OHV Hearing Victory in Sacramento - Thank You!

HQ has been in involved in OHV politics for over 20 years and has seen almost every kind of gamesmanship played in various venues. However, the game that ensued yesterday will go down in the OHV history books as the “Day OHV Stood Up and Fought Back.”


I testified before the committee that as a member of the negotiating team for SB 742 (the current OHV program) that met almost every weekend over the summer of 2007 --- I was stunned that I only found out about hearing’s assault on the OHV program at 6 p.m. the night before. And, I had to ask for their understanding if my letter had a few typos because I had to stay up until midnight reviewing online documents and then get up at 3:30 a.m. to write a letter to the committee members and send out an OHV alert.

I also told them that the attempt to reclassify most of the OHV Trust Funds as fungible (i.e. we can spend it on anything we want) was in conflict with the tightly crafted statutory requirements of SB 742. So that between the Governor “sweeping” the $26 million dollar OHV reserve fund on Tuesday, proposing to take $5 million dollars for bogus ranger patrols in closed parks, and calling our funds “fungible” – they would basically destroy the OHV program as enacted by SB 742.

HQ was proud of all the OHV representatives that showed up and gave factual and professional presentations. Also, state park executive staff defended the program and challenged many committee staff assumptions and recommendations.

HQ wants to thank all of you who took action yesterday when we sent out our CODE RED “Broken Arrow” Alert. HQ got calls on its cell phone from riders up and down the state who sent letters and/or made phone calls to their elected officials.


The quote of the day was when Chairman Richard Gordon said – after hearing all the testimony - he was pulling the OHV agenda items because …”there is something going on here that is way above my pay grade.” HQ believes he was right. There was something going on and it was a clear attempt by anti-OHV political forces to gut the OHV program.

Yesterday was a victory for responsible OHV recreationists. But as all of you know, there will be other battles to be fought in Sacramento and elsewhere. The OHV War saga never ends. HQ is thankful the OHV community has grown stronger over the last few years and is up to the task. Stay tuned for the next update on activities under the Dome in Sacramento.
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*Funny side note: For those of you who watched the hearing on the video feed, you missed the strong odor of bacon frying during the discussion of the High Speed Rail Authority. The smell of pork was so strong that it made several people hungry enough to go eat a second breakfast. On the other hand, it made a large number of people sick when they heard about the hundreds of millions of dollars that are being flushed down the toilet on this pie in the sky project.

An OHV Christmas Miracle - A Case Study in Perseverance

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. ~Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life

Many of us fondly remember the original “Miracle on 34th Street” movie (I did not like the remakes). The Recreation HQ believes that OHV may have its own version of that movie for this Christmas called the “Miracle on the Gasquet-Orleans Road.”

Triplicate Article on Miracle
http://www.triplicate.com/20101213110976/News/Local-News/Forest-access-deal-may-end-suit

HQ riders have been following the recent developments of the stipulation signed by the court regarding the Six Rivers NF lawsuit that addressed ad hoc road ripping without public notification and an unfair MVUM that had closed several important jeep trails.

BRC News Release on Stipulation
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=715&filter=media

HQ Blog with History and Overview of Six Rivers Case
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/12/ohv-legal-effort-takes-forward-step.html

The General believes that this tactical suit was key in bringing the environmental groups to the table. I don’t think the collaborative stakeholder process would have successfully resolved the issues surrounding several important and historic jeep trails (or the ad hoc closing of routes) without the litigation.

Is this lawsuit an OHV version of the Normandy Invasion? No. However, it is a key battle in OHV Wars and one that is worth the fight.

Thanks for your service and Merry Christmas!

Vichy French in the New Congress

Don Amador at Omaha Beach Memorial in France

Since the November 2 elections, The General has been reflecting on a number of issues related to land-use politics.

In 2009, HQ wrote about Mark Rey (a former timber lobbyist who was a cabinet officer in the Bush administration) who took a job with Wildlaw, a law firm that specializes in anti-OHV and anti-timber lawsuits.

June 2009 Blog on Mark Rey Taking Job with Wildlaw
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/07/3-phases-in-life-of-land-use-advocate.html

Mark's 2010 Wildlaw Lobby Form
http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=87A1BE50-60DF-4EC0-A76C-52DB7597597C


While HQ sarcastically gave Rey some kudos for winning that job, implicit in those accolades was a profound disappointment that somebody who was a trusted conservative would take a post with our political and philosophical opponents.

