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.

National Debate - Active (BLM) v. Passive Recreation (NPS)

The statement by former Secretary of the Interior, Gayle Norton, struck a chord here at the Recreation HQ.   As the current Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, advocates for more lands to be set aside as National Parks or under some other preservation-oriented designation,   Norton highlights what many federal and state land managers are seeing and that is the public’s interest in “active recreation.”

Norton who served under President George W. Bush was quoted in an Energy and Environment article today where she commented on protective land designations for passive use or non-entry… That doesn't necessarily mean protection under the National Park Service. Other agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management, also are entrusted with conserving nationally important land… the "full spectrum" of public lands should be considered in any discussion on how to solve the Park Service's budget shortfall while ensuring land is preserved.

For example, some lands might do better under BLM, which spends less per acre of conserved land, she said. People today want to see active recreation. They like the mountain bikes. They like ATVs. They want to bring their dogs along. They want to travel off into areas that are not as populated…Those are all available on BLM lands and not in national parks.

This will be an interesting discussion to watch as federal and state government officials (elected and appointed) review current and potential recreational opportunities on park lands through the prism of declining budgets and growing maintenance backlogs.

NV Sage Grouse Update - OHV Concerns noted by State Grouse Council at Carson City Meeting

Don Amador Riding in Pine Nuts

*Area Noted as a High Value Sage Habitat Reserve

 

The Recreation HQ wanted to give OHVers and racers who ride in Nevada a quick update on today’s meeting of the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council in Carson City, Nevada.

 

As some of you know,  this State of Nevada effort is running concurrently with two other federal Greater Sage-grouse planning efforts.  

 

BRC remains concerned about the fact that motorized recreation was not afforded a seat on the council.  As you will see in BRC’s comment letter today, we reaffirmed that concern and noted our OHV casual use and permitted event-related comments submitted to the council in May 2013 had not been addressed in any of the staff reviews and/or related reports.

 

BRC Sept. 12, 2013 Comment Letter to the Council

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Nevada_Ecosystem_Council_BRC_comments_Sept.12.3013.pdf

 

While watching the meeting on a live video stream, it was gratifying to note that BRC’s comment letter today was referenced several times by agency staff and council members as providing important information regarding OHV use that had not been considered as of yet.

 

While the FS representative basically stated he did not anticipate significant impacts to existing OHV use on designated trails and areas, I continue to be concerned about unintended consequences to OHV recreation if we are not actively engaged on all three processes.

 

You can find meeting schedules and other info at the websites below:

 

ONE – State of NV

 

NV Sagebrush Ecosystem Council

http://sagebrusheco.nv.gov/

 

NV Sagebrush Ecosystem Council Meetings/Documents

http://sagebrusheco.nv.gov/Meetings/Sagebrush_Ecosystem_Council_Meeting/

 

TWO – Forest Service

 

Humboldt-Toiyabe NF Bi-State Greater Sage-grouse Forest Plan (be sure and click on DEIS link)

http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=40683

 

THREE - BLM

BLM Greater Sage-grouse Conservation Planning Effort

https://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/nv-ca-usfs-blm-release-draft-bi-state-sage-grouse-eis

 

BRC Greater Sage-grouse home page with updates, etc.

http://www.sharetrails.org/public-lands/10-state-sage-grouse-planning

 

HQ wants to encourage NV OHVers to try and be engaged in these processes.  I will be up at the Ride Reno 200 DS Ride this weekend so feel free to stop by and visit me at the BRC booth on Friday night or catch me at the Sat. night dinner.

Take Time to Enjoy Family OHV Recreation

Ellen Amador on her Yamaha TTR225 on Auk Auk Ridge

 

While Congress is still on their August recess, I wanted to take a short break from the land-use battles to share a lighter moment regarding family-oriented OHV recreation.   Here at the HQ, we spend a lot of time out with clubs, user groups, and agency folks working on access and recreation issues.  We don’t often highlight the fun aspects of our sport and how it can provide for some great family time.

 

Earlier this summer, I took my wife, Ellen, out for a camp trip on the Mendocino NF to tour the trails impacted by the 2012 Mill Fire and to also ride on some of our old favorite routes.

