HQ is Back - Help Stop Omnibus Lands Bill in Lame Duck Congress

The General on One of the OHV Trails in the Stonyford NCA Plan

The Recreation HQ is back on the trail after a brief hiatus during the 2010 Election Cycle. As some of you know, there are a number of Wilderness, National Monument, or National Conservation Area proposals throughout the country pending action in the Lame Duck Session of the current Congress or waiting for action by the president via executive orders if they are not voted on and passed in the Lame Duck Congress.

Today, the BRC issued a national alert regarding its concerns about an Omnibus Lands Bill being voted on and passed into law between now and when this Congress adjourns.

BRC Alert on Lame Duck Omnibus Lands Bill
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1261

HQ agrees with the BRC position that land-use bills should be bill-specific and decided on an acre-by-acre analysis with a substantive stakeholder process. These bills should not be lumped into one massive one-size-fits-all land-use plan.

As you know, some environmental groups are proposing legislation for a National Conservation Area that bisects the main Stonyford and Upper Lake OHV Areas on the Mendocino National Forest. The General, on behalf of BRC, has communicated that it does not feel a NCA designation is warranted for this area and is a bad idea. However, we have stated that if a NCA bill is proposed that it has language to protect existing OHV recreation, permitted OHV events, and other recreational uses of the affected area.

Proposal for the “Stonyford” NCA
http://wilderness.org/content/americas-great-outdoors-should-protect-berryessa

It is important for you to communicate with your elected officials (that are still in office) that you do not want an Omnibus Lands Bill voted on in the Lame Duck Session of Congress.

Send this letter today so the Lame Ducks have this on their desk when they return to the Hill.

Thanks for your service!

Conservation Easements and Confusion at Davis NCA Meeting

The Recreation HQ has for a number of months shared concerns about how OHV use will be treated in Obama’s Great Outdoor Initiative. The General has kept riders informed about the various FOIAs and other efforts to day-light information on either new National Monuments or National Conservation Areas.

Update on July 8 LA Meeting and Glaring Absence of OHV in Obama Plan and State Proclamations
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/06/update-on-obama-outdoor-program-la.html

Today, the General, on behalf of BRC and my friend Dave Pickett AMA D36, attended the Great Outdoors Meeting hosted by Congressman Mike Thompson and U.C. Davis.
There were a number of other OHV representatives there including Amy Granat (Cal4WD) and Nick Haris (AMA). Several riders attended as well.

Rather than having a focused meeting on Outdoor recreation and the proposed Berryessa-Snow Mountain NCA plan, this meeting meandered on several non-recreation topics and was strangely bizarre and abstract. The panel included Cong. Mike Thompson and a several heavy hitters from the Obama administration including Nancy Sutley, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality.

I don’t think the topic of recreation was even mentioned by the main panel. Also, the sub-panel (mostly private land owners not in the NCA boundary) gave 3 presentations on conservation, conservation easements, and the need for Congress to fund various entitlement programs that benefit the aforementioned subjects.

While conservation programs are important, HQ felt the panel missed the opportunity present the proposed Berryessa NCA and to highlight outdoor recreation.

At the end of the two panel presentations, Congressman Thompson passed the microphone around the room for people to speak. Most speakers there praised the Obama administration and many asked for taxpayer funded eco-handouts from the federal government.

Several pro-access speakers got up and championed access to public lands. The General used his one minute of fame to pick up on what the EPA panelist said about how the feds should…”base programs on what works.” HQ could not agree more and, in fact, suggested to the panel that when they go to an area of the country… to simply pick up the phone and call the Regional Forester and ask him/her for the most successful and collaborative recreation programs in their district. Had CEQ called Randy Moore (R5 Regional Forester), he would have told them about how the Inyo National Forest is a model of how to get things done. CEQ should have then invited Inyo staff to be on the panel and give a presentation.

