Breaking OHV News Update - CA Stays in RTP and FS Issues New Recreation Visitor Report

CA RTP

According to the September 6, 2013 edition of Federal Parks and Recreation, the States of California, Maine and Kansas - at one time questionable participants in the fiscal year 2014 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) - all enrolled this week.  The 2014 program actually begins October 1.  Only Florida opted out.

 

Earlier this year, the State of California stated it would opt out of the $85 million per year program.  Those monies are generated by off-road federal fuel taxes.  HQ believes that a large grassroots effort helped persuade state officials to change their minds and stay in the program.

 
NEW FS VISITOR REPORT

The Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Forest Service are released a report that highlights the growing number of visitors to the national forests.   The report (FY 2008-2012) stated that approximately 161 million users visited agency lands.  That number is up slightly from the 159 million visitors in FY-2007-2011.

New U.S. Forest Service Visitor Report

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/nvum/2012%20National_Summary_Report_061413.pdf

The report stated that visitors who live more than 50 miles from the forest account for the bulk of these contributions and they spend about $5 billion annually.  The forest visitor spending contributes about $13 billion to U.S economy.

 

Motorized users were cast into three categories: OHV use, motorized trail activity, and driving for pleasure.  HQ believes this report shows that motorized recreation or motorized access to non-motorized activities continues to be important elements of the recreation opportunity spectrum on federal lands.

 

HQ believes that an increasing number of those 300 million visitors “driving for pleasure” in or near forest lands includes adventure bike enthusiasts.

FLREA - Use Fees

Currently the Forest Service and BLM can charge fees under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA).   

 

With FLREA scheduled to expire on Dec. 8, 2014, the House subcommittee on Interior appropriations voted on July 23 to approve a one-year extension.  The extension would run through Dec. 8, 2015.

 

This will be a very busy two months for OHV professionals as Congress votes on trail-related appropriations, holds hearings on proposed OHV bills, and hopefully approves several OHV-related bills that are before them including H.R. 1776, the Clear Creek National Recreation Area Act and Congressman Cook’s Johnson Valley National OHV Recreation Area Act.

 

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Take Time to Enjoy Family OHV Recreation

Ellen Amador on her Yamaha TTR225 on Auk Auk Ridge

 

While Congress is still on their August recess, I wanted to take a short break from the land-use battles to share a lighter moment regarding family-oriented OHV recreation.   Here at the HQ, we spend a lot of time out with clubs, user groups, and agency folks working on access and recreation issues.  We don’t often highlight the fun aspects of our sport and how it can provide for some great family time.

 

Earlier this summer, I took my wife, Ellen, out for a camp trip on the Mendocino NF to tour the trails impacted by the 2012 Mill Fire and to also ride on some of our old favorite routes.

 

Ellen had not been on a trail bike for a number of years and it was great to see her out having fun and riding her bike.

 

Please enjoy this short video of Ellen on 18N03 about 2 miles south of where 18N03 intersects with M3.

 

Video of Ellen on Her TTR225

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucr4IQm0SVo&feature=youtu.be

 

Have a great rest of the summer and here is to a great riding season!  See you on the trail.

 

Don

Join the BFGoodrich Family - May the FORCE Be with You on the Trail

Cool Contents of BFG Force Welcome Trail Bag

 

 

While Congress is still out for their summer recess, HQ wanted to share some fun stuff with you before the legislators come back to D.C.

 

As many of you know, the folks at BFGoodrich are big supporters of OHV access efforts to help keep trails open and to promote responsible use of public lands.

 

BFG Tire FORCE is a new forum where OHV enthusiasts can keep up to speed on how us motorized users are "playing" on public lands.

 

HQ is encouraging riders to join BFG Force Family and join in on the conversation.  To join the Force and set up your profile, go to: www.bfgoodrichtiresforce.com

 

May the Trail FORCE be with you!

 

 

 

 

Off-Road Hall of Fame Offers New Club Member Program - Very Cool

The Recreation HQ was up at the 2013 Sierra Trek this past week.  While running the BRC booth on vendor row, I had a chance to visit with Shelby Hall from the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.

 

Many great off-road legends have been inducted in the Hall.   In 2006, I had the privilege to attend the 2006 ceremony where BRC’s Clark Collins (I accepted the award on behalf of Clark Collins) was inducted along with Sal Fish, Bob Ham, Corky McMillin, and Ivan Stewart.

