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

Polaris and National Forest Foundation Team Up to Enhance Trails on National Forest Lands

Example of Grant Funded OHV Bridge in the Sierra National Forest

Installed to Protect Water Quality

QWR believes the future of OHV recreation on public lands is dependent on many factors including agency commitment, appropriated funds, partnerships with user groups and non-profits, volunteerism, use of modern trail management techniques, and non-federal grant opportunities.

QWR would like to highlight a recent example of a where an OHV industry grant program has teamed up with the National Forest Foundation on projects to armor trails (to address soil erosion) and enhance “looped opportunities” on the Superior National Forest.

National Forest Foundation News Release

http://www.nationalforests.org/press/releases/polaris-and-nff-team-up-to-restore-superior-national-forest-ohv-trails

This is a good case-study that highlights a growing trend in managed OHV recreation where both traditional and non-traditional stakeholders and partners are working in a collaborative effort to enhance sustainable OHV recreation on public lands.

QWR believe this new trend is important and will help protect resources and secure high quality OHV recreational activities on public lands for generations to come.

Legacy of Managed OHV Recreation in Sierra Nevada Continues

QWR's Don Amador (L) and FS's Matt Brownlee (R) on OHV Bridge Constructed

to Protect Water Quality

The Foresthill OHV Area on the American River Ranger District has a long history of running a well-managed and highly popular trail program.  Located on the Tahoe National Forest near Auburn, California, the Forest Service has partnered with many stakeholders in a successful effort to provide

diverse OHV opportunities while protecting the resource.

Weather Station to Monitor Rainfall/Soil Moisture on Trail

While on a recent program review with Forest trail specialists, QWR noted that current staff were hard at work preserving that unit’s legacy by employing the most recent trail management tools and concepts to address water/soil loss, restore off-trail impacts, and armor stream crossings.

Restoration Project of Old Hill Climb

Joe Chavez, the Tahoe National Forest’s Trail Lead, states, “There are a lot of factors that land managers must consider when planning their trail maintenance schedules and work details.  Soil moisture, amount of use, trail design including difficulty, and geography are all factors that determine how a trail is managed.”

OHV Traffic Control Measures

Matt Brownlee, the new OHV Program Manager for the American River Ranger District, said, “I am excited about using my trail building and maintenance skills to help carry on the fine tradition started by my predecessor, Mark Lambert.  I believe there are many opportunities on this unit to enhance OHV 

recreational experiences.”

High Quality Single-Track Motorcycle Trail on Unit

QWR believes the OHV program on the Forest is in good hands and commends the agency for its commitment to work with partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to offer the public a system of sustainable trail opportunities for current and future generations of OHV users.