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Here is some proof that the Forest Service does listen. At least here in the Black Hills. We have had a good relationship with the Forest Service for many years. Some of the people we have worked with in the past have moved on to other jobs in different regions. There has basically been a management change over the past couple years. When it came time to get special use permits for our Dakota Territory Challenge and the Cruiser Classic hosted by the Dakota Territory Cruisers there were some questions raised by the new management about a few of the trails. Well the easiest way to answer the questions that were brought up by the Forest Service was to actually take them out to the trails in question and do a show and tell. This gave us a great opportunity to educate the new management on how and were we wheel. The day was a huge success. We answered all their questions and alleviated any concerns they had about the trials we visited. Our permits were approved for both events. We may have also secured an educational/historical program to be presented by the Forest Service at both event. What was really cool about the whole day was we actually had the 5 Forest Service employees ride with us as we drove through the first trail in question. This gave them a whole new perspective and who we were and what we like to do. They were amazed at what we did with our vehicles and how we did it. By the end of the day we had visited 4 different trails. Any tension that was present when we first met in the morning had completely disappeared. Two rounds of thanks go out, one to the Employees of the Forest Service Dave, Bonnie, Amy, Les and Sheila for taking the time to work with us instead of against us. Every local Forest Service should look at how it is done here in the Black Hills and operate the same way. It is a great model of cooperation. The second thanks goes out to Gregg, Tim, Scott, Park and Charlie for taking time out their busy schedules to take the Forest Service out and show them how we operate.
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