PST, Nov 13, Tom Jones, United Kingdom
# 965:
6:24 am PST, Nov 12, Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 964:
9:17 am PST, Nov 11, Ryan Maheu, Massachusetts
snowkiting or any other type of kiting does no harm to its surroundings. it is a "green" sport requiring nothing but the wind. there is no reason kiting should be banned
# 963:
10:00 pm PDT, Oct 31, Mathieu Turgeon, Canada
snowkiting and kitesurfing is a sport growing significantly in popularity. this sport just like any other land based or water based activity should receive the same rights as every other outdoor activity
# 962:
9:54 am PDT, Oct 30, Rick Henley, Colorado
I am an advocate of outdoor activities and a resident of Colorado. I have been kiting for several years and have never seen a negative impact on the environment as a result of kiting. It is a sport that, like hiking, rafting, and trail running, is best enjoyed in the wilderness. I see no rational reason for taking away the privilege of kiting in wilderness areas and find it disappointing that such a small group has been singled out as a threat to our vast and beautiful lands.
# 961:
10:11 am PDT, Oct 26, Benjamin Van Drunen, Canada
I snowkite in Ontario. I also base the bulk of my travel based on sport, being snowboarding, kitesurfing and also snowkiting. I have accessed the ocean and gulf of mexico via the state park system in Florida and i have full intentions to make further sport travel to the USA which includes kitesurfing as well as snowkiting as the US rockies has some of the best snowkiting terrain in North America. I am also concerned that banning snowkiting in wilderness areas could lead down the slippery slope of banning access to public beaches. I also see snowkiting as a relatively harmless activity when done properly. Kiteboarders are generally courteous and respectful of the environment and highly value any terrain to which we can gain access. We bring in tourism dollars when we travel as it is ingrained in our culture to support the small businesses that provide access, gear, meals and lodging. We also rival snowmobilers, boaters, and skiiers in spending power when you consider that an avid Kiter has several kites and boards averaging about $1000.00 and $400.00 each respectively. (i own 7 kites & 8 boards).
# 960:
6:03 am PDT, Oct 26, Michael Dobell, Canada
Snowkiting and kiteboarding in general is a popular travel tourism sport. I look forward to my trips to US parks to kite with my friends and family each year and am saddened to hear that this may not be possible int he future. Kiting is a safe clean and quiet sport and should be promoted alongside activities like snowshoeing and cross country skiiing.
# 959:
7:39 pm PDT, Oct 24, Rob McCendie, Canada
The activity we call Snowkiting is a beautiful natural sport , we do not burn gas or make noise and make very little if any environmental impact. Why should we not be able to share with others in their activities in National parks. Rob from Canada
# 958:
6:22 pm PDT, Oct 24, Gina Livy, Canada
Kiters are people too!...and they come in all shapes, sizes, race, both young and old. There is more than enough land for everyone to enjoy.
# 957:
4:45 am PDT, Oct 24, Richard Todd, United Kingdom
Dont ban snowkiting
# 956:
2:47 am PDT, Oct 24, Thomas Hofmann, Germany
Has this world gone mad? There are still people out there not criminals, junkies or else who want to enjoy nature and what it gives us. It is good for tourism and harms noone, especially not nature. But there always has to be some grumpy old fart who who needs to let his frustration and bitternes out on the children playing ball in the streets. So disgusted. Will we ever learn?
# 955:
5:29 pm PDT, Oct 23, Mark Bowser, Canada
I am a kiteboarder/snowkiter. I can't understand why snowkiting should be banned in this area since the kite is powered by wind alone and is one of the most environmentally friendly sports there is. Furthermore, everyone I have met though the sport is very environmentally conscious. I don’t believe any snowkiter would negatively impact the area.
# 954:
11:21 am PDT, Oct 23, Doug Sweet, Canada
Nuts to you guys! What more beautiful way to experience the great snow covered wilderness than swooshing along on a zero-poluting kite? Not like there's lots of crowds there or herds of whatever, either! Give your heads a shake! Fair use! What else do you want people to do to use these places, fly over in a plane? Unless of course you just don't want anyone using these places?! Doug Sweet
# 953:
2:26 pm PDT, Oct 20, John Kallemeyn, Oregon
# 952:
2:48 pm PDT, Oct 17, Ren Faulkner, Utah
Nothing is harmed in the practise of this sport. There is no reason for such a ban.