Shelby told me the Hall is working hard on better outreach to the OHV community.  One of their new programs is the Club Affiliation membership for $100/annually.  Shelby said that any OHV-related club (e.g. motorcycle, SxS, ATV, 4x4, etc.) is eligible for this program.  HQ believes this is a great way to try and engage clubs in honoring our off-road heroes.

Shelby’s contact info is below for any questions you may have.

 

Shelby Hall

Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame

Find us on Facebook

www.ormhof.org

775.815.4892

 

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Early Report on QWR/BRC 2013 Summer Northcoast Redwood Access Tour

Del Norte County BOS Building

 

Although HQ is officially closed until Monday, we wanted to get a short story out for weekend readers who want to know how the 2013 Summer Northcoast Redwood Access Tour turned out.  In simple words, it was a huge success.  



NPS/State Park HQ in Orick

 

HQ will go into more details next week, but we attended a number of meetings and/or tours with county officials, users, and agency staff to discuss and review a wide range of state and federal OHV recreation-related issues.

The Land Use Battle Wagon at the Largest (or one of the largest flags) Flag in CA

"Wes Greene's Tractor Service in Arcata"

 

At the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors video link below (44:24 to 52:12) you will find BRC’s, Don Amador, giving public comment to the officials on the following subjects: noting board’s history of fighting for access, non-highway designations for county roads, asking FS to revisit 1999 project level NEPA decision to close 40 miles of routes in High Plateau, county RS2477 filing/request, restoring green-sticker vehicle access at Tolowa Dunes State Park,  potential for a county ATV park, ask county to review its standing/statute of limitations regarding the biology scandal involving Mad River Biologists, and listing the Last Chance Grade Bypass plan as an emergency.

 

Video Link (if you have trouble with Internet Explorer… try launching video in Google Chrome)

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/36301919

 

Popular OHV Route on Smith River NRA

 

 

Thanks to all who helped support this tour.  Watch for more tour-related stories in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties.

 

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HQ on QWR/BRC 2013 Summer North Coast Redwoods Access Tour July 20-26

Don Amador and the Recreation HQ will be out of the office and in the field (July 20-26) on our 2013 Summer North Coast Redwoods Access Tour.  We will be addressing OHV access issues in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and will be meeting with local motorcycle and 4x4 clubs, elected county officials, state and federal land managers, and other stakeholders.

 

There continues to be a lot of OHV access concerns related to the Six Rivers National Forest, Smith River National Recreation Area, Clam Beach, and Tolowa Dunes State Park.

 

Thanks to all the sponsors who are making this trip possible.   If you would like to donate to this tour to help defray the costs of diesel and other travel expenses, you can make a donation at:

 

QWR Donation Site for North Coast Tour

http://www.quietwarriorracing.com/Sponsorships.html

 

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing many of you up on the north coast next week.

 

East Bay Park District Votes to Continue Effort to Ban OHV Recreation on Tesla Property

View of Central Valley from Carnegie SVRA

 

In one of the most stunning actions that I have ever seen taken by a land management agency, the East Bay Regional Park District Board cast a “here is a poke in your eye” vote to continue their efforts to ban OHV recreation on the Tesla property at Carnegie SVRA.  

 

I attended the District board meeting yesterday where they voted to approve the new Master Plan that includes a map of the Tesla property identified as a future acquisition.   Even though District staff has said they really don’t want the Tesla property for non-motorized use, they continue to stand – like children - in front of the candy store lusting for the forbidden fruit.

 

BRC News Release with info on District Vote, News Articles, BRC 2012 Comment Letter

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2013/07/17/bay-area-park-board-votes-block-motorized-recreation-ohv-park

 

The brazen vote cast by the District will most certainly poison-the-well of any good will that may have existed in the OHV community in efforts to work in a cooperative manner with the agency.

 

Here is link to some of the Tesla fight in 2012 (good reading and history)

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/09/tesla-continues-to-be-hot-issue-at.html
 

The fight for Tesla continues.

Please consider a donation if you want BRC to be there for you in these tough access fights.

JOIN AND/OR DONATE HERE

https://www.sharetrails.org/support/join-or-contribute

 

Thanks,

Don