CA Trail Users Alert - Ask Gov. Brown to Keep CA in the RTP

 

The Recreation HQ is asking all of our non-motorized and motorized readers in CA to take a minute and send a short letter to Governor Brown today asking him to keep California in the National Recreational Trails Program (RTP).   If California opts-out, it could start the dominos falling in other states.

BRC and other recreation groups have issued alerts with info about this issue.

BRC Alert on RTP Alert for CA Trail Users

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2013/05/10/california-rtp-in-danger-once-again

 

In many states - particularly in states with no OHV program - OHVers rely entirely on funds from RTP for their motorized projects.   HQ believes Governor Brown may take the advice from some in Sacramento and opt-out of the program UNLESS he gets a short message from you.

 

HQ has a link below to all of the RTP grants given in California between 1993-2012.  Many of them are related to OHV or OSV.  You can check and see what motorized or non-motorized group, county, or agency has received a RTP grant in CA.

Link to RTP Report of Grants from 1993-2012

Here is a draft letter that HQ has prepared for those of you to use if needed.  Send in a letter today and also consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.  (Yes, I have already sent in my personal letter and sent a letter-to-the-editor of my local newspaper)

SAMPLE LETTER 

_________________________________________________________

Governor Jerry Brown

State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916.558.3160

 

Re: Keep CA in the National Recreational Trails Program

 

Dear Governor Brown:

 

As a trail user in California, I urge you to continue this state’s participation in the federal government’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP).   If California opts-out of RTP is could have a devastating impact on the entire program.  The success of RTP depends in each state being an active participant in the program. 

 

RTP is an environmentally sound program that supports both non-motorized and motorized trail projects.   It is a program that benefits trail-based tourism in California and helps support local economies and businesses.

 

Again, I urge you to please continue California’s participation in RTP.

  

Sincerely,

 

Joe Trail User

Any town, CA

____________________________________________________

HQ thanks all trail users in advance to taking time to send in a short letter that will benefit trail enthusiasts on a national basis.

 

Nor Cal OHV, Enduro, Dual Sport Alert - Comment on Young's Corral OHV Trail Project

The Recreation HQ is issuing an ACTION ALERT for all those OHVers and dual-sport enthusiasts from around the county and elsewhere (including Canada, Europe, etc.) who have ridden on the Mendocino National Forest to send in a short comment letter regarding a very important project (comments due May 24) on the Young’s Corral OHV Trail Project.

Link to Project Description, etc.

http://brc1.us/wp5i0zp

The Upper Lake Ranger District is proposing to construct a short ½ mile section of trail to re-connect riding opportunities between the Upper Lake and Grindstone (e.g. Stonyford) Ranger Districts.  The proposed project will provide an important connector on the Mendocino OHV Corridor.  Currently, there is no legal access on this route due to easement issues with a private property owner.  To correct the issue and respect private property rights, the agency is proposing a short bypass that will, once again, allow casual use and permitted OHV/ dual-sport events on that route. 

 

After you review the project (it is basically just a one pager), please send a comment to the District Ranger, Lee Johnson, at: comments-pacificsouthwest-mendocino-upperlake@fs.fed.us

 

***************************************************************

SAMPLE LETTER

 

Lee Johnson, District Ranger

Upper Lake Ranger District
Mendocino National Forest
10025 Elk Mountain Road
Upper Lake, CA 95485
Attn: Frank Aebly, Project Leader
Email: faebly@fs.fed.us
 

Re: Young’s Corral OHV Trail Project

 

I support this proposed project to re-establish the connectivity of the Mendocino Off-Highway Vehicle Corridor. 

 

It addresses private property concerns and restores legal OHV recreation travel between the Grindstone and Upper Lake Ranger Districts for family OHV recreation and for long-standing events such as the SheetIron 300 Dual Sport Ride, Jackhammer Enduro, and the Cowbell Enduro.

 

Thanks for allowing me to comment on this important and much needed project.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joe Trail Rider

******************************************************* 

 

HQ thanks you in advance to taking a few minutes to send in a comment.  Please forward this to your riding network.

 

 

East Bay Regional Park Update - Agency Pokes OHV Community in the Eye

Photo from a 2012 District Public Meeting

 

OHV enthusiasts often complain about the arrogance of elected and unelected officials that are sent to Washington D.C. to make decisions on our behalf.  Sadly, that unbecoming character flaw appears to have been adopted by the East Bay Regional Park District’s staff and elected board members.

 

As many of you know, the District is updating their Master Plan.  A lot of you attended several public meetings held throughout the East Bay Area last fall.  Recently, the District issued their updated final Draft Master Plan Update.

 

Link to Final Draft of Updated Master Plan

http://www.ebparks.org/planning/mp

 

At those public “listening meetings,” the OHV community often represented about 1/3^rd to ½ of those in attendance.   With over 28K registered non-street legal OHVs in the District’s jurisdiction, the Park was not providing one-inch of OHV trail.  Historically, motorized recreation was recognized as a viable form of activity that the District should provide for.  In fact, they operated a small OHV park in the Oakland hills about 20 years ago.

 

We also submitted comments and made statements regarding the District’s effort to stop the OHMVR Division’s planning efforts on the Tesla property to site new OHV opportunity on said land purchased for that use with monies from the OHV Trust Fund.

 

Link to the Tesla Fight

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2012/07/23/green-groups-influence-bay-area-regional-park-district-support-ban-ohv-use-Carnegie-

 

 

 

HQ has done an initial review and it appears that all the OHV community accomplished was to further strength the resolve by District leadership to formally BAN any consideration of OHV use on current or future District park lands.   In addition, the District continues to insert itself into the OHMVR Division’s planning for future motorized recreational opportunity on the Tesla property. 

