tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-945666196238853962024-03-28T16:16:32.299-07:00Official Quiet Warrior Racing BlogFind out what is happening at Quiet Warrior RacingDon Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-58128924898587768692024-03-28T16:15:00.000-07:002024-03-28T16:15:53.445-07:00LEGAL JOLT HITS THE OREGON DUNES NRA<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg85-pT8l0WKk6g2hEGd3nM7OKZm3jx8VW1reYLv5hSM37PDLFX3P9Ft6U46JWcz3D2jpa6DookMd3uk12rvRovceredX1lOctmQBkUfn9QxdPnSQRo_PKqlpQ3GSM6FScdD8-dXlrsrIV1aBfO8g3TzqHSKi4ipQwki1fiQA2ZkFNgGx_oKBZ-3t7XfKm/s2356/or%20dunes%20don%20final.2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2349" data-original-width="2356" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg85-pT8l0WKk6g2hEGd3nM7OKZm3jx8VW1reYLv5hSM37PDLFX3P9Ft6U46JWcz3D2jpa6DookMd3uk12rvRovceredX1lOctmQBkUfn9QxdPnSQRo_PKqlpQ3GSM6FScdD8-dXlrsrIV1aBfO8g3TzqHSKi4ipQwki1fiQA2ZkFNgGx_oKBZ-3t7XfKm/s320/or%20dunes%20don%20final.2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2018 Field Trip to OR Dunes NRA</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>LEGAL JOLT HITS SHORE AT OREGON DUNES NRA </b></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">NEWS ARTICLE ON LETTER OF INTENT TO SUE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/forest-service-faces-potential-suit-to-protect-coastal-martens-in-oregon-dunes/ar-BB1kA7Yz">https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/forest-service-faces-potential-suit-to-protect-coastal-martens-in-oregon-dunes/ar-BB1kA7Yz</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After implementation of the 1979
ORDNA Management Plan, the acreage available for OHV use was reduced by about
47% down to 15,000 acres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the 1994
ODNRA Management Plan was adopted, the acreage available for open riding was
reduced significantly to 5,930 acres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP AT OREGON DUNES<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2019/08/collaboration-for-recreation-understand.html">https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2019/08/collaboration-for-recreation-understand.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local OHVers have worked in a collaborative
manner with conservation groups to protect resources while allowing for
meaningful OHV use of the dunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
this legal threat does a great disservice to that effort.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p># # # </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-2731453722325560542024-03-20T13:00:00.000-07:002024-03-20T13:00:10.759-07:00OHV SAFETY WEEK - SHARE THE TRAIL - Watch for Two-Way Traffic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEGNHSrUZPSe3AUAVuGyHcuAqZ1p2EVbhybajwm118-rxuxbwDGdCXYr4MK6R1qQ9onTl7f-UtM0msa1Fs6K5FlVS6M_QQ9_TcUKgibQKJZFY0zRuAm1t1qee9F7g0SN846bBf5XJGhANDRPVG7OEFG3-0ci9ueUjNaS7bFg3CnMR8MVhykK_A2x760q/s1292/share%20the%20road%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEGNHSrUZPSe3AUAVuGyHcuAqZ1p2EVbhybajwm118-rxuxbwDGdCXYr4MK6R1qQ9onTl7f-UtM0msa1Fs6K5FlVS6M_QQ9_TcUKgibQKJZFY0zRuAm1t1qee9F7g0SN846bBf5XJGhANDRPVG7OEFG3-0ci9ueUjNaS7bFg3CnMR8MVhykK_A2x760q/s320/share%20the%20road%20sign.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WATCH FOR 2-WAY TRAFFIC ON ROADS/TRAILS</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shasta Trinity National Forest</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>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.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO SHARE THE TRAIL SAFETY WEEK NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1258">https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1258</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7IaMSEjPbv8i-U5rtNSDVX4DBFGJYNVlweZkwxoyV8OX8mh5ieBO16UJs4coKqdz9eRpiYgKWBH_5mcmdNCl4xLQZEe64HyRi-fsxTdFqwsVYokYkuuoY6Zol_DE8GI69tkyQtB04XYP1YZ_dd4m-ua8Rd_HFCQTL2qAMICTac4rmGQ7D5GtW-mrS82o/s1146/share%20the%20road%20corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="1146" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7IaMSEjPbv8i-U5rtNSDVX4DBFGJYNVlweZkwxoyV8OX8mh5ieBO16UJs4coKqdz9eRpiYgKWBH_5mcmdNCl4xLQZEe64HyRi-fsxTdFqwsVYokYkuuoY6Zol_DE8GI69tkyQtB04XYP1YZ_dd4m-ua8Rd_HFCQTL2qAMICTac4rmGQ7D5GtW-mrS82o/s320/share%20the%20road%20corner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is there another vehicle coming around this corner?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">M10 - Grindstone Ranger District, Mendocino NF</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>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.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpaWyLhcM_oLf55BnB1Kh0A7MM-iPa6vjVm0_h3mMDFsiYprTuex9MkgiAT9VaV4dGleuqo4GIFapRaRTyeQcPjJl1oaw7Fv2aJsWyGNoOn2fjVtpQ2USgejtuJ0mOLe1ee72Ndunowfx1XYJfJUhoSRt_VL1x30DTXmh4mDEwdYsJAIWzlfKG4P0PKhr/s1319/share%20the%20roadkaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1044" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpaWyLhcM_oLf55BnB1Kh0A7MM-iPa6vjVm0_h3mMDFsiYprTuex9MkgiAT9VaV4dGleuqo4GIFapRaRTyeQcPjJl1oaw7Fv2aJsWyGNoOn2fjVtpQ2USgejtuJ0mOLe1ee72Ndunowfx1XYJfJUhoSRt_VL1x30DTXmh4mDEwdYsJAIWzlfKG4P0PKhr/s320/share%20the%20roadkaw.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be Aware of other OHVs</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i># # # <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and
recreation management profession for over 33 years. Don writes from his home in
Cottonwood, CA.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">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.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine</span></i></div></span>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-79027921581190454682024-03-04T12:56:00.000-08:002024-03-04T12:56:27.326-08:00BOOK REVIEW - THE BIG BURN - How the Massive 1910 Wildfire Saved the Forest Service and Preserved Access to Public Lands<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd99WQnozDUdtx2hEpT7RJP0oCZiH5O5JOBVhWEqnuajOZJ80uq-dPeHJvjTTcUKuooBwm7xTQTaPARans5eqV8hwwxGviIoOL9Q5BF3RK12Xw3k7lhJ8w1SHpvpkF5YaQqeYPXCYUZ2l1NHqouYJQiwWoh7kwueM9dWaNNaEoRbjO0_5V_w5OcMlXW-Bt/s343/big%20burn0001ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd99WQnozDUdtx2hEpT7RJP0oCZiH5O5JOBVhWEqnuajOZJ80uq-dPeHJvjTTcUKuooBwm7xTQTaPARans5eqV8hwwxGviIoOL9Q5BF3RK12Xw3k7lhJ8w1SHpvpkF5YaQqeYPXCYUZ2l1NHqouYJQiwWoh7kwueM9dWaNNaEoRbjO0_5V_w5OcMlXW-Bt/s320/big%20burn0001ss.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">BOOK REVIEW</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">By Don Amador<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">March 4, 2024<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">*<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This book is of
particular import to the motorized trail community and outdoor enthusiasts who
use motorized routes to access non-motorized areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trail
users owe these and other visionaries a great deal of thanks.</i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>THE BIG BURN – How a Massive 1910 Wildfire Saved the
Forest Service and Preserved Access to Public Lands for Future Generations</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Fortunately for me, a longtime friend and retired FS
Recreation Officer, gave me <i>THE BIG BURN</i>, 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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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<sup>th</sup> 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqTqtBs_rxm67Pg4AYPKgapUu7fvwDwAh8bh99YOmuOz7XDA4K_daYexY0H-UP9Qpq2kLCXMUrwYvpYFkab8lt_9W-o9WYhnwKfdsKGCv58vLZqsjAXcTzisZaZ-utDwCsWqirHTvXgbAJk_Vft5PfViTW9mB1q-v_17pfPeQeFTIwrbABnKdUBTlZRCi/s2264/big%20burn%20smith%20river%20199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="2264" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqTqtBs_rxm67Pg4AYPKgapUu7fvwDwAh8bh99YOmuOz7XDA4K_daYexY0H-UP9Qpq2kLCXMUrwYvpYFkab8lt_9W-o9WYhnwKfdsKGCv58vLZqsjAXcTzisZaZ-utDwCsWqirHTvXgbAJk_Vft5PfViTW9mB1q-v_17pfPeQeFTIwrbABnKdUBTlZRCi/s320/big%20burn%20smith%20river%20199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2023 Smith River Complex Fire</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smith River NRA - Six Rivers NF</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMErcnau7RcF0R6qXg2HV94jcjKnhG3LwoQIbztBsA9hvejLIVCyqDOMx6ZwuuN9dFUEjxBXJuVvsbaTbkZeUv_i3HhjifxcjvnSbcZUxKAVZiPZ5tog-UlxFgX3gmmmNXbvuux8thXL2dq0eapAnMdxQChD5nIfkbp1_AM4lQtfFYRq41xoDVJP2gqLz/s1500/pulaski%20tool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMErcnau7RcF0R6qXg2HV94jcjKnhG3LwoQIbztBsA9hvejLIVCyqDOMx6ZwuuN9dFUEjxBXJuVvsbaTbkZeUv_i3HhjifxcjvnSbcZUxKAVZiPZ5tog-UlxFgX3gmmmNXbvuux8thXL2dq0eapAnMdxQChD5nIfkbp1_AM4lQtfFYRq41xoDVJP2gqLz/w199-h199/pulaski%20tool.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pulaski Trail/Wildfire Fighting Tool</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>###<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation
management profession for over 33 years. Don writes from his home in