The General has often shared his frustration (with riders and even some of my environmental contacts) with the Bush administration’s almost total lack of support or oversight for recreation issues on FS and BLM lands. The OHV community that I work with was initially optimistic that Rey (in his role as Undersecretary of Agriculture that had oversight of the FS) would be sympatric to our issues.

Sadly, the Bush administration’s (and Rey’s) “hands-off” management style allowed closure advocates in the agencies to develop anti-OHV programs such as TMR and the landscape level closure at Clear Creek. Frankly, I don’t think Timber folks got much better treatment.

You can make excuses (some may actually be legitimate) for the Bush years that they got hit with two wars and Katrina. But the fact remains that having a disinterested undersecretary who paid little if any attention to recreation issues did not help our cause rise about the other distractions.

As conservatives take over control of the House and have an increased presence in the Senate, the question should be asked what role if any a trusted albeit ineffective former conservative should have in post election strategy sessions?

HQ remembers there were apologists for the Vichy French during WW2. However, that term is forever associated with people who cannot be trusted. The General wonders how history will judge folks like Rey who took a job with a political opponent?

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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.

Scot Harden to Zero Motorcycles, Interview, and Thoughts

The Recreation HQ and The Quiet Warrior want to congratulate off-road racing legend, Scot Harden, on his new post at Zero Motorcycles. As many of you know, The General, on behalf of BRC, attended the 24 Hours of Electricross and was the event’s official sound tester.

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PHOTO: BRC's Don Amador on Zero Dirt Bike

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See Blog on 24 Hours of Electricross “Saved by Zero”
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/04/saved-by-zero-24-hours-of-electricross.html

Video of “Sound Test” at start of Race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3r5SJPKO5w

If this issue is of interest, I suggest you read Jeff Cobb’s excellent interview with Scot Harden as it highlights the pros and challenges associated with this new technology. The article also touches on some of the environmental factors in the land-use equation.

Interview with Zero’s Scot Harden
http://www.motorcycle.com/events/interview-with-zeros-scot-harden-89981.html

Besides the “battery longevity” issue, HQ believes the electric motorcycle industry should work hard to promote a responsible land-use ethic that strongly discourages the creation of illegal “bandit trails” routes on public and private (private land that you don’t have permission to be on) land.

50 Year Old Guys and Illegal trails in SF Bay Area
http://marinbiker.com/

Being at Electricross and talking with a lot of electric motorcycle enthusiasts, The Quiet Warrior was surprised by the number of riders (even riders who claimed to be “environmentalists" and were against gas-powered dirt-bikes) who thought these products were just the ticket to enable them to ride illegally in local state and county parks.

What many riders don’t know is that The General/BRC helped Zero Motorcycles with some land-use tenets in their Code of Ethics.

Zero Motorcycles’ Code of Ethics

1.) Zero Motorcycles is dedicated to engineering high performance motorcycles that do not harm the environment. Our motorcycles will be free from emissions and noise. We will be environmentally conscious in our actions to help ensure a cleaner environment through recycling, responsible waste disposal and respecting nature.

2.) Zero Motorcycles will provide transportation options, both on road and off road, that are practical, efficient and contribute to a cleaner environment.

3.) Zero Motorcycles will stand behind the quality of our products by providing excellent customer service to ensure all customers are completely satisfied.

4.) Zero Motorcycles will make a consistent effort to promote a responsible, fun, honest and safe environment for all aspects of operating a motorcycle.

5.) Zero Motorcycles will respect all others with whom we share the roads and recreation areas. We are also dedicated to respecting the members of the greater community. We will use common sense and be aware of our surroundings when sharing the trails and roads. We will ride safely and respectfully.



Again, Scot has a lot of work ahead of him at Zero. The Quiet Warrior hopes that one of the issues he will tackle is to damp down what could be a growing counter culture of illegal trail riding and building by OHVers using this new technology.

November Election and Access on Federal Lands

On this mini ‘Super Tuesday” where there are a several primaries being decided, The General is reminded of the August 25 Forest Service Management Roundtable where Congressman Tom McClintock addressed a number of access issues that are impacting his constituents.

