ACTION ALERT FOR OCOTILLO WELLS SVRA - Comments Due April 6, 2015!

Desert Safari 2014

(photo credit: John Stewart)

The Recreation HQ is issuing a special ACTION ALERT urging OHV recreationists and related businesses to send in a comment letter on the Draft Preferred Alternative/Proposed Action (PA) for Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct an environmental review for the Ocotillo Wells Recreation Area in Imperial County.

SVRA Plan Link

http://ocotillowells.s3.amazonaws.com/static/OcotilloWellsSVRA_PrefAltPropAction_2015.03.03.pdf

BLM NOI Link

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2015/february/ocotillo.html

This hybrid planning effort by State Parks and the BLM will guide management and OHV use at the SVRA for the next 10-20 years.

The HQ believes it is important for the OHV community to weigh on this planning effort in a large numbers to show support for continued OHV recreation at the park.

Please take a few minutes to utilize the some or all of the comments below in a personal letter to the agencies.  It will make a difference!!!

COMMENTS DUE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 6, 2015

SAMPLE COMMENT LETTER

____________________________________________________________________________

Date:

Tina Robinson

General Plan Project Manager

5172 Highway 78, #10

Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Email: info@planocotillowells.org

Carrie Simmons

BLM, El Centro Field Office,

661 S. 4th Street

El Centro, CA 92243

Email: BLM_CA_Ocotillo_Wells_RAMP@blm.gov

Dear Planning Team:

Please accept my comments on the Draft Preferred Alternative/Proposed Action (PA) for Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Notice of Intent (NOI) to conduct an environmental review for the Ocotillo Wells Recreation Area in Imperial County.

[INSERT BUSINESS NAME, PERSONAL STORY, HOW FAMILY USES OCOTILLO WELLS SVRA, ETC]

I am concerned with the plan’s “trails-only” focus in an area that has historically offered an important mix of trails and open riding opportunities.  I urge State Parks and the BLM to include “Open” designations where appropriate in the final plan.

I believe the agencies should develop a streamlined event permitting process to expedite the approval of competitive and other permitted events that are well-known, historic, and reoccurring. This can be accomplished through known “pre-approved” routes or areas from which an event organizer can choose.

I support the SVRA’s already outstanding efforts to educate the public regarding the many important values and resources that exist in the project area. I also support efforts by State Parks and the BLM to acquire non-public lands to further enhance and consolidate recreational opportunities in the project area.

I am concerned about the focus on “primitive” camping.  Historically, the term primitive camping is limited to tent camping.  I believe the term as currently interpreted could result in a functional ban of trailer/RV camping throughout most of the project area.  I urge the planning team to review historic trailer/RV/tent camping patterns and adjust the final plan to accommodate, to the maximum extent possible, trailer and RV developed and dispersed camping.

I am concerned the proposed plan indicates areas will be identified where OHV events MAY be allowed in future planning efforts.  I believe that permitted events should be granted the same status and areas that are authorized in the plan for “California State Parks Sponsored Special Events Only”.

Thanks in advance for reviewing my comments and I look forward to working with the SVRA and BLM on this project.

Respectfully submitted,

[JOHN DOE]

Thanks for taking time to send in a letter.  Please forward to your riding network.

Support YOUR Favorite CA OHV Grant Projects - Comment Period Ends April 6, 2015

OHV Grant Supported OHV Bridge

Tahoe NF

The Recreation HQ is back in 2015 with one of our first alerts and that is in regards to letting your voice be heard when it comes to support for the CA OHV Grant Program.

OHV Restoration Grant

Mendocino NF

The CA OHV Grant Program provides critical funding to help augment congressional appropriations for OHV recreation on federal lands.  Having served on the Region 5 Recreation Resource Advisory Committee and OHMVR Commission, I can attest to the important role the grant program plays to ensure that OHV recreation remains a viable activity on FS/BLM lands and county parks.  Managing sustainable OHV recreation in the 21^st Century requires an “all hands approach” which includes grants, appropriated funds, and volunteerism.

OHV Grant for Signs/Safety

BLM Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

The OHMVR Division has made it easy to comment by going to the link below.  The comment period ends on April 6, 2015. This period provides an opportunity for the public to review and provide comments to the preliminary applications submitted to the OHMVR Division for consideration during the 2014/15 grant cycle.

LINK to Comments

http://olga.ohv.parks.ca.gov/egrams_ohmvr/user/home.aspx

OHV Grant to Reopen Youngs Corral Bypass

Mendocino NF

Remember this is your program and your letter shows both support for the applicants and the OHMVR Division grant staff that works hard to administer the process.

Thanks!