At the end of the day, the Davis meeting was confusing and disappointing. I did get to say hi to Nancy Sutley and gave her my business card and said I would see her at the LA meeting tomorrow. The General also talked with the proponents of the Berryessa plan and told them that any proposal must protect what is the largest and most successful destination federal OHV recreation program north of the LA area. And, that they must do a better job of outreach and communication when making a proposal that could impact OHV.

HQ also talked with Thompson’s staff and urged them to meet with local users, county governments, and other interests BEFORE launching any legislation.

Finally, HQ thanks the riders who showed up for a lesson in politics and process. It takes time to become an effective OHV advocate and coming to meetings such as the Davis event is part of the learning process. Thanks to all those who came to the program.

I hope to see some of you down at the LA Outdoor Meeting tomorrow.

Update and Thoughts on July 7 Meeting for Stonyford NCA and Video

The HQ apologizes in advance for bombarding riders this weekend with last minute alerts and updates on the July 7 meeting at U.C. Davis hosted by Congressman Mike Thompson.

Cong. Thompson Invite and RSVP
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Americas_Great_Outdoors_invite-MThompson.pdf

The General is concerned about this meeting being one-sided because the enviros appear to be looped in and, in fact, are included in the formal panel discussions. On the other hand, OHVers and even some in the Forest Service only found out about this meeting last Friday.

HQ believes in genuine collaboration, honest discussions, and public processes that are not front-loaded and agenda driven. The General has sent an RSVP to Jonathan Birdsong (see his email address in the link above) and is hopeful that the HQ will be given some floor time to champion the designated OHV programs on the Mendocino and the partnerships we have with OHMVR/State Parks, volunteer groups, and the local community.

Usually new environmental land designations programs are proposed in good economic times. HQ questions the timing of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain NCA (or National Monument for that matter) when there are a number of economic factors that should be considered such as the cost of administering this multi-agency NCA, the impacts to ongoing recreational activities such as OHV, power boating, hunting, equestrian use, etc, and existing permitted activities such as cattle grazing, recreation events, and timber.

As you attend these Great Outdoor Meetings be sure and talk about what great (and fun) exercise OHV riding is as highlighted in the video below about how OHV impacts York University students who are learning to ride off-road. Great little video!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/off-road/article1203557/

The General hopes to see some riders at the U.C. Davis event on July 7 and then again at the July 8 Outdoor Meeting at Occidental College.

Thanks for your service!

ALERT - July 7 Meeting at U.C. Davis on Stonyford OHV National Conservation Area

Even when the Recreation HQ is closed for a national holiday, The General is still on duty monitoring important land use news. Well folks, an issue of such high import occurred on Friday July 2 (regarding a July 7 Great Outdoors Meeting at UC Davis) The General is sounding a Fourth of July “all hands on deck and man your battles stations” alarm
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PHOTO; Flag Flying at the Recreation HQ

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For many months you have recieved updates on the Stonyford Obamument/National Conservation Area proposals. BRC filed a FOIA, FOIA Appeal (which was denied), and subsequent site-specific appeals to various departments in DOI to ferret out correspondence between green groups and government agencies regarding the push for either National Obamuments or National Conservation Areas that would include the Stonyford and Upper Lake OHV Areas.

Archived Blog on Stonyford Plan and Green Cabal
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/green-cabal-and-imba-push-or-support.html

BRC issued a rare weekend alert yesterday on the Stonyford OHV/NCA meeting on July 7 starting at 11am at UC Davis.
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1194

Be of good cheer as OHV is not the only group issuing a strong concern about the NCA plan. The General’s good friends at the Maxwell-based Family Water Alliance (a long time grassroots farming, ranching, and private property rights group) issued a news release on the NCA plan.

FWA News Release with a quote from The General
http://www.woodlandrecord.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=1484&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2656&hn=woodlandrecord&he=.com

We all know that a NCA proposal in Northern California is simply a precursor to an eventual Wilderness Designation. As I note in my comments…just look what happened to the 1974 King Range NCA… it became the 2006 King Range Wilderness Area.

It will be important for as many of you who can to join The General at the July 7 meeting and speak up for the well-managed and important OHV programs in the NCA.

