Stonyford OHV Areas Ordered Closed Today

July 9 11:30 AM photo taken by Applegate looking

from near Stonyford west and north towards Fouts Springs

The Mendocino NF has issued a Forest Order closing the S. End of the Forest to public use.

July 9 Forest Order

http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices

HQ’s on scene reporter, Jeff Applegate, says he just heard that the Fouts Springs area is looking good.  The fire is slowly moving south and east.  It is currently bumping Gilmore Ridge. 

Let's remember that off-road champions Phil Ray and Taz Harvey have property and homes that are still in harms way.  Also, Jeff Applegate and other OHV stakeholders could be in harms way too.

As many of you know, there is a lot of fuel on the forest floor including downed trees from the 2001 Trough Fire.

Good news on the Fouts Springs OHV Camping/Staging Area being safe so far!

PS-Let's remember that off-road champions Phil Ray and Taz Harvey have property and homes that are still in harms way. Also, Jeff Applegate and other OHV stakeholders could be in harms way too if the winds pick up this afternoon!

Wash. Examiner Publishes Article on FS Trail Guide Scandal

It looks like the new FS Trail Guide scandal has hit the big time with posting of an article today by the Washington Examiner.

Washington Examiner Article on FS Trail Guide Scandal

http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/2012/03/national-forest-document-stirs-scandal-road-removal-plans/396491

As I said in the article, I believe this project is a prime example of gross incompetence by the federal government on any number of levels.  The first question that should be asked is, “Why was this project needed when the FS already has a number of highly skilled OHV trail master-performers and proven OHV BMPs?”  Second, “Who authorized this frivolous and unneeded project that was funded with taxpayer dollars?”

Third, “When is the agency going to ‘man-up’ and admit this was a huge mistake on their part and assure Congress, taxpayers, and the OHV community that something like this won’t happen again?”

All of those are questions that must be answered and the sooner the better.  HQ urges readers to leave a comment at the Washington Examiner website to show that we are not going to be insulted by this type of bias.

Thanks again to Ron Arnold and the Washington Examiner for covering public land recreation issues.

BREAKING NEWS - FS Puts Hold on Launch of Subpart A Travel Planning

The Recreation HQ wants to share some breaking news regarding the potential launch of Subpart A of Travel Management in Region 5 and elsewhere.
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PHOTO: First person to guess where The General is in this photo gets an Official QWR T-Shirt

CONTEST UPDATE: Karl Hankins of the Redding Dirt Riders correctly IDd the trail - congrats to Karl - T-Shirt on the way.

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Yesterday, The General received a tip from one of his OHV colleagues that the Washington Office of the FS was placing a temporary hold on the launch of new Subpart A travel planning at the Forest level.

That rumor was just confirmed to be true according to an update to the Subpart A Focus Group from the Center for Collaborative Policy that states the FS has indeed postponed the launch of Subpart A planning pending further review.

Subpart A Focus Group Info
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/08/update-on-subpart-focus-group-meets-for.html

This is huge news! HQ believes the many phone calls and comments you have made to FS officials -- cautioning them against launching a new planning effort that had not been fully vetted – played a major role in this decision to hold back the launch of Subpart A.

Also, HQ believes the recent “Subpart A” lawsuit filed by anti-OHV groups against the Stanislaus NF’s Subpart B Travel Plan may have had the unintended effect of showing the FS their “lawsuit cards.” The General likes to call this “premature litigation”

Blog on the Stanislaus NF’s Lawsuit and the Green’s Lust for Closures
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-green-subpart-lawsuit-shows-lust.html

HQ will continue to follow this breaking story. But for now, let us celebrate the fact that the agency appears to be reevaluating the wisdom of launching an ill-advised effort that only guarantees that the FS will be hit with an endless parade of green lawsuits if a unit does not close enough routes to satisfy the enviro’s insatiable appetite for trail restrictions.