Don

OHV MEETING ALERT - Attend OHMVR Commission Tour at Pismo (Dec. 11) and Full Commission Meeting (Dec. 12)

*** Update - 12/8/14 4:30 pm - Outdoor Beach Tour CX'd due to Weather - Due to weather warnings put out by the National Weather Service, the December 11, 2014, Oceano Dunes SVRA tour has been relocated indoors to the Oceano Depot, 1650 Front Street, Oceano, CA, beginning at 9:00 am.

I may still try and get there about 2pm on Wed. and do a pre-storm tour of the SVRA.  Let me know if you will be there on Wed. for the pre-storm tour.  Send RSVP to: damador@cwo.com

The Recreation HQ would like to invite all interested OHVers to attend the CA OHMVR Commission tour of Oceano Dunes SVRA at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, December 11, 2014 and the OHVMR Commission meeting on Friday, December 12, 2014 Friday, 8:30 a.m. – until adjournment, Marie Callender’s Conference Room, 2131 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.

Link to Official OHMVR Commission Announcement

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/01-notice_dec-11-12-2014_comm_tour-meeting.pdf

Link to Dec. 12 OHMVR Commission Agenda

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/02-agenda-ohmvr-commissionmtg-dec-12-2014.pdf

This will be a great opportunity for OHV interests to attend the commission meeting to learn about important issues such as the DRECP, new SVRA acquisitions, federal land agency reports, etc.

The Recreation HQ will be there both days.  Please look for the BRC's land use F250 and QWR’s official SxS (Teryx 800) at the tour and meeting.

This is your program and it is important for you, if possible, to attend and let the OHMVR commission hear your views.

See you there!

Questions?  Send email to: damador@cwo.com

Are you "Trail Proud?"

As I enter 25 years of service with BRC and QWR celebrates its 5^th year anniversary in 2015, I believe that OHV has a lot to be proud of.

OHV is no longer relegated to the political sidelines like we were during the Spotted Owl battle in the early 1990s.  Motorized recreation has matured and now joins other public land stakeholder groups as a respected and important member of the land use equation.

Being “Trail Proud” is a term that OHV should consider adopting as a way to express our passion for the sport and to codify our belief that responsible motorized recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas is here to stay.

Sierra,Sequoia, Inyo NF's Extend Wilderness Evaluation Comment Deadline to Sept. 24 at Noon

Don Amador Near Bass Lake on the Sierra NF

The Recreation HQ wants to alert motorized recreationists who value OHV recreation on the Inyo, Sierra, and Sequoia National Forests about the Forest Service extending the public comment period

For the Wilderness Evaluation until 12:00 pm (noon) on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

Here is text from the FS update:

Due to agency internal technical errors, our database for accepting wilderness evaluation comments (Talking Points) shut down prematurely on Monday, September 22 at midnight (12:00am instead of 8:00am).

The Forest Service is re-activating the Talking Points website to extend the wilderness evaluation comment period until 12:00pm (noon) on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

Link to FS update:

http://my.usgs.gov/ppgis/studio/launch/16850

Link to Wilderness Evaluation Webpage

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/landmanagement/planning/?cid=STELPRD3803608

BRC Comments on Wilderness Evaluation

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/BRC_Cmnts_Adopter_Forests_Wilderness_Evaluation_ISS_09.22.14.pdf

HQ reminds riders that there are many high quality OHV opportunities in all three of these National Forests.   It is vital that you send in comments and attend public meetings.  The public comments for the Forest Plan Revision process are due on Sept. 29.

OHV Bridge Installed to Protect Water Quality

Sierra NF

BRC Alert on Forest Plan Revision Process

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2014/09/03/california--inyo-sequoia-and-sierra-national-forests-announce-scoping-public-workshops-for-forest-plan-revisio

Update on those meetings

I/BRC attended the Early Adopter Forest’s public meeting last week in Fresno, CA,  regarding  the Forest Plan Revision process for the Sierra, Inyo, and Sequoia National Forests (early adopter forests) might impact fire related vegetative treatments, provide sustainable wood products for local timber or biomass businesses, and enhance recreational opportunity.

However, the lack of detail on the maps at the various stations made it hard for stakeholders to identify historic motorized and non-motorized areas and routes.  It was also confusing since the agency appeared to have a two tiered route/area analysis where they tried to clearly identify destination/developed OHV recreation areas but did not seem to focus as much detail on, or inclusion of, several important high elevation backcountry and alpine-type routes and areas.

 Although the agency has improved the “recreation” narrative, it appears that more attention should be given to development of a more substantive “recreation strategy” in the planning process.

We talked with agency staff at the “Fire” station about how the Forest Service should protect and mitigate engineered system trail infrastructure during any pre or post-fire treatments or in forest health vegetative projects.  Those projects should be reviewed as to how they might potentially impact motorized use on designated roads, trails, and areas.

