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Carla Boucher
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Carla Boucher

Carla Boucher drove her first four-wheel drive vehicle in 1981. Since that time, she has maintained a local presence in the four wheel drive community through club participation, National involvement as a respected land-use attorney and internationally, through her efforts to draft model vehicle specifications for four wheel drive use in New Zealand. Over the course of the last ten years, Carla has served in various capacities on the board of Tidewater Fourwheelers in Virginia Beach, VA and is currently president of that organization.

For the past eight years, Carla has been Legislative Advocate for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations. The following are but a few of her many accomplishments in this role: Lead Counsel in United Four Wheel Drive Associations v. United States Forest Service (1999): Carla was responsible for obtaining a settlement to this suit. This legal settlement and future correspondence with the Forest Service solidified road terminology, which prevented the conversion of millions of acres of Roadless Areas to defacto Wilderness. Wilderness prohibits all motorized and mechanized use.

USDA Forest Service, Special Use Permits (2003): This rulemaking impacts the condition under which motorized users must apply for and receive Special Use Permits, including events from casual trail rides to large scale motorcycle desert races.

United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Recreation Forum (2004): Carla was the author of route planning recommendations presented to the Director of the BLM as a workable alternative to “Closed Unless Posted Open” management policy.

Insurance (2004): Recently, Carla negotiated a package that will assist UFWDA member organizations in gaining access to insurance coverage that may not have otherwise been available. The significance of obtaining this insurance coverage can not be overstated! Carla has been a driving force for public land use both in the U.S. and internationally. Her determination, leadership and drive have kept a countless number of hectares of land open for the public enjoyment of recreational activities.

Everyone involved in any form of off-road motorsports owes a debt of gratitude to Carla for her tireless efforts in protecting our right to access public lands.