This reminds me of the old parable of the Scorpion (greens) and the Frog (FS) where the Stanislaus lawsuit clearly shows what the scorpion intends to do when the frog is piggy backing it across the Subpart A planning pond.

Thanks for your service and vigilance!

Toxic Trails, CCMA, and You

The General has long stated to his riding buddies that he does not believe in federal government conspiracies. That long held axiom is based on the fact the he knows a lot of federal land managers at various levels and for the most part they don’t have the time or inclination to craft a conspiracy let alone carry it out.

However, the latest push by the Sierra Fund, a Nevada City-based eco-group chaired by Patty Brissenden (wife of former anti-OSV/OHV OHMVR commissioner John Brissenden) may cause The Recreation HQ to rethink that concept.

Some of you have seen the recent article about “Toxic Trails” in the Sierra.

SF Chronicle Article on Toxic Trails
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-06-23/news/21921340_1_mine-waste-rand-mining-district-arsenic

It is no coincidence that the closure of Clear Creek to OHV and other uses is cited as the model of how an agency should close lands to the public when a “dangerous” chemical or compound is discovered. The Sierra Fund cites its support and partnership with various like-minded green groups, foundations, and Cal/EPA Note also that other popular OHV areas at Foresthill and Downieville are cited in the article as potential closure targets.

Sierra Fund Support List for Toxic Trails Report
http://www.sierrafund.org/campaigns/mining

Cal/EPA Eco Justice Working Group
http://www.calepa.ca.gov/EnvJustice/IWG/Default.htm

After reading about who belongs to the working group, it should come as no surprise that in the BRC FOIA documents the BLM at CCMA cites Cal EPA/DTSC’s demand that CCMA be closed to OHV as the onus for the current closure.

See Blog on EPA Corruption at CCMA with link to FOIA documents
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/01/epa-violates-public-trust-at-clear.html

What trail enthusiasts (motorized and non-motorized) should be concerned about is that there IS a well thought out strategic effort by the green/governmental complex (EPA, Cal EPA, DTSC, CBD, TWS, etc.) to close OHV trails on FS and BLM lands due to undocumented “health risks” to the public.

Has this closure effort reached the level where the HQ can claim there is a conspiracy to close OHV off public lands? That time may come very soon, but in the meantime The General believes there is a well coordinated effort by greens group and their supporters (or hostages) in the federal government to restrict or ban historic OHV and other uses on public lands.

Now is not the time to give up but redouble our efforts to fight back. Thanks in advance for your support and commitment.

New OHV Program Manager at Stonyford

The Recreation HQ is glad to be able to share some good news with those riders who frequent the Mendocino National Forest. Besides working sound tech at the 2010 SheetIron 300 Dual Sport Ride this last weekend, I had the privilege (before the event) of touring some of the trails at the Stonyford OHV Area with Sarah Ridenour, the new OHV Program Manager for the area.
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PHOTO - Sarah Ridenour, new OHV program manager at Stonyford.

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She comes from working at the OHV program at CA State Parks where she was experienced in trail layout, construction, and maintenance. Having a high quality maintained trail system for use by the public is her passion and it was great to see a FS employee enjoy being out on the trail. Besides giving her an overview of the area, we pre-rode some of the SheetIron 300 single-track trails to check for downed trees and deep snow. Both of which we found plenty of.

In the coming days and months there will be plenty of time for us to address the many challenges that face OHV recreation. But for just one day, let us be thankful that we have a new OHV manager (and good rider) at Stonyford and let’s commit to help her do her job either as a trail volunteer, a supporter of the program, or a good steward of the land.

Thanks for your support and service!

Faux Liability Issue at CCMA

Reading an article today of the growing “body count” at California beaches from recreationists who have drowned reminded The Recreation HQ about its March 26 blog where it talked about how the BLM (and other federal and state land agencies) simply post warning signs and use educational outreach to inform users about safety or health issues while recreating on public lands.