I remains concerned that the Early Adopter Forest’s proposed action’s plan will apparently create “quiet recreation” expectations on all landscapes including both motorized (non-quiet) and non-motorized land classifications could be problematic on a number of fronts. Those impacts include obliteration of the trail or removal of water control structures such as rolling dips and catch basins.  Those soil erosion measures can often cost $15,000 to $20,000/mile to install (or replace).  Other sections such as at-risk species, water quality, and ecosystems have the same recreation mitigation deficiencies.

What may be of equal importance to the information gleaned at the public meeting is the visible presence of OHV leadership at the event.  That commitment was noted and appreciated by agency staff.  At the Fresno meeting, BRC was joined by representatives from AMA, AMA District 36, and CAL4WD.

If you value access to public lands, please take some time and review these plans and show that you have a vested interest in recreation by attending a meeting and sending in a comment letter.

Thanks!

Essential for FS to Use Discretionary Authority in TMR Plans

Don Amador Reviewing Draft Smith River 

NRA Travel Plan with Local Access Leader

As BRC states in its June 9 comment letter on the Smith River NRA Draft Travel Plan,  it believes it is both legally necessary and pragmatically essential that the agency use its discretionary authority to formally establish a functional yet sustainable network of designated routes. 

June 9 BRC Comment Letter with Legal Citations

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/smith_river_DEIS_comments_FINAL_June_2014.pdf

As both agency staff and recreationists know, various preservationist and anti-access special interests will always incant a litany of alleged legal violations that prevent adoption of an Alternative that designates any meaningful network of vehicle route.  They are certainly entitled to voice their opinions, but the agency should carefully evaluate any such claims and realize they are thinly veiled efforts to advance an agenda that includes significantly reducing, if not eliminating, recreational use of vehicles in the National Forest System. 

HQ believes the agency is empowered to reject these anti-access positions through correct interpretation of the law, as reflected in various recent court decisions cited in the aforementioned comment letter.

There is a growing body of legal decisions that debunk the notion that “minimization” means the elimination of OHV recreation on Forest Service lands.

AMA and Friends of CCMA to Testify at Clear Creek May 20 Hearing

2006 Pre-Closure Ride - Don Amador (L) and Ed Tobin (R)

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all those in the extended OHV family who have worked tirelessly over the last 7 years to reopen Clear Creek after it was closed in May 2008.  I won’t mention any of you by name because you know who you are. 

HQ believes this hearing on May 20, 2014 moves HR 1776 one giant step closer to becoming a reality.

BRC Alert with Link to House Subcommittee Website (with video link)

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2014/05/12/subcommittee-to-hold-legislative-hearing-on-clear-creek-national-recreation-area--conservation-act

Many of you have asked if there is a way for you to express your support of HR 1776 to the subcommittee?   One simple way is for you to show your support for the bill is to send a short letter (on personal or business letterhead) to:

Rob Bishop, Chairman

House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation

1324 Longworth Building

Washington, DC 20515

Attn: Otto Mucklo

Email: otto.mucklo@mail.house.gov

Link to National OHV Group Support Letter to Congressman Sam Farr on HR 1776

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Farr_OHV_groups_support_letter_HR1776.pdf

Here is the witness list for HR 1776 from a E&E article today.

Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.)

Former Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) -VP, American Motorcycle Association

Steve Koretoff of Kerman, Calif. – Spokesman for Friends of the Clear Creek Management Area

Here is a quote from the E&E article:

"This bill brings environmentalist and off-road vehicle enthusiasts together in the common goals of reopening Clear Creek for the public to enjoy and creating new wilderness land for future generations to enjoy," Farr said in a statement when the bill was introduced last year. "This partnership between the two groups will allow us to achieve two victories to benefit to the local communities."

HQ hopes passage of this bill will help reestablish the good will and partnership that once existed between the OHV community and the Hollister Field Office.  Let's move forward.

Again, HQ thanks each and every one of you who helped get us to this point.

UPDATE - Mendocino NF Subpart A Travel Management Meetings - Red Bluff is Tonight!

FS Road Spokesman, Ken Wysocki, Reviews Road Maint. Cost Chart

The Recreation HQ attended the Mendocino NF’s Subpart A Road meeting last night in Ukiah.  The Forest had prepared various “discussion stations” where agency specialists were available to review the road network and how they relate to resource, fire, and recreational activities.

Lone Motorcycle at the Ukiah Mendo Road Workshop

 HQ believes that access interests should come prepared for tonight’s meeting in Red Bluff with ideas and suggestions on how forest roads are used and/or could be used for forest health, resource management, and recreation.

Based on last night’s meeting, I suggest that you should be able to:

Highlight existing OHV recreational opportunities and how roads relate their use.

Identify ML 3 roads that could be reclassified as ML 2 roads for backcountry OHV touring and extended loop opportunities.

