QWR NEWS RELEASE - MONUMENTAL DECISION IN NOR CAL BLM AREA

Don Amador on Designated OHV Trail

Berryessa National Monument- Mendocino NF

NEWS RELEASE

 CONTACT: Don Amador  @ damador@quietwarriorracing.com

 DATE: September 26, 2023

 MONUMENTAL DECISION IN NOR CAL BLM AREA

 I want to join the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, elected officials, and community leaders by also thanking Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning for visiting the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument expansion area which is to include Molok Luyuk - also known as Walker Ridge.

Interior Secretary, Sally Jewel, Talks with OHV and other Stakeholders

2016 Dedication of Berryessa National Monument

 

The field trip occurred on September 24 and also included a roundtable discussion between local stakeholders and Biden Administration officials about why this proposed expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is so important to the Tribe, conservation groups, and the recreation community.

 

The plan would recognize and protect important cultural resources that are sacred to the Tribe and improve access to managed recreation opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized outdoor activities.  

 

Currently there is a significant amount of illegal and unauthorized use of non-street legal “Green Sticker” OHVs within the expansion area and adjacent federal and private lands since the BLM did not undertake travel planning in that area during the 2006 Resource Management Planning effort due to lack of agency resources.

CA State Park OHMVR Division Booth

2016 Dedication of Berryessa National Monument

I believe the expansion is critical to helping restart the stalled 2021 BLM Travel Management Planning Process for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument since it will help bring said lands under one management umbrella.  A designated system of legal roads and trails will help reduce impacts from illegal activities to important cultural and natural resources as well as making the routes eligible for CA State Park “Green Sticker” grant funds that can be used for trail planning/construction, restoration of damaged areas, and law enforcement.

 

LINK TO TULEYOME NEWS RELEASE ON TOUR WITH DOI AND BLM LEADS *Amador and other quotes

https://tuleyome.nationbuilder.com/interior_secretary_blm_director_visit_proposed_berryessa_snow_mountain_national_monument_expansion

 

 

As an OHV leader who has a long-term commitment to the collaborative process that brings land agency leaders, Tribes, conservation groups, local government, other stakeholders, and the trail-based recreation community together with a common goal of both protecting natural and cultural resources and providing a high-quality outdoor experience, I believe this proposal highlights what can happen with diverse interest groups find common ground on land management issues.

Trail in the Proposed Addition Area

 

Just as many OHV interests attended the 2016 dedication of the Berryessa National Monument because of the outreach and partnership between the conservation and OHV community on that effort, I think this addition merits that same level of support by trail riders, dual sport/ADV enthusiasts, and 4WD clubs.

 

# # #

 

Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management profession for over 33 years. Don writes from his home in Cottonwood, CA.  Don is President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting. Don is Past President/CEO and current board member of the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance. Don served as a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition from 1996 until June, 2018. Don served on the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission from 1994-2000. He has won numerous awards including being a 2016 Inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and the 2018 Friend of the AMA Award. Don served as the government affairs lead for AMA District 36 in Northern California from 2019 – 2023. Don is a Core-Team member on FireScape Mendocino.  Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLM LAUNCHES OFFICIAL 30-DAY COMMENT PERIOD FOR BERRYESSA MONUMENT TRAVEL PLAN

BLM Knoxville OHV Area

Included in this Monument Travel Planning Process

                      BLM LAUNCHES OFFICIAL COMMENT PERIOD FOR BERRYESSA MONUMENT TRAVEL PLAN

OVERVIEW – Earlier this year, many of you participated in several  pre-scoping “listening” meetings with the Monument planning team where you offered ideas on how to improve legal riding opportunities for OHVs in popular areas such as Knoxville and Indian Valley where historic motorized use has occurred for decades. 

 LINK TO MAP OF OPEN AND CLOSED OHV ROUTES

https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2014711/200490393/20042361/250048554/BSMNM%20Route%20Inventory.pdf

 

As you can see, the current route inventory map does not show many routes open for OHV use even in historic riding areas.  Now it is time for you to resubmit your previous or updated comments about what routes should be open and other ways to enhance sustainable OHV recreation in the planning area.  It is also important to register to attend the BLM’s virtual meeting on July 21 (see news release below) and submit comments before this scoping period ends on August 16.

 

It is critically important for you to weigh in on this project with both general and specific comments.  I hope to see many of you at the meeting on July 21.  Thanks for your time and efforts on this planning process!  The BLM News Release below has more details.

 

 

          SUBMIT YOUR PUBLIC SCOPING COMMENTS ON TRAILS AND TRAVEL

       MANAGEMENT FOR BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT

 

UKIAH, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ukiah Field Office invites public comment on travel management planning for trails and roads within the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument on BLM-managed public lands. BLM will host a virtual public meeting, via Zoom, on Wednesday, July 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., part of a 30-day public scoping period, which ends Aug. 16.