Cottonwood, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-82227400612781837102024-02-04T11:13:00.000-08:002024-02-04T11:13:40.870-08:00JOHNSON VALLEY - RATIONALE FOR STRONG OHV ADVOCACY <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QElsmC37bEdW7v-pCUUuZDw-Uhu6inHgbe1TV9rz48QjIGPRZuuvgpmqxRhtC_5J7R-hl1jmLdR_dGstmiXB6aaEcdCW22q3c-lNdjeaZU6pGGJUbgVfMHzPzK4KxUrkD-aSXELCD9iiIik9GyHFvTj_fh4nj2WUdxWqIuFktZ-cdZhn5yInfYjmhYL7/s761/koh%202024%20marine%20boothss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="761" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QElsmC37bEdW7v-pCUUuZDw-Uhu6inHgbe1TV9rz48QjIGPRZuuvgpmqxRhtC_5J7R-hl1jmLdR_dGstmiXB6aaEcdCW22q3c-lNdjeaZU6pGGJUbgVfMHzPzK4KxUrkD-aSXELCD9iiIik9GyHFvTj_fh4nj2WUdxWqIuFktZ-cdZhn5yInfYjmhYL7/s320/koh%202024%20marine%20boothss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marine Corps Booth at 2024 KOH</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">OPINION</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don Amador</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Feb. 4, 2024</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhnW734vT9y2XWKk-Um8wuF4g9QGHXnSbDqksAiERHbRvQFuxKoVfx9cxUNfhS4ticSzVeQGIo78iuUfsC0-rjpjr8VOanbB24AKuG9wJXBQgX8pJtq4i6vMOJezySicddCuV9su9jFN1ErizvB9yX29_EHReobI0cZ7-0pwSdLuzqWoTgVuWFEPaP6qF/s1504/koh%202024%20marine%20speech.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhnW734vT9y2XWKk-Um8wuF4g9QGHXnSbDqksAiERHbRvQFuxKoVfx9cxUNfhS4ticSzVeQGIo78iuUfsC0-rjpjr8VOanbB24AKuG9wJXBQgX8pJtq4i6vMOJezySicddCuV9su9jFN1ErizvB9yX29_EHReobI0cZ7-0pwSdLuzqWoTgVuWFEPaP6qF/s320/koh%202024%20marine%20speech.ss.jpg" width="301" /></a><br />Marine Corps Representative Talks with CA OHV Commission</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2024 KOH at BLM's Johnson Valley OHV Area</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj743ZU3Ca2L16ZcTnbYGAe2dGKsABYogmAkNmi2ByBkMtkkHrzzqQLadBfCRDo_ErrBkhln7z30V6csec-U_KINYzZgxW5ctbwukdpbu-zeRW2XTflqRjyzY5leQcne64ZACY0dvY3vqf3sdajHKRD9bdmx5EYp0t6vbtGkihFmKLrlLGDA0sGHY98BrSh/s3036/Johnson%20Valley%20hearing%20groupss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="3036" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj743ZU3Ca2L16ZcTnbYGAe2dGKsABYogmAkNmi2ByBkMtkkHrzzqQLadBfCRDo_ErrBkhln7z30V6csec-U_KINYzZgxW5ctbwukdpbu-zeRW2XTflqRjyzY5leQcne64ZACY0dvY3vqf3sdajHKRD9bdmx5EYp0t6vbtGkihFmKLrlLGDA0sGHY98BrSh/s320/Johnson%20Valley%20hearing%20groupss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">March 2008 Public Scoping Meeting for Combat Expansion Proposal</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">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</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">permanently close all or part of the Johnson Valley OHV
Area to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVria_DhqgghM4ec__iwZOQI5jHaqcGpuwGZK4-cehGDiWcDp-sNjvVhweHi0ppFoeBW3oNvIBp3TfpBOyQZpGO2CFa7QwT1WSZ9yrltixyFOqTb0PVF1c3I24x3UJWkv1-78wNtwrt6hu4b_fqjJC6WD5bs2mPXnXJTSFkCak0VcVjm640aFAN4YSGIk/s2129/Johnson%20Valley%20Hearing%20dual%20sport%20club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2129" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVria_DhqgghM4ec__iwZOQI5jHaqcGpuwGZK4-cehGDiWcDp-sNjvVhweHi0ppFoeBW3oNvIBp3TfpBOyQZpGO2CFa7QwT1WSZ9yrltixyFOqTb0PVF1c3I24x3UJWkv1-78wNtwrt6hu4b_fqjJC6WD5bs2mPXnXJTSFkCak0VcVjm640aFAN4YSGIk/s320/Johnson%20Valley%20Hearing%20dual%20sport%20club.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />AMA D37 Dual Sport Club Attends March 2008 Scoping Meeting</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;">California OHV Recreation Stakeholder Group</b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><o:p> </o:p>October 2008 Position Statement on Johnson Valley Issue</b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>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.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>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.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>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. </i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>We will participate actively in the continuing
development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>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.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>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. </i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p>We will participate actively in the continuing
development of alternatives for the proposed expansion as necessary.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Signed,<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>American Motorcyclist Association, American Motorcyclist
Association District 36,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEIb5r-o6V8PY2x44fZnl49s4qD3KYGDI4uHf4HJW7XDZBT5Gyz7OtaMNj95tVlqLhalCkMjWtSJ-l2PDKpVnCDl5No-tZbzjLviksb2pIWYBVOwM0MSIPTKIC1jfoUoEVDsGImlZdLb0K3JXA5IMZC4i2zAR5ojAvimJzdZxJCQd7GlN-gvigfyDWHFl/s1038/koh%202024%20marine%20map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1038" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEIb5r-o6V8PY2x44fZnl49s4qD3KYGDI4uHf4HJW7XDZBT5Gyz7OtaMNj95tVlqLhalCkMjWtSJ-l2PDKpVnCDl5No-tZbzjLviksb2pIWYBVOwM0MSIPTKIC1jfoUoEVDsGImlZdLb0K3JXA5IMZC4i2zAR5ojAvimJzdZxJCQd7GlN-gvigfyDWHFl/s320/koh%202024%20marine%20map.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Marine Map of Johnson Valley Shared Use Area</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>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.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-32189639906497126412023-12-17T07:13:00.000-08:002023-12-17T07:13:42.175-08:00CHRISTMAS TRAILS<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO517AWiloYz5UqJQjnRnj_D7_wDIGqoHrZNLRAZNXUyZM0yZHHa5vkUDfascF6DS7r5Dvki2S3TuAR4hJxjAbODZP1eP-s1ohOKyywUnpYvK8hZhHY_Q0afXU4WeSXgrDIVt7NU92fpfebZzMRlpGw4EDIxrWB68BIi1HWD2hE5hV2DBgh08DCrV6pZX0/s880/oak%20knoll%20kioskss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO517AWiloYz5UqJQjnRnj_D7_wDIGqoHrZNLRAZNXUyZM0yZHHa5vkUDfascF6DS7r5Dvki2S3TuAR4hJxjAbODZP1eP-s1ohOKyywUnpYvK8hZhHY_Q0afXU4WeSXgrDIVt7NU92fpfebZzMRlpGw4EDIxrWB68BIi1HWD2hE5hV2DBgh08DCrV6pZX0/s320/oak%20knoll%20kioskss.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oak Knoll Trailhead</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Redding Field Office</div><br /> <p></p><p> <span style="color: red;"><b> CHRISTMAS TRAILS</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiER6ZpQUwMS9DiM7OZC_F_tYm-83Fqnf95XbBNV9T9FhSlxT9Snnl_LR6HsINkkEaI5mpdJ40hxZ0EQvAauYMJ8g8XSkuojur6_pdtEwnc6joYzi57rUDsvzxxCVoeO_wbcdAgEw2Iuv-DfN_8IRO4DuckgK58jLzmtzeVZeB2_i9U0F5AQ5QHx7bgfS/s493/oak%20knoll%20ellen.signss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="386" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiER6ZpQUwMS9DiM7OZC_F_tYm-83Fqnf95XbBNV9T9FhSlxT9Snnl_LR6HsINkkEaI5mpdJ40hxZ0EQvAauYMJ8g8XSkuojur6_pdtEwnc6joYzi57rUDsvzxxCVoeO_wbcdAgEw2Iuv-DfN_8IRO4DuckgK58jLzmtzeVZeB2_i9U0F5AQ5QHx7bgfS/w165-h210/oak%20knoll%20ellen.signss.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjimkPVc-4mPs7xKNAwawGWX0sVXm-r-Dwzm5Hp76rLN2NAqxlGDVb5mrHAC4vEYv3zQ2QzHI5jgTM2xbUVsI_Pf1OWlW6xIBqTk0fTlfXC9w6dbtgdJk8iY7ffyxLu5L5yh4FPZj9avN2xhYXn5MJDYHIs4MZLdiQhwleU1BkVREjS-ThafXast8zgoY/s906/oak%20knoll%20don%20on%20trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="579" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjimkPVc-4mPs7xKNAwawGWX0sVXm-r-Dwzm5Hp76rLN2NAqxlGDVb5mrHAC4vEYv3zQ2QzHI5jgTM2xbUVsI_Pf1OWlW6xIBqTk0fTlfXC9w6dbtgdJk8iY7ffyxLu5L5yh4FPZj9avN2xhYXn5MJDYHIs4MZLdiQhwleU1BkVREjS-ThafXast8zgoY/w170-h265/oak%20knoll%20don%20on%20trail.jpg" width="170" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Don & Ellen Amador <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii55cN32YYADJC0ly9QU45Lz0cR1VgfP5zTmD024R6X4bNU0DpwRlGmnaleXO8j1xhIWeIQv0qnLPoKixSZ0SzficGVzQOrOHFAm1hyphenhyphenmV4LT3-uwlUW4Uv4qtQs2FWKyaeu6qFPet9YMTsymGJTFlyAgaUenQ4jTWa6l9fXHI7DywU4orlAVwyfuKzUAOn/s2379/oak%20knoll%20alliance%20group%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="1767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii55cN32YYADJC0ly9QU45Lz0cR1VgfP5zTmD024R6X4bNU0DpwRlGmnaleXO8j1xhIWeIQv0qnLPoKixSZ0SzficGVzQOrOHFAm1hyphenhyphenmV4LT3-uwlUW4Uv4qtQs2FWKyaeu6qFPet9YMTsymGJTFlyAgaUenQ4jTWa6l9fXHI7DywU4orlAVwyfuKzUAOn/s320/oak%20knoll%20alliance%20group%20sign.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Redding Trails Alliance</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">BLM partnerships with trail groups are clearly evident at
this site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good stuff!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXcHrGa8FejVut2dE2a13I_yvgv-9WScZ7EnS7AOwASkJNqDXj1nLF3gVXFGHwIiKFG2jbAMvJL0MOwgeRzHfLCC1UqypJnIvg3LUAwGu1K4X1NHnQi8NiFJaOX_uicLHUN4v_v0i-mNFuCMm09HJlqXIBtattBAMz1kIBv_yFgkwCOasK63Li-Q_3Ve9/s2921/oak%20knoll%20slash%20piles%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2921" data-original-width="2219" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXcHrGa8FejVut2dE2a13I_yvgv-9WScZ7EnS7AOwASkJNqDXj1nLF3gVXFGHwIiKFG2jbAMvJL0MOwgeRzHfLCC1UqypJnIvg3LUAwGu1K4X1NHnQi8NiFJaOX_uicLHUN4v_v0i-mNFuCMm09HJlqXIBtattBAMz1kIBv_yFgkwCOasK63Li-Q_3Ve9/s320/oak%20knoll%20slash%20piles%20sign.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trail Sign with Slash Piles in Background Ready to Burn</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>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.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Christmas is a great time to get out on trails with
family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Merry Christmas to
