QWR NEWS RELEASE - TWO BLM OHV MANAGERS GIVEN NATIONAL AWARDS

Don Amador (L) and Sky Zaffarano (R) 

Chappie Shasta OHV Area, BLM Redding Field Office
 

TWO BLM OHV MANAGERS GIVEN NATIONAL  AWARDS

 

 

This is a special time of the year where the OHV family gives thanks for our access to many high-quality federal and state recreation areas that are managed by dedicated and talented trail specialists who work hard to ensure these facilities are open for our enjoyment.

 

I was thrilled to see two BLM recreation program managers recognized by the National Off-Highway Conservation Council and given awards for their outstanding service. 

Neil Hamada, OHV Program Manager

Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, BLM El Centro Field Office       

According to the NOHVCC website,  Neil Hamada, BLM El Centro Field Office, was given the Special Recognition Award for his service as the longtime manager of the Imperial Sand Dunes, one of the most popular OHV destinations in the country. Neil has always promoted quality management, excellent communication, and the highest level of customer service.

 

Sky Zaffarano, OHV Recreation Manager

Chappie Shasta OHV Area, BLM Redding Field Office

The BLM’s, Sky Zaffarano, was also honored with the Rob Perrin Manager of the Year Award. Rob Perrin was an advocate for all types of recreation during his career at the Bureau of Land Management, and always made sure that OHV had a seat at the table. Perrin was a NOHVCC Hall of Fame Member, and ardent supporter of the organization. Upon his passing NOHVCC decided that it was only fitting to rename our Program Manager of the Year award in his honor. Each year NOHVCC recognizes an OHV manager who exemplifies Rob’s dedication to providing quality recreation experiences and strong community partnerships. In 2023 NOHVCC recognized Sky Zaffarano with the Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office. Sky manages the Chappie Shasta OHV area where he works every day to make the area the best that it can be. Local OHV clubs and associations give glowing recommendations of Sky for his hard work, open dialogue with partners, and willingness to explore new ideas.

 

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing, states, “I have ridden and worked with Neil and Sky since the 1990s and consider it a privilege to know them.  They exemplify the concept of servant leadership where they put the customer (recreation public) above themselves and have developed world-class OHV programs that are enjoyed by millions of outdoor recreationists each year.”

 

“I also want to congratulate the other award winners which include;  Chris Gamache, CORVA, Tasha West, Carol Smith, and Russ Ehnes for their long-time commitment and contributions to promoting environmentally sound OHV recreation,” Amador concludes.

 

LINK TO NOHVCC WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION

https://nohvcc.org/nohvcc-announces-2023-award-winners/

 

 

 

 

Core Tenets of Successful Competition Off-Road Motorcycle Events

Race 2 - Round 4 - AMA West Hare Scramble Championship

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

Amateur off-road motorcycle competition organizations rely on collaboration with diverse partnerships and key stakeholders for a successful event.  One good example of that axiom was highlighted this past weekend at the Shasta Dam Grand Prix hosted by the Redding Dirt Riders (RDR).

Stewart Helmer (L), RDR Flag Pole Project Lead at Chappie Staging Area receives

 Proclamation from City of Shasta Lake Mayor, Greg Watkins (R)

QWR has created a list of five core tenets that form a solid foundation upon which a competition event is constructed.

BLM Law Enforcement at Event

First, it takes an active OHV club that is substantively engaged with the local land management agency.  Throughout the year RDR often donates time and materials to enhance OHV staging areas or maintain the trail network.  They also attend BLM meetings and have an open line of communication with the agency.

Sky Zaffarano, BLM OHV Lead, on Pre-Event Monitoring Recon

Second, engaging with local government leaders on important public land access and recreation planning efforts is critical.  Often, elected county and city officials rely on active OHV clubs for information and feedback on recreation opportunities within their jurisdiction or sphere of influence.  Those elected officials can then review or amend policies that enhance OHV recreation for their residents and visitors.

