News
Posted January 27, 2006
Not in my backyard
By Terry Lee Cook
NIMBYs (Not in my backyard): They're in your community, the
self-anointed protectors of their own self-interests.
If local officials are having complaints from the neighbors about ATV riding on private land, their natural reaction is going to be to shut it down completely.
If that's happening to you, first, try not to panic. Second, consider these strategies:
Move decisively to defuse fiction, gossip, and innuendo. Be aware of issues that may inflame your particular community and take the initiative to provide the facts frankly and clearly before the ugly rumors get around. Why is the governing board considering outlawing all riding areas? Is there really a problem?
Whether drawn from reason or from emotion, community opposition reflects neighbors' concerns that their lives have changed for the worse. When the sound of anything other than a lawnmower permeates their ears, the mantra "It will reduce our property values" and/or "quality of life" issues immediately set in.
Here are some points to remember:
NIMBYism is human nature, but you need to rise above it.
Your job is to look out for the whole riding community: Ask questions or find the information you need to evaluate the concerns. Indignant neighbors can, and do, shut down many facilities with regularity because of misuse. And this is not limited to OHV riding areas. We hear about all kinds of rehabilitation centers, group homes, community housing, motorsports facilities, shooting ranges, sports complexes, etc. being shut down constantly because of the NIMBY attitude that goes hand-in-hand with urban sprawl.
You will meet opposition.
Changes of any kind, even positive changes, often receive a wary response from neighbors. The widespread prejudice and fear that surrounds OHV recreation almost guarantees that, no matter how good your riding area, or how carefully you plan, you will receive some community opposition.
It will take longer than you think.
There is no universal "quick-fix" formula. Overcoming the NIMBY mindset requires an understanding of: 1) the underlying concerns of opponents and 2) the tools and techniques to address concerns.
Strategies to combat (or avoid) NIMBY conflicts must also vary. Perhaps the most important lesson a rider can learn by examining others' experiences with NIMBYism is the importance of knowing the intricacies of his or her own situation. Balancing the expectations, needs and demands of a diverse population can be difficult for local authorities, especially when the "quality of life" and "excessive noise" cards are played.
So there is a perceived/real problem, now what?
This is where the AMA/ATVA Government Relations Department can help. We do all we can to protect your right to ride but as a member-driven organization, one of our most effective tools is our ability to muster grassroots political action. This is where we think we can really help you with the problem.
The Government Relations Department can send a specialized mailer to ATVA and AMA members in your area. We’ll let them know about the problem and suggest what they can do to respond effectively.
We can also write letters in support of your position to the board or other officials hearing your case.
That being said, we would like to see all the ATV riders and motorcyclists in your area band together to make sure we continue to protect your right to ride and an overall ban of OHV recreation isn't instituted.
We are looking for someone to lead the charge and help us form an AMA/ATVA Community Council in your area. If you can provide some of the local legwork and leadership, we can provide several resources to find others willing to help. Are you willing to step up to be this person? If so, I’ll send you a package of information to get you started.
AMA/ATVA Community Councils work closely with the AMA/ATVA Government Relations Department and serve as the first line of both offense and defense when local issues arise. Local, state and even national issues are much easier to handle if we are organized for action ahead of time and do not wait for the officials to completely shut down the area.
Terry Lee Cook is the AMA/ATVA grassroots manager in the Government Relations Department. You can contact him at tcook@atvaonline.com; or at Terry Lee Cook, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147.