 

This scoping period provides an open process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and builds upon public input received during two previous workshops held to identify existing trails and roads, determine appropriate uses and ways to improve the trail network. Public input helps the BLM develop a range of alternatives to improve the recreational experience, while protecting natural and cultural resources.

 

Participants must register for the Zoom meeting at https://blm.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscOGqpzwsHkfbosVpMGLSMSGVV5nigc0

 

 After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with instructions, a link to join the meeting and phone numbers for those unable to join online. Zoom virtual meeting tutorials can be viewed at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials

 

 Please contact us as soon as possible for reasonable accommodations to participate.

 

designated off-road vehicle trails, sight-seeing, remote backcountry travel and white-water rafting. The area also contains one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in California, and is home to threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species. To learn more about the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, visit www.blm.gov/berryessa-snow-mountain

.

 More information about this planning effort can be found on the project website at https://go.usa.gov/xFq8W

 

Written comments may be submitted electronically to the project ePlanning website; via email to BLM_CA_BSM_NM@blm.gov

 or by mail:  BLM Ukiah Field Office, Attn: BSMNM Travel Management Planning EA, 2550 North State Street, Suite 2, Ukiah, CA  95482. For specific questions, contact Monument Manager Rebecca Carr Wong at 707-468-4023 or BLM_CA_BSM_NM@blm.gov

.

 Before including mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or other personal identifying information in a comment, commenters should be aware that the entire comment, including personal identifying information, could be made publicly available at any time. While the public may ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.

 

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

ATTEND BLM TRAVEL PLANNING MEETING - April 21, 2021 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Entrance Sign at the Knoxville OHV Area

ATTEND BLM TRAVEL PLANNING MEETING – April 21, 2021

 

 If you or your organization enjoys OHV and other trail-based recreation on federal lands – such as Knoxville OHV Area, Walker Ridge/Indian Valley, and Mendocino NF – within the boundaries of the

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, please attend the ZOOM meeting on April 21 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.

 

Many of you attended the previous travel planning meeting and provided important information that will help inform the planning process.  Your additional input is needed at the April 21 meeting as the agency is expected to provide an updated presentation based on your previous comments. 

 

Please use the link in the BLM announcement below to register for the April 21 meeting. 

 

LINK TO MEETING AND REGISTRATION

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeking-input-berryessa-snow-mountain-national-monument-trails

  

Thanks for your participation in this planning process.  It will also provide you with some additional experience in federal travel and land-use planning as both the BLM and FS will be updating their current management plans over the next year or two.

 

See you at the meeting tomorrow night!

JAN. 28 - TRAVEL MANAGEMENT FOR BERRYESSA-SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT

 

National Monument Sign on West Portion of Stonyford OHV Area

Mendocino National Forest

On March 19, 2016, a stakeholder collaborative gathered at the BLM’s Cowboy Camp to participate in the official dedication ceremony for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.  Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell was joined by Members of Congress, local elected officials, state dignitaries, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, BLM National Director Neil Kornze, other FS/BLM officials, and diverse user groups that represented hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, adventure riders, overlanders, and OHV enthusiasts.

Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell, on OHV Tour of Monument

What made the event unique is that OHV recreation was featured as a key partner in development of the plan to bring additional resources to enhance both conservation efforts and existing/ future non-motorized and motorized recreational opportunities within the Monument boundary.

 

Map of National Monument

LINK TO BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT

https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/berryessa-snow-mountain-national-monument

 

As an important part of the BLM’s commitment to improve existing and future recreation opportunities, the agency issued a news release on January 15, 2021 that invites the public to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument’s BLM Trails and Travel Management Workshop on January 28, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. This virtual workshop will provide an overview of the BLM travel management process, which is scheduled to begin later in 2021, and invite participants to provide comment.

 

REGISTER HERE FOR WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 28, 2021 – 5:30 to 8:00 pm

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-hold-berryessa-snow-mountain-national-monument-public-workshop

 

Many of the OHV organizations that worked with conservation groups on development of the national monument understand that federal lands in or adjacent to the national monument are home to a number of destination and dispersed high quality OHV trail recreation opportunities that exist on designated roads, trails, and areas.

Monument Sign at Entrance to Knoxville OHV Area

BLM Ukiah Field Office

However, there are some areas in the Walker Ridge/Indian Valley Reservoir part of the monument that do not have a designated route network.  Your participation in the travel planning process will help identify trails that are important and those that may be causing resource damage or trespass onto private property.

