OHV Groups Say Closure of Johnson Valley is Bad Idea

After reading an excellent Feb. 24 article on Offroadweb.com about the proposed Marine Corps takeover of the popular Johnson Valley OHV area, The General was struck by the rather arrogant tone of Marine Corps spokespersons who basically stated that the OHV community had to make their case to the Marine Corps regarding the recreational and economic importance/value of Johnson Valley.

As stated in the Oct. 2008 OHV Coalition letter against the proposed expansion of the Marine Corps base into Johnson Valley, the coalition wants the Marine Corps to justify the need for expansion. In the many public meetings and associated documents, the Marine Corps has used circular logic and vagaries in an attempt to justify the expansion.

In this day of economic crisis, The General agrees with the BRC Jan. 26, 2009 letter that basically opposes the expansion. However, if the planning process goes forward, the Marines must have alternatives that include using nearby military lands for joint/integrated operations and training instead of taking the Johnson Valley OHV Area for segregated exercises.

Also, both Congress and the Department of Interior have yet to approve the land withdrawal. During this economic crisis, the public should ask Congress if this Donald Rumsfeld-era land withdrawal makes sense.

In the DOD section of the 2010 President’s Budget, there does not appear to be a great
deal of support for massive base expansion, but rather improving the military facilities that already exist.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Defense.pdf


Feb. 11, 2009 – SEMA Fights Back on Johnson Valley Closure
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2009/163_news090211_sema_johnson_valley_ohv_area/index.html


Feb. 24, 2009 - Off-roadweb.com Article
http://www.off-roadweb.com/features/0904or_dispute_over_johnson_valley/index.html


Oct. 2008 OHV Coalition Letter
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20OHV%20Group%20letter%20Oct%2020080001.pdf


Dec. 2008 BRC Letter to BLM on the Withdrawal
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20Withdrawal%20Dec%2015%20Letter0001.pdf


Jan. 2009 BRC Letter to the Marine Corps DEIS
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf


The General’s concern about the withdrawal of Johnson Valley should not be taken as a lack of support for our military. Rather, it should be looked upon as a member of the public holding a government agency accountable. With billions of dollars being tossed around like lettuce on a dinner salad, private citizens and user groups will have to watch government spending and keep an eye open for things like a $10,000 hammer, a $20,000 toilet seat, or an unwarranted land withdrawal.

# # #

Headwaters Forest - Good Idea or Raw Deal

When visiting with a reporter from the North Coast Journal the other day regarding a retrospective article on establishment of the Headwaters Forest Reserve (circa 1999) near Eureka, California, I remembered BRC’s strong advocacy for non-motorized recreational opportunity in that project.

BRC participated in the NEPA process and also filed a protest/appeal
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?print=1&story=237

BRC Protest
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=236

As a native of the Eureka area in Northern California, the battle for recreational access on behalf of the equestrian and mountain-bike community was more than a professional duty -- it was a personal obligation.

In the following article from today, BRC’s Beaches and Trails Certified Volunteer, Dennis Mayo talks about how the non-motorized recreation community got a raw deal.

North Coast Journal Article
http://www.northcoastjournal.com/issues/2009/02/26/headwaters-forest-at-10/

Quote from Dennis Mayo in article

"We got screwed," said Dennis Mayo of McKinleyville. "We were told, oh, come on, join in and play in the fun. We were told that we were going to get horseback riding, we were going to get all this stuff to help with ecotourism. I don't think a trail for somebody to walk on and one damn bicycle riding trail is recreation. It certainly doesn't meet the needs of the horseback riding community. We got zero."

Were there false promises made to the recreation community during the creation of the Headwaters Forest Reserve? I believe so. Did BRC work hard on behalf of the non-motorized community? Yes it did.

I guess the lesson to be learned from the “Headwaters” experience is that the recreation community must be wary of similar promises made in new Wilderness proposals and other land classification projects. The public does not have to be “kicked out” when lands are “preserved.” Buyer beware is an appropriate motto to remember.

Were there any positive developments during the Headwaters battle? You bet! Dennis Mayo who was a strong advocate for equestrian access had his eyes opened and is now a certified volunteer for the BlueRibbon Coalition. He now advocates for responsible multiple-use access for ALL users.

Since the Headwaters decision, the BLM has worked hard to preserve OHV recreation at the Samoa Dunes and for touring OHV use on the Humboldt Bay’s South Spit.

Samoa Dunes Recreation Area
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/samoa.html

“If land-use history is forgotten… it will repeat itself. The recreation community must never forget.”
--The General--

# # #

New GAO OHV Survey - Garbage In/Garbage Out

Have you ever been asked a question that was designed to cast a
poor light on your character regardless of how you answered the question?

If the answer is yes, then you now understand the concern expressed by the BlueRibbon Coalition in a news release from yesterday.