 

Ellen had not been on a trail bike for a number of years and it was great to see her out having fun and riding her bike.

 

Please enjoy this short video of Ellen on 18N03 about 2 miles south of where 18N03 intersects with M3.

 

Video of Ellen on Her TTR225

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucr4IQm0SVo&feature=youtu.be

 

Have a great rest of the summer and here is to a great riding season!  See you on the trail.

 

Don

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.

 

 

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.

 

Stonyford/Mill Fire Salvage Project Comments Due March 24

The Recreation HQ wants to alert OHV users who ride at Stonyford to the recent release of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Mill Fire Salvage and Hazard Tree Removal Project.  The 30-day public comment period appears to have started on Feb. 22, 2013 which means that our comments should be delivered to the agency by March 24, 2013.

Link to Mill Fire Salvage EA and supporting documents (we used a tiny URL)

http://brc1.us/mill-fire-salvage


HQ first wants to thank all of you who submitted initial scoping comments on the Project.  Many of you attended a meeting in December on the proposal and got actively involved in the process.  You made a huge difference!

Dec. 18 Blog on Mill Fire Salvage Project

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-update-on-mill-fire-salvage.html

 

HQ believes the agency has incorporated our collective concerns in the Draft EA including the additions of OHV recreation staff into the project design and implementation.  This benefits both casual OHV use and the permitted OHV events this year.  HQ will be recommending to BRC that it supports the project provided the agency sticks to its commitment to protect and restore the OHV recreational opportunity that we all enjoy there.

 

HQ encourages all of you to read the Draft EA, Appendix A, and the Recreation Report.  There are many key pro-OHV tenets that we should be supporting.  HQ also encourages you to submit your own personal letter with your own specific comments and concerns.  However, for those of you who are short on time, we have created a short letter that you can use as a template.

 

SAMPLE LETTER******************************************

 

Eduardo Olmedo

Responsible Official

Mendocino National Forest

825 N. Humboldt Ave.

Willows, CA 95988

Attn: Jeanette Williams

Email: jeanettewilliams@fs.fed.us

FAX: 530.934.7384

Re: Draft Environmental Assessment Mill Fire Salvage and Hazard Tree Removal Project

 

Dear Mr. Olmedo:

 

As an OHV recreationist, I am writing this letter in support for the Draft Environmental Assessment Mill Fire Salvage and Hazard Removal Project (Project).  The Forest, Project Team, and Recreation Staff should be commended for working in a collaborative manner to address concerns articulated by the OHV community during the initial scoping period.

 

I support this project as a method to restore a safe environment for public use by motorized vehicles on designated roads, trails, and areas impacted by the Mill Fire.

 

I have reviewed the Draft EA and supporting documents.  Here are my key comments and suggestions.

 

1 - As practical, please retain merchantable sized dead trees and all green trees likely to survive along OHV trails to be used as barriers, trail delineators, and route anchors.

 

2 - Keep OHV routes open for weekends, holidays, and permitted events. Temporary closures correctly should be limited to the weekdays and only on the segment of routes where active logging operations are underway.

 

3 - OHV trails that will be used as temporary haul roads or skid routes must be returned to their current trail state after use.

 

4 - Avoid trails where possible during tree felling, skidding, and hauling operations,

 

5 - OHV Manager(s) and Timber Sale Administrators should coordinate and identify any areas where trails need to be crossed or used. These areas must be returned to pre-harvest trail conditions. OHV trails and roads should remain open except when active logging operations are occurring. Alternate routes should  be made available and clearly signed/identified.

 

6 - There are 4 special use permitted events that take place within the Stonyford OHV area each year; one in late May, one in late October and two in November. These events use the majority of the OHV trail system. Please ensure that designated OHV trails and Level II roads within the project area are open for these events, and that equipment is not left along or near trails and/or roads that could pose a danger to the public.

 

7 - Since the unit’s OHV staff have other duties and ongoing trail projects not related to the salvage sale, I urges the agency to consider alternate resources (i.e. trail crews from other units such as Chappie-Shasta OHV Area, OHMVR/SVRAs, and other Forests) to expedite post-project restoration of affected haul and skid routes back to their pre-project condition/classification including the installation of new or reconstructed rolling dips, sediment catch basins, trail delineators, or construction to restore sinuosity of the route.