# 951:
9:03 pm PDT, Oct 12, Kyle Filomeo, Colorado
Snowkiting has an active and passionate following all around the world. This following has created an atmosphere of camaraderie the likes of which snowboarding and skiing have never come close to matching. Safety and stewardship are central to this atmosphere, and any proposed ban on this sport overlooks the fact that what may appear dangerous or destructive is anything but.
# 950:
7:15 pm PDT, Oct 11, Todd MACDONALD, Washington
A "green", low impact sport that lets us enjoy OUR mountains should not be restricted like this. Give people incentive to learn more about our wilderness and weather. Thanks T
# 949:
12:16 pm PDT, Oct 11, Jon Rehnborg, Colorado
I hope the Forest Service is above giving in to the demands of only one user group.
# 948:
10:27 am PDT, Oct 8, Curt Loeffler, Montana
# 947:
5:49 am PDT, Oct 7, Simon Forsyth, United Kingdom
Kiting is one of the new generation of sports that is growing in popularity. It has little or no impact on the environment, but is sadly frequently persued by the ignorant torch burning brigade who wish to ban it with ill formed opinions and ignorance. Kiters are a friendly and reasonable bunch who will listen to reasoned arguments, but will not allow themselves to be bullied and banned by knee jerk politics
# 946:
5:03 am PDT, Oct 7, Nigel Harrison, United Kingdom
# 945:
4:54 am PDT, Oct 7, Name not displayed, United Kingdom
A blanket ban accross the whole of USA is quite simply an injustice, why should one group of people stop another group of people doing what they love just for the sake of it. As long as no-one or any wildlife is being harmed why should a ban be feasable??
# 944:
4:44 am PDT, Oct 7, Will Rose, United Kingdom
How Many beautiful mountain lanscapes have had thier views destroyed by Chair lifts and cable cars running up the slopes, Which only get used for half the year by downhill Skiers and snowboarders. Snowkiting leaves no trace lasting beyond the next snowfall. Just imagine how different the mountains would be if the de-power kite was perfected before the ski lift!
# 943:
8:57 am PDT, Oct 6, Read Bashian, Oregon
Some may look as a kite as mechanical. I agree, but it is eco friendly should we not be allowed skis, or snowshoes either? Or even shoes into the wilderness. I will say that kiting has cut my carbon imprint significantly. Instead of riding snowmobiles around even just to shuttle people up and down slopes in the back country we have been using the wind instead of fossil fuels. take all of this away and people will just use snowmobiles again.
# 942:
4:51 pm PDT, Oct 5, Michael Amann, Washington
Keep wilderness areas open for snow kiting. The sport is benign on the environment, and allows us to get out and enjoy the back country.
# 941:
5:10 pm PDT, Oct 2, Sheldon Hafdahl, Oregon
Isn't snow kiting a nature powered sport.clean power . enviromentalley friendly . There is nothing mechanical about it. If ban snowkiting they better ban sking because they have mechanical bindings.
# 940:
2:24 am PDT, Oct 2, Trevor Davies, United Kingdom
DON'T BAN SNOWKITING!!!!
# 939:
1:57 pm PDT, Oct 1, Mike Shaw, United Kingdom
Kite sports, including snowkite are a healthy, free spirited, low- impact and pollution free way to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the natural wonders of the world around us. The dangers posed to the environment and participants by this sport are no greater than other persuits sucha as rembling , running, climbing, paragliding. and certainly less than skiiing & snowboarding.
# 938:
5:22 pm PDT, Sep 30, Tibor Nagy, Canada
It would be a real shame to not to have access to this public areas for snowkiting! We are not disturbing the environment or creating pollution like snowmobiles. Our sport opens up a new gateway to connect to nature. Keep all public areas accessible for snowkiting!
