FEDERAL PLAN TO CONSIDER SOLAR PROJECT NEXT TO SAND MOUNTAIN?

ACCEPTING SOLAR APPLICATIONS AT SAND MOUNTAIN?

 

EXPANDING SOLAR FACILITIES at OHV SITES? - With the April 18, 2024 deadline for public comments rapidly approaching, I continue reviewing BLM’s Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development in 11 Western States for potential impacts to OHV recreation.

Solar Farm Next to Sand Mountain?

The initial GOOD news is the agency has included “Recreation” as an important criteria or rationale for creating an “exclusion area”  where a recreation site (including an OHV area) is excluded from being considered for a solar project.  Another criterion is that a solar project must be within 10 miles of an existing or planned transmission corridor.  Both seem like good ideas.

 

However, the BAD news is that many high value developed and dispersed OHV recreation opportunities occur within 1-5 miles of a highway or road (along which transmission lines often parallel) have been identified in the preferred Alternative 3 map as shaded green “solar application areas” where development opportunities might be allowed including land adjacent to the BLM’s Sand Mountain Recreation Area near Fallon, NV.

BLM PEIS Alt. 3 Map

 Access too many quality backcountry ADV routes also appears to be at risk because ingress and egress to them often stems off of local, state, and federal roadways.   

 

I encourage those of you who love to ride in the high desert to please review this planning effort to see if your favorite riding area or trail has been shaded green as a potential solar project site.

 

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/19/2024-00730/notice-of-availability-of-the-draft-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement-for-utility-scale

 

BLM SOLAR PROJECT WEBSITE

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022371/570

 

 

Thanks for your review of this planning effort.

 

NEW OHV ROCK CRAWL COURSE AT SAMOA DUNES

New 4x4 Obstacle Course - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

NEW OHV ROCK CRAWL COURSE AT SAMOA DUNES

  

Sustainable OHV recreation does not happen by accident but is often the result of diverse private and public sector partnerships that work in a collaborative fashion to create a high-quality and fun outdoor experience for the trail community.  

One of the Large Obstacles - Samoa Dunes Obstacle Course

BLM Arcata Field Office

A great example of that cooperative dynamic can be seen and experienced at the BLM’s Samoa Dunes Recreation Area located on the north edge of Humboldt Bay near Eureka, CA.  Recently, I visited that unit to review the new 4x4 obstacle course that was constructed by the BLM from discarded large broken rocks and old concrete that were replaced by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of a $22M federal repair project of the jetties along the entrance to Humboldt Bay.

Nissan Xterra Pro-4X in Rock Crawl Area - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office 

 

The new OHV challenge course has obstacles for all skill levels and a picnic area for spectators that was made possible by a robust collaboration between the Army Corps of Engineers, BLM, Emerald Triangle Off-Road Group, and funding from the CA State Park Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Grant Program.   

 

For those new to OHV recreation and have never visited this site, the multi-use Samoa Dunes Recreation Area has over 300 acres of coastal beach and dunes used for surfing, beach combing, hiking, and family picnics. It also has about 225 acres of dunes with a mix of designated routes and open areas available for OHV use.   The City of Eureka is also an important recreation partner since it provides an additional 75 acres with 1 mile of beach access open for OHV activities.

Designated Route - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

 

Before creation of the Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, the land was used by the timber industry starting in the mid-1800s and was also used by the military during WW2.  Remnants of that military use are evidenced by the many ammo bunkers that are now protected as important cultural/historical resources. 

WW2-era Ammo Bunker - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

The BLM also manages a 100-acre riparian area open for hiking and about 40 acres protected by exclosures where no public access is allowed to protect endangered native vegetation.

Snowy Plover Warning Sign - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

 

The Samoa Dunes Recreation Area is day-use only.  But fortunately, Humboldt County operates the Samoa County Park that does have overnight camping available with direct access to the OHV area for  riders who want to check out these year-around opportunities and/or escape the oppressive heat in the Central Valley during the summer months.

Rock Crawl Area with North Jetty in Background - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

 

Don Amador,  QWR President and Humboldt County native, states, “The BLM Arcata Field Office has a long history of managing the Samoa Dunes for a wide array of outdoor activities in a an environmentally sound manner that protects natural resources while allowing the public to access premier motorized and non-motorized coastal recreation.”