Shasta Lake Fire Department at Event

Local 1^st responders are also an important part of that local government outreach since they can provide important first aid and rescue for a competition event.

Third, competition events can bring an economic benefit to rural businesses so it is important to communicate with them on event support opportunities for vendors, hotels, dealerships, stores, and other economic interests.

Local Food Vendors at Event

Fourth, robust communication between the local OHV club and larger sanctioning bodies makes for a smooth event that is both noticed and appreciated by the riders and spectators.

Racers Enjoying Event

Last but not least, creating an event that meets rider expectation and spectator need is what all of the aforementioned tenets are focused on and those elements include a quality trail network and camping/staging facility, support from local elected officials/1^st responders, working with local economic interests, and substantive communication with the sanctioning body.  When those factors are combined they add up to seamless delivery of a stellar event.

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POST WILDFIRE - Dozer Line Recovery Strategy

Main Connector Route Impacted by Carr Fire Dozer Line

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

It is no secret that designated roads and trails provide recreational access to the great outdoors for millions of Americans.  In addition, they are often used by dozers to cut firebreaks or to provide ingress/egress for firefighters and support vehicles to manage a wildfire.  

For the purpose of this article, QWR will focus on post wildfire recovery prescriptions for three different types of dozer line impacts to system routes.  Those situations include dozer lines created on an important connector or corridor road/trail, dozer lines that obliterate the core of a single-track or 50-inch trail network, and non-route related dozer lines that intersect a system road or trail.

Reconstructed Rolling Dips on Connector Trail Used as Dozer Line

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

QWR believes the first order of priority for post wildfire recovery and reopening of a unit is for trail crews to reestablish soil loss/water control structures (i.e. rolling dips, sediment catch basins, etc.), signing, and vehicle width restrictors on key connector routes that provide public access for multiple-use recreation and post-fire management/monitoring activities. 

Secondly, the focus should be on installation of temporary pressure treated wood or natural wood/downed tree barriers and signs to restrict vehicle traffic where dozer lines obliterated the core of a single-track or 50-inch trail network.   This gives recovery crews time to focus on restoring public access on major connector routes.   Once that mission is accomplished then workers can focus on reestablishing and reopening the affected trail network.

Dozer Line Intersecting System Trail

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

Lastly, dozer lines are also created on old non-system roads or historic fuel breaks from past fires.  These are not legal routes where installation of pressure treated, natural wood, or rock barriers are used to restrict vehicle traffic.

Volunteers and Agency Staff Install Temporary Natural Wood Barriers and Sign 

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area 

Often it is not the wildfire that directly impacts the trail but is the associated fire management activities such as building dozer lines that affect the road and trail system.

Recovery and Reopening of Connector Trail

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

QWR believes a robust recovery and reopening strategy (using agency staff, contractors, and volunteers) should address dozer line impacts in a timely manner so as to avoid economic impacts to rural communities and recreation interests.

*QWR wants to thank the volunteers and agency staff who participated in the recent Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance work party at the BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area which is now reopened for public use.

ROHVA ROV Basic DriverCourse at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area - Skill Development, Safety, and Common Sense are Key Tenets

ROHVA RBDC Graduating Class 

BLM Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

QWR wants to congratulate the seven Forest Service and BLM recreation leads and field staff who completed the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) ROV Basic DriverCourse (RBDC) taught at the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California on October 3, 2017.

Since Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) or Side-by-Sides (SxSs) are becoming increasingly popular and are the fastest growing segment of the powersports market and are seeing increased use by land agencies for recreation and resource management, QWR offered the RBDC course at the 2017 Interagency Ranger Ride and OHV workshop for agency staff who needed to get certified before operating a government SxS.

Student Path Selection and Stopping

The student’s pre-class off-road experiences included those with no OHV background to those agency staff that had driven 4WD trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, crew buggies, or fire engines in the backcountry.

