Early Report on QWR/BRC 2013 Summer Northcoast Redwood Access Tour

Del Norte County BOS Building

 

Although HQ is officially closed until Monday, we wanted to get a short story out for weekend readers who want to know how the 2013 Summer Northcoast Redwood Access Tour turned out.  In simple words, it was a huge success.  



NPS/State Park HQ in Orick

 

HQ will go into more details next week, but we attended a number of meetings and/or tours with county officials, users, and agency staff to discuss and review a wide range of state and federal OHV recreation-related issues.

The Land Use Battle Wagon at the Largest (or one of the largest flags) Flag in CA

"Wes Greene's Tractor Service in Arcata"

 

At the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors video link below (44:24 to 52:12) you will find BRC’s, Don Amador, giving public comment to the officials on the following subjects: noting board’s history of fighting for access, non-highway designations for county roads, asking FS to revisit 1999 project level NEPA decision to close 40 miles of routes in High Plateau, county RS2477 filing/request, restoring green-sticker vehicle access at Tolowa Dunes State Park,  potential for a county ATV park, ask county to review its standing/statute of limitations regarding the biology scandal involving Mad River Biologists, and listing the Last Chance Grade Bypass plan as an emergency.

 

Video Link (if you have trouble with Internet Explorer… try launching video in Google Chrome)

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/36301919

 

Popular OHV Route on Smith River NRA

 

 

Thanks to all who helped support this tour.  Watch for more tour-related stories in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties.

 

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HQ on QWR/BRC 2013 Summer North Coast Redwoods Access Tour July 20-26

Don Amador and the Recreation HQ will be out of the office and in the field (July 20-26) on our 2013 Summer North Coast Redwoods Access Tour.  We will be addressing OHV access issues in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and will be meeting with local motorcycle and 4x4 clubs, elected county officials, state and federal land managers, and other stakeholders.

 

There continues to be a lot of OHV access concerns related to the Six Rivers National Forest, Smith River National Recreation Area, Clam Beach, and Tolowa Dunes State Park.

 

Thanks to all the sponsors who are making this trip possible.   If you would like to donate to this tour to help defray the costs of diesel and other travel expenses, you can make a donation at:

 

QWR Donation Site for North Coast Tour

http://www.quietwarriorracing.com/Sponsorships.html

 

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing many of you up on the north coast next week.

 

East Bay Park District Votes to Continue Effort to Ban OHV Recreation on Tesla Property

View of Central Valley from Carnegie SVRA

 

In one of the most stunning actions that I have ever seen taken by a land management agency, the East Bay Regional Park District Board cast a “here is a poke in your eye” vote to continue their efforts to ban OHV recreation on the Tesla property at Carnegie SVRA.  

 

I attended the District board meeting yesterday where they voted to approve the new Master Plan that includes a map of the Tesla property identified as a future acquisition.   Even though District staff has said they really don’t want the Tesla property for non-motorized use, they continue to stand – like children - in front of the candy store lusting for the forbidden fruit.

 

BRC News Release with info on District Vote, News Articles, BRC 2012 Comment Letter

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2013/07/17/bay-area-park-board-votes-block-motorized-recreation-ohv-park

 

The brazen vote cast by the District will most certainly poison-the-well of any good will that may have existed in the OHV community in efforts to work in a cooperative manner with the agency.

 

Here is link to some of the Tesla fight in 2012 (good reading and history)

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/09/tesla-continues-to-be-hot-issue-at.html
 

The fight for Tesla continues.

Please consider a donation if you want BRC to be there for you in these tough access fights.

JOIN AND/OR DONATE HERE

https://www.sharetrails.org/support/join-or-contribute

 

Thanks,

Don

 

 

Amador on Bike Week Radio Show - Topics: OHV grants, DS motorcycles, leadership at state parks, grant scandal, Imperial Dunes, 2014 midterms

HQ’s, Don Amador, had a radio interview yesterday with the gang at Bike Week Radio.  Scott Cox and the crew at the station started the show off with KTM’s Kurt Caselli who was followed by motorcycle legend, Peter Starr.

 

We talked about a lot of important issues during my “OHV” segment at the end of the show.  Topics covered  includes: OHV Grants being adjusted back to 31M, buying a dual-sport motorcycle (Factory plated vs. bikes that comply with 2003 DMV cutoff rules), new leadership at state parks and OHV division, 2012 state park scandal,  Imperial Sand Dunes reopening 50K acres and legal history of that fight,  and 2014 midterm elections.

 

Amador’s segment starts at 47:31 at the show’s archive link for the July 14 Show

http://www.bikeweekradioshow.com/archive.html

 

Thanks for your interest and support!

 

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CA/NV Summer Fun Events for Dual-Sports, Adventure Bikes, ATVs, SUVs, UTVs, and 4x4s

Typical View on Ride Reno 200

 

A number of great Dual-Sport and 4x4 events are occurring this summer and it would be impossible to mention them all.  However, QWR is planning to attend two events that feature diverse OHV opportunities for dual-sport, adventure bike, SUV, ATV, UTV, and 4x4s.