 

8 - I also urge the Forest to secure non-OHMVR grant funds to aid in the reconstruction of OHV routes directly impacted by hauling or skidding operations. The use of OHMVR grant funds to restore haul/skid routes would be an unauthorized use of said funds.

 

Thanks in advance for considering my comments and for your efforts to protect OHV recreational opportunity during the project.

 

Best regards,

 

Joe Rider

 

 

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

 

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all of you who have volunteered up at the Stonyford work projects and looks forward to working and riding with you once again at one of the best riding areas in the state.

 

 

 

 

RAC Members Needed for OR Dunes/Siuslaw NF

The Siuslaw National Forest which oversees the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area recently announced they are reconvening (absent for many years) their Resource Advisory Committee (RAC).   Applications are due Feb. 28, 2013.

RAC Announcement including Application Form

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/siuslaw/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5408349

 

According to a Forest News Release on Jan. 31, 2013, The Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee consists of 15 members and three non-voting alternates representing a wide array of interest. Committee duties include reviewing proposed land management projects on, or adjacent to, the Siuslaw National Forest. The committee recommends funding up to $1 million of forest management projects and coordinates with land management agency and county officials.

 

Committee members serve upon appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses. Members must be Oregon residents, preferably, but not necessarily, living in Yamhill, Tillamook, Lincoln, Benton, Lane, Douglas or Coos counties.

 Interim Forest Supervisor George Buckingham emphasized, “I am very interested and committed to ensuring members of the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee represent the diversity of our communities.”

The geographic boundary of the Siuslaw Resource Advisory Committee covers the entire Siuslaw National Forest.

 

The Recreation HQ believes the agency is being motivated to restart the RAC based on a large number of comment letters from various stakeholders (e.g. OHV groups, county govt., civic orgs, businesses, etc.) which cited the lack of outreach (and no RAC) by the Forest at the Oregon Dunes and elsewhere.

 

HQ  encourages civic minded leaders and advocates in the following categories to send in an application to serve on the RAC.

 

Category A: (five regular members and one replacement) who represent one or more of the following interests:

 Organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups

 Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle, commercial recreation
 Energy and mineral development
 Commercial or recreational fishing
 Commercial timber industry
 Federal grazing permit holders or land use permit holders with the Resource Advisory Committee area.
 

Category B: (five regular members and one replacement) who represent on or more of the following interests):

 Nationally recognized environmental organizations

 Regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations
 Dispersed recreation
 Archaeological and historical interest
 National or regionally recognized wild horse or burro groups, wildlife or hunting organizations or watershed associations

Category C: (five regular members and one replacement) who represent one or more of the following interests):

 State-elected office holders

 County or local elected officials
 American Indian tribal representatives from tribes within or adjacent to Resource Advisory Committee areas
 School officials or teachers
 Citizens representing the affected public at large

 

We get the government we deserve and right now it is important for those of you in the affected area to get involved with good government.   Be part of the solution!

Chamber of Commerce Joins Fight at the OR Dunes

The "Future" of OHV at OR Dunes if You Don't Join the Fight

 

The Recreation HQ wants to remind fans of the OR Dunes to send in your comment letters by Jan. 24, 2013.  BRC has created a letter generator to make it easy to send in comments.  They will be routed to the Forest Service official email address and you should get a confirmation that your letter was received.

 

Direct Link to BRC’s OR Dunes Letter Generator (you can add your own specific comments about how you use and enjoy the Dunes)

http://www.sharetrails.org/issues/rapid-response-center

 

Also, HQ wants to let you know that a number of businesses and/or their associations have sent in letters about how important OHV recreation is to the local economy.

 

Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce Comment Letter

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

 

Again, please send in your comment letter and fwd this alert to your rider network.  If you are a business that depends on OHV recreation at the Dunes… please have all your employees send in a comment letter.

 

Let’s all continue the fight to protect responsible OHV recreation at the OR Dunes!

Merry Xmas from QWR and 2013 Sponsorship Opportunities

Very warm Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to all the readers at the Recreation HQ and supporters of QWR.

Here is a Christmas Card and info on 2013 Sponsorship Opportunities for Users and Small Business Owners.

