Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Carl Gooch Wins New KTM 250
As many of you know, May 2009 was the KTM/FMF Protect Your Right to Ride Month. Members (or new members) of BRC and other land use groups had to show their membership card at a participating KTM dealership and they were given a chance to win a new KTM 250 XC-FW.
************************************
Photo at right is bike winner, Carl Gooch
************************************
Well – it was announced yesterday by KTM that Carl Gooch (a BRC and AMA member) from Olive Branch, Mississippi was the lucky winner. His local dealership was Shoals Outdoor Sports.
BRC News Release on Carl Winning the Bike
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=650
************************************
Photo at right is bike winner, Carl Gooch
************************************
Well – it was announced yesterday by KTM that Carl Gooch (a BRC and AMA member) from Olive Branch, Mississippi was the lucky winner. His local dealership was Shoals Outdoor Sports.
BRC News Release on Carl Winning the Bike
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=650
Examiner.com
Carl has been active over the last few years working with other BRC supporters in his area by hosting a fundraiser for BRC and working on access issues on the Holly Springs
National Forest.
Helmets off to Carl and all those who support our efforts to champion responsible OHV use on public lands.
The General salutes you!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Johnson Valley Update - New June 2009 Scoping Report
The General wanted to let the troops know that the USMC just issued their June 2009 Final Scoping Summary Report on the Proposed Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base Expansion Project.
See 24 Page June 2009 Report
http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/docs/scoping%20report/Scoping%20Summary%20Report%2029Palms%20SSR%2011%20June%2009.pdf
I believe this report substantiates the importance of riders submitting written comments during the public scoping period of the NEPA process. The General commends all of you who took time to fill out comment cards, send an email, sign a petition, or submit formal written comments that included substantive ideas and concepts/tenets to be included in the development of action alternatives.
As I continue to review this report, one thing stands out and that is on page 19 where it talks about developing alternatives. One key concept that BRC and others proposed was that if the NEPA process continues, that the Marines look at “co-use” with the public or “joint use” or “joint training” with other members of the military on nearby federal facilities such as Fort Irwin. The General has long advocated the critical importance of users submitting “citizen’s alternatives” during the scoping process. I believe the scoping report supports that foundational axiom.
January 2009 BRC Comment Letter with Alternative Proposals
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf
December 2008 BRC Comment Letter on BLM Withdrawal
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20Withdrawal%20Dec%2015%20Letter0001.pdf
A lot of political and economic "stuff " has occurred since this project was first day lighted to the public. The General believes that the final chapter on OHV use at Johnson Valley has not been written. Maybe it will be one of those books that are never finished?
See 24 Page June 2009 Report
http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/las/docs/scoping%20report/Scoping%20Summary%20Report%2029Palms%20SSR%2011%20June%2009.pdf
I believe this report substantiates the importance of riders submitting written comments during the public scoping period of the NEPA process. The General commends all of you who took time to fill out comment cards, send an email, sign a petition, or submit formal written comments that included substantive ideas and concepts/tenets to be included in the development of action alternatives.
As I continue to review this report, one thing stands out and that is on page 19 where it talks about developing alternatives. One key concept that BRC and others proposed was that if the NEPA process continues, that the Marines look at “co-use” with the public or “joint use” or “joint training” with other members of the military on nearby federal facilities such as Fort Irwin. The General has long advocated the critical importance of users submitting “citizen’s alternatives” during the scoping process. I believe the scoping report supports that foundational axiom.
January 2009 BRC Comment Letter with Alternative Proposals
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20DEIS%20Comment%20Letter%20Jan%2029%2020090001.pdf
December 2008 BRC Comment Letter on BLM Withdrawal
http://www.delalbright.com/Access/Johnson%20Valley%20BRC%20Withdrawal%20Dec%2015%20Letter0001.pdf
A lot of political and economic "stuff " has occurred since this project was first day lighted to the public. The General believes that the final chapter on OHV use at Johnson Valley has not been written. Maybe it will be one of those books that are never finished?
Friday, June 19, 2009
Sound Off About Riding Quiet
As you know, The General is …”The Quiet Warrior” and for many years has been on the forefront of promoting a “quiet trail ethic” for those of us who ride off-road.
Some of you may have seen me helping sound tech at Enduros as part of the BRC/FMF Sound Testing Program for OHVs or read some of my articles about how riding loud motorcycles (street or dirt) can impact our access to public lands.
As the sound saga continues, one pretty cool recent development is the creation of the SOUND OFF website. This will be a place where riders can go to find out about riding quiet and to get info about sound issues and other land-use topics.
I would encourage you to check it out and sign up to receive email alerts, etc.
SOUND OFF WEBSITE
http://www.soundoffmc.com/
One example of cool info is the instructional video on how to repack a 4-stroke muffler
http://www.soundoffmc.com/howToRideQuiet.php
Check it out and remember to ride at or below 96dBA while operating an OHV on public lands.
The Quiet Warrior
Some of you may have seen me helping sound tech at Enduros as part of the BRC/FMF Sound Testing Program for OHVs or read some of my articles about how riding loud motorcycles (street or dirt) can impact our access to public lands.
As the sound saga continues, one pretty cool recent development is the creation of the SOUND OFF website. This will be a place where riders can go to find out about riding quiet and to get info about sound issues and other land-use topics.