Identify ML1 roads (many are administratively closed to the public) that could provide looped OHV opportunity if they were open and managed as a motorized trail.

Identify ML 3 roads that should be designated as Mixed-Use to provide connectivity for non-street legal OHV recreation and touring opportunities.

Identify County road segments that could provide connectivity to the OHV trail network.   Work with county officials to have the county designate them as Combined Use (for paved sections) or Non-Highway (for native surfaced county roads) for use by green-sticker vehicles.  HQ believes that counties have an important role to play as a partner with users and the FS to create new OHV tourism opportunities.

Link to Meeting Information

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3798728

 

The start/end time for the event is 3:30pm – 6:30pm the last meeting is listed below (however, I understand the Forest might hold another meeting in June)

May 14 - Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area, Camp Discovery Group Camp

Shannon Pozas, the Forest’s road engineer states, “ To be clear, this is not a proposal or decision document, but a transportation study that will help inform future road management planning and can serve as an additional resource in future multiple resource projects,” said Pozas.  “Similar to the MVUM, this document will continue to evolve and change over the years, with opportunities for interested public to share their thoughts and engage in the process.”

As you may know, Forest Service System Roads are the backbone of the Mendocino National Forest’s OHV program.  Many are managed as OHV trails for dirt-bike, ATV, SxS, and 4WD use.  Some roads are designated as “Mixed Use” which allows for use by non-street legal OHVs. Other roads provide connector routes between the trail systems and Ranger Districts.  Roads also provide general public access for hunting, firewood, and driving for pleasure.

HQ has been disappointed in the turnout so far by access interests.  The turnouts have been dismal.  HQ hopes folks will attend the meeting tonight and share their views with the agency. 

ACTION ALERT - Mendocino NF Holds Subpart A "Road" Meetings May 8-14

M5 is a FS System Road that allows for Mixed-Use by

Green-Sticker OHVs

The Recreation HQ wants to alert OHV enthusiasts about the ongoing public meetings (May 6-14 at various locations) the Mendocino National Forest are holding related to Subpart A of the Travel Management Rule.    

Link to Meeting Information

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3798728

  

The start/end time for each event is 3:30pm – 6:30pm and dates/location are as follows:

May 8 - Covelo Round Valley Library Community Room (23925 Howard St, Covelo)

May 13 - Ukiah BLM Field Office (2550 North State Street)

May 14 - Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area, Camp Discovery Group Camp

Shannon Pozas, the Forest’s road engineer states, “ To be clear, this is not a proposal or decision document, but a transportation study that will help inform future road management planning and can serve as an additional resource in future multiple resource projects,” said Pozas.  “Similar to the MVUM, this document will continue to evolve and change over the years, with opportunities for interested public to share their thoughts and engage in the process.”

As you may know, Forest Service System Roads are the backbone of the Mendocino National Forest’s OHV program.  Many are managed as OHV trails for dirt-bike, ATV, SxS, and 4WD use.  Some roads are designated as “Mixed Use” which allows for use by non-street legal OHVs. Other roads provide connector routes between the trail systems and Ranger Districts.  Roads also provide general public access for hunting, firewood, and driving for pleasure.

HQ urges riders and clubs to attend these meetings if at all possible.  If you can’t make it, try and have a friend or representative attend.  HQ believes it is important for users to attend these public formats to show your support for access to the Forest. 

I will be attending the May 13 meeting in Ukiah on behalf of BRC and QWR.  Thanks for your review of this alert.  

*Please fwd. to your OHV network.

Public Comments for CA OHV Grants Ends on April 7, 2014 - Send in a Comment Now

The Recreation HQ wants to send out a simple reminder about the public comment period for the CA OHV Preliminary Applications for the 2013/14 Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program that ends on April 7, 2014.

This is your chance to submit a comment letter. HQ believes it is important for local users to review the preliminary grant applications and offer your views.   It is a great time for your club to weigh in with a support letter for those land agencies that are trying to offer the OHV community some high quality managed motorized use on roads, trails, and areas.

Please go to the CA OHV Grant website below and follow the directions.  You will see that many units have not yet received a single comment letter.

CA OHV Grant Website

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/

You don’t have to comment on every single grant, but please try and comment on the riding areas that you like to frequent.  Agency recreation staff and leadership read each one of these letters and I believe it is important for us to let them know that we appreciate their effort.

Thanks for your review of this request.

Sierra Club Smear Campaign Against Carnegie and the Entire SVRA System

Dishonesty and disingenuousness are not admirable traits in either our personal or professional lives.  Over the years you have seen the Recreation HQ chronicle such behaviors by faux recreation groups and some hard-core anti-access groups.