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PHOTO: A few riders on a "Remember Eddie Diaz" trail ride

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See August 25 Statement by Congressman Tom McClintock to Region 5
http://mcclintock.house.gov/2010/08/statement-to-the-regional-us-forest-service-management-roundtable.shtml

See July 21 blog on “Cost Recovery” and Issues on the Eldorado
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/07/ohv-cost-recovery-fight-on-eldorado-nf.html

The Recreation HQ believes the agency’s fear of environmental lawsuits is driving a lot of FS and BLM decisions here in California.

ELDORADO - As HQ points out in the aforementioned blog, the reason for increased cost recovery charges to CERA and the Polka Dots has nothing to do with protecting the environment but are simply self-preservation steps to protect the agency from being forced to spend hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars defending itself against ongoing and future eco-litigation. And then paying EAJA awards to the litigants.

TMR - The FS closed thousands of miles of forest roads and trails to OHVs because of the enviro’s promise of endless litigation if those closures were not put into effect. Yet despite massive closures, the greens showed their “lust for closures” by filing a lawsuit against the Stanislaus NF’s travel plan because it did not close enough.

See blog on Lust for Closures
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-green-subpart-lawsuit-shows-lust.html

CCMA - Here the BLM decided to make the Central BLM District of CA an “OHV free zone” by closing the 75K acre CCMA. HQ believes this is being driven by the threat of a lawsuit against the BLM unless they close the unit to OHVs. In fact, the BLM even stated that at a public meeting.

See Tobin’s June 22 blog (scroll down to it) and read BLM’s explanation for the closure regarding fear of litigation
http://www.salinasramblersmc.org/Tobin/Blog/blog.htm

What does all of this have to do with today’s primary? Since “all land use decisions [and closures] are political decisions,” the statement by Congressman McClintock to use the power of his position to hold access and recreation related hearings in the next session of Congress could have a significant impact on these issues.

Currently, there is an anti-trail majority in the House of Representatives. Most of the hearings have centered on the need to exclude historic public use of federal lands in favor of highly restrictive land use designations and programs with OHV being the scapegoat for all of this country’s environmental woes. At these hearings, McClintock and other pro-access legislators worked hard to advocate for public access, but most of the time they are ignored since they are in the minority.

If pro-trail interests are voted into office on November 2, access champions like Congressman McClintock and Congressman Rob Bishop will be in a position to hold agency leadership accountable for the decisions they are making. They could also work on EAJA reform. It’s unfortunate that land use has become a political football but that is the stark reality.

2011 could be a very interesting year depending on what happens November 2.

Remember the Past - Prepare for the Future

* PHOTOS: Upper - Fresh Freeze, Left - Cuttenkid's 1964 Chevelle SS (if you look hard enough you might see the Cherry Bomb decals in the passenger window), Right - Cuttenkid circa 1973 with his Chevelle
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As The Recreation HQ prepares for upcoming access battles (there is no shortage of those), The General believes it is important to take a pause from the action and remember important memories of the past.

Recently, HQ was reminded by his good friends at Leon’s Mufflers in Eureka that the Fresh Freeze in Henderson Center will be celebrating its 60th anniversary next year. That was a popular hangout of The Cuttenkid back in the 60s/70s. Great memories, great friends, and great food.

This weekend TG will be also remembering and celebrating the life of AMA D36’s Eddie Diaz who passed away in 2009 by taking a trail ride on some of his favorite routes.

Blog on Eddie’s Service in 2009
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/04/eddie-diaz-memorial-celebration-eddie.html

Some riders may ask why spend time remembering the past? Why not focus 100 percent on the future? HQ’s answer is that it is our past that makes us who we are today. TG also believes that it is important to share those memories with riders so they can have some understanding into what makes him tick.

It is those solid and richly American values from the past that forms the foundation here at HQ. A house built on sand is washed away, but a home (or HQ) built on the Rock cannot be moved.

Thanks for allowing me to share these memories and photos with you… my off-road family.

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!

Carnegie, OHV Wars, and a Call to Action

The General has often said that the rewards of being a land-use professional are few. In fact if you are doing your job well - as pointed out in NIMBY WARS - you will be given little if any credit for a win. HQ’s reward comes when a local rider is awakened out of his or her “land-use slumber” and becomes a grassroots leader who works to inspire others to do the same.
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PHOTO: Infamous Carnegie Hoax Fish

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NIMBY WARS Book Review (overview of various roles we play in land-use)
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/12/book-review-nimby-wars-must-read-for.html

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Such is the case with a new SF Bay Area OHV advocate, Diana Tweedy. She recently wrote a great article in Dirt Rider Magazine (see link below) about her epiphany during the 2009 Carnegie Rally to help keep the SVRA from being closed by a judge’s order.

