Algore Roadless Chief Behind Closure Agenda at Oregon Dunes?

Being all to aware of the historic loss of motorized access to ocean beaches in California, HQ has been particularly troubled by a similar loss of beach and dune access at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (NRA).


For the last two years BRC member, Jody Phillips, has been part of a dune working group (there were other OHVers there too). As part of that group, he has championed well-managed and continued motorized dune-based recreation on the unit.

Unfortunately, it appears the NRA is going to continue down the path of more closures (and poor management) if OHV users don’t stand up and fight back.

In June 2011, the Forest Service issued a Notice of Intent that started a public comment period for a proposed action related to OHV recreation. The comment period ends July 25, 2011.

FS NOI/Proposed Action
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=34220

Jody and a number of other OHV recreationists have contacted HQ and the BRC about reviewing the proposal and helping craft comments and take other actions to protect OHV recreation at the Dunes.

Although HQ and BRC are still in the process of reviewing the documents, HQ took some time to review the ongoing and tragic loss of motorized access to the NRA. Here is what I have found.

In 1972, about 28K acres of the 32K acre ODNRA was open for OHV/motorized use. In 1979, that was reduced to 15K acres. In 1994, that was reduced to less than 6K acres for open riding. Even though the FS states there are an additional 4,500 acres open for motorized use on designated trails, the actual land footprint for the few miles of trails is less than a couple of acres.

The staggering loss of access, which was most notably realized in the 1994 Dunes Management Plan, caused HQ to see what Forest Service Supervisor presided over, crafted, and authorized that loss. It was not really surprising for HQ to find that it was, Jim Furnish, one of Algore’s chief architects behind the now infamous (circa 1997-2001) Clinton/Dombeck/Algore Roadless Plan. Today, Furnish is a board member of one of the most anti motorized trail/road groups in the country.


2004 Article on Jim Furnish and his anti-access agenda
http://www.ourforests.org/press/pr04-10-19.html

Furnish at 2010 Wildlands Center for the Prevention of Roads Board Meeting
http://www.wildlandscpr.org/staff

If we stay on this track, I strongly believe that motorized use on the ODNRA will cease to exist in any substantive manner. I hope our collective effort is not too late.

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GOOD NEWS - Shasta Trinity NF Gets NEW OHV Coordinator

The Recreation HQ is proud to announce that a former off-road motorcycle champion has been named to the top OHV Trail Coordinator position for the Shasta Trinity National Forest.


Paul Hart who is currently serving as the trails manager for the Cocinino National Forest will be taking over as the Trails lead on the Shasta Trinity National Forest on July 8, 2012.

Open Letter to Users and Biography of Paul Hart
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Tracy_Shasta_T_OHV_Coorddd.pdf

Talk about a turn around on this Forest. HQ believes this new hire is in response to the public outcry that the Forest had never done ANY trail planning and that a trail planner- with some potential new trail projects lined-out - should be in place before the MVUM is printed.

It’s not often that trail users (both motorized and non-motorized) get good news, but HQ believes that when we do… we should celebrate. Let’s all welcome Hart when he arrives.

HQ UPDATE - OHVers Testify at March 14 OHMVR Commission Meeting

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all members of the OHV family for attending the special OHMVR Commission meeting yesterday in Sacramento. HQ believes the commission admirably fulfilled its duty to represent OHV recreation by taking public testimony from a wide array of interests.


This was the best attended commission meeting in the last 3 years and it showed the high level of concern by the OHV community regarding the $10 million dollar “shift” out of the OHV Trust Fund to the General Fund and the potential loan of $21 million dollars from the OHV Reserve Fund.

HQ noted four reoccurring themes in most of the public testimony and commission comments.

1 – Stealing money from the OHV Trust Fund violates the public trust
2 – Stealing money from the OHV Trust Fund is a double tax
3 – Stealing money from the OHV Trust Fund is illegal
4 – Stealing money from the OHV Trust Fund violates the legislative intent of SB742

After an hour or two of public testimony the commission voted to send a letter to the Governor and legislature regarding their opposition to taking the money which violates the public “trust” in the Trust Fund. They are also going to send a letter seeking to resolve the fungible issue based on what many feel is an illegitimate decision made by the Legislative Analyst’s Office in 2009.