QWR Merry Christmas and Sponsorship Info
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Merry-Christmas-and-2013-Sponsorship-Opportunites.html?soid=1109092517671&aid=wylWGU6fX7k


Merry Christmas!

Don Amador

Dark Days Ahead for CA OHV Program

"Hell's a Coming..."

The Recreation HQ is not happy about what happened today at the Assembly Budget Committee hearing.  By now, many of you already know that Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-Petaluma) championed the agenda of the far left environmental movement to defund the OHV grants program to the FS, BLM, and county/city parks so they won’t have the money to maintain trails and facilities.   After which they will complain about the lack of funding to maintain trails and then sue the agencies to force them to close the trails.

BRC News Release on Hearing Today

http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2012/05/31/california--ca-legislature-votes-to-gut-ohv-program

SacBee Article from last year that describes the green closure plan

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/03/3673670/public-eye-lawmakers-take-10-million.html#storylink=scinlineshare

 

Video of Hearing (BRC/my comments start about 44.31, other OHV reps follow)

http://calchannel.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=7&clip_id=470

 

This is actually one of my darkest days in land-use advocacy in the last 22 years.  It appears the anti-OHV groups have a choke-hold on an all too willing legislature.  It also appears the city/urban legislators have declared POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC WAR on rural parts of the state.

Shame on the Parks Foundation for their part in this scheme.

Just where this ends, I don’t know.  Be assured that the fight is not over, but we are at the bottom of one of the longest political hillclimbs I have ever faced.  Stay tuned for further alerts and action items as this plan moves into conference.

# # #

Has Travel Planning Become a Mental Squirrel Cage?

Bruce Babbitt, former Secretary of the Interior (Clinton Admin), once said, “The Planning Process IS the Product.”  After spending the last few weeks on various federal units working events and reviewing their OHV management prescriptions, I could not disagree more with Babbitt’s statement.

It has been my experience over the last 22 years that often times travel planning processes have and are being used as a tool to restrict or ban legitimate OHV use.  In other cases, agency staff has crafted plans in a futile effort to avoid lawsuits from environmental groups.  Sometimes, federal officers have worked hard to designate a functional trail system that both protects the resource while providing a quality OHV recreational experience, but don’t have the resources to implement the plan.

Sadly, the common thread between the aforementioned planning scenarios is that it has diverted agency staff and resources away from what I feel the goal of any travel planning process should be – on the ground management of the trail.   What good is a planning effort if there is no staff or money to maintain, construct, or reconstruct a trail? 

Sure, planning efforts are important as they help guide or direct the unit when it comes to management of the area.  However, it appears that in some cases…the planning effort has simply become a mental squirrel cage where people look busy (and they are) as the previous planning process has led to yet another planning process that drains precious staff time away from actually getting out-on-the-ground and taking care of the trail.

I think it would be wise for agency staff and stakeholders to remember that the travel planning product is on-the-ground management of our route system vs. an endless cycle of planning.

# # #

HQ Western States Alert - Sage Grouse Meetings Start Today

The Recreation HQ wants to send out a quick update today regarding a federal planning effort related to the Sage Grouse. HQ believes it could be the rangeland version of the Northern Spotted Owl controversy that shut down the lumber industry during the Timber Wars (circa 1990-2000).


BRC National Sage Grouse Alert
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/2012/01/09/blm-and-fs-launch-national-greater-sagegrouse-planning-strategy

Sage Grouse Meeting Schedule – They start today in NV!
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/2012-Public-Meeting-Schedule.htm

HQ believes it is critically important for OHV users to get engaged in this process since the potential impact to OHV use -- particularly OHV events -- is huge.

Be assured HQ will be monitoring this issue.

Thanks for your attention to this matter.

HQ ACTION ALERT - Send in Comments on NV Pine Nut NRA Designation - Due Jan. 6!

                                    Let's Designate this OHV site as a National Recreation Area!
OK you guys and gals, vacation is over and its time to hit trail access issues again. Our good friends over at the Pine Nut Mountains Trail Association have been working hard on a multi-faceted land-use proposal near Carson City, NV. It is what I call your newer 21st Century land bill that should have something in it for all interest groups.