Sept. 2010 DR MAGAZINE - The Battle for Carnegie and Joining the Fight
http://www.dirtrider.com/features/web_extra/141_1009_carnegie_ohv_state_park_freedom_day/index.html

Tweedy hit several common themes that you have seen articulated at the HQ. Public land recreationists have large numbers and we can win if we put differences aside, band together, AND join BRC and other groups fighting for your access rights.

Some riders may ask, “What has OHV won lately?” Well, Carnegie is still open thanks to the huge turnout at the Freedom Rally where that support gave momentum for the OHMVR Division’s legal efforts to challenge the anti-OHV lawsuit.

Recently, a coalition of user groups won a legal victory where the FS was ordered to reopen OHV trails and campgrounds.

OHV Legal Victory to Reopen FS Trails
http://www.mic.org/news070210.cfm

For some more background info on the 2009 Rally at Carnegie SVRA with links to articles, etc. please go to the blog overview below.

Blog on Overview of 2009 Carnegie Rally
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/12/miracle-at-18600-corral-hollow-road.html

Tweedy also notes she had often read Jimmy Lewis’ (editor of DR) columns where he urged or pleaded with riders to “get involved” and join BRC and other organizations who are in the trenches fighting the enemy on a daily basis. However, it took a major event such as the imminent closure of Carnegie to wake her up.

Her involvement now gives encouragement to folks like The General and Jimmy Lewis who have been sounding the land-use alarm for many years. HQ thanks her and her friends for becoming soldiers in OHV Wars.

To honor her commitment, HQ requests that you do two things today.

1 – JOIN BRC and a local or state OHV group
https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/

2 – Subscribe to DR Magazine
http://www.dirtrider.com/index.html

Without members and member support, BRC cannot do its job. Without subscribers, Jimmy Lewis and DR cannot get the land-use message out to average riders so that when a closure crisis occurs those riders will know what do to (hopefully riders will join before a crisis hits!).

Thanks for your service!

High Noon Rally in Eureka

When somebody from a corrupt government/non-governmental agency hybrid tells fishermen in Northern California that they are there to “help you” – don’t buy it.

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PHOTO: New Ocean Wilderness Area?
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Well that is exactly what happened at High Noon yesterday when Karen Brooks and about 100 fishermen and local ocean access supporters gathered at a marina in Humboldt Bay to tell MLPA representatives to stop trying to kill the fishing economy on the North Coast.

Times-Standard Article on MLPA Protest
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_15315756

The General remembers when he was a kid working at Cal-Pacific Lumber Company (circa early 1970s) when another government program (Redwood National Park) put a lot of the timber industry out of business including Cal-Pac.

Some riders may ask why the Recreation HQ is focusing on the MLPA fight? Well it just so happens that many BRC members on the North Coast belong to organizations like the Far West Motorcycle Club, Lost Coast 4x4, and Cliffhangers 4x4. Those folks either fish recreationally or commercially. With no job how can you pay for gas, car insurance, etc., to go OHVing?

Sunday’s rare weekend blog points out it is no coincidence that you have many of the same eco-groups and their willing accomplices in elected office who are championing Ocean Wilderness Areas are also supporting land-based Wilderness Areas, National Monuments, or National Conservation Areas in regions where there are developed and dispersed OHV recreational opportunities.

Sunday’s blog regarding NCA’s, MLPA, and the Land Use Stinkometer
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/06/ocean-wilderness-stonyford-nca-and.html

The General gives a hardy salute to those fishermen – from Shelter Cove, Eureka, and Crescent City - who attended the rally. They clearly understand that if those of us who believe in the multiple-use of public lands and waterways don’t – as Benjamin Franklin said – hang together we will surly hang separately.

Thanks for your service!

Remember Flag Day Today - Comments from the HQ

As The General works on an appeal of the Record of Decision for the Lower Trinity and Mad River Motorized Travel Plan, he wants riders to remember this is Flag Day 2010.

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PHOTO: Flag Flying at the HQ

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The Recreation HQ believes Flag Day is a day for all Americans to celebrate our freedom and show respect for our flag. Our flag is strong symbol of our fight for independence and for our unity as a nation.

