User/Agency Trail Field Trips Important Part of Collaborative Process

Stonyford OHV Program Manager - Sarah Ridenour-Chamberlin (R) Explains 

Soil Erosion Structures to Forest Supervisor - Ann Carlson (L), 

and Forest Recreation Officer - Katy Rich (C)

QWR is committed to the collaborative process as a strategy to bring land agency staff and the trail-based recreation community together with a common goal of both protecting resources and providing a high-quality outdoor experience.

Much of the collaborative or stakeholder process is centered on attending meetings where information is shared, values are appreciated, and relationships are formed.

QWR believes that “out-of-the office” field trips where private sector partners invite agency staff to review the development and management history of an OHV area is also an important element of the stakeholder process.

Mendocino Forest Supervisor - Ann Carlson, Reviews

St. John's Mountain Restoration Project (Funded by a CA OHV Grant)

with Agency Staff

Recently, leadership from the Mendocino National Forest toured the multiple-use recreation program on the Grindstone Ranger District.  With one of the largest destination OHV programs in the country, the District is a good case study on how OHV management prescriptions have evolved over the last 36-40 years.

Mendocino NF OHV Manager Reviews Work Order

with Trails Unlimited Crew

On the Mendocino and several other National Forests/BLM units, managed recreation didn’t start with the 2005 Travel Management Rule.   Rather, it has been a multi-decade process where the 1960s-era mining, firebreak, or logging road-based route network was gradually converted to a sustainable trail system that consists of engineered contour trails, soil loss structures, and road-to-trail conversions.

Functioning Sediment Catch Basin on System Trail

Managed federal OHV trail-based recreation programs are hard to sustain on current (and future) recreation budgets appropriated by Congress.   In some regions of the country, the Forest Service and BLM receive grants from state funding sources such as the CA OHV Division Grant Program or OR’s ATV Grant Program.

In the 21^st Century, successful OHV trail programs must also rely on partnerships with the private sector such as OHV clubs, conservation groups, and other local stakeholders.   Those entities can be the source for the agency’s professional volunteer workforce where users are given chainsaw certification classes or other trail maintenance training.

Getting Ready for a Day of Trail Clearing

QWR commends those user groups and agency units where an all-hands-approach has been adopted and implemented.   QWR understands that it can take a lot of agency staff time to manage a substantive volunteer program.   However, a robust volunteer corps can also play a supportive role in helping the agency obtain non-federal resources/monies (i.e. grants to help manage their trail program, fund projects such as an OHV bridge, or donations for construction labor/materials).

Post 2012 Mill Fire Volunteer Work Party

 The collaborative process is a two-way street.  Don’t wait for agency staff to call for a meeting or workshop.  As a private sector partner, looks for ways to engage your federal contacts either at meetings, field trips, or volunteer work parties.  Be willing to do some heavy lifting yourself. 

Successful Day of Trail Clearing

QWR believes the quality of our trail future is directly proportional to the quality of the collaborative process/stakeholder involvement on your Forest or BLM unit.

Managed OHV Recreation vs. Status Quo - Our Future Hangs in the Balance

Armored Trail Section on Rubicon Trail

For several years, QWR has stated that “Managed OHV Recreation” is a key tenet to the long-term viability of motorized access to public roads, trails, and areas.

User Group Participation

Arguing for the status quo on federal and state units where agencies are faced with a growing number of OHV-related environmental laws, regulations, and court orders is not a wise course of action.

Catch Basin/Rolling Dip on Rubicon Trail

QWR believes access advocates should champion proven trail management prescriptions that mitigate soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife impacts.   A recent article in the Auburn Journal highlights the merits of implementing pro-active OHV management strategies on the world-famous Rubicon Trail.

Auburn Journal Article on Rubicon Trail

http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/7/29/14/roaders-tackle-rubicon#.U9kP5MdbPiU.facebook

What makes the Jeepers Jamboree possible in the 21^st Century for the 1,000 people who attended this year’s event is the multi-year collaborative effort on the part of the Forest Service, county government, OHV enthusiasts, and the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Grant program to address water quality, soil erosion, and sanitation issues.   Unless those concerns were addressed, there was a good chance the Rubicon Trail would have been closed.

SST Vault Toilet Installed on Rubicon Trail

QWR believes it is important for professional OHV representatives and grassroots advocates to offer proven and sound trail management solutions to agency staff as they work on various travel management-related projects and landscape level planning efforts.

ADDITIONAL READING 

QWR’s Previous Article on Water Quality Mitigation

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2013/02/water-quality-management-key-to-ohv.html

Gabions as Sign Posts - Common Sense and Creativity

QWR is always looking for low-cost and effective travel management tools that can help protect resources while providing for a quality recreation experience.

On a recent field trip to the Upper Lake Ranger District on the Mendocino National Forest, QWR viewed a new use for gabions.  Forest Service recreation staff are using those structures as sign posts to help let riders know what areas are closed because of resource concerns.