 

The Dust Devils Motorcycle Club is hosting its 2013 Ride Reno 200 Dual Sport Ride on September 13-15, 20-13.  It is an AMA National Event and this year it also has loops for adventure bikes.  QWR and its Sound Trails Initiative will be there with its Quest sound testing equipment to offer the SAE J-1287 20-inch sound test for the event to help educate riders about using sound compliant exhaust systems.

QWR Sound Education Station at Previous Event

 

This ride takes you up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains where you will see spectacular forested lands and back through the high desert where wild mustangs can often be seen.

 

2013 Ride Reno 200

http://www.dustdevilsmc.com/Participant/ParticipantFlyer.aspx

 

Jeeps Driving in the Sierra

 

QWR will also be at the 2013 Sierra Trek hosted by the California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs.  This event runs from August 8-11, 2013.  According to the club, Sierra Trek is the granddaddy of all Cal 4 events. It is held in Northern California near Truckee. The event takes participants over the famous Fordyce Trail and the surrounding areas via SUV, ATV, modified 4x4 vehicles and dedicated trail rigs.

 

2013 Sierra Trek

http://www.cal4wheel.com/events/sierra-trek

 

Cal 4 is working hard to introduce new and fun activities for families that we know you will enjoy. You can still run the Fordyce trail with the confidence that the trail staff will make your adventure memorable!

 

Cal 4 is also bringing back two-day SUV and the ATV/UTV runs in additions to the challenging 4x4 trail rides.

 

QWR and STI will also be at this event and will be making the SUV adventure touring runs. We will also be manning the BRC booth and talking with riders about responsible use of system roads, trails, and areas.  This is a great event for those who want a high elevation OHV experience in an alpine setting.

 

QWR’s Sound Trails Initiative

http://www.quietwarriorracing.com/Sound_Trails_Initiative.html

 

I hope to see you this summer on the trail!

 

FOX 40 TV Show - Off-Roading is Family Fun

This is just a fun update for your 4^th of July weekend.   Today, I got to spend some time talking trails (responsible use, conservation, fun) with FOX 40 TV in Sacramento that was doing a short story on the fun aspects of off-roading.   BRC’s off-road ambassadors, Del and Stacie Albright were also there along with MetalCloak Manufacturing and Kevin Carey, BRC board member and founding member of Friends of the Rubicon, and members of Cal4WD.

  

Link to Live Interview with BRC’s Don Amador and some cool shots of 4x4s in action

http://fox40.com/2013/07/05/off-roading-fun-for-the-whole-family/#5ZYygY5h7SA0qOTM.03

 

We got to spend a lot of time with the cast today and FOX 40 should be showing some more of the taping during their evening shows tonight.

 

Have a great 4^th of July weekend!

 

Thanks,

 

Don

 

PS - Let's see on tonight's TV segment if they show the Land Use Battlewagon climbing one of the obstacle courses.

North Coast Biology Scandal Update

As the Recreation HQ prepares to celebrate the 4^th of July with family and friends, we wanted to give you a quick update regarding the Feb - 2012 arrest of Ron LeValley and other associates of Mad River Biologists for embezzlement of over $900,000 dollars.  HQ believes this scandal calls into question the quality of their  “science”  that was used by land management agencies on closure-oriented projects.

 

July 3, 2013 Times Standard Article on Mad River Biologist Scandal

http://www.times-standard.com/news/ci_23590360/fallen-forestry-director-cooperating-prosecutors-attorney-federal-charges

 

HQ believes it is important to find out how much of their science was “dry-lab” vs. field-based research.    As a native of Humboldt County, I am concerned that a lot of the public land closures in the area based on LaValley’s “work” related to the Northern Spotted Owl, marbled murrelet, and snowy plover may have been unwarranted.

 

Link to Feb. 27, 2012 HQ Report on the Initial Arrest of LeValley and Crew

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/02/arrest-of-northcoast-scientists-rivals.html

 

HQ believes it is scandals like this that creates more distrust of the “science” and research being used to effect the closure of motorized trails and other multiple-uses of public lands.  Closures based on bad science, corruption, and political agendas have no place in 21^st Century land-use planning and management.

OHVers Mourn Loss of 19 Firefighters in AZ

Tribute to 19 Firefighters Killed on July 19, 1953

by the Rattlesnake Fire on the Mendocino NF

 

The Recreation HQ wants to extend its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the 19 wildland firefighters who were killed Sunday night in the Yarnell Hill Fire.  That fire is fiercely burning near Prescott, Arizona.

 

The OHV community feels this loss since it is often wildland firefighters who train for such events by doing trail maintenance on motorized routes.  They also help with post-fire rehab of recreation sites by falling hazard trees and clearing debris.

 

 

Fire Crews Protecting Ranch in 2012 Mill Fire 

 

Many Forest Service and BLM OHV recreation staff come from the fire discipline.  In the summer, some get called to fight fires.  Also, agency line-officers often have a background in firefighting.

 

HQ feels a great sense of loss at this tragic event.  Next time you see a wildland firefighter… give them a heartfelt thank you.