March 30 San Mateo County Times “Body Count” Article
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_14789491?source=most_viewed

See March 26 Blog with Photo of Beach Warning Sign
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/03/riders-want-back-in-at-clear-creek.html

In BRC’s March 5 CCMA DEIS comment letter, BRC stated it believed the BLM, by closing CCMA and/or restricting or banning OHV use there in the future, has created an agency liability where none currently exists. Again, warning signs and educational outreach are an accepted and widely used prescription to address health and safety issues on public lands.

The obvious answer to the CCMA issue is for the BLM to simply review signing and educational outreach plans currently being used by its own agency or sister land agencies to address health and safety issues. An informed public can then make up its mind if they want to use the area just as they do while swimming at beaches or climbing cliffs in a park.

Unlike the beach issue where a body count is being kept by government officials, the Hollister Field Office continues its search to find even one “body” over the last 100 years of use at CCMA. Rather than continue its search for that elusive dead OHVer, the HFO should remember its congressional mandate is to provide multiple-use of public lands and not set itself up as a nanny-state agency where unelected bureaucrats issue unpopular and unwarranted edicts from behind a desk.

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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TAKE CA STATE PARKS EXCELLENCE SURVEY

The Recreation HQ is asking riders to participate in a survey regarding the California State Park System (which includes a number of SVRAs). This Parks Excellence Survey is being conducted by the California State Parks Foundation. The General believes it is important for you to take a few minutes to fill out this is 29 question online survey.

If you are like The General, your family visits both motorized and non-motorized state parks units throughout the year. This survey has questions that pertain to both.

The General has already taken the survey and now asks that you and your friends do the same. The Foundation is a large and effective champion for State Parks and they need to hear your voice.

Link to the Survey
http://www.calparks.org/takeaction/parkexcellence/

Link to the CSPF Website
http://www.calparks.org/

The Recreation HQ thanks you in advance to taking a few minutes to fill out the survey.

Mountain Bike History Lesson in OHV Wars

The General believes the Carnegie crisis has actually had a positive impact as you look at the overall picture of land-use fights to preserve and protect responsible OHV recreation on public and private lands.

Besides awakening Bay Area off-roaders to the fact that anti-OHV groups have the sport square in their crosshairs, it has caused a lot of those same folks who also ride mountain bikes to ask the question, “Where are the mountain bike groups in the access fight?”

The onus for today’s study of OHV Wars is based on a recent article published in IMBA’s Magazine as written by Jen Dice.

2010 IMBA Article
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Jenn_Dice_Article_MtnBkMag_Jan2010.pdf

The tough talk is welcome but my question is if IMBA has resolved its inner turmoil between the group’s pro-Wilderness advocates (some of the old IMBA hardliners have a motto which goes like this, “We have never met a Wilderness Bill that we won’t support – even if it bans mountain bikes”) v. some others who believe that IMBA should work more closely with groups like BRC and AMA to defend trail access rights?

This internal struggle was documented in an excellent 2006 article in Mountain Bike Action Magazine (a very good and informative read)
http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/article.php?id=755

In my position with BRC, I had extended the hand of partnership to IMBA and other mountain bikers to join us in a fight to have the BLM include mountain bike and equestrian use on a large number of existing logging roads (over 50 miles) in the Headwaters Forest Reserve. This was a case where BRC (and The General) was willing to lead the fight to protect equestrian and mountain bike access in this area. In fact, it was not an OHV issue since OHV use had never occurred there and we were not asking for it. Sadly, IMBA rejected our offer and the BLM only gave them about 3 miles instead of 50 or more.

Link to Info/Overview of Headwaters Battle where non-motorized users got screwed
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/02/headwaters-forest-good-idea-or-raw-deal.html

The Recreation HQ hopes the new readers of the blog will find these history lessons useful as they get up to speed on land use issues.

Thanks for your service!