all and to all a great outdoor experience. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-72033981313561584452023-12-14T11:51:00.000-08:002023-12-14T11:51:04.495-08:00OHV/CONSERVATION COLLABORATION ON NOR CAL NATIONAL MONUMENT PROPOSAL<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BOjfBM7_p6WuapZ2weGkmhVYfHVXT8qThGRyC19hFJc_u-x80mVrSzbKV9n1BvQmteg0JoE4jESWaiBrsLzawl9uT9yG6Y8wgohHXmSVZGkPJiCV0hHJLeEbOe6Emalyzz5Db9EX98WmI7E8QYvkepHIu4uxbYomvrexEWhWNgDu_QbiL048p7s4iTQ0/s419/molok%20walker%20ridge%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="419" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BOjfBM7_p6WuapZ2weGkmhVYfHVXT8qThGRyC19hFJc_u-x80mVrSzbKV9n1BvQmteg0JoE4jESWaiBrsLzawl9uT9yG6Y8wgohHXmSVZGkPJiCV0hHJLeEbOe6Emalyzz5Db9EX98WmI7E8QYvkepHIu4uxbYomvrexEWhWNgDu_QbiL048p7s4iTQ0/s320/molok%20walker%20ridge%20sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Current Entrance Sign to Walker Ridge </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Indian Valley Management Area</div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>OHV/CONSERVATION COLLABORATION ON NOR CAL NATIONAL MONUMENT PROPOSAL</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">*<i>The article below is an overview of the recent FS/BLM public
listening session and I have added a link to my testimony with links at the end
of the article to the 2016 Monument dedication and some additional background
on this expansion proposal for those who want more info. </i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">On December 13, the Bureau of Land Management and the
USDA Forest Service hosted a public meeting in Woodland, Calif. to hear from
the community about management of the region’s public lands, including a
proposal to add the Walker Ridge area to the existing Berryessa Snow Mountain
National Monument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22vqaFZgbZE8Bwhh4QM3JZYwv6fMPmVBxTqI-y_50bnwsY_4VZP3rGkJcSRthSBpP_YpLqDCpb9MZZv5qHhH96dV6KN0z4CbDqXPkVzQPT-73Q9pVatbByl8DCl0aW3SKYxoAz3Q_lwihMlUbb0PTaGM7EVYNnBS3k1B-P3zgzNNOp1fbx9oKXLb4lRkI/s4000/molok%20group%20attending.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22vqaFZgbZE8Bwhh4QM3JZYwv6fMPmVBxTqI-y_50bnwsY_4VZP3rGkJcSRthSBpP_YpLqDCpb9MZZv5qHhH96dV6KN0z4CbDqXPkVzQPT-73Q9pVatbByl8DCl0aW3SKYxoAz3Q_lwihMlUbb0PTaGM7EVYNnBS3k1B-P3zgzNNOp1fbx9oKXLb4lRkI/s320/molok%20group%20attending.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Standing Room Only at FS/BLM Listening Meeting<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As many OHVers already know, in the BLM’s Indian Valley
Management Area there is currently a significant amount of unauthorized use of both
street-legal and non-street legal within the proposed expansion area and
adjacent federal and private lands since the BLM did not undertake travel
planning in that area during the 2006 Resource Management Planning effort due
to lack of agency resources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_HSzWZCNRvDsgYeWF_3AwacBfzn2vDQM1lx2MAJo7PUlVUGrePF-dl9ibbzAYos6c6EBg5768RXwDgixbqFRMqLtH1Symc8Obr6a3EqPgY1J6W7rHuFtnvtGQY_y9h7mUHMwW2yXk6mReHe9YB-yBDCTRcMvgGZqjbpxiHBFW5AdrA6gp3Lk2uto65lP/s624/molok%20carsonite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_HSzWZCNRvDsgYeWF_3AwacBfzn2vDQM1lx2MAJo7PUlVUGrePF-dl9ibbzAYos6c6EBg5768RXwDgixbqFRMqLtH1Symc8Obr6a3EqPgY1J6W7rHuFtnvtGQY_y9h7mUHMwW2yXk6mReHe9YB-yBDCTRcMvgGZqjbpxiHBFW5AdrA6gp3Lk2uto65lP/s320/molok%20carsonite.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> All Historic OHV Routes Currently Closed</div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Numerous conservationists, OHV representatives, and other
stakeholders mentioned the importance of bringing the proposed expansion lands
into the existing Monument management umbrella so there could be a unified command
structure that would aid in subsequent Monument and travel planning efforts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO DON AMADOR TESTIMONY<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poNJmxSxcdk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poNJmxSxcdk</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Tribal leaders, officials from the CA Natural Resources
Agency, and elected local and state representatives also stated their support
for the proposal.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="text-align: center;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Rp4gsOIdR2op_svsUd5V77wHPkQEnR_mDjoTaspad9x6_g2MD_XpaJykcXBaTA-dBIYRLwfpVkELK_9VPR_ML5Mf9dluODmXVlnrY1XD7GkgR8ljGYrZEJfpuAUXVQcmvn7H0zxi1mBxGsqQfxG6bD3W0osDJ1R2lL8HgM5fsPPeFQ1TC7ixUc7jkh_/s1405/molok%20del%20speaking..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="1040" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Rp4gsOIdR2op_svsUd5V77wHPkQEnR_mDjoTaspad9x6_g2MD_XpaJykcXBaTA-dBIYRLwfpVkELK_9VPR_ML5Mf9dluODmXVlnrY1XD7GkgR8ljGYrZEJfpuAUXVQcmvn7H0zxi1mBxGsqQfxG6bD3W0osDJ1R2lL8HgM5fsPPeFQ1TC7ixUc7jkh_/w212-h286/molok%20del%20speaking..jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0bviWyrS8TizpRXB8IbNR4tisBj4pwkkDQbDEKGyKNyUIPNMV02xmHRCRzfrcfzy4tZRXYja-W8Wc6akGptnOPAETnFxao7XPJrUl2QuJTbff77ni6q1irzTfL0VGHPDEh3fTmfIVQh38KZhJX5kagBqDfYWXyYLeP4FsZ_yblc_s1Vl6lvxgdekbgk6/s1757/molok%20allen%20speaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="1086" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0bviWyrS8TizpRXB8IbNR4tisBj4pwkkDQbDEKGyKNyUIPNMV02xmHRCRzfrcfzy4tZRXYja-W8Wc6akGptnOPAETnFxao7XPJrUl2QuJTbff77ni6q1irzTfL0VGHPDEh3fTmfIVQh38KZhJX5kagBqDfYWXyYLeP4FsZ_yblc_s1Vl6lvxgdekbgk6/w165-h282/molok%20allen%20speaking.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Del Albright Allen Schrage</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Having been on the front-line in many of the highly contentious
1990s-era land-use battles between multiple-use advocates and hard-core
environmental groups, I much prefer the 10-year or longer collaborative
relationship that exists between OHV and conservation groups regarding the
original Berryessa Monument designation process and now in this proposed
addition. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It was great to have Allen Schrage from the Mendo 4x4
Club and CAL4WD state his support and also remind the audience that OHV
recreation is an important use and value. I want to commend Duffy Collin from
the Oakland Motorcycle Club for attending and submitting their support
letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thanks also to the
California Enduro Riders Association and the Marin County Motorcycle
Association for allowing me to submit their support letters for the public
record.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Del Albright, a 40-year long advocate for sustainable
motorized recreation, stated his belief that National Monuments should be
designated by Congress but highlighted the collaboration and outreach in this
specific Monument proposal and the need for a unified command structure as the
rationale for his support of this effort.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfV4B931fDaNI9RPAZGscFVNZqBba43HfOKb7QPpSHu6loMNT8KqrtSteDc4ck1VJfjdrQMVE2Qp6nORKyS9weORBVRU0oXTobJxPbWaplMDbYC7-sIDc9kMfsouubN44WV0hhEOCOgK0ScaO1RNKvMkH3Z33GsrjWLIkxf0HzmcWZYhcA1WbmOZ2bN6x/s1989/molok%20duffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="1421" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfV4B931fDaNI9RPAZGscFVNZqBba43HfOKb7QPpSHu6loMNT8KqrtSteDc4ck1VJfjdrQMVE2Qp6nORKyS9weORBVRU0oXTobJxPbWaplMDbYC7-sIDc9kMfsouubN44WV0hhEOCOgK0ScaO1RNKvMkH3Z33GsrjWLIkxf0HzmcWZYhcA1WbmOZ2bN6x/s320/molok%20duffy.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Duffy Collin</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I want to commend Duffy Collin from the Oakland
Motorcycle Club for attending and submitting their support letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thanks also to the California Enduro Riders
Association and the Marin County Motorcycle Association for allowing me to
submit their support letters for the public record.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1hKzSy6uxrJYVnbQnN0isbhWp7dYKhZ1xSOMW7PCammUwrBCtHP5JcjiD-i-ORUU7XfYuNQ1rRrWXccLz_7S8eSPX36aF5dyiKHmAhpzGq9Jv-3Ut6ckNOI2uH6kJIwadJOJ5D7rkND7bKcT4VsBwc_PkTKprJ38xlNHLgH6nd-QVqALHVChQFndub-/s2043/molok%20bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="1344" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN1hKzSy6uxrJYVnbQnN0isbhWp7dYKhZ1xSOMW7PCammUwrBCtHP5JcjiD-i-ORUU7XfYuNQ1rRrWXccLz_7S8eSPX36aF5dyiKHmAhpzGq9Jv-3Ut6ckNOI2uH6kJIwadJOJ5D7rkND7bKcT4VsBwc_PkTKprJ38xlNHLgH6nd-QVqALHVChQFndub-/s320/molok%20bob.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bob Schneider - Conservation and Monument Lead</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As the former Chair of the CA State Park Off-Highway
Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, former OHV representative on the BLM’s
Central CA Resource Advisory Council, and OHV leader who has a long-term
commitment to the collaborative process that brings land agency leaders,
Tribes, conservation groups, local government, other stakeholders, and the OHV
community together with a common goal of both protecting natural and cultural
resources and providing a high-quality outdoor experience, I believe the robust
attendance by those stakeholders at the FS/BLM public listening session held on
December 13 in Woodland, CA highlights what can happen with diverse interest
groups find common ground on land management issues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">One of the speakers said that in a world filled with