The most recent example of this is where Kathryn Phillips, Director of the CA Sierra Club, has embraced the aforementioned undesirable traits via their ongoing campaign to attack the CA SVRA system with a disinformation blitz of unequaled proportion.

Sierra Club Attack on SVRAs

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=355188.0&dlv_id=312260

Link to History of Eco Campaign to Ban OHV Use at Carnegie/Telsa

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2014/02/ohv-challenges-greens-claim-to-divine.html

As many of you know, I often work with environmental groups in various stakeholder processes.  Some of those efforts to find common ground have been productive.  The key to any collaborative process is based on the personal and professional integrity of the participants.

I would have refrained from this missive if the Sierra Club had acknowledged the hard work by SVRA staff and volunteers to manage those units in a sustainable manner.  Phillips’ disingenuousness is highlighted by the fact she never mentioned the new engineered contour trails that have been constructed and the many historic hillclimbs that have been closed and restored to a natural condition over the last 35 years. 

A Hillside Restoration Project Ignored by Sierra Club

Also, she failed to cite the many trail delineators, signing efforts, and water quality structures installed to protect natural and cultural resources.

Resource Protection Project Ignored by Sierra Club

It is my hope that some of the mainstream leaders in the environmental community will urge their colleagues to abandon their outdated and tired attack strategies and work with the SVRAs and OHV user groups on effective on-the-ground projects that protect resources and provide quality motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities throughout the state.

OHV Challenges Green's Claim to Divine Right for Use of Tesla at Livermore City Council Meeting

In response to yet another attempt by some anti-OHV environmental groups and the East Bay Regional Park District to ban or “interfere” with future OHV use on the Tesla portion of Carnegie SVRA, over 200 members of the OHV community – including many youth - attended the Livermore City Council meeting last night to express their support for Carnegie SVRA and future OHV use at Tesla.

In January, a cabal of anti-OHV groups presented the Council with their distorted and perverted view that the Tesla property was actually theirs by Divine Right.  They urged the Council to join and support their politically motivated quest to ban OHV use at Tesla, a use for which that property was purchased – and approved by the legislature – in the 1990s.

Jan. 17 Article on Anti-OHV Cabal at Livermore City Council

http://www.independentnews.com/news/article_18d21f60-7ee6-11e3-86f5-001a4bcf887a.html

A large number of Livermore residents gave their personal testimony about what an important role that Carnegie SVRA has played in their family’s life.  AMA District 36 representatives, 4WD groups, and others talked about the park’s history and its economic value to the local area. 

BRC’s western representative, Carnegie user, and former OHMVR commissioner (circa 1994-2000) Don Amador, explained the OHV community’s original vision for Tesla regarding it being the perfect site for a high quality backcountry trail experience on designated routes for both non-street legal and street-legal OHVs including 4WDs, SxSs, and SUVs.

Amador also presented the Council with several letters that detailed the inappropriate relationship between environmental groups and East Bay Regional Park District.  Those documents highlight what appear to be violations of CEQA and the Public Resources Code.

HQ credits Livermore Mayor John Marchand for his acknowledgment of the Council’s jurisdictional limitations when it comes to formal actions they can take regarding the Carnegie planning process.  The Mayor did say that city staff will review – per standard protocol – the Carnegie Draft EIR for potential impacts to the city.

Link to CEQA and PRC Violations

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2013/07/east-bay-park-district-votes-to.html

The Recreation HQ commends the OHV community for their determination to fight for Carnegie SVRA and to challenge those agenda driven environmental groups who want to interfere with responsible OHV recreation at the Park.

*If you attended the meeting… please leave a comment on this forum and tell your story to our readers.

OHV Gavel of Justice Drops on Eco-Attorneys in MT Travel Management Case

By now many of you have heard about the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that ruled in favor of a common sense travel plan that had been created in an open public process.   The 3-judge panel which included retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor rejected the “arbitrary and capricious claims” made by anti-access environmental groups against the Beartooth Ranger District’s travel plan.

BRC Alert on 9^th Circuit Decision (with link to Decision)

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2014/01/08/recreation-groups-cheer-circuit-court-victory

HQ believes the OHV Gavel of Justice was used by the court to dull the 40 year old “Nixon/Carter OHV Executive Order’s” blade so often wielded  in district courts by hard-core green groups who want to “minimize” (or ban) public access to the FS road and trail network.

HQ hopes this decision will help the agency get on with its work of “managing the lands” instead of spending all of its time and resources battling environmental groups and their attorneys in federal court.  It should also make it easier for the agency to bring historic mapped and signed routes  into the system

Let the HQ know if you are unable to download the decision and we will send you a copy.

Send request to:  damador@cwo.com

Movie Review - Why We Ride - A Cinematic MRI of the People and Sport

Memories - Visiting with My Off-Road Hero, Malcolm Smith

After experiencing the new movie – Why We Ride – yesterday at its Sacramento debut, I did not get much sleep last night because I was so pumped up by the film and was looking forward to sharing my thoughts about it with you today.