Info on Douglas County Lands Bill
http://www.douglascountynv.gov/sites/main/lands_bill.cfm

On the West side of Douglas County there is a proposal for watershed conservation-protection and on the East side is a Wilderness proposal. However, right in the middle is the popular Pine Nut Mountains where there is a lot of historic OHV recreation. Off-roaders also come from CA and OR to ride there.

PNMTA has come up with a proposal so that OHV recreation is protected by asking Congress to designate that site as a National Recreation Area where OHV use is a prescribed use. They are asking riders who frequent the area to contact Douglas County officials and the project’s facilitators. Yes, I FAXed and emailed in my letter already – it was easy.


********************************************************************
SAMPLE LETTER (add your own personal information such as where you live, etc)


Douglas County Commission
PO Box 218
Minden, NV 89423
FAX: 775.782.6255

Dear Douglas County Commissioners,

I live in XYZ and enjoy riding OHVs in the Pine Nut Mountains. I support your efforts in creating the Douglas County Conservation Bill. I believe that a win-win land-use bill can be created by the Douglas County Commission. Douglas County can accomplish this by requesting the BLM Pine Nut Mountains Management Area be designated by Congress as a National Recreation Area.

Motorized OHV recreation should be a prescribed use based on the current existing road and trail network. Without this designation, I am concerned that a future Congressional Bill could enlarge the proposed Burbank Canyon Wilderness into the current OHV riding area

I believe this will permanently protect Douglas County’s reputation as a top quality outdoor recreation area. It will also provide long-term financial benefits to the local economy.

Best regards,

John Q OHVer

Addresss
***************************************************************

Send to:


Douglas County Lead
Lisa Granahan - lgranahan@co.douglas.nv.us

Dominique and Jacques are the contractors collecting the comments.

dominique@legacylandandwater.com
jacques@legacylandandwater.com


Douglas County Commissioners.
Gregg Lynn - glynn@co.douglas.nv.us
Lee Bonner - lbonner@co.douglas.nv.us
Doug Johnson - dougnjohnson@charter.net
Nancy McDermid - nmcdermid@co.douglas.nv.us
Mike Olson - molson@co.douglas.nv.us

Thanks for taking time to weigh in on this important issue.

Happy New Year!

HQ ACTION ALERT - Christmas Miracle Needed at CA OHV Program

HQ does not want to waste your time with an extensive recap of the past week’s news that Daphne Greene (Dep. Director for the CA OHV Program) was given a termination notice by the Governor’s Office. December 31, 2011 is currently her last day on the job.


While state and national OHV groups reviewed this issue last week (a smart thing to do in politics), there arose a massive grassroots movement led by YOU – the OHV enthusiast.

OHVers starting sending in letters to the Governor's Office and made phone calls as well. Local legislators were also contacted. As noted in the SacBee article below, OHV Commission Chairman, Eric Lueder, sent in a strong letter of support for Greene’s reappointment.

Dec. 17 SacBee Article on Greene Issue
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/17/4128694/the-buzz-off-road-enthusiasts.html#disqus_thread
\
After spending several days digging thru the political swamp that exists in Sacramento, HQ believes Greene’s termination was prompted by a nasty smear campaign (yes, politics is a nasty business) led by a few extreme anti-OHV non-government and government activists.

HQ believes that unlike most political appointments, the Governor does not have an immediate replacement already selected. In fact, his office may be open to Greene’s reappointment if the OHV community makes a strong case on her behalf.

ACTION ITEMS


If you are a rider, club leader, environmentalist, OHV business, conservationist, or fellow land manager, there are several ways you can make your views known to Governor Jerry Brown and other state officials.

1 – Send a short (they are most effective) letter of support for Greene’s reappointment to:

Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916.558.3160
Email: veronica.ortiz-torres@gov.ca.gov\


2 – Utilize CAL4WD’s Letter Generator

CAL4WD Alert and Letter Generator
http://capwiz.com/cal4wheel/home/

3 – Send a copy of your letter to State Senator Joel Anderson. He will hand carry your letters to the Governor.

Email Senator Joel Anderson
saveohv@gmail.com

Let’s turn this potential OHV-related “Lump of Coal” into a Christmas Miracle.