chaos it is nice to be part of something positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strongly agree.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO 2016 BERRYESSA MONUMENT DEDICATION<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/03/ohv-recreation-key-partner-in-national.html">https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/03/ohv-recreation-key-partner-in-national.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO HISTORY OF WALKER RIDGE ADDITION PROCESS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2023/09/qwr-news-release-monumental-decision-in.html">https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2023/09/qwr-news-release-monumental-decision-in.html</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation
management profession for over 33 years. Don is President of Quiet Warrior
Racing/Consulting. 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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine. Don writes from his home in
Cottonwood, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-86266989585962888192023-12-04T09:35:00.000-08:002023-12-04T09:35:13.716-08:00"BIG RICH" PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH OFF-ROAD ACCESS WARRIOR - DON AMADOR<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGoSR6VmPe85Ho5Hzy0PywRNdkD2XGIcfEk2FGWpQ2sjPTGRtbWYVkHtGfkdS4vk0IE0bclrPw_0wf80TU5phMxg6IpdKkQwW56ti63xJHEK98AD4qZleD-RHHuR7V5BkUaYWoKyD4QBWCT566VP4GsEAQAEd57o0Uih6mf4-PFx0nkYG3A_9YZEZQ_lW/s1121/big%20rich%20amador%20pic..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1121" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGoSR6VmPe85Ho5Hzy0PywRNdkD2XGIcfEk2FGWpQ2sjPTGRtbWYVkHtGfkdS4vk0IE0bclrPw_0wf80TU5phMxg6IpdKkQwW56ti63xJHEK98AD4qZleD-RHHuR7V5BkUaYWoKyD4QBWCT566VP4GsEAQAEd57o0Uih6mf4-PFx0nkYG3A_9YZEZQ_lW/s320/big%20rich%20amador%20pic..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador - Goat Mountain </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stonyford OHV Area - Mendocino National Forest</div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Special thanks to the Big Rich podcast and their ongoing
effort to interview Inductees into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame to
preserve their off-road advocacy and access stories for those future generations
that are interested in the early land-use <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>battles (circa 1980s – 2000s). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Recently, I was interviewed by Big Rich where we had a
great conversation about my earlier life in Humboldt County growing up enjoying
the great outdoors in the Pacific NW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
also talk about a lot of subjects including my first motorcycle, recreating on nearby
timber company property and public lands, what event started my land-use
career, getting involved in the BRC and subsequently becoming their Western
Representative, remembering the successes of the BRC /Turcke legal program (circa
1996-2000s), OHV politics, my run for Congress in 1998, getting the 2003 CA 96 dBA
OHV Sound law enacted, rewriting the CA OHV Program via SB 742 in 2007, Oceano
and other OHV challenges, getting riders engaged, finding common ground with
conservation groups, cost recovery,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1984
Wilderness Act/trail closures, Timber Wars, building quality relationships with
decision-makers and agency staff, import of on-the-ground trail decisions made
at the local level, and many other topics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO HOF WEBSITE/AMADOR – Scroll down to Big Rich Show
#191 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.ormhof.org/don-amador">https://www.ormhof.org/don-amador</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The interview is 54 minutes long and I hope that it sheds
some light on my advocacy journey and its goal to preserve and protect access
to public lands for responsible OHV recreation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Lastly, I want to thank the many leaders in the
powersports industry, politics, government, grassroots, conservation groups,
and recreation organizations who have mentored me over the last 34 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their patience, commitment, fellowship, and
support is what I credit for helping me become an effective advocate for
responsible recreation and resource management-related policies, legislation,
and projects.<o:p></o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-64543664354889406472023-11-20T09:41:00.000-08:002023-11-20T09:41:48.170-08:00QWR NEWS RELEASE - TWO BLM OHV MANAGERS GIVEN NATIONAL AWARDS<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq8Z0D9hZIGqeRw53PfqkVOHSia_eH1B9E6UbxbPrCJmDFkMmtT-mUcvH-PQiq0IXvWCSe5_KReF6zQWCZn1df_DVrJNE8Kxl61yQ8fdR2zF6uNaJHbPvsGccWARjevtyejT09wVH-dV33pMv1DhiJK1P0CwuhPBKXfBeEARSyV206CZg-FaZhBL1oBgw/s2407/shasta%20dam%20gp%202019%20don.sky.one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="2198" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq8Z0D9hZIGqeRw53PfqkVOHSia_eH1B9E6UbxbPrCJmDFkMmtT-mUcvH-PQiq0IXvWCSe5_KReF6zQWCZn1df_DVrJNE8Kxl61yQ8fdR2zF6uNaJHbPvsGccWARjevtyejT09wVH-dV33pMv1DhiJK1P0CwuhPBKXfBeEARSyV206CZg-FaZhBL1oBgw/s320/shasta%20dam%20gp%202019%20don.sky.one.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador (L) and Sky Zaffarano (R) </div>Chappie Shasta OHV Area, BLM Redding Field Office<br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>TWO BLM OHV MANAGERS GIVEN NATIONAL AWARDS</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is a special time of the year where the OHV family gives
thanks for our access to many high-quality federal and state recreation areas
that are managed by dedicated and talented trail specialists who work hard to
ensure these facilities are open for our enjoyment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I was thrilled to see two BLM recreation program managers
recognized by the National Off-Highway Conservation Council and given awards
for their outstanding service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylFqnncP7zZ5zEwDdWcWTxZarGn4usL8-V99tdb6RwiCuj9YEEtTiTHD2s3NKy7UFdYaQ9kQ2oMLhZekwS3rq02xB65inPurksUNWARbdlZ7kTp6-hXj6yrL7N_tkAmPNzaRNMIBCNjZxv__cbLYmJ0nrRETEWxxAmKv-oK59hQeLeF8fRHh1CQc1QsJL/s2940/neil%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="2864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylFqnncP7zZ5zEwDdWcWTxZarGn4usL8-V99tdb6RwiCuj9YEEtTiTHD2s3NKy7UFdYaQ9kQ2oMLhZekwS3rq02xB65inPurksUNWARbdlZ7kTp6-hXj6yrL7N_tkAmPNzaRNMIBCNjZxv__cbLYmJ0nrRETEWxxAmKv-oK59hQeLeF8fRHh1CQc1QsJL/s320/neil%202023.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>Neil Hamada, OHV Program Manager</o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, BLM El Centro Field Office </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><br /><span style="text-align: left;">According to the NOHVCC website, </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Neil Hamada, BLM El Centro Field Office, was
given the Special Recognition Award for his service as the longtime manager of
the Imperial Sand Dunes, one of the most popular OHV destinations in the
country. Neil has always promoted quality management, excellent communication,
and the highest level of customer service.</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwFpJyGSf_lgRvenI5PNF4B3Flo-iSDOhyQbQdv-r1IIK-RBCDiVmm3Lt-8I6pRCwOul4ztY_7lS0MHaCi_ln7qgtL8zw7tqkFiD0A2pNeEYMQRq2M7ejqaMJ0MaM4S2HQHpJk6ABod5EEmCf3YyNFTpUZq7jyrFjvJTU8Eq0yBZelCHYvAefnFSxhuY4/s1753/sky%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1753" data-original-width="1546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwFpJyGSf_lgRvenI5PNF4B3Flo-iSDOhyQbQdv-r1IIK-RBCDiVmm3Lt-8I6pRCwOul4ztY_7lS0MHaCi_ln7qgtL8zw7tqkFiD0A2pNeEYMQRq2M7ejqaMJ0MaM4S2HQHpJk6ABod5EEmCf3YyNFTpUZq7jyrFjvJTU8Eq0yBZelCHYvAefnFSxhuY4/s320/sky%202023.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sky Zaffarano, OHV Recreation Manager</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chappie Shasta OHV Area, BLM Redding Field Office</div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The BLM’s, Sky Zaffarano, was also honored with the Rob
Perrin Manager of the Year Award. Rob Perrin was an advocate for all types of
recreation during his career at the Bureau of Land Management, and always made
sure that OHV had a seat at the table. Perrin was a NOHVCC Hall of Fame Member,
and ardent supporter of the organization. Upon his passing NOHVCC decided that
it was only fitting to rename our Program Manager of the Year award in his
honor. Each year NOHVCC recognizes an OHV manager who exemplifies Rob’s
dedication to providing quality recreation experiences and strong community
partnerships. In 2023 NOHVCC recognized Sky Zaffarano with the Bureau of Land
Management Redding Field Office. Sky manages the Chappie Shasta OHV area where
he works every day to make the area the best that it can be. Local OHV clubs
and associations give glowing recommendations of Sky for his hard work, open
dialogue with partners, and willingness to explore new ideas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing, states, “I
have ridden and worked with Neil and Sky since the 1990s and consider it a privilege
to know them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They exemplify the concept