Lump of Coal - SF Bay Area OHV Park Closure on Dec. 28

A dark storm struck the SF Bay Area today when a California court gave off-roaders a lump of coal followed by a gut punch when it granted a short STAY of the closure of Carnegie SVRA. The STAY expires at the end of business on Monday, December 28. The park will be closed on December 29 unless an appeal (with Divine intervention) is successful. *Even though the OHMVR new release below states the park is open on Dec. 29., I believe the park’s last day is Dec. 28. – will verify.

OHMVR News Release on STAY
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=26096

The General has been in a lot of land use wars since 1990. The private property wars, the timber wars (my good friend was blown up by the Unabomber), the ESA wars, the Clinton-Gore roadless wars, the OHMVR Commission Wars, and now the OHV Legal Wars. It is my feeling that hard core anti-OHV groups may have scored a temporary victory, but they could have made a strategic error by awakening riders in the Bay Area who for the most part were unaware of eco-lawsuits and how they are being used as a weapon against OHV recreation.

Some of you already know about the eco-lawsuit scam. That is where anti-OHV groups file suits mostly on technical issues such as meeting a filing deadline or a resource issue that is already being worked on by the agency. In this day and age, it is very easy to get a court to side with that group against the agency. Hence, that OHV activity, farmer, rancher, builder, ski resort, or timber operation is ordered to halt by the court until that technical correction is addressed.

The General could play this game as well since he could find similar technical issues or resource concerns on any federal Wilderness Area or non-motorized state park. In fact, I have had an environmental group tell me that if I ever “wanted to switch sides” that I could have a job with them. Trust me; there is no land management agency that is perfect. Be assured, this is a power and political play that has nothing to do with “protecting the environment.”

What makes this worse is that enviros claim a win and often collect their tax-payer funded court and lawyer fees and use those funds to go after another victim.

See Story on Eco Legal Scam
http://www.cfact.org/a/1646/Western-Lawmakers-Target-TaxpayerSubsidized-Lawsuits

Yes, California Awards Eco Lawsuits Too
http://www.jacksonforest.com/News/state_pays.htm

More on Eco Lawsuit Scam at Taxpayers Expense
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/19/tracking-taxes-environmental-lawsuits/?test=latestnews

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Info on Eco-Hoax Groups - read about a Skunk in OHV Politics
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/11/skunk-in-co-ohv-politics.html

Most of the phone calls and emails my HQ has received are from riders and families who had never heard of eco-lawsuits, BRC, AMA Dist. 36, or other OHV clubs. On a personal level this closure is a deeply disturbing and ugly turn of events. On a professional level, I believe we must use the new energy (e.g. anger/frustration/determination/commitment) to gear up for this and other land use battles that will be coming at us in 2010.

It is uncertain if an appeal effort by the state will be successful. It looks like riders should be prepared for a 3-4 month closure of the park. Certainly there will be action items like a rally, letter writing campaign, petition signings, protest rides, etc. Also, there may be opportunities for volunteer work parties to help park staff on resource projects during the closure.

In the meantime, if you are not a member of BRC and want to help in the fight then join at http://www.sharetrails.org/

Since BRC works closely with AMA D36 and other groups…join AMA Dist. 36 as well
http://www.ama-d36.org/

*Legal side note: Be aware there was no real effective way for BRC legal or any other pro OHV legal representation to be involved in this case since you had greens on one side… Jerry Brown/AG (a green too) on the other side defending OHMVR, and the court presiding.


At this point, I plan to be at the park on Monday, Dec. 28 at noon and ride with my fellow brothers and sisters and stay until the park closes. I expect that others may join me. Stay tuned to this blog as I will be updating it on a regular basis. I wish I had better news.

Thanks for your service!

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New "Rider-Fit" OHV Laws in CA and OR

I know most of my readers are bogged down just trying to keep up with all the FS TMR related planning documents and proposed closures in the West. Also, enviros are filing lawsuits at an alarming rate against OHV recreation on both state and federal lands.

