Two thirds of Sydney lost!

An off-road riding area two-thirds the size of greater Sydney - 8093 square kilometres - has been 'lost' in America, following the passing of a bill to ban motorised vehicles from more than 2.1 million acres of public land.

Despite intense lobbing by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the lawmakers approved H.R. 146, known as the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program. Congress' first attempt to pass this measure was initially defeated before new life was breathed into it.

"The measure unreasonably bans motorised recreation on 2.1 million acres of public lands by inappropriately designating it as Wilderness," said AMA Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "This is a sad day not only for responsible motorised recreation, but also for a democratic process that is supposed to welcome public input and the opportunity for congressional review.

"For example, House members never debated more than 70 of the bills included in this package before the vote."

The measure, which now goes to President Obama to be signed into law, means that motorised vehicles won't be allowed include parts of the Monogahela National Forest in West Virginia; Jefferson National Forest in Virginia; Mount Hood, Badlands, Spring Basin and Copper Salmon areas in Oregon; Sabinoso in New Mexico; Riverside County in California; and Washington County in Utah.