Practice Turning

A lot of focus is placed on the proper use of personal protective gear or personal protective equipment (PPE) when sitting in or operating the SxS.  Just as it is important for certified chainsaw operators (both agency staff and trail volunteers) to use PPE, it is also critically important for SxS operators and passengers to wear an approved helmet, eye protection, gloves, boots, and long pants.

Precision Stop on 4 x 6

After becoming familiar with the operation of their vehicle and performing an inspection of various vehicle parts and controls including, but not limited to, the chassis, frame, wheels/tires, fenders, passenger seating and handholds, and the Rollover Protection Structure, they learned about proper hand positioning for steering, using both feet to control the gas and brake pedals, and many other aspects of safe vehicle operation.

The next five exercises are progressive in nature as they build the important skillsets needed for safe operation of the vehicle. 

Precision Stop on 4 x 6

Those exercises include starting out, stopping, driving a good path, experiencing low speed steering limits, backing-up/turning, driving a serpentine course both forward and in reverse, and practicing a quick stop and doing an evasive maneuver.

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting, states, “I am passionate about helping train both public and private sector SxS users about how to operate their vehicles in a safe and environmentally sound manner.”

Don Ready for RBDC Class

“I was proud to see the RBDC graduates use the skills they learned at class during the group trail ride the next day.  Several students told me the safe use of a SxS requires a healthy dose of common sense when out on the trail and to not be afraid to stop before attempting a challenging route segment that is beyond their comfort zone or ability,”  Amador concludes.

LINK TO ROHVA (Go ahead and take the free online ROHVA E-Course)

http://www.rohva.org/

*If you are interested in having Don teach a ROHVA ROV Basic DriverCourse, contact him at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

TRAIL HIGHLIGHT - Planning for SxS Recreation on Federal Lands

Trail 12 - Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

BLM Redding Field Office

As many of you know, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) or Side-by-Sides (SxSs) are becoming increasingly popular and are the fastest growing segment of the powersports market.

Trail 4 - Black Diamond Challenge

With that increased popularity comes the responsibility for land agencies and their OHV partners to look for opportunities to designate and sign legal routes for SxS recreation in areas where that use is appropriate and sustainable.

Trail 12 - View of Shasta Dam

Recently, QWR had the privilege to tour some of the SxS-related trail program at the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area managed by the BLM’s Redding Field Office in Northern California.

Trail 12 - Rolling Dip/Soil Erosion Structure

Over the last several years, the BLM has worked to improve SxS recreation in the area with enhanced trail signing, trail improvements, and installation and/or maintenance of soil erosion structures.

Trail 12 - This Trail Climbs 2K ft. to the Ridge 

Those efforts to enhance legal SxS routes have resulted in many trails that now provide looped touring opportunities with varying degrees of challenge and scenic views.

Signing to Inform Public about Private Property

QWR encourages SxS users to consider a trip up the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area if you are looking for new trail adventures.  The unit has a very cool staging/camping area at the base of Shasta Dam.  Make sure you have current registration for any vehicles when you cross the dam.  The guards will check for a valid driver’s license and current registration.

You can also access the Copley Mountain OHV Staging area via the Iron Mountain Road from Highway 299 about 1 mile west of the Redding city limits.

Copley Mountain Staging Area - Start of Trail 4

QWR wants to commend the agency for their continued commitment to excellence and urges other federal and state land agencies to be sure and review their trail programs to assess if SxS recreation can be included on the unit.

2014 CA OHV Commission Report - 10B Economic Impact to the Golden State?

A RCD/BLM Restoration Project at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

QWR wants to commend the CA Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and Commission for the recent publication of their 2014 Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission Program Report.

The 150 + page well-written and highly informative document chronicles the 40-year history of the “Green Sticker” program.  It details many program issues related to the budget, commission appointments, OHV grants, economic benefit, partnerships, trail stewardship, SVRAs, law enforcement, safety, and resource protection.

Just a few of the high points (page 6) include preliminary information that an economic impact

study currently being conducted by several industry associations has preliminary findings that indicate the direct annual OHV-related expenditures exceed $10 billion in California.