The General wants you to take a minute from your busy schedules to be aware of new “rider fit” laws in CA and OR.

In CA, AB 134 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2010. Law enforcement officers will be able to cite the parent or guardian for allowing a child less than 14 years of age to operate an OHV when they (because of their size) are either too small or too big from being able operate all controls needed to safely operate the vehicle.

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AB 134
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_134_cfa_20090630_114101_sen_floor.html

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OR’s law is similar but it impacts children under the age of 16.
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/Rider_fit.shtml

I believe one could argue on either side of this issue regarding if “another OHV law” was needed. The main point is that this type of bill has been in the pipeline for several years in CA and to restate a phrase from the Mayor of SF…”This puppy is coming whether you like it or not.” As many of you know, CA passes laws like some riders pass gas while sitting around a campfire telling stories.

What is different about this new OHV law is that legislators used some common sense in crafting this bill. For CA (and OR) this bill could have been a lot worse.

Thanks and Thanksgiving Thoughts for 2009

As I get ready to shut the HQ down to prepare for, and celebrate, Thanksgiving, The General wants to share a few thoughts with his fellow riders and friends.

It goes without saying that I am very thankful for my family and my relatively good health.

The tone and direction for today’s thought is to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my many friends and supporters during this past year. That sentiment is extended to those of you who are club members, agency staff, riders, small business owners, law enforcement officers, government officials, web gurus, military members, industry representatives, academics, and others who make up that friend and/or support list. I won’t mention any specific names because you know who you are and I know who you are.

I work for a non-profit organization and, as such, am dependent on the charity and generosity of people and companies that support the cause. Be assured, I am acutely aware of that fact and work every day to respect and honor your commitment and donations.

As you know, The General has faced, and continues to face, a number of very complex and difficult land use issues. 2010 will be just as challenging.

This Thanksgiving, I will snap a salute and raise a toast to you at the dinner table.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 3 Election, Land Use Lessons, and OHV Politics

The General has received a number of private emails from riders who are asking what, if any, land-use lessons can be learned from yesterday’s political earthquakes in Virginia and New Jersey.

The easy answer would be to say that yesterday’s vote was a referendum on the Obama Administration’s policies that seek to expand the role of government, increase taxes, and decrease people’s freedom. Any political commentator could say that.

Rather, I believe the vote was really a political shot fired across the bow of legislators and bureaucrats in general regardless of party affiliation. As it relates to federal or state land agencies, the “folks” clearly said they are mad as hell and not going to take it any longer when it comes to imposing top-down “We Under the Dome Know Best” programs that ignore local publics, increase bureaucracy, assault family traditions, and negatively impact the economy.

An example of where a local government and riders are standing up and fighting for reasonable access is in Shasta County where the Shasta Trinity NF has proposed to close almost 100% of single-track motorcycle trails and ATV trails less than 50 inches in width. Also, the Forest has proposed to close thousands of miles of level 3 dirt roads to non-street legal OHV use.

Nov. 4 - RECORD SEARCHLIGHT Article
http://www.redding.com/news/2009/nov/04/supervisors-ask-forest-service-to-let-ohvs-use/

Nov. 4 Op Ed - Forest Shifts Stance on OHV Road Policy?

http://m.redding.com/news/2009/nov/04/shasta-trinity-shifts-gears-on-ohv-policy/

I believe there are two separate yet related messages that were created by yesterday’s electoral tsunami. One message is for riders and the other for land-agencies.

RIDERS – Never give up. Be respectful, yet bold, in your advocacy for trail access to public lands especially as it relates to travel management.

LAND AGENCIES – Don’t force ill-conceived travel management plans down the throats of local OHV users and county governments. Many TMR plans have little to do with “travel management.” Instead, they are simply being used as a political tool to effect landscape level closures in an attempt to please the anti-access lobby. Land managers should not be afraid to push the “reset button” if they find themselves with a plan that does not have the support of the local OHV community or county residents.