Our Flag has been carried into every major battle fought by Americans. Many people, including friends of The General, have died protecting it.

Today, patriots throughout this country are engaged in a fierce battle to protect those freedoms from a federal government that is imposing arbitrary land closures, unwarranted and job-killing regulations, and hiding documents from Congress and the public via denied FOIAs filed by the BRC and other groups.

As the Flag flies over The Recreation HQ today, remember that we must stand together in our struggle to preserve the rights and freedoms symbolized by our Flag.

God Bless America and all those engaged in the fight.

Thanks for your service!

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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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BBQ Diplomacy Needed in County v. Forest Service Fight

A lot of riders, OHV media, federal agents, and others are watching the ongoing struggle or battle of wills between the Shasta County Board of Supervisors and the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

As you know, the BOS held a hearing on June 4 regarding the County’s appeal of the ROD and to have the informal disposition in a public forum as required by law.

June 6 Blog with info, archived news articles, etc.
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/06/shasta-county-close-to-vote-of-no.html


Based on direction by the BOS, the county counsel prepared and sent a letter on June 8 about the Forest‘s failure to appear. This letter was sent to Region 5, the Department of Agriculture, and Congress. The letter asked for a response by the Forest before the close of business on June 9. No response as of today.

June 8 BOS/Counsel Letter to Congress and USDA
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/HeywoodMtgLtr2.pdf


The letter while respectful does rightfully convey the board’s frustration with the Forest’s lack of communication and cooperation. The General does not believe the Forest has any excuse for not showing up. Some of you remember the OHV Commission meetings (circa 2000-2007) where the environmentalists who were running the commission often excoriated and made every effort to humiliate FS and BLM representatives in public. I think a lot of credit should go to those federal representatives who showed up and took the verbal abuse. I don’t know why the Shasta T decided to basically ignore the county’s request for a public forum. I don’t think it would have been near as hostile as the old OHV commission meetings.

Federal line officers should be able to take the heat. Their job today is really more political than resource oriented. Historically, District Rangers and Forest Supervisors integrated themselves into the community. They attended BBQs, fishing derbies, and turkey shoots. It seems that sort of camaraderie is sadly missing on the Shasta T.

Is there a growing rural county movement to challenge arbitrary land closures? We have seen the San Bento County BOS reopen county roads at Clear Creek. Del Norte County has joined recreation groups to challenge illegal road ripping. Shasta County seems to have joined in.

See WND Article on Counties Fighting Back
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=137737


In the absence of the Forest Service using “BBQ diplomacy” in rural areas such as Shasta County, the local government has only two options when faced with arbitrary federal actions and those are lawsuits or asking for the line officer to be replaced.

I know recreation groups such as BRC, ROC, et al are committed to working with the agency, but that relationship has to be a two-way street.

Stay tuned as the Shasta saga continues.

The General's Memorial Day Tribute 2010

On this special weekend, I want to express my gratitude to our fallen heroes who fought for our freedom. It is a precious gift that we must treasure, respect, defend, and pass on to future generations.
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PHOTO: Don Amador at 60th Anniversary of D-Day Wreath above Omaha Beach
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Some of you know, I grew up on the outskirts of Eureka, California in a small community called Cutten. The General was born in 1954 and was too young to have served in Vietnam even though I had registered for the draft, but had gotten high draft numbers in 1972 and later until the draft ended so I was not called. One of my older childhood friends, Gary Wilson, had been shot down and killed in a helicopter. Another older friend was Terry Foster who got shot through the neck while on patrol and thankfully he survived.

I sometimes feel guilty that I did not serve in the military. I have shared those regrets with some of my military friends in the ongoing fight to protect access to public lands.

One of those persons was Frank Price (he was a Korean War vet and access advocate in the Bakersfield area). He told me not to worry about not serving in the military because I was now working in another cause for freedom – protecting the public’s (and returning service men and women) right to use and enjoy the people’s land.

It was after my co-facilitation, including help from the SAMs Coalition, of the 2000 Protest of the Clinton National Monument in the Sequoia National Forest that Frank Price bestowed on me the title of The General.

Article on 2000 Rally/Protest of Clinton National Monument (with rally photos)
https://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?filter=media&story=140

I don’t wear the title of The General as some sort of military-oriented self-tribute because I did not serve in the military, but rather as a commitment to my Dad, Frank Price and all those (including readers of this blog) who have served and sacrificed for our country that I will never give up the fight and will seek to inspire and lead men and women onto the field of battle for access to public lands.