of servant leadership where they put the customer (recreation public) above
themselves and have developed world-class OHV programs that are enjoyed by
millions of outdoor recreationists each year.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“I also want to congratulate the other award winners
which include;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris Gamache, CORVA, Tasha
West, Carol Smith, and Russ Ehnes for their long-time commitment and
contributions to promoting environmentally sound OHV recreation,” Amador
concludes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO NOHVCC WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://nohvcc.org/nohvcc-announces-2023-award-winners/">https://nohvcc.org/nohvcc-announces-2023-award-winners/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-72710680030343436452023-10-30T12:58:00.002-07:002023-10-30T12:58:16.176-07:00ENHANCING ADVOCACY SKILLS<p style="text-align: right;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiHMkkB8L6G3s0BQqd1hW8ltW3ejks2FfZheJrDnrSAtaDsBR_JTwYPWGRhgIwXnPZWkQvlyGlwnrW4R4JSmQ3EmE5zyue4tjxalas6q7LfQ__FqJt9X2eAWqNToC1ieML-LNnHUSXTZHCXCkVmII-xC7s-JkrTmysE2GVydYKYf5gRXQsouwaK8A60rC/s2280/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.sacto.don..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="2280" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiHMkkB8L6G3s0BQqd1hW8ltW3ejks2FfZheJrDnrSAtaDsBR_JTwYPWGRhgIwXnPZWkQvlyGlwnrW4R4JSmQ3EmE5zyue4tjxalas6q7LfQ__FqJt9X2eAWqNToC1ieML-LNnHUSXTZHCXCkVmII-xC7s-JkrTmysE2GVydYKYf5gRXQsouwaK8A60rC/s320/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.sacto.don..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Giving Testimony on Clear Creek and other Issues</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CA STATE PARK OHMVR COMMMISSION MTG</div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">ENHANCING ADVOCACY SKILLS</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>By Don Amador</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">President, Quiet Warrior Racing<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Oct. 30, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">One key takeaway from the recent CA State Park OHMVR
Commission meeting and field trip was the clear message given by the State Park
Director, Armando Quintero, to a large group of youthful participants from
several local conservation corps and others in the audience that volunteering
to serve on government or non-profit boards and commissions is not only a noble
endeavor but an effective way to learn public speaking, running meetings, and understanding/navigating/managing
a bureaucracy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr6HsAp8_mLzvs2xGWDzbDRXEpiXVqL59G3X1KwbfhmBak5SiO5Ub5y0Nk6bJP5RsR6_B-JHJdXsuuSwBjcQ3QGbHRG7Vl8wAzMiSdtpE3Qh6fJ-UnqzZ9hX2mRU0u_bsQQXRR_4dRijYXCjDctnRZ1xS6A3Sqwpru7chj6JaqfT34RMPi4qVd7B3WDtm/s4000/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.kat.sarah.amando.talking..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr6HsAp8_mLzvs2xGWDzbDRXEpiXVqL59G3X1KwbfhmBak5SiO5Ub5y0Nk6bJP5RsR6_B-JHJdXsuuSwBjcQ3QGbHRG7Vl8wAzMiSdtpE3Qh6fJ-UnqzZ9hX2mRU0u_bsQQXRR_4dRijYXCjDctnRZ1xS6A3Sqwpru7chj6JaqfT34RMPi4qVd7B3WDtm/s320/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.kat.sarah.amando.talking..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New OHMVR Commissioner, Kat Anderson (L) - OHMVRD Dep. Dir., Sarah Miggins (C)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and State Park Director, Armando Quintero (R) at Commission Field Trip to Carnegie SVRA</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Over the years, I have had several members from the OHV
community ask me how they could become an advocate for motorized recreation. I first tell them there are no short-cuts in
the field of advocacy and they need to develop their skill-craft in the
field of politics and the public process.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As Quintero pointed out, there are many opportunities to
develop your advocacy and people skills<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">by serving as a member on a school board, a park or
planning commission, or agency resource advisory council. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">CAL-SPAN VIDEO OF OCT. 26 OHMVR COMMISSION *Good information!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://cal-span.org/meeting/ohmvr_20231026/">https://cal-span.org/meeting/ohmvr_20231026/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Since “All OHV decisions are political decisions” an
aspiring advocate should volunteer on political campaigns to support a
candidate or issue to better understand how government sausage is made.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcqh9fmj3inP77A2QLp_uZ0xPZsxj6bUjBRlGYhsA6cs93ZYKqPI2bT4hyphenhyphen0j8z2M4Xj2Yb8dic5D9Bh9r98QY9TrqI6o-9oTBn0pnvJHioNZRlVDiIFWVwIy5VQKJMVGlbM8HnfwCF5RkPxtObRsisCFPyHsnrz0Bge1SqoTDLCnW5IG-BDPrFxL8B5-Q/s4000/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.commission.table..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcqh9fmj3inP77A2QLp_uZ0xPZsxj6bUjBRlGYhsA6cs93ZYKqPI2bT4hyphenhyphen0j8z2M4Xj2Yb8dic5D9Bh9r98QY9TrqI6o-9oTBn0pnvJHioNZRlVDiIFWVwIy5VQKJMVGlbM8HnfwCF5RkPxtObRsisCFPyHsnrz0Bge1SqoTDLCnW5IG-BDPrFxL8B5-Q/s320/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.commission.table..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CA OHMVR Commission</div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Volunteering on numerous state and federal political campaigns
in the early 1990s is how I learned to hone my advocacy skills so I could champion
environmentally sound OHV recreation and natural resource management in an
effective manner.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">At the same time, I served on a local school board and
was appointed to the CA OHMVR Commission by Governor Pete Wilson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">You also have to show up at meetings and forums to
practice your presentations and observe how effective (and non-effective) advocates
give testimony and otherwise engage in the public process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, engage with stakeholders you interface
with so they know you are committed to building a strong professional and/or
personal relationship with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
want to know their effort in this two-way process will not be a waste of time
and resources.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe9MksqR-kfjNP4z1-RqegXvB4klEPV2B8eElJjrfqaOvQyvVODSLLQogOi1eU2CN62qXjMRsaS4jQQCGrmHmQvvBzOvZGbYTA49RXr5idHbYGTZ2QAdi1XmIfQrayKGCtll8VBSA2Pso1jY2XVTtkMBApUrBD_gHeL_AgjEnVxWCnHaw2XSWPzIbCG8H/s1952/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.dept.jeep.demo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1952" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe9MksqR-kfjNP4z1-RqegXvB4klEPV2B8eElJjrfqaOvQyvVODSLLQogOi1eU2CN62qXjMRsaS4jQQCGrmHmQvvBzOvZGbYTA49RXr5idHbYGTZ2QAdi1XmIfQrayKGCtll8VBSA2Pso1jY2XVTtkMBApUrBD_gHeL_AgjEnVxWCnHaw2XSWPzIbCG8H/s320/ohv%20commission%20oct.2023.dept.jeep.demo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Demo of 4WD Challenge Course at Prairie City SVRA</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Nothing in OHV is ever easy, but building your advocacy career
on a sound foundation will help you achieve your goal and that is a very good
thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Future generations of outdoor
recreationists will be in your debt. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-87860637548975590812023-09-26T08:50:00.001-07:002023-09-26T08:50:08.881-07:00QWR NEWS RELEASE - MONUMENTAL DECISION IN NOR CAL BLM AREA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87O4RRjxInheS3zCZJGrIaCJM3Go_j8hKPnb_LMfbT2EgTF0O2P94yLvGZ1pCDFCq0BvjbbUce4D-wp0OI7LTXAooXhswvW97tgl7qX0x-NBCjgaaXE2yYuviO-LlGiWJMBf4JLU3xQHkEVsra3vIVfbkpvFY80xlRbzF8Xg-hHn_rX5_j-5WQjQ9MpUn/s2226/berryessa%20national%20monument.don.sign..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2226" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87O4RRjxInheS3zCZJGrIaCJM3Go_j8hKPnb_LMfbT2EgTF0O2P94yLvGZ1pCDFCq0BvjbbUce4D-wp0OI7LTXAooXhswvW97tgl7qX0x-NBCjgaaXE2yYuviO-LlGiWJMBf4JLU3xQHkEVsra3vIVfbkpvFY80xlRbzF8Xg-hHn_rX5_j-5WQjQ9MpUn/s320/berryessa%20national%20monument.don.sign..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador on Designated OHV Trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Berryessa National Monument- Mendocino NF</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">NEWS RELEASE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>CONTACT: Don Amador
@ <a href="mailto:damador@quietwarriorracing.com">damador@quietwarriorracing.com</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>DATE: September 26, 2023</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> <b>MONUMENTAL DECISION IN NOR CAL BLM AREA</b></o:p></p>
<br />
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>I want to join the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, elected
officials, and community leaders by also thanking Secretary Deb Haaland and
Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning for visiting the
proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument expansion area which is to