Maybe it is time for land agencies and users to take a time-out in TMR and work in a genuine collaborative process that blends the requirement to address legitimate resource concerns with the need to respect traditional recreational access to public lands.

Vote on S. 1571

The General often checks OpenCongress to track legislation. Yesterday, I alerted my fellow riders about S. 1571 and the ongoing saga of certain politicians to permanently site a correctional facility at the confluence of two streams and in the center of a popular destination recreation area in Northern California.

If you feel so inclined, please go to the website below and VOTE if you support or oppose S. 1571.

Vote Here at OpenCongress
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1571/news_blogs


Thanks for your interest in land-use issues!

"Blessed" Routes Closed in Current MVUM

In a recent blog, The General advised his followers to “hold the Forest Service accountable” particularly when it comes to travel management planning. A good
case study of a unit being unaccountable is the Smith River National Recreation Area.

*Photo: Trail that is open and blessed on the 1994 Forest Visitor Map, yet it is closed on the current MVUM

In 1990, President George Bush signed the Smith River National Recreation Area Act.
http://www.smithriveralliance.org/resources/library/SmithRiverNRAAct.pdf

As you know, the NRA just published a MVUM that was apparently based on a pre-Act
(circa 1990 Forest Visitor Map - with many OHV routes not being shown) rather than basing the MVUM on the post-Act 1994 Forest Visitor Map (that showed NRA/Act “blessed” OHV routes) as was promised to the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors.

The Forest’s current and past rationale for making such ad hoc decisions (i.e. to arbitrarily close roads and trails without project level NEPA) is based on their false belief that the 1990 Act gave the NRA “special authority” to bypass the NEPA process and just close routes as they see fit.

The crazy thing is that in the 1995 Forest Plan it references that OHV projects should be “scheduled” to implement OHV use on trails and roads. See excerpt from 1995 Forest Plan:

******************************************************************

http://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_027543.pdf

Page 13
Off-Highway Vehicle
(OHV) Management
Strategies
Assess areas for OHV use. Schedule projects to implement
vehicle use in some areas and restrict use in other areas.
As needed Recreation
Transportation Management
Strategy
.
Assess transportation system and use. Schedule projects to
construct, reconstruct, or decommission roads based on
anticipated needs.
1998 Engineering
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Yet over the years and until BRC and local stakeholders started to complain about ad hoc closures, the NRA had been doing aggressive road decommissioning/obliteration without any (in most cases) project level NEPA to back up the work. It appears the NRA continues to use this invalid rationale to deny public access to “blessed” routes via its current MVUM.

OHV Commission Meeting in Lake Arrowhead - Sept 24/25

FYI for any riders who can make some or all of the OHV commission meeting in Lake Arrowhead. It's a good chance to make your views known on access issues and to give feedback to the commission and department.

See News Release for Commission Meeting Sept 24-25, 2009
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/Press%20Release_Commission%20mtg%20September%2009.pdf

Thanks for your service!

Shasta County Supervisors Weigh In on Shasta NF DEIS

So far in the travel management saga, I have received the most email and responses on this issue from users, retired FS employees (including recreation officers and regional foresters), and others who are extremely disappointed in the Shasta Trinity National Forest’s DEIS and its proposal to close virtually ALL (over 800 miles) of the Forest’s single track motorcycle trails and ATV trails (see letter from Shasta County Board of Supervisors below). County officials have a key role in standing up for the public’s access rights.

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Photo is of a volunteer with the Redding Dirt Riders enjoying an ATV trail that would be closed in the DEIS

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* Aug 25, 2009 Shasta County BOS Letter to Shasta Trinity National Forest on TMR DEIS http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Shasta-Trinity_NF/Shasty%20County%20Comments%20on%20STNF%20DEIS-08.25.09.pdf

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Again, I believe that the Forest should withdraw the current DEIS and issue a supplemental DEIS that includes a “citizen’s recreation alternative.” That alternative could be the product of collaboration between users, local government, and the agency.