 

If you use or want to use this area for motorized or non-motorized recreation, be sure and sign up to be part of this travel planning effort.  It will also be good practice for other federal planning efforts that are being developed.

 

YOLO OHV UPDATE - Packed House at Yolo County OHV Park Public Meeting

County Park Staff Present OHV Park Info 

***ACTION REQUIRED – Take Surveys***

Because of the many alerts and flyers posted by OHV organizations and local government, over 40 people from the OHV and conservation communities attended the Yolo County OHV Park Informational Session on February 21, 2019 in Woodland, CA.

Besides the large number of attendees from local and state OHV organizations, it was impressive to see the high level of commitment by Yolo County Parks and Recreation staff to locate a new OHV recreation facility (or facilities) in their jurisdiction.

Several important factors were cited by local government staff or noted by the audience as the reason for this renewed effort to site a new OHV recreation area in Yolo County and those tenets include:

• Direction from Yolo County Board of Supervisors to find new OHV recreation opportunities
•  
• Permanent reauthorization of the CA OHV Program in 2017 via SB249
•  
• Support from the Yolo County Sheriff
•  
• Stable CA OHV Grant Program
•  
• 2018 County OHV Survey has most participation of any public survey in county history
•  
• Support from local/regional conservation organizations
•  
• Support from diverse OHV recreation interests
•  
• OHV Recreation is important to rural economies

Again, Yolo County is applying to the CA OHV grant program to fund a market analysis to ascertain if there is enough community and stakeholder support for new OHV opportunities. 

Yolo County OHV Park as Gateway to Federal OHV Recreation

Pic: BLM's Knoxville OHV Area

Two options for new county OHV facilities surfaced at the meeting and those are:

One - Locate a large “destination-type” OHV area in the western rural part of the county that could serve as a gateway park to federal riding opportunities such as the BLM's Knoxville OHV Area.   The county park amenities could include camping for small and large RVs, water, restrooms, youth track, MX track, 4x4 obstacle course, and trail opportunities for both small and large OHVs.  The site could also host a sheriff or 1^st responder substation.

Two - Locate a small (less than 150 acres) OHV park nearer to town for day-use riding.  The site could also be used by the county sheriff to hold OHV training classes for the public.

There are two surveys that OHVers should take (if you have not done so already) to provide more input into the decision-making process and those are the Yolo County OHV Planning Survey and the Yolo County Strategic Plan Survey.

YOLO COUNTY OHV SURVEY – This is where you can provide OHV specific comments about the new park - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ohvyolo

YOLO COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN SURVEY – This will guide county planning for the next 3-5 years - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/yolostrategicplan

Both of these surveys are important and they only take a few minutes each to fill out online.  I took them and they are easy to navigate. 

Take these surveys now as they will help the county in the decision-making process. 

Also, watch for additional opportunities to comment after the Yolo County OHV grant application is submitted on March 4, 2019.

OHVers Attend Nor Cal Monument Meeting to Show Interest in Management Plan

Riders Highlight Important OHV Trails at

Monument Recreation Station

A good turnout of both motorized and non-motorized trail enthusiast attended the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management’s public meeting last night in Winters, California.

The agencies said they are in the early stages (pre-scoping) of developing a management plan for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument (BSMNM) and have invited the public to participate in Community Conversations about the Monument. The conversations are an opportunity for the public to express what is important to them about the management of the BSMNM.

OHV recreationists and clubs who use the area for trail riding and events such as enduros and dual-sport rides know just how important it is for them to participate in the public process related with the upcoming management plan for the monument.

Recreationists Engage with BLM/FS Staff

The third Community Conversation will occur Tuesday, October 4 at the Holiday Inn Express in Willows, Calif. The meeting room is at 545 N. Humboldt Ave. and will also run from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The BSMNM was established in July 2015 to preserve the objects of scientific and historic interest on the lands of the Berryessa Snow Mountain area. The 330,000-acre area is bounded on the north by the Snow Mountain Wilderness and on the south by Berryessa Mountain in north-central California. Approximately 197,000 acres are administered by US Forest Service and 133,000 acres by the BLM.

The agencies hope that you will join them at a Community Conversation. For more information please go here, http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/home/?cid=FSEPRD506559

                                                                     

OHV Recreation Key Partner in National Monument Dedication

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on

4x4 Tour

Article by Don Amador

March 20, 2016

Word count: 529

Note to editor: Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this article

OHV Key Partner in National Monument Dedication

COWBOY CAMP, CA (March 19) - A popular BLM equestrian campground was the site for the official dedication ceremony for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.  Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell was joined by Members of Congress, local elected officials, state dignitaries, Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, BLM National Director Neil Kornze, other FS/BLM officials, and diverse user groups including OHV recreationists.