include Molok Luyuk - also known as Walker Ridge.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9eF1FaeFndt7N6GffGFaTVDnJ3sgBBFRdzuSPsuhtsqgut48d8bHAjM800a5LmK261RlaIUjs_DtIt94A-4lKOOPKXuoztepGh5HZa6MkKZrL4i5MzD8QHvwejcHrWHffRyS_7ZsKi9EdoFU_kCP6DUl7V0F7dhd-o9Bz50QvOy4Yycbhg-gZRfJ3-Po/s803/monument%20jewel.ohv.stopss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9eF1FaeFndt7N6GffGFaTVDnJ3sgBBFRdzuSPsuhtsqgut48d8bHAjM800a5LmK261RlaIUjs_DtIt94A-4lKOOPKXuoztepGh5HZa6MkKZrL4i5MzD8QHvwejcHrWHffRyS_7ZsKi9EdoFU_kCP6DUl7V0F7dhd-o9Bz50QvOy4Yycbhg-gZRfJ3-Po/s320/monument%20jewel.ohv.stopss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Interior Secretary, Sally Jewel, Talks with OHV and other Stakeholders</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2016 Dedication of Berryessa National Monument</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The field trip occurred on September 24 and also included
a roundtable discussion between local stakeholders and Biden Administration
officials about why this proposed expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National
Monument is so important to the Tribe, conservation groups, and the recreation
community.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The plan would recognize and protect important cultural
resources that are sacred to the Tribe and improve access to managed recreation
opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized outdoor activities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Currently there is a significant amount of illegal and
unauthorized use of non-street legal “Green Sticker” OHVs within the expansion
area and adjacent federal and private lands since the BLM did not undertake
travel planning in that area during the 2006 Resource Management Planning
effort due to lack of agency resources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Ve9ZIXBOZPdacVMUllLVEM9c0w6FeMLNxnDLBv2BV2GoxG1uSYRbAvId3A-CGxGyYJlhhH5mC0xP0VjNVYuenhEF8QLECqmqoVNYNWs6bYqSdKgrlO-Lbn4twpYteF9uvaeXW74dnZ_cUhaJomXEwNkb9OdU_cuhvpwGM53Y5nG-YK1LeEZpiw0bmrg/s803/monument%20ohmvr.boothss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3Ve9ZIXBOZPdacVMUllLVEM9c0w6FeMLNxnDLBv2BV2GoxG1uSYRbAvId3A-CGxGyYJlhhH5mC0xP0VjNVYuenhEF8QLECqmqoVNYNWs6bYqSdKgrlO-Lbn4twpYteF9uvaeXW74dnZ_cUhaJomXEwNkb9OdU_cuhvpwGM53Y5nG-YK1LeEZpiw0bmrg/s320/monument%20ohmvr.boothss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CA State Park OHMVR Division Booth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2016 Dedication of Berryessa National Monument</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I believe the expansion is critical to helping restart
the stalled 2021 BLM Travel Management Planning Process for the Berryessa Snow
Mountain National Monument since it will help bring said lands under one
management umbrella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A designated system
of legal roads and trails will help reduce impacts from illegal activities to
important cultural and natural resources as well as making the routes eligible
for CA State Park “Green Sticker” grant funds that can be used for trail
planning/construction, restoration of damaged areas, and law enforcement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO TULEYOME NEWS RELEASE ON TOUR WITH DOI AND BLM
LEADS *Amador and other quotes <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://tuleyome.nationbuilder.com/interior_secretary_blm_director_visit_proposed_berryessa_snow_mountain_national_monument_expansion">https://tuleyome.nationbuilder.com/interior_secretary_blm_director_visit_proposed_berryessa_snow_mountain_national_monument_expansion</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As an OHV leader who has a long-term commitment to the
collaborative process that brings land agency leaders, Tribes, conservation
groups, local government, other stakeholders, and the trail-based recreation
community together with a common goal of both protecting natural and cultural resources
and providing a high-quality outdoor experience, I believe this proposal highlights
what can happen with diverse interest groups find common ground on land
management issues.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCskcSsI_YyGy9DCUuSjAYJExReT-cBjkYT_-A_rzjc-VINi4o00pzBPd34vLb3vNjny0wfIcp4cI4sFnIzIlcjBGSeFURTK1xC2MaFLpRISZxa6ghY30Uhsv1IOsp07OSswpxW8oPW956vDPsXXei-0H2xo0xlQKeau2SdRetUlsqSR5Zswt0tVmJea6/s829/indian%20valley%202020%20ktm.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="829" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCskcSsI_YyGy9DCUuSjAYJExReT-cBjkYT_-A_rzjc-VINi4o00pzBPd34vLb3vNjny0wfIcp4cI4sFnIzIlcjBGSeFURTK1xC2MaFLpRISZxa6ghY30Uhsv1IOsp07OSswpxW8oPW956vDPsXXei-0H2xo0xlQKeau2SdRetUlsqSR5Zswt0tVmJea6/s320/indian%20valley%202020%20ktm.ss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trail in the Proposed Addition Area</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Just as many OHV interests attended the 2016 dedication
of the Berryessa National Monument because of the outreach and partnership
between the conservation and OHV community on that effort, I think this
addition merits that same level of support by trail riders, dual sport/ADV
enthusiasts, and 4WD clubs. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i># # # <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation
management profession for over 33 years. Don writes from his home in
Cottonwood, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don is President of
Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting. 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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don is a contributor to Dealernews Magazine.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-25059233096711655872023-08-10T16:53:00.004-07:002023-08-10T16:53:54.031-07:00WILDFIRES - Not Just Whistling Dixie<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd7-BNEyMocAsptXFFHMc_c5K0aYL4KOkL9B92xhpdPacIkME_ePXcwIVwCmMJcDjUG6axUCkGgrtyBslD1v4g0AoW3ZEStKt6vejCeGDZ5H-FJcsve0QN8ea7pQQB_rmCvrdO9Z7px5UbDCelYvea861CDQmr3Ky3MgXhECjgXV4exha7JKij5k0I62d/s880/Dixie%20fire%20road%20looking%20west.volcanoss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="880" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQd7-BNEyMocAsptXFFHMc_c5K0aYL4KOkL9B92xhpdPacIkME_ePXcwIVwCmMJcDjUG6axUCkGgrtyBslD1v4g0AoW3ZEStKt6vejCeGDZ5H-FJcsve0QN8ea7pQQB_rmCvrdO9Z7px5UbDCelYvea861CDQmr3Ky3MgXhECjgXV4exha7JKij5k0I62d/s320/Dixie%20fire%20road%20looking%20west.volcanoss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking West at Lassen and Burn Area</div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">WILDFIRES - Not Just Whistling Dixie<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">By Don Amador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">August 10, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">As residents and property owners in the historic town of
Lahaina struggle to try and cope with the catastrophic wildfire-caused loss of
life, homes, and businesses owners (including
a life-long friend of mine) , I am reminded about similar wind-driven
firestorms that have impacted California and other western states over the last
15-20 years.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5A2uPEYjoVChEqvnKUokpUjCfL3H3HaBrAqvEJIJ1bk7FbyRCDI7whZUx6GeiKGq4ydPbEpnweGJQPr3RoAcP-wYDwSAPUJwt9i7lGdR7e65rW341zceghR1xUn-EABLtdVlVVGmBMXkWrXAomXFG1wpYZNgQrXatTMQsI4RNcnGrVS01HM6IbxjeYdk/s3498/dixie%20fire%20map%20NASA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3498" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5A2uPEYjoVChEqvnKUokpUjCfL3H3HaBrAqvEJIJ1bk7FbyRCDI7whZUx6GeiKGq4ydPbEpnweGJQPr3RoAcP-wYDwSAPUJwt9i7lGdR7e65rW341zceghR1xUn-EABLtdVlVVGmBMXkWrXAomXFG1wpYZNgQrXatTMQsI4RNcnGrVS01HM6IbxjeYdk/s320/dixie%20fire%20map%20NASA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NASA - Dixie Fire Burn Footprint </div><br /> </div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">While the aforementioned losses are devastating and hard
to process, the impacts from mega wildfires to public land access and
recreation opportunity cannot be understated for the millions of people who
visit federal areas for OHV and other forms of recreation with family and
friends.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Having spent most of my personal life and professional
career recreating and working on federal OHV recreation areas impacted by intense
wildfires, I think it is important for those touched by these events to
understand the devastating long-term effects these fires can have on them. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLSv0xvKg3VvJHp8Y10Vfh6a565TjgfS3vevYrwF9TbJcYigQ52Y7ztBUI74_HUMMIyhoK5xZlLa6cy4xBq8-ZaLLLxNynLaQp7Ak091eyo5z8GouEg2uhHzbB0j5f-UOAa3-x4X7VbFhd_LSUif55oyMIZm9ESzmUJ7zFCL404u7utmVq6x0VRMQMpAZ/s1960/dixie%20looking%20west%20lookout.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1960" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLSv0xvKg3VvJHp8Y10Vfh6a565TjgfS3vevYrwF9TbJcYigQ52Y7ztBUI74_HUMMIyhoK5xZlLa6cy4xBq8-ZaLLLxNynLaQp7Ak091eyo5z8GouEg2uhHzbB0j5f-UOAa3-x4X7VbFhd_LSUif55oyMIZm9ESzmUJ7zFCL404u7utmVq6x0VRMQMpAZ/s320/dixie%20looking%20west%20lookout.ss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of Lassen with Dixie Fire Burn Area in Foreground</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">West Prospect LO - Elevation 8,172 ft.</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>The American Psychological Association (APA) states that
trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or
natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical.
Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained
relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVOwoUvwYhx_hxHdvgA2q-vA1AI53baxY96fCV0cNsUWCQO6VObR_l91MWyBYQNoJbXtB8WSBZsQ1PG7fKidmo0DSiNo3HcSA9Hu19svT-2zd_joZA8s_eYkDRV3_Cmx_ig9jExXKzEXYSbyrUJkGvahQHlkJvWtSXD0F_iEHVVw1uvRPFOdxqbwKOtHR/s489/dixie%20trees%20torchedss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="489" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVOwoUvwYhx_hxHdvgA2q-vA1AI53baxY96fCV0cNsUWCQO6VObR_l91MWyBYQNoJbXtB8WSBZsQ1PG7fKidmo0DSiNo3HcSA9Hu19svT-2zd_joZA8s_eYkDRV3_Cmx_ig9jExXKzEXYSbyrUJkGvahQHlkJvWtSXD0F_iEHVVw1uvRPFOdxqbwKOtHR/s320/dixie%20trees%20torchedss.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Dixie Fire Impacts - Lassen NF</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">APA goes on to say that accidents or wildfires are
typically unexpected, sudden and overwhelming. For many people, there are no
outwardly visible signs of physical injury, but there can be nonetheless an
emotional toll. It is common for people who have experienced disaster to have
strong emotional reactions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Health professionals at the Mayo Clinic state that
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s
triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as
uncontrollable thoughts about the event.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Mayo Clinic also states that most people who go
through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping,
but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get
worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day
functioning, you may have PTSD.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Over the last year, I have had the privilege to talk with
residents, recreationists, and land managers who lived through the 2021 Dixie
Fire in northern California that burned through 963,309 acres of rural
communities, private timber property, and lands managed by the Forest Service
and other government agencies. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO NASA VIDEO OF DIXIE FIRE BURN PATH/TIMELINE<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4993/">https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4993/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Listening to their stories of courage in overcoming the
loss of a home or business and their resolve to rebuild and persevere was
stirring and inspires me to continue supporting pre and post fire forest health
and fuel mitigation projects and to help private sector non-profit post fire
recovery efforts of fire damaged recreation facilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-6963590873574115942023-07-12T13:00:00.002-07:002023-07-12T13:00:52.558-07:00OPINION - WHEN MOUNTAINS CALL<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlharhJEj7Y6itYj1wJmCFeWJqUpEnryTbuAXvbrBBMRe9Y2_Y5KD_Tkrl4RRe5iKlCIq012wH9OHGtu6rH7Y2CHcpG0yUdBPtK4rLcLoYq5ZCNQZUJ6WDJVivi7h64CejRLs78eQdNGxoPE_Y9xvQCdapWK0Yxqn4C35JchgOkUi8gr8GYsGp5LxG1y-/s564/lassen%20recon%20dixie%20fire%20mt.%20lassen%20viewss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="564" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlharhJEj7Y6itYj1wJmCFeWJqUpEnryTbuAXvbrBBMRe9Y2_Y5KD_Tkrl4RRe5iKlCIq012wH9OHGtu6rH7Y2CHcpG0yUdBPtK4rLcLoYq5ZCNQZUJ6WDJVivi7h64CejRLs78eQdNGxoPE_Y9xvQCdapWK0Yxqn4C35JchgOkUi8gr8GYsGp5LxG1y-/s320/lassen%20recon%20dixie%20fire%20mt.%20lassen%20viewss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of Mount Lassen from Backcountry Loop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lassen National Forest - Forest Road 29N18</div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>WHEN MOUNTAINS CALL <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">OPINION <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">By Don Amador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">July 12, 2023</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Those fortunate to have been raised in the Pacific
Northwest know the lessons that are learned or healing gained by exploring the
mountains, forests, and streams of that special region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, noted conservationist, John Muir,
once said, “<i>The mountains are calling and I must go.</i>”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtIonqcyfN-OU-s1uIEECNn3LhYySx5SmAiXmRs8YNwOxL-UooBv4JXRVSsDrMTIwN8ms0JozUFLJifSQOORZZBVisshT_K_ps7XSA7hM_GSXXjrKmmgDYLE5A2-rwJ12FLATInn-_tynXTVbZVSy20PD260TEv1r0-8y7H563-6c_begbtAPaITug0Ph/s703/lassen%20recon%20share%20the%20road%20sign.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="703" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtIonqcyfN-OU-s1uIEECNn3LhYySx5SmAiXmRs8YNwOxL-UooBv4JXRVSsDrMTIwN8ms0JozUFLJifSQOORZZBVisshT_K_ps7XSA7hM_GSXXjrKmmgDYLE5A2-rwJ12FLATInn-_tynXTVbZVSy20PD260TEv1r0-8y7H563-6c_begbtAPaITug0Ph/s320/lassen%20recon%20share%20the%20road%20sign.ss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mixed Use Road - Lassen National Forest</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">After working on a number of stressful OHV
recreation-related state legislation and federal rule-making proposals for the
last several months, I answered that “Call of the Mountains” to journey up to
portions of the Lassen National Forest that I had never visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWyAeNVkfl5LC2B7OnGPf4jTPJCm-c0C3RtFS_KCiG7CcIykqRft4A2MlyDMJ1A7Xbd5SRnhCBIKuFVYNAs3eT1fZU2olYVfmrI5PHwINSWigHiNwosfNfJb1jpEOBC4nU1SwEi3xKFlMMxvvMeqwc071RJkDWM8lPrYJFhz6C9nzckf7x8vahQIGHhG3/s735/lassen%20recon%20trail%20markerss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="735" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWyAeNVkfl5LC2B7OnGPf4jTPJCm-c0C3RtFS_KCiG7CcIykqRft4A2MlyDMJ1A7Xbd5SRnhCBIKuFVYNAs3eT1fZU2olYVfmrI5PHwINSWigHiNwosfNfJb1jpEOBC4nU1SwEi3xKFlMMxvvMeqwc071RJkDWM8lPrYJFhz6C9nzckf7x8vahQIGHhG3/s320/lassen%20recon%20trail%20markerss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nobles Trail Marker - Part of California Trail</div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">So I loaded up the 2010 Nissan Xterra PRO 4-X on what
would be a 265 mile day trip - from the Recreation HQ in Cottonwood, CA - to
circumnavigate the Lassen Volcanic National Park on 142 miles of Forest Service
roads and trails. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EhvKiZa3L9hwPR4yvVtGDQ4YQTvt1F6zmYjnje3c1dl1uM4U14ns52OGPb9d6qEaaYJrTeZLUoOX4iOukIB7YBJk4D9ZmO9wvXCWg8vMqsz-2R74RHT8gtOqMXjbnfuIRMOKUHCmAKmbXmR57nxu3YbFLH-pHaseOUya2TgeyAHtNypdtWFfyfFNDgnB/s863/lassen%20recon%20rough%20map%20in%20red0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="757" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EhvKiZa3L9hwPR4yvVtGDQ4YQTvt1F6zmYjnje3c1dl1uM4U14ns52OGPb9d6qEaaYJrTeZLUoOX4iOukIB7YBJk4D9ZmO9wvXCWg8vMqsz-2R74RHT8gtOqMXjbnfuIRMOKUHCmAKmbXmR57nxu3YbFLH-pHaseOUya2TgeyAHtNypdtWFfyfFNDgnB/s320/lassen%20recon%20rough%20map%20in%20red0001.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">142 Mile Loop - Lassen National Forest</div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The drive up from the Redding area takes about one hour
but is a pleasurable experience since you have Mount Lassen in full view for
most the way until you arrive on the Lassen National Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The graveled or native surfaced roads that are part of
the loop can be traveled in a passenger car. However, they might be are more
enjoyable if experienced on an Adventure Bike or 4x4 SUV so you can take one of
the more difficult OHV-type trails that stem off the main loop. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiaFHBJUIE4iXaVdnPGzk17RevN8_AvD1MVo6OHXXm9VMt2aURWYEhUJkUUsclrk-6yjCrS7LGkfSsrGXp1nA2b6Ff5RxQqCewTW_NZzALDs5dYJisGyFHp8lOKfsBLB2NNzRMeTiBdD2KPTH-VyKldReNo6H1DrjA651z6VT94BVnS8GwSWYfN6Abtla/s607/lassen%20recon%20caribou%20lakess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="607" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiaFHBJUIE4iXaVdnPGzk17RevN8_AvD1MVo6OHXXm9VMt2aURWYEhUJkUUsclrk-6yjCrS7LGkfSsrGXp1nA2b6Ff5RxQqCewTW_NZzALDs5dYJisGyFHp8lOKfsBLB2NNzRMeTiBdD2KPTH-VyKldReNo6H1DrjA651z6VT94BVnS8GwSWYfN6Abtla/s320/lassen%20recon%20caribou%20lakess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caribou Lake - Lassen National Forest</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There are a number of subalpine developed and dispersed
camping opportunities in this part of the Forest where one could stage or stay
overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them have access to a
lot of OHV “green sticker” routes where you and your family could do some backcountry
exploring.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLhV6nQCRHP3_UDrL5peVYhuUpABIWq0vS_AwSkWwh8Jw2owMcyUjzlONG9zOhPpCB5u0w3adqnyWRFsnd1lAhq8_K8eGvodXO-QMdT-O8A3hzmYnMFajn5cCGlCwS4z_SgxK845_zVa1iAtvgnNRMQyx23u5JHNg1vci788KCN8gfzqG9dXDVHGwO2Cm/s785/lassen%20recon%20xterra%20road%2017%20on%20roadss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="785" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLhV6nQCRHP3_UDrL5peVYhuUpABIWq0vS_AwSkWwh8Jw2owMcyUjzlONG9zOhPpCB5u0w3adqnyWRFsnd1lAhq8_K8eGvodXO-QMdT-O8A3hzmYnMFajn5cCGlCwS4z_SgxK845_zVa1iAtvgnNRMQyx23u5JHNg1vci788KCN8gfzqG9dXDVHGwO2Cm/s320/lassen%20recon%20xterra%20road%2017%20on%20roadss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forest Road 17 is a Segment of the Lassen Backcountry Adventure Trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lassen National Forest</div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">This is a beautiful alpine or sub-alpine region that has
some spectacular large diameter trees, streams, lakes, and vistas. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Be sure and bring your fishing pole!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrd9oVsn2-3JfNuN-gbA5eMb0IcLsOVsuIVJPXSfPHWRu23Phh9Ob4DJ8VMWxSAPv2LV5ma1p6IfVKws39UuQvYkQYQ6pmG9OBvu0Ax0OBz5DHvR7VrEWSPSTxjljngsPxT71V-O7gwcdNRqK4ish09tZCeRshfx43fw7toblsYiD_fF1vf8CV9ELwsAt/s689/lassen%20recon%20flowers%20dixie%20fire%20burn%20footprintss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="689" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrd9oVsn2-3JfNuN-gbA5eMb0IcLsOVsuIVJPXSfPHWRu23Phh9Ob4DJ8VMWxSAPv2LV5ma1p6IfVKws39UuQvYkQYQ6pmG9OBvu0Ax0OBz5DHvR7VrEWSPSTxjljngsPxT71V-O7gwcdNRqK4ish09tZCeRshfx43fw7toblsYiD_fF1vf8CV9ELwsAt/s320/lassen%20recon%20flowers%20dixie%20fire%20burn%20footprintss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wildflowers in Dixie Fire Burn Footprint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lassen National Forest</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This was one call that I was glad to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although navigating the loop was challenging
given that many of the road markers were destroyed in the 2021 Dixie Fire that
burned 963,309 acres, the journey was refreshing and helped remind me of why I
answered another call some 33 years ago to champion our access to the great