Again, my deepest appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to the families left behind. My appreciation also goes out to those who have served and continue to serve. God Bless.

In addition, I wanted to share a couple of songs with you on this Memorial Day Weekend.

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Spiritual Tone - “You are Not Forgotten” - this song is a tribute to our troops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH0YbUnM9-s

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Rock Tone - “If I Die Tomorrow” - this song is a tribute to troops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDh5eoiRJlk&feature=related

On this Memorial Weekend... The Recreation HQ thanks you for your service!

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Thank You and Site Specific NEPA

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all the riders who donated to the Six Rivers Lawsuit yesterday. It is clear that you understand the importance of this case as it relates to the misuse of TMR to obliterate perfectly good access roads without a public process.

Several of you asked for an example of where a Forest does public scoping before it rips a road or does some other “ground disturbing” activity. Well, one such example is provided below where the Stanislaus NF sent out a public notice about an OHV Restoration Project.

Stanislaus NF Scoping Letter for OHV Restoration Project
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Stanislaus_Scoping_for_Decommissioning-2010.pdf


The issue in the Six Rivers Lawsuit is not about decommissioning unneeded roads or the restoration of routes that have serious environmental impacts. For years, BRC and other OHV groups have supported restoration projects that have been vetted and approved via a public process. In fact, the CA OHV program requires that NEPA be complete before any restoration (or in fact any FS project including building a staging area, etc.) project is grant funded.

I know the access community in the Smith River area would also support the decommissioning of unneeded roads if the Forest had vetted them with site specific NEPA.

Stay tuned as this legal issue works its way through the courts.

Thanks for your donations and support!!!
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Historic OHV Lawsuit To Be Filed in CA

The Recreation HQ wanted to let all riders, FS, BLM, law enforcement, retired military, politicians, enviros, and other folks who read this blog know that a very historic and important proactive OHV access lawsuit will be filed very soon to protest illegal road-ripping (i.e. decommissioning) and the publication of Motor Vehicle Use Maps without a public process.

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PHOTO: The General on The High Dome Trail in the Smith River NRA

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See May 7 Triplicate Article About this Suit
http://www.triplicate.com/20100507108938/News/Local-News/County-joins-suit-vs-Forest-Service

It is only when all sides of the land use equation get treated in a fair manner that good decisions can be made. Thanks for your service!

Feel free to send The General a PM or post a note on this blog.

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Off-Roaders Blamed for County Vote to Reopen Roads

Over the years, the Recreation HQ has followed breaking land use news covered by the crew at World Net Daily. So it was not really a surprise when The General got a call from a WND reporter regarding the historic vote taken by San Benito County to reopen their county roads at Clear Creek.

New WND Article on County Vote and County Gov’t. Fighting Back Elsewhere
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=137737

Comments were made by the BLM regarding their surprise by the vote and that off-roaders are to blame for the county pushback. The agency’s “surprise” is telling The General that nobody was watching the store as the BLM developed their scheme in 2007-2008 to lock OHVs and the public out of Clear Creek. Where were the grownups at Cottage Way in Sacramento (the BLM state office) who let this CCMA closure - founded on junk science and political agendas - take place? Based on letters and meeting with Congressmen, county supervisors, and off-the-record conversations with both retired and currently employed BLM staff, The General is not the only one asking that question.

In the BRC comment letter submitted to the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, it is pointed out that the DEIS is so fatally flawed that it should be withdrawn and CCMA be reopened immediately.

BRC Comment Letter to the Board of Supervisors
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/San_Benito_County_BOS_Meeting_BRC_Letter_April-60001.pdf

As The General has pointed out many times before, ALL land use decisions are political decisions that at the end of the day have very little if anything to do with science or laws.
If the multiple-use community (off-roaders, ranchers, gem collectors, inholders, hunters, etc.) will continue to stand together with local elected officials in access battles that are occurring up and down the State of California and other western states, we have a chance to change the current closure agenda of federal agencies.

As Ben Franklin once said, "We must all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."

The General says, “When it comes to the land use fight, the multiple-use community must unite for in that unity stands our only chance for victory.”