Trail users have often seen gabion baskets (wire mesh baskets filled with rock) used along routes in popular riding areas. They can provide erosion control for road bank stabilization or OHV trail crossings.  They are easy to assemble and nearby rock is used to fill the basket.

The use of gabions as natural sign posts at the Middle Creek OHV Campground is a good example of

agency staff using common sense and creativity to help direct riders away from protected areas on the gravel bar. 

GAO Issues Report on Forest Service Trails

QWR's Don Amador Helping FS Trail Rehab Project

 

The Western Congressional Caucus announced today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released its report regarding the maintenance of system trails on National Forest lands.

 

Link to GAO Report

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-618

 

In 2012, Rep. Lummis (R-WY), Rep. Simpson (R-ID), and Rep. Moran (D-VA) asked the GAO to analyze   various challenges faced by the agency to maintain over 158,000 miles Forest Service System Trails in motorized and non-motorized areas.

 

Volunteer Support for Trail Projects

 

QWR believes the report highlights the need for the agency to better utilize partnerships with volunteer groups and other trail stakeholders.  We also believe the report correctly notes how NEPA-related red-tape (and subsequent lawsuits) hinders the agency’s ability to effect on-the-ground services such as trail maintenance and environmental mitigations that both protect resources while allowing public use of route networks.

# # #

Trail Job Announcement on Maui - Work in Paradise

The Quiet Warrior is back from some great R & R and is geared up for what is sure to be a busy rest of the year when it comes to OHV recreation. 

In the meantime, my good friend – Torrie Nohara - over in Hawaii advised QWR about a trail maintenance contract position on Maui.  I will list the details and urge you to share this info with any of your trail network.  

TRAILS MAINTENANCE WORKER

DLNR-DOFAW, NAH, MAUI

INTRODUCTION

This position assists the Trails and Access specialist V in performing project execution for the Trails and Access Program and assists and supports in field operations.  The position requires a diversity of specialized technical expertise, sensitivity to the wilderness and cultural resources, good communication skills and an abundance of physical and mental stamina.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Trails Maintenance -                                                                                  60%

Carpentry -                                                                                                         20%

Equipment/Vehicle Operation and Maintenance -                  20%

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGES

Must have good understanding of trail problem solving and assessment of conditions with improvements in mind, as well as all aspects of water movement in various soils types.  Must be able to work from sketches, basic blueprints, and instructions which are incomplete in terms of type of job required and materials and methods to be used.   Has knowledge of rock construction including material selection, structure design and site preparation.  Has knowledge of working mechanized trail building machinery, safely and efficiently, load , unload, and trailer machine and attachments.  Knowledge of maintaining mechanized trail building machines.  Manages helipad operations safely and smoothly.  Extensive knowledge of falling and bucking hazardous windfalls, root wads, and snags.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Must have at least five (5) years experience on trail crew for private trail contractor or government land managing agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Considerable physical effort is usually part of the job; such as when operating chain saws, rock drills, moving rocks and logs from the trail.  Much walking, bending and heavy lifting is required.  At times, long, strenuous hikes up to 8 miles are taken with 50-60 pound packs.  This job requires excellent physical and mental stamina.  Will have to lift loads of 50 to 120 pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Trail maintenance workers generally live and work in remote areas, spending as much as 40% of their time in the backcountry, at times working four ten-hour days, with three days off.  Incumbent may live and work in heavy rain, and steep rugged terrain.  Will be exposed to excessive noise and vibration, noxious gases and fumes from equipment such as chainsaws, rock drills, mechanized trail equipment, and machines.  May be exposed to hazardous materials such as wood preservatives, resins and other solvents.  May have to wade through swift streams or cross them on slippery rocks.  Constantly exposed to hazards in the daily use of tools, particularly when felling standing timber or windfalls.  May be required to negotiate past steep cliffs.  Occasionally attacked by stinging, biting insects.

For a complete job description and more information, contact:

Torrie Nohara
Na Ala Hele, Trails and Access Specialist
54 South High Street, Room 101
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
Phone: (808) 873-3508
Fax: (808) 873-3505
Email:  Torrie.L.Nohara@Hawaii.gov



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

Quest/3M is Official Sound Meter Partner for QWR in 2011

Quest Model 1200 Type One Sound Meter Kit

Quiet Warrior Racing is proud to announce its selection of Quest Technologies as the provider of official sound testing equipment for 2011.  QWR will be using the law enforcement-grade Type 1 1200 sound meter for testing both street and non-street legal motorcycles and OHVs at events and outreach efforts throughout the country.

We are pleased to be teaming up with Quest Technologies here at QWR to help get us the word out about riding quiet on public roads and trails.

I have used Quest sound meters over the last 10 years and they have proven to be accurate, reliable, and rugged.  Here in Northern California, they are the sound meter of choice used by Forest Service and BLM law enforcement officials to enforce sound laws. It’s great to partner with Quest on our never ending journey to promote a responsible sound ethic on public travelways.