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Shasta Trinity NF DEIS - Closed Trails and Broken Promises

On August 25, 2009 - The General (on behalf of the BlueRibbon Coalition) sent in formal comments on the Shasta Trinity National Forest’s DEIS for Travel Management.
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Photo: This is the Idaho-style single track trail called - The Dubakellas Trail. It is proposed to be closed to OHV use in the DEIS.

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BRC Aug. 25, 2009 Comments on Shasta Trinity NF including exhibits
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Shasta-Trinity_NF/

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Regrettably for both users and the agency, this is the best (or worst) example of TMR “gone wrong” in California so far. Basically all of the action alternatives close almost 100% of the existing motorcycle only trails and ATV trails <>

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See my May blog on the origins of the CA RID process for some perspective
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2009/05/travel-management-good-idea-or-big.html

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The General hopes that Forest leadership will review public comments (users, local governments, and other stakeholders) and push the “reset button” on TMR. I believe the Forest should withdraw the DEIS and issue a supplemental DEIS that includes a viable recreation alternative that designates a significant number of historic OHV routes. A blanket closure of almost 100% of their motorcycle only and ATV trails is unrealistic, unfair, a violation of public trust, and runs counter to promises made by Region 5 staff to BRC that TMR would not be used as a closure tool.

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New GAO OHV Report - Biased and Flawed

Some of you may be aware of a newly released “OHV Study” by the Government Accountability Office. When the GAO first came up with the initial concept of this survey, the BRC and several other OHV groups were asked to review the survey questions and give input. On behalf of the BRC, The General had given his input to BRC leadership regarding the proposed questions/survey.

****************************************************************
BRC News Release on GAO Report – (GAO report is linked in the news release)
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?print=1&story=654

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Feb 2009 OHV Group Letter to GAO About Design Flaws
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Letter_To_GAO.pdf

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It was his impression that the new survey was filled with double-negative (i.e. have you stopped beating your wife type questions?) questions. This design flaw was pointed out to the GAO, but they refused to change the survey design.

Hence, we end up with yet another “OHV Report/Survey” that is strangely similar to previous Forest Service reports issues in 1985 and 1996. Rather then focus on the need for positive and pro-active management prescriptions or philosophies and cite those units with said tenets, the survey casts a wide net of double-negatives that ultimately results in the GAO making the same tired observations that land management agencies often have no time, no money, and no staff (and no desire in many cases) to manage OHV recreation.

The GAO report is government at its worse. The report is uninspiring and appears to leave the reader with the impression that if OHV recreation is to be sustainable and successful that programs must have good planning, deal with conflict resolution, and have adequate law enforcement. Sure those are key tenets to a successful program, but the report fails to capture the main ingredient to a quality OHV program – people that care.

It has been my observation over the last 20 years of recreation advocacy that if a unit has an agency OHV champion such as a recreation officer, district ranger, forest supervisor, OHV program manager, or area manager… that unit will have a good OHV program.

However, if the unit does not have an agency OHV champion… no amount of law enforcement, public meetings, or planning will substitute for that person’s commitment to have a good OHV program that both protects resources and provides a quality recreation experience.

Thanks to the managers who care. I salute you!

Take BRC Online Membership Survey

I know everyone is busy going to graduations, taking a vacation, trying to hang on to a job, or attending travel management meetings. With that being said, The General respectfully asks the troops to take ten minutes to fill out the BlueRibbon Coalition’s online survey.

Your participation will help BRC more sharply hone its access message and build a stronger member services program. Even though many things stay the same since BRC was founded in 1987, there are new challenges, venues, and issues that face the OHV community. Your participation in the survey will help BRC address those realities.

Also by taking the survey – you get a chance to win a new GPS.

Go to BRC online survey
http://www.sharetrails.org/survey-intro/


Thanks for your service!