I hope to see many of you at U.C. Davis.

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!

Ocean Wilderness, Stonyford NCA, Green Cabal, and the HQ Land Use Stinko-Meter

The Recreation HQ got a call last week from our good friend, Dennis Mayo (founder of the Eureka-based Open Beaches and Trails Group), who wanted The General to check into the “Ocean Wilderness Areas” being championed by left wing preservationist groups and an unholy state agency/NGO hybrid called the California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.

Overview of MLPA Hybrid Program
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/highlights.asp

As the grandson and great grandson of immigrant Norwegian fishermen who fished the waters near S.F up through Eureka, Seattle, ending up in Alaska, my ‘this fish stinks” radar immediately started to sound the all-hands-on-deck and man your land-use battle stations (water-use in this case) alarms when The Admiral found that a diverse group of interests were crying foul on the proposed closure of the Pacific Ocean on the North Coast to fishing. The HQ's infamous land-use "Stinko-Meter" is pinned.

May 27 Article of Diverse Groups Crying Foul on MLPA
http://yubanet.com/california/Senator-Dutton-Asks-DFG-Director-to-Justify-Support-for-MLPA-Fiasco.php

Besides just crying foul it looks like fishing groups filed a lawsuit on June 10 against the MLPA basically charging the process is corrupt including its relationship with the Resources Legacy Fund Foundation.

June 10 Article on Fishing Lawsuit
http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=11038

Some riders who don’t fish may ask what this all has to do with OHV battles? This is where this story turns ugly. Remember the Recreation HQ’s recent post on the effort by enviro groups and IMBA to have the Stonyford and Upper Lake OHV Area designated at a National Conservation Area or a National Obamument?

May 6 Blog on Stonyford NCA Proposal and Green Cabal
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/green-cabal-and-imba-push-or-support.html

June 7 Article on Cong. Mike Thompson Considering NCA Push on 500K Acres in N. Cal including Stonyford
http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_25e1facc-71e3-11df-aab1-001cc4c002e0.html

Well it looks like the Foundation’s board member, Jim Eaton, (former director for the CA Wilderness Coalition), is also a key player in the push for the NCA designations from
Berryessa up to the OR border.

Info on the Resources Legacy Foundation’s Jim Eaton and his background
http://www.resourceslegacyfund.org/pages/a_staff.html

The question of where the Resources Agency’s Ocean Protection Council/DFG gets funding for this type of regulators-gone-mad scenario appears to be at least, in part, from an 11 percent allotment in the CA State Parks Initiative. 11 percent of $500 million is $55 million.

Text of State Parks Initiative and Link
http://www.yesforstateparks.com/get-the-facts/initiative-text

b) Seven percent (7%) shall be available for appropriation from the fund to the Department of Fish and Game for the management and operation of wildlife refuges, ecological reserves and other lands owned or managed by the Department of Fish and Game for wildlife conservation.
(c) Four percent (4%) shall be available for appropriation from the fund to the Ocean Protection Council for marine wildlife conservation and the protection of coastal waters, with first priority given to the development, operation, management, and monitoring of marine protected areas.


March 10 Blog on CA State Parks Initiative ($18 dollar/yr. tax/fee per vehicle)
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/03/california-state-parks-initiative-18.html

The Recreation HQ will be doing more updates on this issue, but it wants riders and other concerned citizens to be aware of a press conference called by Karen Brooks at High Noon Dock D at Woodley Island Marina on June 16 in Eureka.

Reform is needed both in DC and Sacramento where you have a cabal of state/federal agencies such as DTSC, CARB, Cal-EPA, EPA, and wilderness groups working in concert to close our oceans and public lands (Shasta T and Clear Creek) to activities such as OHV recreation and fishing.

The Recreation HQ apologizes for both the length and complex nature of this blog, but the issues are just too important not to share. If you want a local contact in the Eureka area for more info or if you are coming to the June 16 event…. Call Dennis Mayo at: 707.832.9334.

The General thanks you in advance for reviewing this issue.