INDUSTRY ECON UPDATE - Federal Economic Report Includes SxS Recreation

Designated SxS/ATV/MC Trail

BLM's Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

 As motorized recreation continues to grow as an important economic contributor, QWR believes it is important for both private and public sector researchers to detail vehicle-specific analytics to better inform decision-makers, planners, and other stakeholders.

Off-Road Motorcycle Trail

CA's Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area

A recent update from NOHVCC and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) confirms that SxS recreation WAS included in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

LINK TO MIC NEWS RELEASE ON SXS USE COUNTED IN BEA STUDY

https://www.nohvcc.org/economic-data-shows-motorcycling-atv-riding-side-by-side-driving-among-nations-largest-outdoor-recreation-activities/

Don Amador, QWR President, states, “Today, OHV recreation not only provides access to high quality casual use trail opportunities and permitted events, but also provides motorized access to non-motorized activities.  I have friends and colleagues from both the OHV and conservation communities that also utilize SxSs for resource management, wildlife viewing, hunting, and stewardship projects.”

Open Sand Riding for SxS/ATV/MC and other OHVs

Forest Service's Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

“I believe outdoor recreation economic reports and updates are a critically important tool and breaking out data about the fiscal benefit that comes from specific vehicle types will better inform land management agencies as they plan for current and future OHV use on designated roads, trails, and areas,” Amador concludes.

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.

New Smokey Bear Ad and OHV Spark Arresters

QWR Sound Check Station at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

 

As you know, QWR promotes the use of sound compliant exhaust with a functioning spark arrester when riding an OHV on designated roads, trails, and areas on public lands.  Recently, the Ad Council started its new Smokey Bear campaign in time to remind various publics about how they can help prevent wildfires.

Smokey Bear Campaign

www.smokeybear.com

QWR also wants to commend the campaign for its positive message when it comes to the use of OHVs on public lands.  Several years ago, the Smokey Bear program had a less-than-positive message about the legal use of OHVs on federal lands. 

In addition, the Forest Service updated their Spark Arrestor Guide last year with a lot of good information including a detailed list of all OHV-related approved spark arrestors.

 

Spark Arrester Guide – OHV Vol. 3

http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/programs/fire/spark_arrester_guides/index.htm

 

 

According to the guide, Forest Service Standard 5100-1c requires that each arrester shall be permanently marked with the model number and the manufacturer’s name or trademark. The model number must match exactly. The identification must be stamped in the metal body or on an attached metal plate.

 

Many states have spark arrester laws.  For those if you in CA, you can find that law below:

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23039

 

QWR looks forward to seeing many of you out on the trail this year.  Let’s all work to help ensure that OHV recreationists are using sound compliant spark arrestor exhaust systems to help reduce the threat of wildfires on public lands.

The New CA State Park Director - "Service Before Self"

Since millions of people from across this country use and enjoy the California State Park system every year, I wanted to share my thoughts on the recent appointment of retired Marine General Anthony Jackson as the new State Park Director.

Yesterday, I had the privilege to meet General Jackson in Sacramento and listen to his vision for restoring public trust and confidence to state parks.  I was impressed with his motto of “service before self” and that he was bringing his ethos to the program.  I believe a number of other OHV representatives who also got to meet General Jackson came away with that same impression.

As a former federal land manager at military bases, he successfully balanced the use-of-land to train Marines with many of the same environmental challenges that face the OHV community.   Although relatively new to his current assignment, General Jackson shows a deep understanding of what it takes in 2013 and beyond to manage both motorized and non-motorized forms of recreation.

To get a better understanding of the new CA State Park Director, I would encourage all of you to listen to his January 15, 2013 radio interview on KQED.  The 50 minute interview will give you a great insight into the man and his views on the future of state parks.  If you cannot listen to the entire broadcast, I would encourage you to listen to the “OHV-related” segment from 36:00 to 40:00.