OHV SAFETY SIGN - Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

BLM Arcata Field Office

 

“This area highlights how meaningful collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies can provide diverse outdoor recreation opportunities enjoyed by residents and visitors,” Amador concludes.

  

Be sure and check out this family-friendly recreation area with plenty of opportunities for all skill levels from beginner to expert. 

 

BLM Samoa Dunes Recreation Area

https://www.blm.gov/visit/samoa-dunes

 

Samoa County Park

https://humboldtgov.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Samoa-Boat-Ramp-9

 

# # #

 

 

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 LLC. Don serves as the Western States Representative for the Motorcycle Industry Council. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEGAL JOLT HITS THE OREGON DUNES NRA

 

2018 Field Trip to OR Dunes NRA

LEGAL JOLT HITS SHORE AT OREGON DUNES NRA  

 

On March 25, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a 60-Day Notice of Intent to sue alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act Regarding both casual OHV use and permitted events that are or will be occurring in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

 

NEWS ARTICLE ON LETTER OF INTENT TO SUE

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/forest-service-faces-potential-suit-to-protect-coastal-martens-in-oregon-dunes/ar-BB1kA7Yz

 

In 1972, approximately 28,000 acres (out of 31K acres) was open for legal OHV use when Congress designated it as a National Recreation Area.  After implementation of the 1979 ORDNA Management Plan, the acreage available for OHV use was reduced by about 47% down to 15,000 acres.  When the 1994 ODNRA Management Plan was adopted, the acreage available for open riding was reduced significantly to 5,930 acres. 

 

After the 2014 Oregon Dunes NRA Management Area 10 (C) Designated Routes Project Record of Decision there is about 6,000 acres of open OHV use and 10 miles of designated routes (about 1 acre of tread footprint).

 

COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP AT OREGON DUNES

https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2019/08/collaboration-for-recreation-understand.html

 

Don Amador, QWR President and Pacific Northwest native, states, “This is not the first time that OHVers have had to fight against unwarranted beach closures in Southern Oregon and it won’t be the last.  Local OHVers have worked in a collaborative manner with conservation groups to protect resources while allowing for meaningful OHV use of the dunes.  I think this legal threat does a great disservice to that effort.”

 

“This is an important ocean/sand-based OHV mecca enjoyed by millions of American and foreign tourists and is worth fighting for.  I count myself as a long-time champion and supporter of this riding area and the Save the Riders Dunes Association, local businesses, powersports dealers, and other key stakeholders,” Amador concludes.  

 

 # # #  

 

 

OHV SAFETY WEEK - SHARE THE TRAIL - Watch for Two-Way Traffic

WATCH FOR 2-WAY TRAFFIC ON ROADS/TRAILS

Shasta Trinity National Forest

QWR wants to encourage OHV enthusiasts in CA to support the 2024 “SHARE THE TRAIL” themed Spring OHV Safety Week that is running March 23-31.  The educational goal for this event is to help new owners of OHVs better understand the responsibility they have to drive in a safe manner since there is often two-way traffic on public land roads and trails.

 

LINK TO SHARE THE TRAIL SAFETY WEEK NEWS RELEASE

https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1258

 

 

The foundation for this ongoing State Park safety week program was developed by the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners after robust discussions on current OHV safety issues at the August 2022 OHV Safety Summit held at the McClellan Training Center in Sacramento.

Is there another vehicle coming around this corner?

M10 - Grindstone Ranger District, Mendocino NF

 That conference was attended by various key state and federal agency representatives, powersports industry leads, major OHV organizations, ROV/UTV trainers, motorized media outlets, law enforcement, competition event organizers, and educational non-profits.

 

 

The primary focus was on improving/updating safety efforts to address the rapid growth of ROV/UTV/SxS use on public lands.  That inaugural summit was successful as the group subsequently planted the “safety standard” in the ground and resolved to improve safety education to reduce impacts to natural resources and other user groups.

Be Aware of other OHVs

 

Don Amador, QWR President and ROHVA Driver Coach, states, “I am glad to see the California Department of Parks and Recreation and OHMVR Division continue these key OHV safety programs.   As a ROHVA driver coach, I have seen the importance of SxS owners enhancing their driving skills and also learning about the use of proper safety gear.”  

