As QWR starts our 5th year anniversary in
2015, there might be no better kickoff of our Adventure module then riding to a
meeting with Region 5, Forest Service, in Vallejo, California yesterday. It was great to have Nick Haris (AMA) and
Dave Pickett (AMA Dist. 36) join the discussion on important topics with agency
recreation and trail leads.
Throughout the country and in California, the Forest
Service provides a significant amount of high quality OHV recreation for both
the casual user and clubs hosting amateur events such as enduros, poker runs,
and dual-sport rides.
I think there is a growing consensus in support for addressing
excessive cost recovery fees for permitted events. Other topics include user support for “Q
format” enduros which seem to be growing in popularity with new and old riders
alike and improved communication/collaboration between clubs and the agency.
QWR is excited for 2015 and what it holds for both street
legal and non-street legal OHVs. Stay
tuned for more articles and updates as this year kicks into high gear.
Don
ReplyDeleteSince most riders are unaware of the cost vs return. Can you give us an example of how much the recovery numbers are? From my experience it is outrageous and with low $ entry fee's and rider turn out it is a loss for some clubs. Our clubs do there best to keep it affordable but we as participants need to be aware. Dean Joyner AMA Lifer
Dean, here is one example from ID in 2011
ReplyDeleteOn February 28, 2011, representatives of the Boise Ridge Riders (BRR) met with Acting Idaho City District Ranger Lori Wood and three other Boise NF staff members to discuss the permit for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 IC100 events. Pursuant to previous conversations with the agency, BRR representatives reported that the required analysis could be completed by qualified environmental analysis firms for well under $10,000. This was quickly shot down by the FS staff, and they told them that the level of analysis they wanted to see would be over $50,000 and could exceed $100,000. Additionally, BRR would have to pay "cost recovery" fees for the FS staff time to supervise the contractor, prepare the permit, and monitor the event, and that this would likely exceed $10,000. On top of this, the club would be required to hire an approved archaeologist to survey every foot of every trail they wanted to use, at a cost of roughly $1,000 per mile.
It's clear reform is needed.