Designated OHV Route on CA OHV Commission Tour
Hungry Valley SVRA
California recreation history was made in early November
when actual “Green Sticker” OHVs were used for the first time as the official
site tour vehicle for a CA OHV Program public event.
State Park Director, Lisa Mangat (with hat/scarf), Welcomes Tour Participants
Hungry Valley SVRA
On November 8, 2018, the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Recreation (OHMVR) Commission and a group of diverse stakeholders participated
in an 8 hour motorized tour of Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area
(SVRA) using non-street legal – Green Sticker - Recreational Off-Highway
Vehicles (ROVs) also called Side x Sides (SxSs).
AMA D36 LAO, Dave Pickett, Prepares to Join the 20+ ROVs for Tour
Hungry Valley SVRA
According to California State Parks, the OHMVR Program
was created in 1971 out of the critical need to better manage growing demands
for off-highway recreation, while at the same time foster respect for private
property rights and protect California's natural and cultural resources.
Area Rehabilitation is Important Aspect of CA OHV Program
Hungry Valley SVRA
Today, this program, [often called the “Green Sticker”
program”] a division of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, is the
largest and most successful program of its type in the U.S. The program
continues its commitment to provide safe, enjoyable recreation while balancing
the need to protect the state's resources.
Presentation on Area's Geologic History
Hungry Valley SVRA
According to Don Amador, longtime OHV advocate and former
chairman of the OHMVR Commission, “It was an honor to participate in this
historic OHV ‘Green Sticker’ event. I
think a lot of the participants, OHV commissioners, and state park staff were
surprised that this tour/trail ride was the first time that non-street legal
motorized vehicles were the featured mode of transportation.“
Designated OHV Route for Larger OHVs such as ROVs
Hungry Valley SVRA
The 35+ mile tour route consisted of both easy and more
challenging levels of trails. There were
also numerous stops where various OHV-related travel management,
resource/cultural protection, law enforcement, and educational topics were
presented and discussed.
State Park Director, Lisa Mangat, visits with AMA D36 LAO, Dave Pickett
Hungry Valley SVRA
“I believe most, if not all, of the SxS tour participants
were amazed at the amount and varying array of
designated high-quality and sustainable trail opportunities at the SVRA.
Many of the tour attendees had never
been in a ROV or taken such an extensive trail ride,” Amador continues.
Amador continues, “At the tour’s conclusion, I noted a
lot of happy smiles coming from the SxS drivers and passengers which signified
to me the importance of getting government decision-makers, agency staff, and
the recreation community together and out on the trail to personally experience
just what makes the OHV program so popular in the Golden State.”
Intermediate Level OHV Trail on Tour Route
Hungry Valley SVRA
“Lastly, I especially want to thank OHMVR Division and
SVRA staff who worked hard to make this precedent setting tour a successful and
productive event. Active tour participation
from the program’s many partners including federal land agencies, local law
enforcement, industry, private sector non-profits, OHV clubs, and volunteers
highlighted the broad scope and important role that OHV recreation has in
California’s recreation economy,” Amador concludes.
Information Kiosk on San Andreas Fault
Hungry Valley SVRA
The OHMVR Division website states that in addition to
providing accessibility to off-highway recreation for everyone from hikers to
bikers to bird watchers, the program provides a variety of services and
benefits to California's residents and visitors, including resource management
of state lands, wildlife habitat protection, youth development and law
enforcement.
Program funding comes from fuel taxes which are
attributable to the recreational use of vehicles off highway, off-highway
vehicle registration fees and fees collected at State Vehicular Recreation
Areas.
LINK TO THE CA OHV PROGRAM
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