Memories - Riding with my son, Jonathan, and his friend, Robby Edwards

I don’t want to give away too much of the movie.  However I can tell you that for us motorcyclists, the film explores, explains, and captures the very essence of what it means to be a member of the motorcycle family.  It takes the viewer on a journey through time.  From the sport’s humble beginnings where racers competed on wooden tracks in 1905 to family motorcycle campouts at OHV areas, the movie delves into the people of the sport.   It is cinematic MRI that unveils the passion we feel for the sport.

Memories - Riding with my wife, Ellen, last summer

Who should see this movie?

Motorcyclists – It is preaching to the choir.  Bring some Kleenex for those warm tears of joy and happiness.

Future Motorcyclists – It provides the elements needed to germinate that dormant “motorcycle gene” that might be part of your DNA.

Land Agencies – It is a must see for agency recreation staff, line officers, and specialists who are involved in managing OHV recreation.  It will help you understand the people who enjoy off-road motorcycles.

Stakeholder groups – For environmental organizations, conservation groups, outdoor industry, and media, it will help you better understand (and maybe even appreciate) the passion  we feel when riding on trails, carving canyons, touring, camping with the family, or participating in a permitted event.

Memories - Exploring the Backcountry

Here is a link to the movie trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGNI4jpzL4

Find out where it is playing and see it live (or get it for a club or org. viewing)

http://whyweridefilm.com/screenings-videos.html

Purchase DVD Here (it will also be avail. at MC shops)
http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Ride-Kenny-Roberts/dp/B00GHYIQ18/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A3LQ2KBQZVPHG4

Memories - Cooling off after death trail ride in 113 degree heat

Please feel free to post a comment after you have seen the film.

Thanks,

Don

Santa Says Attend CARB/Red Sticker Meetings in Fresno and Diamond Bar

Before your Trail Santa can leave the Recreation HQ to deliver Christmas presents to the OHV community, he needs you to attend the CARB/Red Sticker Meetings next week in Fresno and Diamond Bar.

As many of you know, the CA Air Resources Board has started a 2 year project to review/analyze both the evaporative and exhaust emissions from the “Red Sticker” family of off-highway motorcycles.

I attended the 1^st of three public scoping meetings that ARB is holding throughout the state.  There was solid representation in Sacramento from the MIC, OHV Division and Commission, and user groups. The next two meetings (with directions) are listed below:

Dec. 16 @ Fresno - http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/orrec/fresnoworkshopinfo.pdf

Dec. 17 @ Diamond Bar - http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/orrec/dbworkshopinfo.pdf

Overview of Issue - http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/orrec/orrec.htm

Having worked through the 1997 red sticker debate/fight where the concept of a functional ban of 2-strokes was being considered by the regulators, I was pleasantly surprised by the collaborative and cooperative attitude of ARB staff.  They stated that a BAN as a solution is not being considered nor is it a goal. As a side note, several of them are avid motorcyclists.

ARB staff made it clear that they want to work with us (OEMs, aftermarket, dealers, user groups) in this review process with an end goal of presenting (Dec. 2015) the ARB board with some “common sense” proposals to address red sticker motorcycle emissions with a special focus on evaporative/diurnal emissions.

They are asking for our help via information as to red sticker usage, percentage of 2-strokes vs. 4 strokes, MX/closed course vs. amateur events on public lands, etc.  They are also looking for cost-effective and non-bulky engineering ideas such as small in-frame charcoal canisters, one way check valves, non-permeable plastics/tanks, etc. to address diurnal emissions.  ARB is also looking for suggestions related to their testing parameters.

They will also be analyzing the red sticker issue in a holistic manner by looking at new mitigating factors such as most ATVs now have stringent EPA-mandated emission controls, growing number of red sticker motorcycles that use fuel injection/closed fuel systems,  low emission 2-stroke oils, etc.

ARB staff is also interested in the current economic state (i.e. sales) of red-sticker motorcycles and related industry. Could new regulations kill production of youth motorcycles?  I think it will be important for them to hear from dealers and others on this particular issue.  It seems they are under the impression that off-road motorcycle sales are going gangbusters when just the opposite may be true.

Although this project is mostly focused on analyzing red sticker motorcycles, they plan to test some green sticker motorcycles as a control group.  These initial scoping meetings are just the beginning of the process and I strongly encourage red sticker-related stakeholders to get engaged with this process.  It is a rare item for a regulatory agency to undertake this sort of user-friendly approach.

The proof will be in the pudding (or gas tank in our case) on just how collaborative this process will be.  But for now, we should get engaged and offer our ideas/solutions related to the red sticker program/vehicles. 