 

Link to Carnegie SVRA Planning Process

http://carnegiegeneralplan.com/

 

According the District’s Public Affairs Officer, Carol Johnson, dates for upcoming public meetings will be discussed most likely on May 23 at an executive committee meeting, though the agenda has not been formally posted as yet.  The full Board of Directors will consider adoption of the final draft document sometime in June.  Johnson urges users to check the District’s website for updates on Board agendas.

 

The District has proved local agencies and governing boards are more than capable of brash arrogance that rivals anything I have seen in Sacramento or Washington, D.C.  Getting poked in the eye hurts regardless of who does it. 

 

 

# # #

 

Yolo County Board to Vote on New OHV Park (Tue. April 23)

Road to New County OHV Park?

(100 acre proposal is on the other side of the levee at end of the road)

 

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors will be meeting in Woodland to consider passing a resolution in support for creation of a NEW OHV county park on about 100 acres of unused land N.E. of the city.

 

Currently there is not a single acre of legal OHV opportunity in the county.  This project would serve the recreational needs of the area by providing a managed OHV facility.

 

The Board of Supervisors is meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday (April 23) at the Yolo County Administrative Building, 625 Court Street, Woodland, CA 95695.

 

Link to Agenda (OHV Park is item #27)

http://yoloagenda.yolocounty.org/agenda_publish.cfm?dsp=ag&seq=144

 

 

Site of Proposed County OHV Park

 

 

I hope to see you there.  Not too often we get a chance to support a new OHV facility.

 

 

CA OHV Grant Comments Ends TODAY - Many Riding Areas Have NO Comments

The Recreation HQ wants to remind OHVers in CA to be sure and comment on OHV grants related to your favorite riding areas.   This is YOUR chance to get engaged with the OHV program in a substantive manner.    The public comment periods ends TODAY at end of business.

 

Many popular riding areas and related grant applicants have not received a SINGLE comment from the user community.  The following link will take you to the full list of OHV grant applicants for the 2012/2013 grant cycle.  You can’t complain about the legislature taking money from the program if you are not willing to send in a comment letter.   To date, very popular riding areas such as Chappie Shasta, Cow Mountain, and the Samoa Dunes have not gotten a single comment!  Please write your support letter today!

Link to OHV grant applicants who have or have not received public comments (those who have received public comment are noted in blue)

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27308

 

The Recreation HQ issued an alert about this earlier and it has links and instructions that will get you to the comment section for the preliminary OHV grants.  Send in your comments today and urge your rider network to do the same.   

 

Link to grant comment alert with instructions

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2013/03/reviewcomment-on-ca-ohv-grants.html

 

Thanks for taking time to be engaged in the CA OHV program.

LEGAL UPDATE - Minimization Does Not Mean Closure

Example of "Alpine-type" Single Track

 

The Recreation HQ believes two recent federal court decisions support the Forest Service’s authority to designate high-quality alpine-type motorized routes and single track trails despite legal and political objections by anti-access groups.

In early March 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the agency’s right to reopen the South Canyon Road (Jarbidge Road) to motorized use.  HQ believes the court recognized the unit’s efforts to “minimize” environmental impacts of the road in their planning documents.

Link to Jarbidge Decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/03/05/55449.htm

 

 

According to the article, the Ninth Circuit 3 judge panel further found that the plan the agency chose for the road, "incorporated several mitigating modifications." These included "minimizing the number of river crossings by heavy equipment during construction;" "clearly marking low-water crossings and posting them with 5 MPH speed limits;" and designing the new road not for passenger cars but four-wheel drive vehicles.

 

Last Friday, a federal court sided with pro-access groups regarding the designation of premium single-track trails found in in the Rico West Dolores area of the San Juan National Forest in Colorado.

 

BRC News Release on Rico West Court Decision

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2013/03/25/recreation-enthusiasts-applaud-rico-west-dolores-decisions

 

HQ believes these court decisions reinforce the concept that minimization DOES NOT mean elimination. Instead, reasonable efforts to manage or “minimize” environmental or user conflicts in federal planning efforts can often be adopted to keep high quality alpine routes open for OHV use.

 

 

Review/Comment on CA OHV Grants including NEW OHV Park in Yolo County

OHV Bridge on FS Lands Supported by CA OHV Grant Program

 

The Recreation HQ wants to alert riders in CA (and riders from other states who visit CA OHV areas) to submit a comment on grants where you ride.   BRC issued an ACTION ALERT today with easy instructions on how to find and review your favorite grants and hopefully make a comment.

 

BRC ACTION ALERT ON 2012/2013 OHV GRANTS

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2013/03/13/california--ca-ohmvr-division-accepting-comments-20122013-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-program

 

As you know, establishing a NEW riding area is almost as rare as a Blue Moon.  However, Yolo County has submitted a planning grant for a new 80-100 acre OHV riding area outside of Woodland, CA.  Getting some legal riding opportunities in this part of the Central Valley is very important.

 

Yolo County is having a public meeting on March 20 at 6:30pm in Woodland.  It is important for

OHVers to attend and show support for new riding opportunities in this area of the state.  PLEASE share with your rider networks.

 

Yolo County Public Meeting Announcement

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Yolo_county_March_20meeting2013.0001.pdf

 

 

March 20, 2013

Yolo County Admin. Building

625 Court Street

Woodland, CA 95695

*Meet in Atrium Training Room B02

 

Hope to see you there.