Mendocino NF's Ann Carlson and BLM Ukiah Field Office's Rich Burns

Welcome Folks to Dedication

California Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird 

What made this event unique is that OHV recreation was featured as a key partner in development of the plan to bring additional resources to enhance both conservation efforts and existing/ future non-motorized and motorized recreational opportunities within the Monument boundary.  

Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi Hand Out

Certificates of Appreciation

All of the speakers noted that OHV recreation has been, and will continue to be, an important part of the recreation program in the Monument.

OHMVR Commission Chairman, Ted Cabral, Visits

with Jay Watson, Director of the Student Conservation Association

In addition to the official dedication ceremony, the event had two other official activities.  Those were a morning hike on non-motorized trails and an afternoon 4x4 tour of the BLM’s Walker Ridge where the agency is getting ready to start the route designation process.

Rigs Lined Up for Start of 4x4 OHV Tour

Secretary Sally Jewell, former CEO of REI, was very engaged with the 4x4 tour’s participants which included the Mendocino 4x4 Club, Matson Breakey/MetalCloak, CA OHV Program staff, BRC, Tuleyome, and FS/BLM officials.

Official 4x4 Tour Map

The group got to visit with Secretary Jewell on a broad range of subjects including the CA OHV program, trail volunteerism, partnerships, modern trail management prescriptions, potential new trail designations within the Monument, special recreation permit reform, and other OHV recreation topics.

Secretary Sally Jewell Talks with 4x4 Tour Group 

 A lot of credit for this collaborative effort goes to Tuleyome, the regional conservation group that has been working with OHV and other stakeholder groups for the past 6-7 years to help ensure a bright future for multiple-use recreation on lands managed by the Forest Service and BLM.

This part of California is host to numerous destination OHV areas including BLM’s Cow Mountain Recreation Area and the Knoxville OHV Area.  The Mendocino National Forest manages both the Upper Lake and Stonyford OHV Areas.  This area is also home to many OHV permitted events including enduros and dual sport/adventure rides.

OHMVRD Booth at Dedication

The California State Park Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) was at this event to highlight the important long-term relationship between the FS/BLM and OHMVRD’s grant program that helps support trail maintenance, restoration projects, and law enforcement on the federal units.

Site of Monument Dedication

OHV recreation will continue to play an important role in helping shape its future by participating in development of the Monument Management Plan.  This will be a multi-year process where local input will be critical. 

California Conservation Corps is an Important Trail Partner

OHV clubs and individuals will also continue to be an important volunteer workforce to help maintain current and new trail opportunities. 

Mendocino NF Staff 

These types of bipartisan partnerships between OHV, land agencies, and conservation groups will continue to evolve as a key element to managed recreation in the 21^st Century.

 # # # 

Don Amador is a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition and serves as their western representative.  Don is also president of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting.  He writes from his office in Oakley, CA.  Don may be reached by email at: damador@cwo.com

Knoxville OHV Area - Hidden Off-Road Gem

Vista on Ridge Trail

QWR just finished a post-Jerusalem Fire field review of the BLM’s Knoxville OHV Area located about 13 miles east of Lower Lake, California.  This remote low elevation 17,700 acre riding area has a good mix of easy roads for beginners and some very challenging OHV trails that will test the ability of even the most experienced rider.

Entrance to Red Elephant Mine Trail

One of those black diamond dirt-bike routes is the Red Elephant Mine Trail.  This is an 8-mile long trail that traverses some steep terrain.  It also presents the rider with some rocky downhills, tight switchbacks, and several rock gardens. 

Rock Garden on Elephant Mine Trail

Since most of the trails are south facing with reduced vegetative cover (thanks to the Jerusalem Fire), the trails are dried out enough for riders to enjoy within 1-2 days of an average rain event.

Use Caution When Trail Riding in Burn Area

The BLM has an ongoing resource protection program and is in the process of updating the areas’ travel management prescriptions.

Road/Trail Barriers to Protect Resources

The North Staging Area is convenient for day riders who want to explore the trail network.  It has a vault toilet and ample parking for a number of trucks.  Hunting Creek Campground is the southern staging and campground area.  It has several campsites and a vault toilet.

Hunters Creek Campground

QWR suggests that experienced riders recon the area before bringing up beginners and/or small groups.  This is a great area for winter riding when higher elevation trails on other units are closed due to snow or wet weather.

Engineered Trail from Hunters Creek Campground

QWR is excited about this area because it also has the potential to provide some excellent adventure/dual-sport opportunities for riders who want to explore this portion of the Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Monument.

Link to Knoxville OHV Area

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ukiah/knoxville.html