 

“What makes these OHV safety programs so important is that many new operators have very little if any driving experience on public land roads and trails.  Often they are not aware there could be other vehicles using the same route and meeting another vehicle coming around a blind corner could be a safety hazard which is what makes these outreach programs so important.”  Amador concludes.

 

QWR believes it is important for the greater OHV community to “share” this important safety and responsible use message with our riding network and those new to the sport.

 

# # #

 

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 LLC. Don serves as the Western States Representative for the Motorcycle Industry Council. 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

BOOK REVIEW - THE BIG BURN - How the Massive 1910 Wildfire Saved the Forest Service and Preserved Access to Public Lands

 

BOOK REVIEW

By Don Amador

March 4, 2024

  

*This book is of particular import to the motorized trail community and outdoor enthusiasts who use motorized routes to access non-motorized areas.  Without the conservation efforts by Roosevelt and Pinchot over a century ago, most, if not all, of our FS and BLM recreation areas today would be owned by private interests and guarded by locked gates and posted with no trespassing signs.  Trail users owe these and other visionaries a great deal of thanks.

 

THE BIG BURN – How a Massive 1910 Wildfire Saved the Forest Service and Preserved Access                                                to Public Lands for Future Generations

 

As a native of the Pacific Northwest and an outdoor recreation enthusiast and advocacy lead for the last 33 years, I had some knowledge of the role that President Teddy Roosevelt and the former Chief of the USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, had in setting aside vast amounts of timberlands in the West for the use and enjoyment of the American People and creating the FS in 1905 to manage those public lands for future generations.

 

However, I was not aware of the intense amount of opposition they faced by Congress and private sector interests to block reservation of those lands for public use and to hamstring the agency with staffing challenges, very little if any forestry tools, no wildland fire training, and a very limited or nonexistent road and trail network.

 

Fortunately for me, a longtime friend and retired FS Recreation Officer, gave me THE BIG BURN, a book written by award winning author, Timothy Egan, that takes a deep dive into the conditions and other factors that led up to the Big Burn Fire, the largest wildfire in U.S history, that burned approximately 3 million acres of forested lands in Idaho, Montana, and Washington in the summer of 1910.

 

I was inspired that a relatively small number of Forest Rangers could muster a large and diverse corps of local residents, business owners, railroad workers, Buffalo Soldiers from the 25^th Infantry, outdoorsmen, frontier women, and others to try and save lives, property, and natural resources that were in the path of this wind-driven firestorm.

2023 Smith River Complex Fire

Smith River NRA - Six Rivers NF

 

The book helped me better appreciate the vision for conservation of public lands and the grit both Roosevelt and Pinchot displayed in their fight against the many enemies they had.   And, it let me get to know the heroism and leadership shown by FS personnel such as Ed Pulaski (inventor of the Pulaski trail tool) as they rallied largely untrained forces to fight the fire.

Pulaski Trail/Wildfire Fighting Tool

I believe this is a must read book for FS/BLM staff and private sector partners who are engaged with recreation management, forest health/fuel projects, forest planning, wildfire suppression, and post-wildfire mitigation efforts.   

 

For those who have experienced first-hand the devastating impact that an intense wildfire can have on forested lands that we live, work, or recreate on, this literary journey will most likely bring back painful memories but the hope it offers is worth it.

 

###

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 LLC. Don serves as the Western States Representative for the Motorcycle Industry Council. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOHNSON VALLEY - RATIONALE FOR STRONG OHV ADVOCACY

 

Marine Corps Booth at 2024 KOH

OPINION

Don Amador

Feb. 4, 2024

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

OHV recreation in California is replete with seminal moments that have impacted motorized access to public lands for better or worse. Such key events include creation of the CA Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Program in 1971, passage of the 1994 CA Desert Protection Act, the complete overhaul of the CA OHV program via passage of SB 742 by the legislature in 2007, closure of the BLM’s Clear Creek OHV Area in 2009, and passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2014 that created the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area.

Marine Corps Representative Talks with CA OHV Commission

2024 KOH at BLM's Johnson Valley OHV Area

 

On a recent visit to the Johnson Valley OHV Area as part of a CA OHMVR Commission Tour of the King of the Hammers off-road racing event, I was again impressed by the strong partnership that exists between the Marine Corps, BLM, State Parks, local law enforcement, OHV community, racing promoters, powersports industry, and local businesses.