Famous Eco-Law Group Closes its Doors

By now, many HQ riders know about the recent departure of Carl Pope from the Sierra Club and the 31 % cut in staff made by The Wilderness Society over the last year.


HQ believes much of that is based on a downturn in the economy that has hit basically all non-profit land advocacy groups. Also, with most if not all “Wilderness quality” lands being already designated by Congress as federally designated Wilderness, pro-Wilderness groups may have become less relevant in 2011.

HQ was also surprised to learn today that a rather famous environmental law-firm had recently closed its doors. Wildlaw, who had hired a former Bush-era cabinet member as their lobbyist in Washington DC, specialized in anti-OHV and anti-timber lawsuits.

Wildlaw Hiring Mark Rey as their Eco-Lobbyist
http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/mark-rey-resurfaces/Content?oid=1148317

Wildlaw Statement on its Closing
http://www.wildlaw.org/

HQ believes there is a paradigm shift underway in this country. The proponents of hard-left land-use politics will fall by the trailside and be replaced (or evolve) into more mainstream environmental or conservation groups who have a desire to work collaboratively with OHV organizations and leaders on projects that both protect the environment and allow for responsible OHV recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas.

# # #

Donstradamus Predicts Flood of Planning Rule-based Eco-Lawsuits

Donstradamus

After watching BRC’s Greg Mumm and other panelists testify at the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands hearing yesterday, I got a sick feeling that I just witnessed the agency’s ill-advised commitment to yet another planning boondoggle similar to the 2005 Travel Management Rule.

To address my nausea, I went online to order some Pepto-Bismol but I got a note back that all lines were busy since it appears that most of the environmental law firms in the U.S. were ordering truffles from France, blowfish from the Pacific, walrus blubber from the Far North, and beluga caviar from Russia in celebration of the agency opening up the door for a guaranteed avalanche of new eco-lawsuits. Those suits will be based on the Forest Service’s inability to maintain species viability that will now extend to fungus, microscopic organisms, and bacteria.

HQ has seen what has happened to OHV recreation when the agency did not adequate protect (according to environmental attorneys and courts) the Spotted Owl, the Goshawk, certain frogs, etc. Now the environmental conflict industry will be filing suits seeking court decisions that will close public lands to multiple-use recreation because human activities may harm bacteria and fungus.

If the agency does not substantively change the final planning rule to address the concerns stated by BRC and other panelists yesterday, the Great Off-Road Prognosticator “Donstradamus” foresees that an incalculable number of eco-lawsuits will be filed based on the vague species viability protection requirements in the planning rule.

Making Lemonade out of Lemons - Moving Forward on TMR

In HQ’s opinion, “Round One” of TMR has been a huge failure and public relations nightmare on many units. TMR was supposed to be a positive planning effort to address the proliferation of illegal routes and “unmanaged” OHV use on federal timberlands.


However, instead of focusing their energy to manage OHV recreation, TMR focused on landscape level closures (on many Forests) of thousands of miles of historic and popular roads and trails used by the OHV community and general public.

HQ has believed the key to resolving this rather contentious paradigm was for the agency to move into post subpart B project level trail planning and reestablish a good working relationship with local government and users.

The Shasta Trinity National Forest may be a good case study on finding a way forward based on the news article from the Redding Record Searchlight.

Record Searchlight Article on New Travel Planning Efforts and Restoring Public Trust
http://www.redding.com/news/2011/nov/08/county-moves-to-open-roads/

HQ on BBQ Diplomacy (Working with Local Counties)
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/09/bbq-diplomacy-and-county-coordination.html

The planning trail efforts ahead will take a lot of work from various stakeholder groups and the agency. HQ wants to commend ROC, RDR, and others in the Redding area for their access efforts. In addition, we want to thank the agency for moving forward on new planning efforts that include site-specific field review (see BRC comments/review of Beegum Project below).

BRC Comment Letter on Shasta T Beegum Project
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Beegum_Project_20110001.pdf

Kudos to all in the North Country for working in a sincere manner on TMR-related issues.