Merry Christmas,

Your Trail Santa

Thanksgiving is a State of Mind

I believe that “Thanksgiving” is a state of mind.  Sure, a lot of us are experiencing some trying times in our personal lives, but that is the way it is and always has been.

On this Thanksgiving Day, I hope that we reflect on, and draw inspiration from, those people in our lives and our experiences (on the trail, at work, and at home) that have helped shape who we are.

Thanks to all of my friends, family, colleagues, and even detractors who have helped shape who I am.  Your impact on my life is a highly valued treasure that cannot be bought at any price.  And for that, I am truly thankful.   Thanksgiving Day is a reminder that we should be thankful for every day that we are blessed to interact with those people and activities that influence our life.

Gridlock Impacts Post-Rim Fire Federal Land Management

Recent Controlled Burn on the Mendocino NF

Having both played and worked in timber country (Humboldt County -circa early/mid 1970s), I have a strong appreciation for well-managed private and federal forest lands.  That support has only deepened over the last 24 years based on my current career as an advocate for sustainable recreational opportunities which are dependent on healthy forests.

Many of us watched as the 2012 82K acre Mill Fire burned out the core trail network at the Stonyford OHV Area on the Mendocino National Forest.   That fire closed the area to all public access – including both casual and permitted OHV activity- for one year.  For any number of reasons (planning gridlock, fear of environmental lawsuits, appeals, burdensome regulations, etc.) the Forest Service was not able to get the salvage sale out in a timely manner and any merchantable trees were destroyed by the bark beetle.

Pre-Fire Fuels/Timber Project

Today as over 200 logging trucks per day haul salvage trees off of private timber lands damaged by the 2013 257K acre Rim Fire that burned in the Stanislaus National Forest, Yosemite National Park, and other lands, not one logging truck has hauled a load from NF lands. The agency appears to be jammed up by the same political, legal, and regulatory planning-noose that plagued the Mill Fire.

Article on the Rim Fire Planning Jam

http://www.capradio.org/articles/2013/11/19/californias-rim-fire-sparks-controversy-over-logging/

In an effort to become part of a potential solution to this stalemate,  I proudly answered the call to represent recreation on the Mendocino National Forest’s Firescape Collaborative.  This is part of the Fire Learning Network’s effort to bring diverse stakeholders together to see if we can agree on some forest health projects that can protect both the resource and other related interests such as private property owners, recreationists, and local businesses.

Example of Shaded Fuel Break Project 

Fire Learning Network

http://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/FireLandscapes/FireLearningNetwork/Pages/fire-learning-network.aspx

I don’t have the answer to the aforementioned planning and project gridlock.  However, it is clear to me the current paradigm is not acceptable.  Prescribed fire has been used for thousands of years to manage timber lands and must be introduced back into the environmental equation.  I believe it is also important to reintroduce both pre and post-fire timber harvest into the planning mix. 

Trail/Resource Impacts from 2012 Mill Fire

Healthy forests and vibrant local economies are concepts that should be supported by both sides of the land-use debate.  Gridlock serves neither.

Huge Turnout of OHVers for Carnegie SVRA/Tesla Public Meeting

Big Turnout of OHVers to Support Carnegie SVRA/Tesla

The Recreation HQ wants to commend all of the OHVers who attended the “standing room only” public meeting in Pleasanton last night to review the preferred concept for the Tesla property at Carnegie SVRA.  I did a head count and there were approximately 300 people in attendance with the vast majority of them in support of OHV use on Tesla.

Park Staff Talks with OHVers About Plan

As you know, a small number of hard-core anti-OHV members of the extreme environmental movement (including one of the SVRA’s next door neighbors) have conspired with the East Bay Regional Park District -- in a fraudulent disinformation campaign -- to ban OHV use on the Tesla property that was purchased in the 1990s with OHV Trust Fund monies for dedicated motorized use.  They had joined with the Sierra Club to try and overrun the event with protesters, but they were outnumbered 6 or 7 to 1.

Preferred Concept Highlighted by Planning Staff

This much needed expansion would provide multiple-use OHV trails (ATV, ROV, 4WD, and dirt-bike) on the new property.   The current 1,500 acre riding area at the SVRA would remain for mostly ATV and dirt-bike riding.

Tesla Will Provide Trails for ROVs

4WDs Will Also Have Trails at Tesla

I especially enjoyed seeing a large number of youth riders who attended the meeting with their parents to support new OHV opportunities on the Tesla site.

Chris Carter Talks with AMA- D36's Dave Pickett About the Project

HQ also wants to give a shout out to Chris Carter and his leadership team at Motion Pro for attending the meeting in support of the project.  Chris continues to be an inspiration to me and many other land-use advocates because of his over 30 years of unparalleled support for the fight.