March 2008 Public Scoping Meeting for Combat Expansion Proposal

Over 15 years ago, many OHV grassroots groups got their memberships and elected officials engaged (circa 2008 – 2012) in the early planning process for the Combat expansion proposal that threatened to

permanently close all or part of the Johnson Valley OHV Area to the public.  Besides asking our members to send letters, a strong coalition of OHV recreation groups sent in the following position statement to the Marine planning team as listed below.

AMA D37 Dual Sport Club Attends March 2008 Scoping Meeting

California OHV Recreation Stakeholder Group

                                  October 2008 Position Statement on Johnson Valley Issue

 

 We the undersigned strongly oppose the withdrawal of the Bureau of Land Management, Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area by the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms.

 While we respect the need to train our troops, we believe the Marine Corps must clearly demonstrate a need for the expansion of the base.  If such expansion is warranted then we support, in general, expansion in an eastward direction from the base.

 Eastward expansion presents the least conflict with multiple use of the public lands in the Johnson Valley area, and further, has the least impact on local communities and their residential and economic interests. 

 We will participate actively in the continuing development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.

While we respect the need to train our troops, we believe the Marine Corps must clearly demonstrate a need for the expansion of the base.  If such expansion is warranted then we support, in general, expansion in an eastward direction from the base.

 Eastward expansion presents the least conflict with multiple-use of the public lands in the Johnson Valley area, and further, has the least impact on local communities and their residential and economic interests. 

 We will participate actively in the continuing development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.

 

Signed,

 

American Motorcyclist Association, American Motorcyclist Association District 36,  American Motorcyclist Association District 37 Competition, American Motorcyclist Association District 37 Dual Sport, American Sand Association, Blue Ribbon Coalition, California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, California Off Road Vehicle Association, California Trail Users Coalition, Friends of Giant Rock, Friends of Johnson Valley, High Desert Multiple Use Coalition, Off Road Business Association, Partnership For Johnson Valley, and San Diego Off-Road Coalition.

 

For those who ask why they should be involved in, or support, government relations, volunteerism, and building partnerships, I believe this issue provides the rationale for that engagement.

Marine Map of Johnson Valley Shared Use Area

 

The thousands of comment letters sent in by the OHV community to the planning process and elected officials combined with the hard work by your OHV advocacy corps back in the day is why millions of motorized recreation enthusiasts continue to enjoy use of public lands at Johnson Valley and elsewhere in CA and the West.  And, is why their presence – and member participation/support - continues to help preserve and protect access to sustainable OHV recreation for current and future generations.

# # # 

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 LLC. Don serves as the Western States Representative for the Motorcycle Industry Council. 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.

CHRISTMAS TRAILS

Oak Knoll Trailhead

BLM Redding Field Office

 

                                                               CHRISTMAS TRAILS

While hiking yesterday at a popular BLM recreation site near Igo, CA, I was reminded about how the Greater Redding Area is blessed with an abundance of diverse outdoor recreational opportunities that include both motorized and non-motorized activities.

 

Many who read this blog already know about the world-class OHV trail system at the Chappie Shasta OHV area adjacent to Lake Shasta, but the BLM also has many non-motorized routes that are enjoyed by hikers, runners, MTBers, and equestrians.

          Don & Ellen Amador       

                                                                                          

                                                

    

One of those sites is at the Oak Knoll Trailhead where a major trail network exists that is used mostly by hikers, MTBers, and equestrians.  During our hike we encountered several groups of MTBers and chatted with them about the area.  They loved the managed trail system and the opportunity to get long day’s ride on varying terrain that offered some spectacular views.

Redding Trails Alliance

 

BLM partnerships with trail groups are clearly evident at this site.  Just like the agency works with the Redding Dirt Riders to maintain the Chappie Shasta OHV Area, the BLM has a strong partnership with the Redding Trails Alliance to help maintain many non-motorized routes.  Good stuff!

Trail Sign with Slash Piles in Background Ready to Burn

 Both Ellen and I can’t wait to get back out on this and some of the other trails in the Clear Creek Greenway.  And, the area has also inspired me to get out my MTB and give those trails and myself a good workout.

 

Christmas is a great time to get out on trails with family and friends.  A Merry Christmas to all and to all a great outdoor experience.