Update on CA State Water Board and OHV

As some of you know, the California State Water Resources Board has been reviewing water quality issues for the last 2 years. This is an important topic for OHV interests because our sport could be dramatically impacted by new regulations and/or restrictions developed by the board. HQ is proud of the work that John Stewart (CAL4WD Rep. and BRC Board Member) has done on this project. HQ appreciates the following update from Stewart and believes he is doing an excellent job in representing OHV interests by helping prevent the green lobby from using the board to promote their closure agenda via the regulatory process.

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UPDATE FROM JOHN STEWART - OHV LEAD ON WATER BOARD MEETINGS
The California State Water Resources Board has released the revised proposed State Waiver for the USFS Water Quality Management Handbook. The revised draft documents in the proposed State Waiver package can be viewed at: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/nps/wqmp_forests.shtml


A December 6, 2011 meeting at CALEPA in Sacramento has been scheduled for consideration of adoption of: 1) a proposed statewide Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Nonpoint Source Discharges Related to Certain Activities on National Forest System Lands in California, and 2) a supporting Mitigated Negative Declaration

Public comment on proposed changes to the State Waiver will be accepted until November 21. 2011.

After reviewing the changes to the proposed State Waiver, I believe all concerns submitted on behalf of CA4WDC have been adequately addressed. Specifically, the revision clearly articulates that NEPA review applies to all projects and activities initiated under the proposed State Waiver. In addition, clarification of State Categories A and B have been clarified with their relation to USFS “projects and activities”.

With the release of this revision of the proposed State Waiver, the SWRB has clearly noted that a CEQA Environmental Impact Report of the proposed State Waiver as supported by the environmental community and others is not warranted.

The "effect" of this action is that all National Forests in California will now have consistent guidelines dealing with water quality without having to submit each activity or project to the appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board for approval.


The proposed State Waiver accepts the USFS Water Quality Management Handbook as the guide for the management activities such as road maintenance, grazing, mining, and all activities requiring a permit.

As long as projects comply with the guidance in the Handbook, they should proceed with no extra approval or review necessary. The Handbook, in existence since 2001, has been updated and defines actions to be used by Forest Service, contractors and permittees involved in activities or projects on National Forest lands within California.

Over a period of almost two years, stakeholders have held meetings discussing the Handbook content and the proposed State Waiver. All documents have been circulated for public review and comment. Extensive legal review has been conducted by State Water Board and USFS to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. I have been an active participant in all phases of the discussions and meetings on this topic as the statewide OHV representative selected by USFS staff.
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HQ thanks John for his hard work on this issue.  

HQ TMR UPDATE - Mistakes in Tahoe National Forest MVUM

The Recreation HQ wants to thank members of Pirate4x4.com for alerting us to the fact that there are a number of mistakes in the newly published Tahoe National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map.


Some of the route designations (and/or vehicle type classifications) that appear to be in error includes the Rubicon Trail, Trail 16E10, Rattlesnake Trail 10E02, 11E18, 12E67,
11E67, 11E21, and routes/areas associated with Boca, Stampede and Prosser Reservoirs.

HQ has been in communication with the Tahoe National Forest and the Regional Office
and has been assured their leadership and staff are now acutely aware of the mistakes and are working to correct them. HQ has encouraged Pirate4x4.com members to send in the mistakes you have found to the Forest Service.

HQ suggests that you send your corrections to the Forest’s Public Affairs Officer, Ann Westling at: awestling@fs.fed.us

While mistakes in new MVUMs can be a common occurrence, it has been our experience that the agency works hard to correct those errors. However, HQ has seen where LEOs have written tickets based on inaccurate information contained in new MVUMs. HQ has shared its concerns with the FS and is urging them to communicate potential errors with law enforcement staff so that we do not have young kids, their parents, or tour guides given tickets when operating their OHVs in a legal manner.

Blog on Tickets Issued in Error at Stonyford in 2010
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/04/stonyford-mixed-use-issue-cleared-up.html

When it comes to implementation of MVUMs, HQ likes to cite the implementation strategy of the Payette NF. Their narrative clearly outlined what I like to call a “soft rollout” of the MVUM instead of a “hard rollout” where LEOs are instructed to start issuing tickets before the ink is dried on the MVUM.

Blog on Soft Rollout
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/10/mvum-implementation-law-enforcement.html

Thanks in advance to all local users who reviewed the MVUM and are alerting the agency and OHV community to the errors. Great job guys and gals!