# 937:
11:17 pm PDT, Sep 28, Rod Frew, Canada
I think wilderness areas should be for ALL users and it goes against basic freedom of use ethics to ban something. I think kiting is a low impact sport with limited participants
# 936:
7:21 pm PDT, Sep 28, Sandy MacDonald, Oregon
I am in full support of this organization being allowed to continue to use this wilderness area.
# 935:
5:22 pm PDT, Sep 28, Kevin Sampson, Oregon
# 934:
1:39 pm PDT, Sep 23, Name not displayed, Hawaii
# 933:
8:10 am PDT, Sep 20, Name not displayed, Canada
# 932:
7:39 pm PDT, Sep 9, Wojciech Popek, Canada
# 931:
2:43 pm PDT, Aug 31, Name not displayed, New Zealand
I feel kitesnowboarding has much less impact hunting or any of the motorized snowsports. It's no less safe han backcountry snowboarding or skiing and you wouldn't even know anyone had been there after the next snowfall.
# 930:
11:51 pm PDT, Aug 30, Jeffery Brizendine, Nevada
# 929:
4:10 pm PDT, Aug 28, Aries Manlig, Canada
This sports is very eco-friendly.
# 928:
11:31 am PDT, Aug 27, Alecks Kutchma, California
Snowkiting is a great way to enjoy our country's natural resources without any environmental impact (no noise, no polution, no burning of fossil fuels). Wind power is the answer!
# 927:
4:58 am PDT, Aug 25, Arne Hauge, Norway
After ruining our wilderness with all kind of atv's, eco-friendly alternatives like kiting shall be banned? Thats perverted.
# 926:
8:41 pm PDT, Aug 23, Emily Carino, Washington
Snokiting is another great way to keep our bodies moving and another activity that could help peolple stay active and healthy. There is no evidence that this sport is destroying wildlife in the winter months or summer months! There really is no reason to shut down these peoples dreams because once you shut down one area, it could cause a chain reaction and lead to other areas around the world to be shut down for snowkiters. Please don't take this away from us!
# 925:
10:24 am PDT, Aug 22, Eric Bader, Colorado
Snow kiting is a new sport that is green and quite sport. New areas for kiting are now just being discovered. Allow this sport to have a chance at developing.
# 924:
4:41 am PDT, Aug 17, Ander Arbildi, Spain
Es curioso este tema. Las estaciones de ski se amplian continuamente demandando mas y mas gente cada año, provocando un inpacto en el medio impresionante, sin embargo el snowkite que es totalmente respetuoso con el medio en el que se practica se quiere prohibir.
# 923:
8:30 pm PDT, Aug 14, Ken Whiteman, Oregon
Kiting is a safe, eco friendly sport that can be enjoyed by all.
# 922:
8:56 pm PDT, Aug 13, Ben Cryder, Oregon
I kite, therefore it is in my best interest to secure places to do so.
# 921:
2:42 pm PDT, Aug 13, Oren Reinbolt, California
Snowkiting is an ecofriendly sport with virtually no environmental impact, including no noise pollution. Our polluted world could use more sports like this. Access to the wilderness areas should be encouraged, not prohibited.
# 920:
11:32 am PDT, Aug 13, Peyton Moore, Washington
I enjoy snowkiting, but I also am concerned about the attitude of many enviromental activists who seek out every restriction on the wilderness possible. When unreasonble restrictions are placed on access the movement looks extreme and allies are turned into enemies.
# 919:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 13, Kevin Krueger, Washington
# 918:
8:37 am PDT, Aug 13, Michael Reinbolt, California
I am a big fan of Mt. Hood. I live and kite in California, and wouldn't want any future kite spots that I have not ridden yet be shut down before I get my turns in! That and my brother and father might kite there also.
# 917:
8:21 am PDT, Aug 13, Patrick Reinbolt, Washington
# 916:
6:40 pm PDT, Aug 12, Peter "Pepi" Gerald, Oregon
Snowkiting is an environmentally friendly sport that provides no negative or permanent impact on the environment. Unfortunately due to the limited amount of research performed by the Forest Service, Snowkiting has somehow been lumped into a very unrelated sports category that has resulted in the current situation where snowmobiles are allowed, but snowkiting is not. Kinda strange that a air and noise polluting device is allowed, but a totally naturally powered piece of equipment is not. Thank you for accepting this petition and we hope that the committee understands the issues at hand and evaluates their decision with the best interest of the recreational and environment community.