As the release states, there is a new national OHV “survey” from the Government
Accountability Office that has been sent to one federal official
on each Forest or BLM Field Office. The General is familiar with the tone
and direction of the survey and shares BRC’s concerns about the survey’s
“Have you quit kicking your dog?” type questions. Any survey built upon
that foundation will be invalid and useless, unless, the survey was designed
to give political ammo to the anti-OHV crowd.

If this survey has actually gone out, The General urges the selected government agent
on each Forest or BLM Field Office to communicate with the GS5/7/9s that are in the field. They often have the best working knowledge of how OHV recreation is being managed on that unit.

Even though the survey does not ask for examples of successfully managed OHV programs, The General would urge the land manager to include that information somehow into the survey or better yet – Send the survey back and ask the GAO for a more balanced project.

There is an old saying…”Garbage in – Garbage out.” In the case of the GAO OHV survey, I think we all need to be ready to help Congress take out the trash?

BRC News Release on GAO Survey
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=634

OHV Group Letter
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Letter_To_GAO.pdf

News Article on the Survey
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/pending-gao-study-on-off-highway-vehicles-fatally-flawed,706450.shtml


Thanks for your service!

# # #

CPSC Hollow Promise?

The General talked with CPSC spokesperson Sonia Hayes-Pleasant today regarding recent reports in some media stories that the CPSC was going to address the ban on youth OHVs in a “few” weeks.

As more local motorcycle shop owners cry foul and motocross/trail-bike moms voice their strong objections to the “ban,” the General agrees with his good friends at the AMA, BRC, ARRA, MIC, SVIA, ORBA -- Keep the pressure on the CPSC by sending letters, making phone calls, AND take a dealer to the local office of your own Member of Congress!!! Be sure and let The General know what your representative said.

See “Kid Chewing on Dirt Bikes?” Article from Today
http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-cpsia-motorcycles-lead-law-22309,0,6451441.story

BRC Alert

http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=633

________________________________________________________
See AMA National Action Alert from Today

Add Your Voice to the Fight Against the Ban on Youth Motorcycles and ATVs!

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) continues to ask all riders to protest the recent ban on certain youth motorcycles and ATVs by contacting their Members of Congress

On Feb. 10, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) effectively outlawed the sale of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) intended for youth riders 12-years-old and under. Since that time efforts by the AMA, its sister organization the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty Vehicle Industry Association, the Blue Ribbon Coalition, the Off-Road Business Association and others have spurred an outpouring of letters and phone calls to the CPSC and federal legislators.

AMA and ATVA members, racers, riders and fans across the country have responded strongly to the collective calls for action so far, but our work is not over. The current ban on the sale of youth motorcycles and ATVs still threatens the very future of off-highway recreation in America.

Members of Congress and the Chairmen of the CPSC must continue to hear from everyone in the motorcycling community if we are to reverse this ban. You can quickly read more about the issue and gain some useful tools by clicking here.

To send a message to your Senators and Representatives, please click here.
-- End of Alert --

________________________________________________________________
Being familiar with government “bureaucrat speak” – the promise to address our issue in a few weeks could be nothing more than a hollow statement meant to “get the heat” off the agency while it is in the rulemaking process (this often takes up to two years). The General
hopes the agency is sincere about finding a solution.

In addition, The General is awaiting a call from the CPSC’s Executive Director – Patsy Semple – to explain why the agency cannot cut some red tape and provide immediate relief on this issue.

Stay tuned as the national off-road community's temperature continues to rise on this issue. See previous blogs for more information. Keep up the pressure!!!

Thanks for helping Save the Cs

On January 25, The General asked you to send in letters of support to the Governor asking him to continue funding the California Conservation Corps. You answered that call!

The off-road community’s support did not go unnoticed by the media (see NYT article below). The General commends his readers for supporting a public lands partner that not only helps build and maintain OHV trails on FS and BLM lands, but performs important work on Wilderness (non-motorized) trails as well.

(Trail I am riding on in the picture to the right is maintained by the Cs)

Here was the Save The Cs’ Website
http://www.save-the-ccc.org/


NYT Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/us/08corps.html?ref=us

“Plans to terminate the program have united an eclectic group of advocates, including those who benefit from the corps’ work, like off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, firefighters and sport fishermen. They are writing to the governor to urge that the program not be eliminated.”

Cutting the Cs just did not make sense at a time when President Obama was planning to include trail projects in the Stimulus Bill and Region 5 was gearing up its Trees and Trails concept.

Here is the Feb 23 Thank You note I got from CCC advocate Paul Carillo
_____________________________________________________________-
Dear Don,

Last Friday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an historic budget package to solve California's $42 billion deficit and move California forward from the brink of financial collapse.

I am extremely pleased to report that funding for the CCC is restored by this budget through this fiscal year and next.

In a message to CCC staff and corpsmembers, CCC Director, David Muraki said, "We are thankful that the Governor, in the final analysis, decided to support the CCC during these tough and uncertain times.

Threatened with elimination just 50 days ago and in the midst of the worst budget crisis and worst economic downturn in generations, the CCC stands here today having not just turned around an elimination proposal, but, stronger, more unified, more energized than ever before, and ready to tackle the new challenges before us."