After taking a short break, the commission reconvened and took additional public comment on non-agenda issues. BRC’s Don Amador updated the commission on some recent developments regarding Clear Creek. Those updates and issues included the congressional hearing last week where the BLM Director was asked about the closure of Clear Creek, the commission and public should receive an update or status report on the OHMVR Division’s Asbestos Study, and the FEIS is on the brink of being published in the Federal Register.

HQ believes the commission is considering a meeting in the Hollister area in the next 3-4 weeks to review the Clear Creek issue. That is a good thing.

Thanks to all for taking time off work to attend this meeting. Your commitment to the program made a lasting impression on state park staff, the OHV commission, and me.

A California Native Sends Letter to Budget Committee to Protect the "Trust" in the OHV Trust Fund

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all the OHVers (and even those few from the environmental community) who have already sent in letters and/or made phone calls to state government officials urging them not to raid the OHV Trust Fund.


HQ also wants to thank all the OHV groups such as AMA, D36, BRC, ROC, ARRA, CORVA, CAL4, D37 and many others who either sent in letters on company letterhead, posted alerts, and/or attended hearings.

As the Budget Conference Committee meets over the next few days, HQ believes it is important now for you to send in your personal letter on this subject NOW.

Don Amador, as a California Native, submitted the letter below this a.m. to the committee members and also sent it to his own representatives. Keep those letters coming in. I believe they have already made a difference and if the OHV Program survives it will the result of YOUR involvement.

LETTER SENT TODAY BY DON AMADOR
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February 25, 2011


Budget Conference Committee
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 92449

RE: Don’t Betray the “Trust” on the OHV Trust Fund

Dear Budget Conference Committee Members:

I write to you today as a California native and a strong supporter of the California Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program. And, I urge you not to betray the public “trust” again by illegally taking user-pay/user-benefit monies from the OHV Trust Fund.

As a teenager in the late 1960s-70s, I remember filling out a state gas tax refund form where I got a refund from the state treasurer based on the amount of fuel I used when driving my OHV off-road (non-paved dirt roads). I also remember the promise made to me by the proponents of the Chappie-Z’berg Act of 1971 (that established the California OHV Program) that they would use these dedicated “trust” funds to manage motorized recreation. I trusted them.

Over the years, that trust has been betrayed on a number of occasions by both Republican and Democrat officials. In fact, there have been two lawsuits filed by the OHV community that successfully challenged the state government’s legal authority to raid the OHV Trust Fund.

As a member of the negotiating team (OHV, environmentalists, legislature, Governor’s Office) that met throughout the summer of 2007 to hammer out SB742 (the new OHV Program), I remember the group worked hard to make sure that protecting the “trust” in the OHV Trust Fund was a key statutory tenet of that legislation.

Today, I urge your committee to not betray the public-trust again by taking OHV money that is not yours to take.

Sincerely,


Don

Don Amador
California Native
555 Honey Lane
Oakley, CA 94561
Phone: 925.625.6287
Email: damador@cwo.com

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Keep those letters coming and thanks for your service!

New Mendocino NF Wet-Weather OHV Policy - Sign Up for Alerts!

"Just Riding in the Rain" (yes, I am soaked)

The Recreation HQ wants to give riders who visit the Mendocino National Forest an update on the agency’s new and evolving rainfall-based wet-weather closures. As some of you know, the agency has historically used the “2 inches or more of rainfall in a 24-hour period with roads/routes remaining closed until there has been 48 hours of NO measurable precipitation” as the foundation for its wet-weather closure policy.

Several months ago this policy had apparently expired which left the agency with no clearly defined wet-weather policy. The freak/heavy 1st rainfall of the season occurred on Oct. 23/24 and the agency had to implement some sort of closure that had not been fully vetted. This resulted in what HQ felt was a protracted and needlessly long closure that did not make a lot of sense based on any number of factors. HQ got a lot of calls from riders who were frustrated with this new wet-weather policy.

The General, on behalf of BRC, made an appointment with FS staff to review this issue during the days before the WFO Enduro. Part of that effort was to review the order of events to see if there were any problems or issues that could be addressed and also to find solutions.

Upon review of the events and after a number of conversations with FS staff, BRC issued the letter below that highlighted several tenets that should be considered in development of the final wet-weather closure policy.

BRC Nov. 15 Letter with Key Tenets on Wet-Weather Closures
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Rainfall_Mendo_final_nov_15.doc

HQ believes that the agency should have an effective science-based wet-weather closure policy that both makes sense to the riders AND protects the watershed.