# 915:
5:15 pm PDT, Aug 12, James Stringfellow, Washington
I am an active snowkiter. I respect nature and want to continue to enjoy it through this sport. please do not prevent access to a sport that does not have an impact on the wilderness. thank you, Jim
# 914:
5:00 pm PDT, Aug 12, Brad Eide, Oregon
I feel that snow-kiting is a beautifull and life affirming activity with an extremely low enviromental impact. It is a perfect match for the intended use/enjoyment of wilderness areas.
# 913:
4:55 pm PDT, Aug 12, Amanda Ford, Oregon
# 912:
4:47 pm PDT, Aug 12, Joel Beatty, Montana
A snowkiting ban in the wilderness comes as a shock to me. Being a snowkiter since 2001, this sports has been the most environmentally friendly, low impact recreational activity I have ever been involved with. Using wind to travel across the snow on my board or skis is as natural as gravity. To the powers that be, please consider some of the unique aspects of snowkiting that make this sport the preferred, low impact method a for us to explore our pristine public lands.
# 911:
3:52 pm PDT, Aug 12, Marty Bland, Washington
I understand wilderness preservation and such. But to ban something that has zero impact makes no sense. First off, wildlife does not live at elevation in the winter. Elk, deer, moose migrate to lower terrain where the living is easier. 2nd snow melts and no tracks or signs are left that anyone had ever been there. There isn't even any noise made. So this really leaves one to ponder exactly why would another human being even remotely care about snowkiting in the wilderness. Shheeeesh use your head.
# 910:
3:28 pm PDT, Aug 12, Rick Boonstra, Oregon
I kiteboard and am interesting in preserving access to wildnerness areas for this sport. It has no harmful impact to the environment or to wildlife.
# 909:
3:16 pm PDT, Aug 12, Ryan Schenk, Oregon
# 908:
2:56 pm PDT, Aug 12, Paul Macaj, Colorado
I wish the Forest Service would try out snowkiting for just one day to take a real look at how low impact we really are. Snowshoes with double-claw aluminum crampons make more of an impact than we would ever make. Trust me I've seen the difference between a snowkiters tracks that get blown over usually in the same day compared to aluminum claws digging deep that can last over a month and tear apart low lying tundra. Enough said! oh and if snowkiting does get banned then you will have to chase me down and fine me and I will take all the fines I can until the day I die!
# 907:
2:44 pm PDT, Aug 12, Ryan Retzlaff, Oregon
I spend alot of time in the wilderness area in Oregon, Washington and other states. I have climbed many of the mountains in the area and see alot of 'gear' that provides a 'mechanical' advantage. Much of this is allowed due to history, dont disallow kiteing because its new. its soft on the environment from all perspectives. I find the noise pollution from sleds more concerning than snow kiteing could ever produce.
# 906:
2:24 pm PDT, Aug 12, Jason Carter, Oregon
# 905:
1:56 pm PDT, Aug 12, Matthew Ferguson, California
# 904:
7:52 am PDT, Aug 12, Joe Sullivan, Washington
Snowkiting, and modern footlaunch aviation sports like paragliding, speedflying and base jumping are in jeopardy because of an outdated precident about hanggliding in wilderness areas in the United States. Hanggliding is not practical in wilderness areas, and generally requires mechanized transportation, but RAM air canopies can easily be carried on the back and technology advancements makes launching and landing them easier and safe than ever. The impact to the land where they are used is microscopic compared to horsepacking and other activities. The laws governing this subject are outdated, new laws should reflect the states of these sports, not reinforce outdated paradigms. thanks!
# 903:
1:50 am PDT, Aug 11, Dustin Pfeif, South Carolina
I kitesurf here in Charleston.
# 902:
3:33 pm PDT, Aug 9, Thomas Jewett, Canada
# 901:
4:16 pm PDT, Aug 8, Name not displayed, United Kingdom
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