The Save-the-CCC Committee would like to thank Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Steinberg, Senator Dave Cogdill, Assemblymember Karen Bass and Assemblymember Michael Villines for their recognition for the CCC's value to the state and to the youth it serves by restoring the CCC.

The committee would also like to express it's gratitude to Attorney General Gerry Brown and Former Governors George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson, and Gray Davis for taking a historic step in their joint support of our nation's flagship conservation corps program.

We want to acknowledge the CCC Foundation whose quick action and effective press releases were the catalyst for this amazing grass roots effort. The local corps also played an important role in rejecting any proposal that did not benefit all corps.

We especially want to thank -- everyone who sent a letter, fax, signed a petition, made a phone call or legislative visit on behalf of the CCC -- the many environmental and youth service organizations, who signed on to help -- the green jobs advocates and leaders throughout the country who defended the CCC as a standard bearer of the field and what the field is poised to become -- the grassroots leaders and many unsung champions, who started petition sites, organized rallies, and generated waves of community support. It was each of these individual actions that, together, created the groundswell that turned the tide.

Throughout this period of uncertainty for the CCC has continued to focus on its mission as it has since 1976. We wish the CCC continued success for generations to come.

Sincerely Yours,

Paul Carrillo, Chair
and Committee members:
Martha Diepenbrock, Patrick Couch, Bruce Saito, Mel Kreb, Walt Hughes, Lin McNamara, Betty Harris, Joe Griffin, John Griffiths and special thanks to former CCC Director Bud Sheble.
_________________________________________________________________

The General again thanks you for taking time to help save one of our trail partners from the budget axe.

# # #

Man-Up CPSC

The General has been following this issue since January 26 and has been asking the troops to send letters, make phone calls, and visit the local office of your Member of Congress.

Some people say that “one person cannot make a difference.” I disagree with that statement since I have seen “one person” make a huge difference to effect positive change. However, you can be assured that when hundreds of thousands of businessmen, riders, motocross moms, and proud dads cry foul and make their voices heard in DC (and in the media) that entrenched bureaucrats do listen and can be encouraged to make a better decision or to rethink a current stance.

Up until just a few days ago, it was The General’s impression that the CPSC was going
to stiff-arm the OHV community and make us wait for the 2-3 year rulemaking process
to finish before issuing a variance for youth OHVs. However, based on the quotes below from a recent news article, the CPSC now appears willing to find a solution in a “few weeks” rather than in months or years.

Below are quotes from a CPSC spokesperson in a Feb. 22 news article:
http://www.fwdailynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1596:-New-federal-lead-law-puts-the-brakes-on-kids%E2%80%99-powersports&catid=174:features&Itemid=151

…“We are in receipt of the (powersports) petition, but we are not able to grant an exemption at this time because of the way the CSPC operates,” Hayes-Pleasant said. “We are working on it, though, and plan to provide some guidance in the very near future. We do realize that (children) are not directly mouthing these parts (on youth powersports vehicles). The last thing we want to do is take ATVs away from young riders.”

The “guidance” will take a few weeks, “not months,” Hayes-Pleasant said. However, she could not say whether that guidance will come in time for the national Motocross competitions next month. In the meantime the CSPC is advising powersports suppliers and sellers to move and store the affected equipment in an area away from children, but not to get rid of it before the commission comes up with the new guidance…

My final thought for today is that a common thread is running through feedback from the CPSC -- they appear to blame Congress for writing a bad law. While there may be some merit to that concept, the CPSC should “man up” and confess THEY did a darn poor job in issuing the appropriate interim exemptions while the rulemaking process is underway so the powersports industry and OHV recreationists are not hurt or put out of business. If the CPSC really wants to

do the right thing, they won't wait for a few weeks --they will grant a stay on Monday Feb. 23.

KEEP SENDING LETTERS AND MAKE THOSE VISITS TO YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS – This is no time to let up!!!

Grassroots Push Back Against CPSC OHV Ban Continues to Grow

The nationwide grassroots effort appears to be growing as more
riders, shop owners, and parents (i.e. voters) are sending letters
to the CPSC and Congress demanding action to reverse what is
a functional ban on youth OHVs for use by children under the age
of 12.

I have not seen such pushback from the public on any issue since
the Clinton/Gore Roadless Plan in the late 1990s.

Continue the pressure – keep sending letters and schedule a meeting with your own Member of Congress. Take a local OHV dealer with you and ask your representative for help.

Below is a news article today from WND with quotes or info
from BRC and ARRA.
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=89516

Here is an article from PA – CPSC hurts business (and kids)
http://www.standard-journal.com/articles/2009/02/21/news/doc499fa03f83d99854121444.txt

Feb. 19 BRC Letter to CPSC

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/BRC_Letter_to_CPSC_02.19.09_FINAL.pdf

Motorcycle-USA Video Interview with MIC on Lead Issue

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com:80/669/2590/Motorcycle-Article/Lead-Ban-Video-Explanation.aspx

Keep up the good work!