KQED Radio Interview

http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201301150900

 

In closing, I believe he will use his vast experience to bring accountability to the office and work hard to improve communications between diverse stakeholder groups, federal and local partners, and others that have an interest in access to a viable park system.

Marin County Motorcycle Association Joins QWR as Bronze Sponsor

Quiet Warrior Racing is honored to announce that the Marin County Motorcycle Association has joined as a Bronze sponsor for the 2012 riding season.

MCMA has shown its commitment to the sport over the years via it support for many land use organizations.   This MCMA sponsorship will help QWR continue its effort to promote and protect responsible OHV recreation on private and public lands.

QWR Salutes Mi-TRALE, Plum Creek Timber, and the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative

QWR wants to congratulate Mi-TRALE for being awarded a $10,000 dollar grant from

the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Program. 

BRC Story on Mi-TRALE Yamaha Award and 10^th Anniversary Dinner Awards

http://www.sharetrails.org/story/2011/10/21/mi-trale-gets-grant-yamaha

QWR also wants to thank Plum Creek (see above letter), a timber management company, for working with Mi-TRALE and other stakeholders to provide responsible OHV recreation on their private timberlands throughout many regions of the country.

QWR believes Plum Creek has taken a pro-active approach to recreation management on their lands and should be looked to as a model by other landowners who are considering allowing OHV recreation on their in-holdings.

Plum Creek OHV Management Program

http://www.plumcreek.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=gDT49PaetUY%3D&tabid=142&mid=794

QWR believes in partnerships and this effort between Mi-TRALE, Yamaha OHV Access Initiative, and other organizations sets a high standard for others to follow.

Oakland Motorcycle Club Joins QWR as Silver Sponsor

News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Don Amador

Phone: 925.625.5309

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Date: October 3, 2011

Website: www.quietwarriorracing.com

Oakland Motorcycle Club Joins QWR as Silver Sponsor

OAKLEY, CA (Oct. 3) - Quiet Warrior Racing, an off-road recreation consulting company, is proud to announce a new silver sponsor.  The Oakland Motorcycle Club – long known for its support of land-use efforts – recently signed up to help QWR champion responsible motorcycle use of public roads, trails, and areas.

Don Amador, President of QWR, states, “The Oakland Motorcycle Club, which is over 100 years old, has a long tradition of helping keep trails open by their support of organizations such as AMA District 36 and the BlueRibbon Coalition.  They are a great club to work with and QWR greatly appreciates their support.”

“Land-use professionals would not exist without the support of clubs, businesses, and individuals who understand the importance of our work.  Thanks again OMC for your support and vote of confidence,” Amador concludes.

# # #

Permitted Events - Overview, Solution, Action Item

PROBLEM: A growing number of non-motorized and motorized clubs are being forced to cancel historic and reoccurring permitted events because of a burdensome administrative process. For units that want permitted events to occur, that regulatory burden has made it almost impossible for the agency to authorize an event.  For units that want to eliminate permitted events, that same burden is being used as a convenient excuse for denying that activity.

Currently, the administration of special recreation permits or special use permits is 100% discretionary with no appeal process.  For units that want permitted events to occur, that regulatory burden has made it almost impossible for the agency to authorize an event.  For units that want to eliminate permitted events, that same burden is being used as a convenient excuse for denying that activity.

SOLUTION: Congress is best suited to address this issue with a legislative fix.  That concept has evolved over the last several years after reviewing this issue with clubs, land managers, and legislators. The goal of this legislation should be to eliminate or at least streamline the administrative process at recreation sites where roads, trails, and areas have ready been designated for a particular activity such as OHV, rock climbing, OSV, equestrian, and mountain-bikes.

ACTION ITEM: Draft legislation based on aforementioned legislative pillars

QWR President to Testify at House Subcommittee Hearing on June 22, 2011

Don Amador, president of QWR, just received his confirmation from the House that he will testify before the House Subcommittee on Wednesday, June 22 at 10 a.m.  The focus of the hearing is in regards to Recreational Opportunities (or lack thereof) on Public lands.  This will be Don's first trip as QWR owner to Washington DC to testify at a Congressional Hearing.  Don will also be representing BRC at the hearing.

