"DOUG WAS ONE OF US" - POST MEMORIAL REFECTIONS ON DOUG LAMALFA

 

“DOUG WAS ONE OF US” - POST MEMORIAL REFLECTIONS ON DOUG LAMALFA (with video link)

By Don Amador

January 25, 2026

 

In politics and in life, the greatness of a man is not measured by their lofty speeches or self-praise but rather by actions they take and how they treat others.  I had the honor yesterday to attend the Celebration of Life for Congressman Doug LaMalfa who was taken suddenly and unexpectedly from his family, friends, and constituents on January 6, 2026 at the young age of 65.

 

LIVESTREAM OF SERVICE – *You will want to watch the entire service

https://youtu.be/8ZP_1rNWwkM?si=aGIXLEb19ZhV7ZZp

 

CLOSING VIDEO CLIP OF HONOR GUARD

https://youtube.com/shorts/oTSj1vNud7s?si=tT_Uw_0VSwvYq2yC

 

It was truly one of the most inspirational memorial services I have ever attended.  There was a distinguished list of teachers, former staffers, and a bipartisan congressional delegation (including House Speaker Mike Johnson) that traveled from Washington D.C. on Air Force 2 so they could attend and/or give testimony at the service.  Governor Newsom and other state and federal legislators, various law enforcement agencies, and the Forest Service were there too.

 

You will be moved by all of the speakers who share their memories ranging from poignant stories to lighthearted moments that highlight Doug being a genuine Giant of a Man who wanted you as a friend regardless of your political party or station in life.  Doug was indeed a Servant Leader.

 

PS- Thanks to all the law enforcement staff who provided a reassuring high level of security for the service.

 

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If you would like a PDF copy of the service brochure, please send a request to – damador@cwo.com

 

 

 

ACTION ALERT - CHAMPION OHV AT OCEANO DUNES - SEND COMMENT LETTERS DUE JAN. 23

Don Amador - Oceano Dunes SVRA
 

ACTION ALERT – SUPPORT OCEANO DUNES SVRA HCP

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE JANUARY 23, 2026

 

QWR is requesting those OHV enthusiasts and their families/friends that ride (or would like to ride) at Oceano Dunes SVRA to send separate comment letters of support for the CA State Parks Draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and their application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to obtain an Incidental Take Permit (ITP).   Public comments to CA State Parks and FWS are both due by January 23, 2026.

 

Over the last 16 years, QWR has made numerous trips to Oceano to attend meetings, give testimony at hearings, participate in field trips, and even ride for fun.  QWR is very acquainted with management prescriptions at the SVRA and commends the Parks planning team for developing a Draft HCP and ITP application that is focused on using proactive “Avoidance and Minimization” management practices vs. permanent closures to motorized recreation.

 

QWR is urging you to take just a few minutes to send in a short albeit important comment letter to both agencies.  Be sure to include some of your background info before stating your support for the Draft HCP and ITP application.  If you have time, be sure and read the HCP and ITP Application documents at the links below.

 

CDPR OCEANO DUNES DRAFT HCP DOCUMENTS

https://www.oceanoduneshcp.com/

 

FWS APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R8-ES-2025-0143-0001/comment

 

 SEE ACTION ITEMS BELOW

 

#1 - LETTER TO PARKS - State your support for the Draft HCP is due to the agency’s focus on proactive or adaptive management prescriptions that are based on an avoidance and minimization strategy vs. permanent closures to OHV recreation.  

 

Please send your comments to comment@oceanoduneshcp.com

 

 

#2 -  LETTER FWS – State your support for issuance of an ITP in the Proposed Action Alternative 2 that is based on mitigation for unavoidable take accomplished through the SVRA’s existing conservation program and meeting the biological goals and objectives outlined in the HCP.  File comments online via link –   https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R8-ES-2025-0143-0001/comment

 

Your comments will help preserve and protect important natural resources, wildlife habitat, and continued OHV access to the dunes for current and future generations.

 

Thanks in advance for taking time to send in these two important public comments!

 

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QWR - OHV POKER RUN HIGHLIGHTS PROACTIVE RECREATION STRATEGY

Don Amador on Poker Run Course Rest Stop

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area - Redding Field Office 

OHV POKER RUN HIGHLIGHTS PROACTIVE STRATEGY

 

After last year’s blistering pace of new recreation-related politics, policy, and planning, QWR thought it wise to kick-off 2026 by driving our Teryx 800 SxS at the Redding Dirt Riders (RDR) annual “New Years’ Day” Poker Run held at the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area near Redding, CA.

One of the event’s “X Factors” is always the weather that can range from 70 degrees and sunny to freezing blizzards.  Per usual, the weather question was answered this year as nature greeted OHV enthusiasts at higher elevations with an obscuring mix of rain and fog that kept riders and drivers on their toes.

 

This popular and super fun event also highlights how an off-road motorcycle OHV club recalibrated some of their events over the last 10-15 years to serve new and/or experienced trail recreationists who have purchased SxSs or UTVs to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends.

 

Another variable that has made said evolution possible is how the BLM’s Redding Field Office embraced the concept of “adaptive management” of the trail network to enhance and improve sustainable recreation opportunities for SxSs as a way to address increased demand for this new vehicle type to complement historic use of the unit by dirt-bikes, ATVs, and 4WDs.

Don Amador, QWR President, states, “This event is a shining example of how proactive recreation groups and land agencies have worked in a collaborative manner over the last several decades to provide access to high quality OHV recreation for a very diverse group of trail enthusiasts.”  

 

The California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s Grant Program is another key part of that equation since it helps fund a lot of those dynamic planning efforts and projects that make the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area one of the crowned-jewels in the BLM’s national network of destination motorized recreation sites.

 

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