Finally, the agency must have an effective public outreach program so that riders can be informed about closures and other emergencies that could impact their outdoor plans.

HQ encourages riders to contact Tamara Schmidt to get signed up on the unit’s alert system.

Tamara Schmidt
Public Affairs Officer
Mendocino National Forest
825 N. Humboldt Ave.
Willows, CA 95988
Email: tamaraschmidt@fs.fed.us
Phone Number: 530-934-1137

Thanks for your service!

Support AMA D36 LAO's 2011 Calendar Fundraiser - Help Keep Trails Open

Donate 20 Bucks and Get this Cool Calendar

Riders sometimes ask what their local AMA District is doing to fight the closure agenda of anti-OHV groups. In addition, they ask how they can support those efforts.

To answer those questions the Recreation HQ wants to feature a “2011 Calendar” fundraising effort by AMA Dist. 36 to generate funds to partner with groups like BRC in various legal actions and to support local clubs fight unreasonable cost recovery charges that are literally making AMA sanctioned events in Northern California and elsewhere an “endangered species.”

The General has had the honor (either as the western representative for BRC or as The Quiet Warrior) to work with AMA Dist. 36 in many joint efforts to protect and promote responsible OHV recreation on public lands.

QWR so strongly believes in what AMA Dist. 36 is doing that it is supporting this fundraising effort. This project offers a 2011 Dist. 36 Calendar featuring on the cover the 2010 KTM 450 XC-W ISDE Replica (yes, I have already bought raffle tickets for this separate “Bike-based” D36 LAO raffle/fundraiser and I hope I win!) with cool bike and rider shots featured each month.

All funds raised will go directly to support the aggressive pro-OHV agenda of the AMA Dist. 36’s Legislative Action Office (LAO).

With Christmas just around the corner, how about donating $20 dollars to this fundraiser and get a dirt-bike based calendar for free?

To donate to this fundraiser and get a free calendar contact:

Kraig Traum (this guy is a tireless fundraiser and I salute him!)
D36 LAO Fundraiser
2470 Palm Ct.
Brentwood, CA 94513
Email: d36moose@att.net
Phone: 925.260.0315

Thanks for supporting this effort.

New Anti-OHV Lawsuit to Stop Bridges and Toilets

By now, many riders that follow the Recreation HQ are aware of another anti-OHV lawsuit filed on July 30 by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation against OHMVR and the Eldorado National Forest.
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Photo: The General on a trail in the Rock Creek Area

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CBD News Release on New Lawsuit
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2010/eldorado-orv-07-30-2010.html

Text of Lawsuit
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/off-road_vehicles/pdfs/Petition_Rock_Creek_07-28-2010.pdf

The filing of this new lawsuit in state court (yet another example in the long line of anti-OHV lawsuits filed by the aforementioned antagonists) seeks to establish a new regulatory “high bar” for grants awarded for trail projects on federal lands. The suit actually is complaining about many of the trail improvements that these plaintiffs have been demanding over the years to address dirt bikes crossing the steam and sanitation at the campgrounds.

The suit complains about new bridges being installed to keep OHVs out of the water crossings, new trail construction, and new toilets being installed where people camp. That’s right… complain about dirt bikes crossing the creek and sanitation and then when the FS/OHMVR works to address those concerns… sue them!

Again, the suit fails to acknowledge those details as well as the fact that OHV recreation has been an “authorized” and approved use of the area via the Forest Plan and the Rock Creek EIS.

The General knows OHMVR and the FS are reviewing this case and believes they too are troubled by the Center’s ongoing and unrelenting efforts to close the area for both casual riding and permitted AMA sanctioned events.

Make no mistake; this suit is a direct attack on users, the FS, and the OHV Division’s grant program. OHV legal interests should be watching this case and intervene at the appropriate time should the need arise.

HQ thanks the followers of this blog who are just as, if not more so, committed to defending our preferred form of recreation from unjust legal action by extreme environmental groups.

Thanks for your service!

Yamaha OHV Grants Program Supports Recreation Projects

There are many tools in today’s OHV advocacy toolbox. Those land-use tools include grassroots advocacy, participation in the administrative process, public relations, volunteerism, political activism, reviewing legislation and the subsequent implementing regulations, and litigation. For the OHV groups that are engaged in the aforementioned activities there is a need to fund that work.