Thanks for your service! I encourage you to post a comment on this blog -you must sign up first before commenting. Also, feel free to send a private message to The Recreation HQ at: damador@cwo.com

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San Benito County Votes to Reopen Roads in Clear Creek

The General attended and spoke (on behalf of BRC and AMA Dist. 36/per Dave Pickett’s request) at the San Benito County Board of Supervisor’s meeting yesterday where the board took a historic stand against an unwarranted federal government proposal to functionally ban OHV recreation on 70K acres in the Clear Creek Management Area.

BRC News Release on San Benito County Vote Yesterday
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=692&filter=media

The Recreation HQ is proud of the courage shown by the board to pass unprecedented votes to reopen all 25 miles of county roads in Clear Creek, to send a letter to the BLM in support of Alternative A (the pre 2008 closure level of OHV use), and to send a separate letter to Congress asking them to investigate the unseemly and apparently unethical actions by some BLM agents regarding the interim closure and the DEIS.

The HQ is equally proud of the elected officials who stood with local users in the Redding area yesterday at a rally against the proposed closure (in the Shasta Trinity NF’s Record of Decision for Travel Management) of basically all single track trails and trails less than 50 inches in width in the Shasta Trinity National Forest.

Record Searchlight Article about Redding Rally at FS HQ
http://www.redding.com/news/2010/apr/07/shasta-supervisors-will-appeal-shasta-trinity-fore/

The General has warned agency leadership about the pushback they would get by local elected officials and area users if they fronted travel plans that effectively implement the closure agenda of environmental groups or, worse even still, the closure agenda of the federal line officer. Tragically, it appears federal agencies want to ignore those pleadings and remain hell-bent on foisting these plans on county governments and the recreation community.

The Recreation HQ (and a lot of FS and BLM staffers who have sent the HQ private messages or phone calls stating they are not happy with the new closure agenda of the federal government) hopes the Feds will reconsider their agenda and work to rebuild the trust of local people and elected officials. The ball is in their court.

The fight for access to public lands continues. Thanks for your service!

Riders Want Back In at Clear Creek

The Recreation HQ wanted to share this article that appeared on a NPR website regarding
BLM’s San Jose DEIS public hearing.

PHOTO: The General at a "Warning Sign" at the BLM's Samoa Dunes Recreation Area (OHV, fishing, surfing, equestrian) near Eureka, CA

NPR Story
http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/03/26/atv-sidebar/

The reporter did a pretty good job of capturing the OHV community’s frustration with the continued closure of CCMA. However by focusing on the personal attacks on Rick Cooper (the reporter does capture that BRC did not support hostility or threats) did not detail the fact that the closure is based on Cooper’s fear of a disease that is non-existent in the OHV community..

Rather the reporter could have shown, as BRC and others have requested, that the BLM failed to analyze how the agency or sister land agencies deal with public access and health/safety issues including naturally occurring asbestos. Cooper told me at the San Jose meeting that he did not do that analysis as requested by BRC et al..

If he had done some research he would have found that the Department of Interior does use signing and education as a tool to address NOA and other dangers such as fishermen being washed out to sea, children being drowned at the beach or river, etc.

For example, the US Forest Service addresses NOA through the use of signs, education/outreach, soil treatments, and speed limits vs. an unwarranted and massive land closure.

Forest Service NOA Program/Educational Outreach
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/noa/pdfs/NOAVisitorInformationPaper.pdf

The article also misses the point about riders being “worried” about NOA. It’s not that riders are not worried about health issues (heck, we wear riding gear, keep our bikes in good condition, and avoid driving off cliffs, etc.) but rather we don’t worry about politically-driven faux issues that are used arbitrarily to make the Hollister Field Office an “OHV Free Zone.”

Thanks for your continued vigilance in the fight for CCMA.

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Carnegie - A Win in a Uphill Fight

As The Recreation HQ prepares to lock its doors for the next few days, The General wanted to once again congratulate you for your role in the Victory at Carnegie.

See March 18, 2010 Article on this Win in a Uphill Fight
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100318/A_NEWS/3180327/-1/a_news14

In the article the anti-OHV “Fishing Group” did its best albeit unsuccessfully to spin in a positive light the fact the court essentially had given them a legal beat-down.

As The General told the reporter in the article above….”Land use wars are never really over.” But that stark fact should not prevent us from celebrating during the Easter Holiday and being thankful for the blessings we have.

Well done is better than well said…. And you done good!

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