I would encourage you to check it out and sign up to receive email alerts, etc.
SOUND OFF WEBSITE
http://www.soundoffmc.com/
One example of cool info is the instructional video on how to repack a 4-stroke muffler
http://www.soundoffmc.com/howToRideQuiet.php
Check it out and remember to ride at or below 96dBA while operating an OHV on public lands.
The Quiet Warrior
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Did Obama Make Right Choice in Nomination of Abbey for BLM Post
Is Obama’s nomination of Bob Abbey a good thing for OHV recreation or a harbinger of bad things to come regarding recreational access to public lands?
PEER website listing Abbey as a spokesman:
http://www.peer.org/campaigns/publiclands/orv/rangers.php
PEER website listing Abbey as a spokesman:
http://www.peer.org/campaigns/publiclands/orv/rangers.php
***********************************************
BRC's Don Amador riding on trails in the Pine Nut Mtns.,
a BLM recreation area in NV near Carson City
**********************************************
The BlueRibbon Coalition issued a news release today that states a concern about which Abbey will run the BLM. Will it be the pro-multiple use Abbey that worked with all sides of the environmental equation while he was the Nevada State Director of BLM?
BRC News Release today:
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=649
Or, will it be the Abbey who joined the anti-access cabal of PEER/CBD/Rangers for Responsible Recreation – a closure-oriented trifecta that opposed the new CA OHV Program in 2007.
See BRC article on that Trifecta:
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=574
The General believes that Congress should try and find out which Abbey will be running the BLM. It is my hope that the old Abbey from his days as a fair and balanced state director will be in charge of managing our public lands.
The BlueRibbon Coalition issued a news release today that states a concern about which Abbey will run the BLM. Will it be the pro-multiple use Abbey that worked with all sides of the environmental equation while he was the Nevada State Director of BLM?
BRC News Release today:
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=649
Or, will it be the Abbey who joined the anti-access cabal of PEER/CBD/Rangers for Responsible Recreation – a closure-oriented trifecta that opposed the new CA OHV Program in 2007.
See BRC article on that Trifecta:
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/media/?story=574
The General believes that Congress should try and find out which Abbey will be running the BLM. It is my hope that the old Abbey from his days as a fair and balanced state director will be in charge of managing our public lands.
# # #
Monday, June 15, 2009
Victory in CA OHV Budget Battle
The General wants to thank all the troops who contacted their legislators today regarding the potential attack on the OHV trust fund. I heard from club members throughout the state who faxed or called their legislators about protecting the OHV program. Some of those clubs who let The General know they had sent letters include, but are not limited to, the FWMC, MCMA, BARF, CERA, D36, CAL4WD, DVMC, EOMBs, etc.
I believe the professionalism and volume of your letters helped make the difference. Although the battle is not completely over, it looks at this time that the OHMVR program will remain whole.
The General watched the conference committee debate the issue (item #3790) on a live video feed. It appears the conference committee decided not to move OHV money to offset park costs. Instead, it has been proposed that there be a $15 increase to the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA) which, unlike the Vehicle License fee - a personal property tax - is an actual fee. Ultimately, if it is dropped into a trailer bill it will only require a majority vote.
The General salutes all of you who took the time to make your voices heard today.
# # #
I believe the professionalism and volume of your letters helped make the difference. Although the battle is not completely over, it looks at this time that the OHMVR program will remain whole.
The General watched the conference committee debate the issue (item #3790) on a live video feed. It appears the conference committee decided not to move OHV money to offset park costs. Instead, it has been proposed that there be a $15 increase to the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA) which, unlike the Vehicle License fee - a personal property tax - is an actual fee. Ultimately, if it is dropped into a trailer bill it will only require a majority vote.
The General salutes all of you who took the time to make your voices heard today.
# # #
CODE RED/BROKEN ARROW ACTION ALERT - CA OHV Program at Risk
Broken Arrow – Broken Arrow – I repeat this is a Broken Arrow/Code Red action alert. The CA Senate/Assembly Budget Conference Committee is meeting today and tomorrow in which the fate of the OHV program could be decided.
As you know, the legislature already “borrowed” $90 million dollars from the OHV Trust Fund. Now, they could decide to send more money to non-OHV parks, move OHV into regular state parks, or gut the entire program.
It is up to you to make sure your voice is heard. The General has already faxed in letters to the committee chairs and his local state representative using BRC’s Action Alert posted this am:
BRC ACTION ALERT
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1036
In there you will find a sample letter and also a link to find your state representative’s fax number.
Do it today! Don’t let them steal our program.
Thanks for your service.
The General
As you know, the legislature already “borrowed” $90 million dollars from the OHV Trust Fund. Now, they could decide to send more money to non-OHV parks, move OHV into regular state parks, or gut the entire program.
It is up to you to make sure your voice is heard. The General has already faxed in letters to the committee chairs and his local state representative using BRC’s Action Alert posted this am:
BRC ACTION ALERT
http://www.sharetrails.org/alerts/?alert=1036
In there you will find a sample letter and also a link to find your state representative’s fax number.
Do it today! Don’t let them steal our program.
Thanks for your service.
The General
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
