Raley's Supermarket to Rescue CA State Park Budget Mess?

Official HQ/BRC Land Use Battle Wagon

The Recreation HQ was encouraged recently when it read about Raley’s effort to raise funds to help keep regular California State Parks in the black.

Fresno Bee Article on Supermarket Fundraiser
http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/07/02/2451584/raleys-to-donate-a-nickel-to-california.html

For several years, HQ has been encouraging California State Parks that the best way to keep regular parks open is to think out-side-of-box and make their program more relevant and self-sustaining. HQ also cautioned state park leadership and the legislature against continuing to lean on OHV Trust Fund monies as a “fiscal crutch.”

March 10,2010 Blog on Encouraging Parks to Become Relevant and Use Creative Ways to Stay Open
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/03/california-state-parks-initiative-18.html

Please take the poll in the upper left hand corner of this blog page. The idea for ads and coupons that could be placed in state park mailings came to me as an idea when I opened some correspondence from the U.S Postal Service and they had a number of local ads. Several of which I intend to take advantage of.

Feel free to share your ideas on how State Parks can stay in the black.

Thanks in advance for your service and ideas!

70 State Park Units to Close in 2012?

Official Quiet Warrior Land Use Battle SUV

Today HQ reviewed the long-awaited list of 70 proposed state park units that are slated for closure in 2012 pending the outcome of the current budget battle. No SVRAs appear to be on the list. There are about 272 state park units, 8 of which are SVRAs.

Article with list of proposed closures
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/05/california-officials-70-state-parks.html

HQ has urged state park leadership to make state parks relevant to the public as a way to bolster visitation and enhance revenues. HQ believes that some non-motorized park units (i.e. Henry Coe in the S. Bay Area, etc.) would make a great addition to the 8 existing SVRAs. Closure does not have to be the only option.

So far it does not look like any SVRAs are on that list as of today. OHV leadership (including The General) will have to keep a sharp eye on the state budget battle, as things are sure to get real ugly over the summer.

Dirt Rider Magazine Article on Obama Outdoor Program

The Recreation HQ wants to give some major kudos to the gang at Dirt Rider Magazine for sending a crew to the Obama Outdoor event at Occidental College. DR did a great story on this event with a number of key observations that can be found below. It is worth the read.
*

PHOTO: Jimmy Lewis telling riders not to be spodes while riding in the SVRA at a DR 24 Hour at Gorman

*

DR Article on Obama Event
http://blogs.dirtrider.com/6695808/editorial/america-s-great-outdoors-initiative/index.html

Jimmy Lewis and Chris Denison at DR have long been strong supporters of the fight for access to public lands. Next time you see them at an event feel free to thank them for taking the time to write about OHV access issues.

As some of you riders know, HQ gave overviews of the Obama CA events held in Davis and LA.

Blog on Obama LA Event
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/07/ohvers-attend-obama-outdoor-event-in-la.html

Blog on Obama Davis Event
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/07/conservation-easements-and-confusion-at.html

As the DR article and HQ blogs have shown… the events have excluded OHV and have been mostly a forum for people to ask for handouts. According to a report that HQ received yesterday, the Obama event held in Ashville, NC last week was no different than the CA events.

Be assured The General will continue to monitor and give updates on the various Obama Great Outdoor events being held throughout the country. HQ encourages all riders to stay engaged in the process.

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!

Green Conflict Industry in High Gear

The “Green Conflict Industry” may be a new term to recent followers of The General’s blog. GCI has been around for a long time and it is no stranger to this land-use warrior.

In March, I wrote about GCI’s attack on the mountain bike community:
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/03/peer-sends-love-letter-to-imba.html

Later in March, I wrote a longer blog on other examples of how GCI attacks even responsible OHV use of public and private lands:
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/03/rta-trojan-horse-or-skunk-at-party.html

Recently, GCI has reared its ugly head in two places:

STOCKTON RECORD ARTICLE (Sept. 29) A lawsuit filed again Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (with a quote from Don Amador/BRC)
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090929/A_NEWS/909290323/-1/A_NEWS14#STS=g06pr6xj.19tz

CBD Lawsuit Filed (Sept 9) to Close Eldorado NF OHV Routes
http://biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2009/eldorado-09-09-2009.html

OHV/BRC has fought back and won on a number of previous cases including the original Clear Creek ESA-based lawsuit and Eldorado National Forest lawsuit. More battles are assured as GCI challenges to OHV recreation continue to mount.

Our task is to never give up and let GCI get us down. Gear-up is what we need to do.