CA Governor Makes Political Decision to Replace Current OHMVR Deputy Director

                                                         OHMVR's Daphne Greene
HQ has a motto that “All land-use (and staffing selections) decisions are political decisions.” Well, that axiom came to life yesterday via the announcement by Daphne Greene, deputy director for the California OHV Program at State Parks, that she is being replaced on December 31 by another Governor’s appointee. That news sent a violent shockwave through the OHV community.


During her tenure of almost 8 years, the OHV Division went through a number of much needed reforms that improved all aspects of the program. Some of those milestones include; streamlining the grants program, improving the wildlife habitat monitoring, fiscal accountability for the OHV Trust Fund, creating new soil standards and guidelines, opening new OHV areas, funding important trail restoration projects, and the list goes on and on.

As OHV leadership continues to assess this new political development, I believe that we will learn a lot by the person who is appointed to take over Daphne’s post. HQ hopes the Governor will appoint somebody that will continue Daphne’s legacy of accountability, environmental stewardship, and commitment to the program and the community it serves.

Stay tuned for future developments on this issue and during this Christmas and Holiday Season let’s give thanks for Daphne’s (and her staff) unwavering commitment and service to you and your family’s favorite form of outdoor recreation over the last 8 years.

OHV HISTORY LESSON FROM THE DARK AGES
BRC News Release in 2005 –Describes How the anti-OHV Commission was abusing their position and power to corrupt the OHV program and steps the OHV community was taking to address that issue.
http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2005/12/14/ohv-groups-call-disbandment-ca-ohv-commission

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BRC Founder, Clark Collins, Headed to AMA Hall of Fame

The Recreation HQ is very proud to announce that BRC founder, Clark Collins, is heading for the AMA Hall of Fame. With all the bad land access news that we are hit with everyday, it is great to take a break from the bad… and focus for a few minutes on something good.
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PHOTO: BRC Founder, Clark Collins

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See Cycle News Article on Clark and AMA Award
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/Consumer+News/BRC-founder-Clark-Collins-headed-to-AMA-Hall-of-Fa/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/673833?contextCategoryId=48475

The General got the news yesterday and immediately called Clark at his home in Pocatello, Idaho and extended some heartfelt congratulations. Clark started BRC as a one man show operating out of his garage back in 1987. And as the article correctly states, BRC is the largest nationally recognized OHV access group in the USA. That recognition does not just come from OHVers, but includes mainstream media, Congress, land management agencies, and national environmental groups.

It was Clark who inspired Don Amador’s now famous quote, "All land use decisions are political decisions.”

For those of you OHVers and even my friends in the enviro community, feel free to send Clark a note of congrats. He is one who truly deserves it.

Contact Clark at:
brclark@sharetrails.org

Thanks for your service Clark!!!

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California State Parks Initiative - $18 Dollar/Yr. Vehicle Lic. Fee

Over the next few days and weeks, The Recreation HQ will highlight some important issues as they relate to California State Parks. As you know, The General has an old saying that ALL land-use decisions are political decisions.

One of those political decisions you will have to make this year is regarding the California State Parks Initiative. It is currently gathering signatures (and supporters) so it can be placed on the November 2 ballot.

This Initiative is designed to create a dedicated park fund that will generate $500 million dollars a year by placing an $18 dollar/yr. fee on street licensed cars, trucks (not big rigs), motorcycles, and RVs. As a reward for your payment, your vehicle and its passengers will get FREE admission for day-use into all state park units including SVRAs and State Recreation Areas.

Info on the California State Parks Initiative
http://www.yesforstateparks.com/

List of State Park Units covered by the Initiative
http://www.yesforstateparks.com/get-the-facts/list-of-parks-and-maps

Article with concerns about Initiative from a recreation/conservation perspective
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/06/parks-tax-would-shortchange-conservationists/

Article about benefits of Initiative
http://www.yesforstateparks.com/images/stories/Santa_Cruz_Sentinel.2.25.10.pdf

Another plan to fund state parks is on the table and it proposes to generate monies for state parks by doing some environmentally-friendly oil drilling off the coast of California. Just recently the non-partisan budget analyst issued a report that shows this concept has merit.

See article on oil drilling plan
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2010/03/state-should-restart-offshore-oil-drilling-analyst-says.html

Voters will have to decide which of the above concepts merit support. I have heard from some off-roaders who think the Initiative is a good deal since the increased license fee would be offset by free entrance into the state park. Some conservative legislators may support this plan since it proposes to spend about $180 million/yr. for construction and repair projects to address an estimated $1.5 billion dollar maintenance backlog.

Fiscal conservatives or people who are fed up with bloated government may support the oil drilling plan or just say that parks has to become more relevant to Californians and be self-sustaining/user-funded on its own such as OHMVR and Boating and Waterways.

This is sure to be a hot topic of discussion at The Recreation HQ and by riders sitting around a campfire this spring. The General urges you to review these issues and asks that you feel free to post a comment or send a private message to HQ with your views.

Thanks for your service!

I HAVE A "TRAIL" DREAM

As I watched a mountain biker from the San Francisco Bay Area drip precious fluids from his CamelBak hydration system onto my friend's motorcycle tube to help spot an air leak, I was struck by the irony of the situation.Here is a group of non-motorized trail enthusiasts helping some dirt bikers on a trail in the Poison Spider Mesa near Moab, Utah.

I have been told by the Sierra Club and other preservationists that we weren't supposed to get along.For many years, greens groups have cited so-called user conflict between motorized and non-motorized recreationists as a reason to close lands to Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs).

A 68 page "the sky is falling" report authored by the California Wilderness Coalition said that hikers, campers, and mountain bikers have been run off the land by OHVs.Yet, here I am in the mountain bike and hiking capitol of the world enjoying the scenic wonders of this special place and it seems that the non-motorized recreationists have not heard that they are supposed to yell at jeepers and OHVers for "ruining" their solitude and enjoyment of the great outdoors.

As several of us dirt bikers dismount and hike out to a vista overlooking the Colorado River, we are greeted by some tourists who hired a local guide to drive them in a 4-wheel drive. At the same time, four mountain bikers also park their bikes and join us as we all take in the beauty and grandeur of the canyon and view.The hikers we passed on the Poison Spider Trail waved at us and smiled. They said they were having a great time and told us to enjoy our ride. Maybe this is a dream. But no, it is real.

As the one mountain biker helped locate a slow air leak in Randy Block's tire tube, I chatted with the other riders visiting this area from California. Instead of pointing fingers at each other, we talked about the price of my Michelin S-12 knobbies and that their mountain bike tires also cost about 65 dollars each.I asked them if they had ever ridden at one of my other favorite trail areas near Downieville, California.

Located in the Sierra Nevada, this popular multi use trail system is yet another example of where I have experienced a "we can get along" philosophy. I go there every year and it seems that the equestrians, OHVers, and mountain bikers have managed to craft a land-use ethic that respects other trail users and the environment.

Am I naive enough to believe that there are never any instances of some trail users having disagreements with other recreationists? No. However, I do believe that there are many places where diverse recreational interests have and do manage to use public lands in a cooperative fashion.

I have a dream that someday all trail users will get along and respect each other's personal choice of recreational activity. Maybe that's not such a far fetched idea?

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