On page 41, the document outlines the soil conservation practices that helps preserve trail access for future generations.

The report (page 72) describes the Division’s outreach to federal, state, and local partners to help improve  utilization of the restoration grant program.   It also notes that Resource Conservation Districts and other non-traditional stakeholders are applying for grants to help increase the number of projects that are being realized on the ground.

QWR story on RCD/BLM Project

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2013/11/systems-approach-is-force-multiplier-to.html

QWR story on FS Restoration Project
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2013/06/ohv-restoration-project-targets-trail.html

QWR believes this report is a must read for industry representatives, shop owners, recreation professionals, agency staff, non-profit leaders,  club officials, aftermarket companies, conservation groups, law enforcement, and individuals.

2014 OHMVR Commission and Division Report

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/25010/files/OHMVR-Commission-2014Report.pdf

QWR wants to thank the Division and Commission for their dedication to, and support for, responsible OHV recreation on public lands.

Systems Approach is Force Multiplier to OHV Management

RCD/BLM Trail Armor Project

Over the last 40 years, management of OHV recreation on public lands has evolved into a highly complex and diverse “systems approach” concept that is often at the core of successful programs.  QWR believes it is important to highlight those partnerships in order to illustrate the evolution of managed motorized trail opportunities.

Last week, QWR was privileged to do an area review of just such an effort at BLM’s Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California.   The Western Shasta Resource Conservation District (RCD) and the Bureau of Land Management recently entered into a ten year stewardship agreement to cooperatively manage the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area.

RCD/BLM Agreement

http://www.westernshastarcd.org/BLM_interlakes_stewardship_agreement.html

RCD and the BLM will focus on projects related to road and trail maintenance, forest health improvement, fuel reduction, education and outreach and other efforts.  For example, trail armoring projects - as the result of this partnership - are being implemented.

This collaborative effort with the support from the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Grant Program is also in the middle of an OHV staging area enhance project to remove invasive plants that are impacting access and use of the facility.

RCD/Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Enhancement Project

Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Grant Program

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/ohv_grants/ohv_grants_home.aspx

The aforementioned RCD/BLM agreement acts as a force multiplier when combined with this unit’s long-standing partnership with California’s Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and Commission.

CA OHV Grant Funded OHV Bridge to Protect Watershed

This is a good case study of how a comprehensive “many-hands/partners” systems approach to OHV trail and resource management is working in a synergistic manner to protect our natural environment while providing high-quality motorized trail opportunities.

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QWR at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area - Tech and Trail Review

Amador at New Campground at Bohemotash Mountain

 

QWR’s sound tech team and Sound Trails Initiative were at the 2012 Buckhorn Enduro held at BLM’s Shasta-Chappie OHV Area near Redding, California.  The Redding Dirt Riders did a great job of putting together a challenging and scenic motorcycle event that attracted Enduro riders from throughout the region.

 

 

Rider Gets "Pass" Sticker at Sound Tech Station

 

Before the event, QWR reviewed some of the new projects on the unit that included the creation of a remote camp ground on Bohemotash Mountain.   BLM has been working hard to maintain and improve the trail experience at the area for dirt-bikes, ATVs, and side x sides.

QWR/BRC’s Don Amador helped show off this premier destination OHV area this past spring to OHV media.   Most, if not all, of the side x side journalists had never visited the area.  Based on the articles that were published, they were impressed with the quality of the recreational experience and vowed to come back.  In fact, many side x side owners have visited the area based on those articles. 

Here is a link to the ATV.com article

http://www.atv.com/features/atv-trails-chappieshasta-ohv-area-2124.html

 

Here is a link to the ATVconnection.com article

http://atvconnection.com/articles/driving-kawasakis-teryx4-on-the-gorgeous-trails-of-mountain-shasta/

 

QWR appreciates the great work the BLM is doing at Shasta-Chappie to provide the OHV community with high quality and environmentally-sound recreational opportunity.