This Sign Directed OHV Stakeholders to
the Transformation Team Public Meeting in Ontario on Aug. 11, 2016
Introduction: I wanted to share my letter/thoughts with OHV stakeholders on the August 2016 Transformation Team Progress Report. I think it takes steps in the right direction. However, it needs to more fully incorporate "Recreation" into the soul of the document. I have included the letter I sent to the Transformation Team today. I think this
report shows a “preservation culture” still exists at DPR.
LINK TO AUGUST 2016 TRANSFORMATION TEAM PROGRESS REPORT
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/24689/files/Transformation%20Progress%20Report%20August%202016.pdf
August 17, 2016
Dear Lisa and the Transformation Team,
I again want to thank you for your ongoing efforts (which
are greatly appreciated) to engage with OHV stakeholders to better understand
the OHV Program.
I just read through the August 2016 Transformation Team
Progress Report and commend the Team for including pictures of various active
forms of recreation on the cover page and noting said activities on page 6 in
the Fast Facts section.
While I support, in general, all of the four Transformation
Team Strategic Goals, I am concerned about the preservationist nature of Strategic
Goal 1 that leaves out any mention of providing environmentally sound or
sustainable recreational opportunities.
Strategic Goal 1: Protect and Enhance
Natural and Cultural Resources
The California
Department of Parks and Recreation’s (Department) mission includes the
protection and preservation of California’s most significant cultural and
natural resources. By engaging and collaborating with other leaders in this
field, the Department will identify and advance pilot projects demonstrating
best practices and develop programs and systems that support first in class
preservation and
conservation of natural and cultural resources. The Department will propel a
renewed investment in the stewardship of the globally-significant resources of
the state park system. Decisions will be informed and guided by the need to
protect natural and cultural resources.
I would urge the Team to consider weaving “recreation”
more substantively into the soul of the document including its strategic
goals. In fact, the Team might consider
adding an additional goal (Goal 5) that reads something like this:
Strategic Goal 5: Continue to Provide
World Class Sustainable Recreational Opportunities
The Department will
continue to provide access to world-class passive and active forms of
recreation that exist within the system.
The Department will use best management practices, the collaborative
process, and partners to maintain and/or enhance a wide array of sustainable recreational
opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of all people. Off-highway motor
vehicle recreation, boating activities, horseback riding, on and off-road
cycling, hiking, camping, and rock climbing are some of the recreational
activities enjoyed in 280 state parks organized into 22 field districts
throughout the state.
Since the program was totally revised in 2008, the OHV
Division has been a model of government transparency and efficiency. It has been a model for other States to
follow. The Team needs to ensure this
program keeps its identity so it can continue to offer the excellent services
it has been providing.
As you know, the 9 State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs)
provide high quality OHV recreational opportunities in most regions of the
state and the Team should support continuation of that program.
Also, about 80% of OHV recreational opportunities are
provided by our partners at the Forest Service and BLM. The OHV Grants Program has been instrumental
in providing for quality and effectively managed OHV recreation on federal
lands throughout the state. The Team
should help ensure the OHV Grants Program stays viable.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any
questions or want additional input into the process.
Best regards,
Don
Don Amador
555 Honey Lane
Oakley, CA 94561
Cell: 925.783.1834
Email: damador@cwo.com
Former Chairman of the OHMVR Commission,
Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, President of Quiet Warrior
Racing/Consulting, Member – Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
cc: OHV
Stakeholders
Posts
Nicely done and well worded. The points made are non-confrontational, and to the point that OHV is part of DPR.
ReplyDeleteDave Pickett District 36 Legislative Action Office
Yep - important to have recreation front and centre as an objective. Here's an extract from the Department of Parks and Wildlife's introduction to their Policy 18 on Recreation:
ReplyDelete"To provide world-class recreation and tourism opportunities, services and facilities for visitors to the public conservation estate while maintaining in perpetuity Western Australia’s natural and cultural heritage."
There is a growing body of evidence to support the notion that people care more about the environment when they can get out and enjoy it (in their chosen form of access). 'Connecting people to parks' is an emerging theme, so this concept can be used to boost the argument for explicit recognition of passive and active recreation within management guidelines and processes.
I look forward to the outcome of this project.
Steve, Maybe CA DPR can look at using the strong recreation narrative you provided. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Don, for highlighting the importance of adding "sustainable recreation" as a strategic goal. (Expressed from my perspective as a recreation enthusiast, not a CA State Parks employee)
ReplyDeleteJared, Goals/objectives are the foundation blocks upon which a mission is built. It only makes sense that DPR should have a recreation goal. Just saying.
ReplyDelete