Unlike major green groups that get large block grants from likeminded left-wing foundations such as the Pew Charitably Trust or the Rockefeller Foundation, OHV has historically relied on the generous donations of club members, individuals, and small businesses that “support the sport.”

Some riders have asked The General if any of the OHV industry giants ever donate to help keep trails open. The Recreation HQ is proud to say yes to that question and one shining example is the Yamaha OHV Access Grants Program.

See Yamaha OHV Access Grants Program News Release
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yamaha-ohv-access-initiative-grants-13-million-in-two-years-supporting-safe-responsible-riding-and-open-sustainable-access-83819512.html

In 2010 and beyond, OHV interests will face some very difficult and challenging times.
How those battles are funded is a serious question. The fact that some industry leaders are stepping up to the plate in a substantive manner will be an important key factor in the modern land use equation.

The Recreation HQ salutes all who support the sport through your generous donations of time and fiscal resources.

Jan. 15 - Carnegie Legal Update

The General is back at Recreation HQ and has some great news on this day.

The court has set January 26 as its next “decision date.” This is according the newest post at OHMVR. Until then the park is OPEN.

OHMVR Website Post
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26096


Update: On January 14th, the Court of Appeal, in San Francisco, filed an order accepting an amicus letter brief from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), filed on January 11, 2010. This letter argued that the Superior Court in Alameda County lacks jurisdiction to close the park because PEER and CSPA failed to exhaust their administrative remedies with the Water Board first before going to the Court.

Peer and CSPA have until January 20th to file an opposition to the SWRCB letter.

State Parks and/or the SWRCB have until January 25th to file a reply to the opposition from PEER and CSPA.

The park will remain open pending further court action. We expect the court to make a decision on the issue of park closure on or after January 26, 2010.

This has been, and continues to be, a very important test case for water quality-based lawsuits filed by agenda driven environmental groups. Many nervous land owners, farmers, family businesses are also watching this case.

The General thanks all of you for your continued patience and willingness to help in the fight to keep our public lands open for responsible OHV use.

The Carnegie saga continues...

CODE RED/BROKEN ARROW ACTION ALERT - CA OHV Program at Risk

Broken Arrow – Broken Arrow – I repeat this is a Broken Arrow/Code Red action alert. The CA Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee is meeting today and tomorrow in which the fate of the OHV program could be decided.

As you know, the legislature already “borrowed” $90 million dollars from the OHV Trust Fund. Now, they could decide to send more money to non-OHV parks, move OHV into regular state parks, or gut the entire program.

It is up to you to make sure your voice is heard. The General has already faxed in letters to the committee chairs and his local state representative using BRC’s Action Alert posted this am:

BRC ACTION ALERT
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1036

In there you will find a sample letter and also a link to find your state representative’s fax number.

Do it today! Don’t let them steal our program.

Thanks for your service.

The General

"Join A Club" Video From The General - Jimmy Lewis Weighs in Too

This video message below from The General is not geared to those of you who are already members of BRC or some other land use organization. It is geared to the 98 percent of the approx. 43 million off-roaders in this country who are not members of ANY organization or club.

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YouTube Video "Join A Club" Video from Don Amador

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy8cyutGdL8

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Dirt Rider Mag's, Jimmy Lewis, also has been banging the drums for a number of years regarding getting off-roaders to wake-up out of their dream-like state and get involved by joining a club --- see his post at:

http://blogs.dirtrider.com:80/6534753/editorial/save-a-trail/index.html

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I believe now more than ever that the future of our sport depends on getting the non-involved off-roader engaged in the battle.

Who are those non-involved riders? They are folks who think that “somebody else” will fight (and pay for) their battles for them or worse yet… they are the clueless riders who think that land-closures “won’t affect them.”

KTM and FMF have stepped up to the plate to help push up those membership numbers by declaring May as Protect Your Right To Ride Month. Also, BRC has a free 3 month trial membership promo going on right now.

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KTM/FMF's May is Protect Your Right to Ride Month

http://www.soundoffmc.com/

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BRC's 3 Month Free Ride Membership

http://www.sharetrails.org/three-ride-intro/

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It is my hope that the non-involved riders will wake-up and smell the campfire coffee. Who knows… the trail they save might just be the one they ride on.