Info on June 22 Hearing – It will have live video

http://naturalresources.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=246553

Amador will question the BLM’s decision-making process associated with the ongoing landscape level functional closure of the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA) to all user groups on May 1, 2008.  This unit is managed by the Hollister Field Office (HFO) and is located in Fresno and San Benito Counties in the Central Coast Mountain Range of California.

Amador expects to include in his testimony information from the new OHMVR Health Study, comments from previous public input, San Benito County, motorcycle riders, and other stakeholders.

Amador will also be ready to field questions from House Members regarding travel management.

QWR believes that land management decisions should be made on good science and not based on the personal or political agendas of unelected government officials.

The entire witnesses list below:

Panel I

Mr. Russ Ehnes

Executive Director

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

Mr. Scott Jones

Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition

Mr. Dick Lepley

Executive Director

Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association

Ms. Karen Umphress

Board Member

Coalition of Recreational Trails Users

Minnesota Motorized Trail Coalition

Panel II

Mr. Don Amador

Blue Ribbon Coalition

Mr. Tom Crimmins

Lead Spokesman

Professionals for Managed Recreation

Mr. Sutton Bacon

CEO

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Mr. Jim Akenson

Executive Director

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

Legislative Fix Needed to Address Denial of Special Recreation Event Permits

As more non-motorized and motorized clubs are being forced to cancel historic permitted events because of a burdensome administrative process, Quiet Warrior Racing believes it is time so seek a legislative fix to this issue.

For the last 13 years, I have worked sound tech at numerous motorized permitted events on Forest Service and BLM lands.  That opportunity has given me the chance to gain insight regarding this issue from both the club and agency perspective.  In recent years, QWR has seen an increased regulatory burden (cost recovery, insurance, agency staff shortages, excessive and/or unwarranted environmental review, etc.) directly causing a dramatic decline in the number of permitted events being authorized on federal lands.

For units that want permitted events to occur, that regulatory burden has made it almost impossible for the agency to authorize an event.  For units that want to eliminate permitted events, that same burden is being used as a convenient excuse for denying that activity.

Currently, the administration of special recreation permits (BLM) and special use permits (FS) is 100% discretionary with no appeal process.  QWR believes that recreationists will continue to see a decline in the authorization of permits unless a solution is found.

QWR is convinced that Congress is best suited to address this issue with a legislative fix.  That concept has evolved over the last several years after reviewing this issue with clubs, land managers, and legislators.

QWR will be encouraging and working with national recreation groups and legislators to find a long-term solution to this growing problem.  QWR believes that the goal of this legislation should be to streamline the administrative process and eliminate/reduce excessive or redundant environmental review specifically in recreation areas that have already been designated for a particular activity such as OHV, rock climbing, OSV, equestrian, and mountain-bikes.

In this climate of fiscal downturn, federal agencies should be working hard to encourage permitted events which often brings much needed economic benefit to the local community.  A solution is out there…now we just need a collective effort to find it.

QWR Website Launched Today - Stay Tuned as QWR Grows

To all the riders and my supporters out there who care about keeping trails and roads open for responsible motorized use, I just wanted to give you a heads-up to stay tuned to the Quiet Warrior Racing Website and Official Quiet Warrior Racing Blog for updates on new programs, sponsors, and other info.

Even my local paper the CCT did a story

http://www.insidebayarea.com/crime-courts/ci_17139484

We just got our sponsor logos posted and watch the website as new sponsors are added.  There are already several in the pipeline and I am excited about the potential QWR has to increase the effectiveness of ongoing and new efforts to champion responsible use of public roads, trails, and areas by both non-street legal and street legal motorized vehicles.

I want to thank the gang at Touch Plate for its generous support and sponsorship in helping get QWR launched on the net.  Those guys are great!