R5 REGIONAL FORESTER APPOINTED AS NEW CHIEF OF THE FOREST SERVICE

 

Randy Moore (L) with Don Amador and other FS Leads

Grindstone Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest

R5 REGIONAL FORESTER APPOINTED AS NEW FOREST SERVICE CHIEF

QWR wants to send our most sincere congratulations to Randy Moore on his appointment by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve as the 20th Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service.

 

LINK TO FULL AGENCY NEWS RELEASE

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/06/28/agriculture-secretary-tom-vilsack-announces-randy-moore-new-forest

 

 

According to a statement from Secretary Vilsack, “Randy Moore has been a catalyst for change and creativity in carrying out the Forest Service’s mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations,” said Secretary Vilsack. “In his role as Regional Forester, Randy has been a conservation leader on the forefront of climate change, most notably leading the Region’s response to the dramatic increase in catastrophic wildfires in California over the last decade. His proven track record of supporting and developing employees and putting communities at the center of the Forest Service’s work positions him well to lead the agency into the future at this critical time in our country.”

Kathy Mick (L), Mike Burmann (CL), Randy Moore (CR), Don Amador (R)

Upper Lake Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest

 

Upon swearing in, Moore will serve as the first African American to hold the role of Chief of the Forest Service.

 

Don Amador, President of QWR and Government Affairs lead for AMA District 36,  states, “I have ridden OHVs with Randy on several field trips to the Grindstone and Upper Lake Ranger Districts to review their sustainable trail management programs that provide world-class OHV opportunity on the Mendocino National Forest and on other National Forests in Region 5.”

Randy Moore (L) - On ATV Field Trip

Grindstone Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest

“As  core-team lead for FireScape Mendocino, a forest health collaborative, it has also been a privilege to work with Randy  in his role as Regional Forester where he helped guide the agency  through a number of severe and precedent setting wildfire seasons.   I believe he is the right person at the right time to fill this critically important position,” Amador concludes.

 

# # #

 

NIMBY WARS - Become a More Effective Land-Use Warrior

 

OPINION

By Don Amador

June 17, 2021

EFFECTIVE OHV ADVOCACY

Back in 2009, I read what maybe one of the best books ever written on the subject of effective grassroots political activism and how groups use the fine art of “political-craft” to achieve their land-use goals.  Given the current number of fierce political campaigns to shut down OHV-related legislation and recreation at Oceano Dunes SVRA and other state and federal riding areas, I want to encourage the new crop of OHV advocates to spend a few bucks to purchase online their own personal copy of NIMBY Wars.

 NIMBY Wars is a must read for all who are involved in land use advocacy. Regardless of your station in the battle for recreational access to public lands, you will benefit from the insights of this book as it succinctly explains the complex world of land use politics and articulates strategies for success.

 

It was early in my career of OHV land use advocacy (circa 1991) that I had this epiphany, “All land use decisions are political decisions.” Many club leaders, riders, new activists, and seasoned veterans have heard me talk about how important it is for all of us involved in land use advocacy to understand that at the end of the day - ALL land use decisions are political decisions.

 

Sure, scientific studies, reports, biological opinions, and other criteria are certainly factors in the land use decision-making process. However, the politics of the issue will be the last filter through which any decision must pass.

 

I have tried to explain (often times unsuccessfully) to those new to the field of land use politics the aforementioned thesis. To the normal person just sitting down with the decision-maker and explaining the facts, pointing out good science, offering a common sense solution, or supporting best management practices should be enough to encourage the decision-maker to make the right call. Unfortunately, those factors have little, if anything, to do with the final decision because the final decision is a political decision.

 

NIMBY Wars is a literary masterpiece that diagrams the bottom-up approach to grassroots activism and the importance of that local citizen (e.g. voter) or citizen’s group in achieving your objective.

 

Again, you must order this book if you are involved OHV advocacy, the OHV industry, or want to be involved in or lead, successful political campaigns to champion OHV recreational activities on public and private lands. If you are an experienced land use political professional, it will confirm various concepts and strategies you have employed and teach you new tactics.

 

If you are a new advocate, it will explain the politics of land use decision-making. If you are in the OHV business, it will explain and highlight the important roles of the professional land use consultant and the local user/leader. If you are a politician, lobbyist, or bureaucrat it will explain the history of land use politics and illustrate why and how you make your decisions.

 

Read this book! It will make you a more effective OHV champion.

BLM PLANNING EFFORT TO ENHANCE OHV RECREATION IN SOUTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY - COMMENTS DUE JULY 6

 

QWR commends the BLM’s Central Coast Field Office for starting this planning process to enhance sustainable OHV recreation opportunities on federal lands in an effort to address the increased demand – in our post-COVID world – for managed motorized and non-motorized recreation. 

 

Many land agencies have reported an unprecedented rise in visitor days which creates a huge capacity challenge for line-officers, recreation staff, and law enforcement.  For example, large numbers of SxS enthusiasts are traveling from the LA area to northern CA recreation sites such as the BLM’s Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding and the FS’s Stonyford OHV Area.

 

OHV Routes at Williams Hill

Recently, the BLM was awarded a planning grant from the CA State Parks OHV Grant Program to improve the trail network and facilities at the Williams Hill OHV Area that is about 55 miles south of Salinas off of Highway 101.  QWR believes it is critical for OHVers who use - or might want to use - the Williams Hill site to weigh in with scoping comments that are due on July 6.

 

It is important to make specific comments on how to improve the current OHV program there.  For example, you may want them to plan for new connector trails, 4x4 challenge course, increase single-track opportunities, or develop new camping/staging areas.  You might also comment about this planning effort being important due to the increased demand throughout the state for recreation opportunity and to relieve overcrowding at other OHV areas due to COVID and past, current, or proposed land closures.

 

LINK TO BLM SCOPING DOCUCMENT AND INFO LINKS

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeking-public-input-williams-hill-ohv-trails-recreation-improvements

 

Please share with your riding networks to help land agencies address public demand for motorized access and other forms of recreation.