IH Stance on Public Land - 1979

[Grumpy]

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"We believe... the people who use their four-wheel drive vehicles to enjoy our nations great outdoors have a natural love and respect for the land."

"They and their families depend, in large measure, on the availability of public lands for their hunting, camping or just plain exploring."

These are the opening paragraphs of a new booklet entitled "Take A Stand To Save The Land." Developed by International Harvester, as part of the company's commitment to four-wheel drive enthusiasts, the booklet details ecologically sound 4x4 driving practices.

The ojectives of the program are to: (1) Remind public land managers that policies which deny a four-wheel drive vehicle operator reasonable access to public lands can be an abridgement of the very rights of thousands of concerned, environmentally-minded citizens; and (2) Encourage four-wheel drive vehicle operators to help diseminate the idea that responsible 4x4 driving is compatible with the environment.

The booklet contains a self-mailer post card which offers "I Took A Stand ..." a bumper sticker and patch to those four-wheel drive vehicle owners who sign and mail the cart to IH.

Specifically, the "I Took A Stand..." program requests 4x4 vehicle owners to reaffirm their intent to preserve the environment - to limit off-pavement travel to established roads and vehicle trails, and to not disturb vegetation or special sites with historic or natural interests.

"The program's basic direction is to recognize that four wheelers have a right to use public lands for recreational purposes; however, it emphasizes self-regulation as absolutely necessary for protection of the environment," sates F.J. Wendling, Manager of Scout Marketing for International Harvester's North American Truck Operations.

Wendling noted that in 1979, the "I Took A Stand..." booklet will be included in the glove compartment of new Scouts. Additional copies will be distributed to four-wheel drive clubs, international Scout dealers, recreational facilities, public parts and government agencies.

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