HQ will be reviewing the preferred concept (which appears to be a good compromise between OHV access and resource protection) and will share our comments on the proposal in the next week or two.  I will work with BRC’s HQ on an alert that may help you in crafting your own comments in time to meet the December 13, 2013 public comment deadline.

Link to Carnegie SVRA General Plan Preferred Concept

http://carnegie.engage-sites.com/preferred_concept

Thanks again to all of you who took time out of your busy schedule to attend the meeting!

PS - If you would like to support BRC's effort to challenge the closure agenda of anti-OHV interests at Carnegie and elsewhere -  please join and/or donate today at the link below:
https://www.sharetrails.org/support/join-or-contribute

Shutdown at DOJ Impacts OHV-related Lawsuits!

The Recreation HQ is concerned that OHV-related lawsuits and related management actions could be overlooked victims of the government shutdown.

 

Sequestration had already reduced the number of Department of Justice attorneys that work on resource and recreation legal issues.  There are many unfilled judicial appointments from even before the current belt-tightening further burdened our judicial system.  Criminal cases take priority. The shutdown has prevented DOJ lawyers from appearing or even talking to their agency clients.  District courts are already been focusing their limited resources toward cases with available lawyers and parties, meaning that cases involving federal issues are all ready losing their spots on the docket.

 

When the shutdown is presumably resolved, pro-recreation interests will face new challenges, as we are hearing indications that limited resources in DC and the field will affect the degree to which the federal government will strongly defend Forest Service OHV travel management decisions, or be able to address court-ordered remands or other necessary management actions.

 

To give some perspective, the cases involving the BRC Legal Team include 15 deadlines or hearings between now and the first week of December, including two 9th Circuit arguments.  These hearings are in the process of being extended or vacated as the uncertainty develops.  When the shutdown is resolved, DOJ lawyers will be scrambling to address the backlog that continues to pile up while they are prohibited from working.  The inability to resolve these cases potentially affects not only resolution of long-running cases but on-the-ground recreation options in areas including the Stanislaus, Eldorado, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Clearwater, Custer, San Juan and Pike and San Isabel National Forests, as well as the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Glamis).

 

In short, every day the shutdown continues, OHV-related cases could suffer the long-term consequences of reductions in and redirected priorities for DOJ staff and other federal employees.

 

Govt. Shutdown Update - Intransigence, tickets, and sour grapes

Closed FS Staging Area at OR Dunes NRA

 

As outdoor recreationists prepare to access federal lands on the shutdown’s first weekend, they will be met with a confusing array of closure signs and inconsistent messages/enforcement.  There are several articles that highlight the raw politics of the shutdown or detail the economic impact to the local community.

 

Washington Examiner Article about the Raw Politics of the Shutdown

http://washingtonexaminer.com/obamas-intransigence-closed-americas-natural-wonders/article/2536807

 

Coos County The World Article on Local Impacts

http://theworldlink.com/news/local/dunes-are-a-victim-of-shutdown/article_2d6b6c5a-2c44-11e3-9252-0019bb2963f4.html

 

Adrenaline ATV/SXS Online Interview with Amador

http://adrenalineatv.com/breaking-news-ohv-access-closed-during-government-shutdown/

 

It appears the Forest Service has closed almost all of their gated campgrounds and staging areas including those managed by concessioners.  

 

This FS Campground is Closed at the OR Dunes NRA

 

However, the Forest Service has stated the public can use areas and trails providing they use legal private or non-closed access points.  At the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, users can access the riding areas via access points that exist at various KOA campgrounds or Coos County’s Riley Ranch OHV Park.

 

KOA Campground with Legal Access to the OR Dunes NRA

 

According to reports the BLM has gated/closed the Sand Mountain Recreation Area in Nevada.

 

 

Sand Mountain Recreation Area Closed in Nevada

 

 The BLM's Samoa Dunes Recreation Area and Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County, California are closed.  BLM rangers are issuing tickets to ATVers who bypass the gate.  However, the rangers have said that if you can find a legal access point that you can ride at Samoa Dunes. 

 

BLM's Samoa Recreation Area - One of Only Two Legal

Oceanside OHV Riding Areas in California

Photo credit: Lost Coast 4x4 Club

 

 

Strangely, the nearby Mike Thompson Federal Refuge remains open at time of this posting. 

 

The Mike Thompson Refuge is Open???

 

ATVers Enjoy Samoa Dunes OHV Recreation (or at least they used too)

 

Riders have said the BLM’s Glamis Dunes in Southern California are open for riding since that area has a lot of public access points.

 

HQ believes that the administration could have found a way to keep a lot of areas open using left over appropriated funds or working with private sector or local governments.   Be assured, we will continue to monitor the shutdown’s impact on the recreation community.