|
||
 |
 |
 |
Home | Hotnews | IMBA Press Release |
 |
|
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
IMBA Strengthens D.C. Leadership
For Immediate Release, January 27, 2003Contact: Jenn Dice, IMBA advocacy director
jenn@imba.com, 303-545-9011To ensure that the interests of mountain bikers are fully protected, IMBA has hired a respected Washington, D.C. law firm to represent our organization and sport in the nation's capital.
Smith Dawson & Andrews (SDA) will help IMBA push its legislative agenda and work with federal agencies to build new trails and protect access. SDA will also help guide IMBA's work on Wilderness proposals and National Park Service policies.
Three SDA attorneys, including avid mountain biker Kirk Bailey, will work with IMBA. SDA's list of clients includes the city of Eugene, Oregon, San Francisco International Airport and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. SDA (http://www.sda-inc.com) works regularly with the federal agencies and congressional committees that manage public land and trails.
IMBA has a focused D.C. work plan for 2003 designed to maximize the benefits for mountain bikers. SDA will produce a monthly update that will be shared with IMBA members and corporate supporters. Financial support for this effort is provided by two important IMBA fundraising initiatives, the National Leadership Fund and Legal Defense Fund.
"This is a milestone in IMBA's growth," said IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal. "Having strong and steady representation in D.C. increases IMBA's effectiveness. Mountain bikers will appreciate the outcomes: more and better trails."
Meanwhile, IMBA's other D.C. law firm, Hogan & Hartson LLP, continues work on National Park Service mountain biking issues. Hogan & Hartson has been helping IMBA reopen the Cactus Forest Trail in Tucson, Arizona, secure an IMBA/NPS partnership and streamline the agency's mountain biking regulations.
In addition to its work with SDA, IMBA is an active participant in the America Bikes coalition, which is focused on ensuring our nation's next six-year transportation bill is bike-friendly.
end