outdoors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-61123695654386022532023-06-30T13:28:00.000-07:002023-06-30T13:28:05.695-07:00WE ARE NOT ALONE - OPPOSITION TO BLM CONSERVATION RULE GROWS <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG_9Wmly2WjTGRjS0zUYMWACvH1eYkgRzKOww_NIwUpxGpuAU4KQTe45RKv6f9hCNrtKAJvGYdBwSfa9gjS0vIak9Wfa2hvdqk-Fs5PlDydgLDAmHHO4U9ma89i6vcn9hEKk-wbGM3bACphxdae3lNgS39afJHY7Q3qi-s7q_bRj2nRNyctpFdpxdXi2t/s973/blm%203.0%20worth%20fighting%20for.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="973" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG_9Wmly2WjTGRjS0zUYMWACvH1eYkgRzKOww_NIwUpxGpuAU4KQTe45RKv6f9hCNrtKAJvGYdBwSfa9gjS0vIak9Wfa2hvdqk-Fs5PlDydgLDAmHHO4U9ma89i6vcn9hEKk-wbGM3bACphxdae3lNgS39afJHY7Q3qi-s7q_bRj2nRNyctpFdpxdXi2t/s320/blm%203.0%20worth%20fighting%20for.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OUR ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR</div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>OPPOSITION TO BLM CONSERVATION RULE GROWS<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>I first want to thank all the growing number of OHV and
other outdoor recreation enthusiasts, organizations, clubs, and businesses who
have answered the call to send comment letters and alert their rider networks to
the BLM regarding their Proposed Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (PR).</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u>I also want you to know that OHV recreation and other
multiple-use interests are not fighting this battle alone</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides a number of OHV recreation and powersports
associations submitting substantive comments urging the BLM to withdraw this
ill-advised, counter-productive, most likely illegal, and highly divisive PR,
we have support from the U.S. Small Business Administration and Governors from
six western states that are challenging the plan.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>SBA COMMENT LETTER</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BLM-Conservation-Letter-FINAL.pdf">https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BLM-Conservation-Letter-FINAL.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Deputy Chief
Counsel, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration states, that
BLM’s proposed rule may be contrary to the statutory land management principles
laid out in the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA). Furthermore, BLM’s
proposed rule does not adequately consider </i><i>the impacts to
small businesses as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA).</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p><b>GOVERNORS JOINT LETTER</b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://governor.mt.gov/Governors-Letter-to-Sec-Haaland-on-BLM-conservation-rule-June-14-2023.pdf">https://governor.mt.gov/Governors-Letter-to-Sec-Haaland-on-BLM-conservation-rule-June-14-2023.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Governors’ letter states, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This Proposed Rule, if adopted, could fundamentally alter the future
management of BLM lands to the detriment of recreation, livestock grazing,
mineral extraction, renewable energy production, and other common uses on BLM
lands.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The letter goes on
to state, In 1976, Congress declared in the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act </i><i>(“FLPMA”) that the
BLM must manage its lands “on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yet this Proposed
Rule seeks to define “conservation” as a “use” within FLPMA’s multiple use </i><i>framework. This
reframing of the term “multiple use” would contravene FLPMA and violate </i><i>Federal case law in
Public Land Council v. Babbitt, where the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals found </i><i>that the BLM lacks
the statutory authority to prioritize conservation use to the exclusion of
other</i><i>uses.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Proposed Rule
could push BLM lands into a protection-oriented management regime </i><i>more akin to the
National Park Service than an agency statutorily obligated to promote multiple
use </i><i>and sustained
yield.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The letter closes by
urging the BLM to set aside the Proposed Rule in favor of a new, collaborative
process with states, local governments, and stakeholders coming to the table.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In closing, I urge each rider, family, club, or business to
send in a comment letter – by the July 5 deadline - on how this PR will affect
you including any economic impacts such as loss of employment if your shop
closes or if you are a restaurant that is supported by recreation tourism that
might be forced to close if outdoor recreation use is prohibited.<o:p></o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-36960745507433583912023-06-23T07:35:00.001-07:002023-06-23T07:35:05.283-07:00BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAR50OflHITPzhz0zvgps-FFDHjfodCD70I14PfaW_9seRkLRaBld_ZmKvCV1iKk98MAdeAds-tvGaMAl6LwRGSRhVM4yBLzgMyOhjd5dZPwe9Gi6o4v5wuxpTD8IkhlvH5yZiLuBTgrTjVElkGA_GS1oL9jClrSsTzH0kgIL1_LNZQbB_KWmUM-mF8ff/s4206/fort%20sage%20don%20800%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4206" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAR50OflHITPzhz0zvgps-FFDHjfodCD70I14PfaW_9seRkLRaBld_ZmKvCV1iKk98MAdeAds-tvGaMAl6LwRGSRhVM4yBLzgMyOhjd5dZPwe9Gi6o4v5wuxpTD8IkhlvH5yZiLuBTgrTjVElkGA_GS1oL9jClrSsTzH0kgIL1_LNZQbB_KWmUM-mF8ff/s320/fort%20sage%20don%20800%20sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM's Fort Sage OHV Area - Special Recreation Management Area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eagle Lake Field Office, Susanville, CA</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing">OPINION</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>By Don Amador</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>June 23, 2023</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC
SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Nobody in the OHV public land policy arena supports
conservation of federal lands to protect natural resources - while still
providing access to environmentally sound multiple-use recreation – more than I. A lot of that support includes active participation
on trail stewardship, restoration of lands damaged by illegal OHV use, and
pre-fire fuel reduction and post-fire recovery projects.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Most, if not all, of those projects are done in
collaboration with the Forest Service, BLM, agency partners, and volunteers
with grant support from the powersports industry and the California State Parks
OHV Grant Program.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The proposed 2023 BLM planning rule redefines the term Conservation,
creates Conservation leases managed by private sector interests, and emphasizes
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) as the sole designation for
protecting important natural, cultural, and scenic resources.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsyaOz2Alu-RRIxpdrynfuMjydJU_mfHQYO8Pu5XJvFiUB8QpKoQ2iLtuo_T6aWsFym5aqcpY6C0w7CBaM_ziE-XTF4Fe_bHhNObMl_ybK1eZ8MvOAae9-32_0gtwUqC0yy6-JnSWxKJRZaVBdpGHU5q4Pqm6sX2r7bfAkAu5TF1mFnEi_-0JYyEQQ-x0/s885/fort%20sage%20wildlife%20restorationsignss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="885" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsyaOz2Alu-RRIxpdrynfuMjydJU_mfHQYO8Pu5XJvFiUB8QpKoQ2iLtuo_T6aWsFym5aqcpY6C0w7CBaM_ziE-XTF4Fe_bHhNObMl_ybK1eZ8MvOAae9-32_0gtwUqC0yy6-JnSWxKJRZaVBdpGHU5q4Pqm6sX2r7bfAkAu5TF1mFnEi_-0JYyEQQ-x0/s320/fort%20sage%20wildlife%20restorationsignss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Current Restoration Project at Fort Sage OHV Area</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Conservation is a key element of land management today
that protects natural resources and also provides sustainable recreation for
OHV and other activities that families enjoy.
Traditional Conservation includes maintaining trails to reduce soil
loss, restoration, and post-fire recovery. However, under this rule proposal Conservation
efforts would be restricted to “protection” and “restoration.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The proposed rule would direct BLM staff to identify and
mitigate “disturbances” and restore the land to its natural state. Authorized officers would be required to
avoid authorizing any use of the public lands that permanently impairs
ecosystem resilience. Staff would also be
directed to review and mitigate OHV and other recreation uses at designated
intensive use areas such as the BLM Fort Sage OHV Area in California and the BLM
Knolls OHV Area in Utah. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0qlFy5YajU6_LQnch6T5fPaI3t9InsWNcOI64cw_OfubGnTFxwZm7TzfhQM86OTUTIF5ZAa4b9SQHro5FhZzIvaSa-17oh4vi1fDaq-Gjj-c-CoyZGNcosdFfqBPgebM0S0s-JG0Ej9eSmLH0YOhO-YL7qcSFVYODl1eLqoTbcPeKGnxMtRWAVuQttGa/s510/fort%20sage%20kaw%20fire%20recovery%20signss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="510" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0qlFy5YajU6_LQnch6T5fPaI3t9InsWNcOI64cw_OfubGnTFxwZm7TzfhQM86OTUTIF5ZAa4b9SQHro5FhZzIvaSa-17oh4vi1fDaq-Gjj-c-CoyZGNcosdFfqBPgebM0S0s-JG0Ej9eSmLH0YOhO-YL7qcSFVYODl1eLqoTbcPeKGnxMtRWAVuQttGa/s320/fort%20sage%20kaw%20fire%20recovery%20signss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Current Post Wildfire Conservation Project</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fort Sage OHV Area</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The new mitigation hierarchy would be to avoid, minimize,
and compensate for impacts to all public land resources. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The new concept of private sector managed Conservation
leases on BLM lands is also troubling for OHV access since the strict
prohibition of OHV activity is a core tenet of most, if not all, private, state,
and federal conservation lease plans and programs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Many recreation and other multiple-use interests objected
to the BLM’s 2017 2.0 Planning Rule because it created a vague set of hard to
follow or implement standards that would have resulted in confusion, chaos and a
loss of OHV access for casual use and permitted events such as amateur
competition and club rides. For those
and other reasons, Congress and the President repealed the rule.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If this new rule is enacted it will also create confusion
and chaos. Agency staff will no longer
have time to authorize permitted OHV events or do travel plans. Designated OHV sites would most likely see a
loss of opportunity including entire areas being closed due to new definitions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I believe the agency should redraw this proposal that
appears to have been crafted behind closed doors with little if any substantive
input from diverse multi-use stakeholders.
The public, partners, and agency staff that we work with deserve better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK to BLM PROPOSED PLANNING RULE – Public Comments Due
by July 5, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001">https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p> </p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-62598236711356566732023-06-23T07:06:00.001-07:002023-06-23T07:26:07.196-07:00QWR OPINION - BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ55vs2WbzRVIDQKcait_zzbWQ61bJB2_LX0ZNZdL3j42J4qas1BuD1r1wpsiEVU6PNkmpRDb8yH4SbsdmtIG8-6t-3l4xX1_BnJrLOeqgu5Celn4U5kVJhE68yRwW7V_CehMpssbKvap8IPORaxZ_YkSpCjPTKghJw0TLKtm7FH-EBnYghhHx4Ua0lPpW/s925/fort%20sage%20don%20800%20signss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="925" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ55vs2WbzRVIDQKcait_zzbWQ61bJB2_LX0ZNZdL3j42J4qas1BuD1r1wpsiEVU6PNkmpRDb8yH4SbsdmtIG8-6t-3l4xX1_BnJrLOeqgu5Celn4U5kVJhE68yRwW7V_CehMpssbKvap8IPORaxZ_YkSpCjPTKghJw0TLKtm7FH-EBnYghhHx4Ua0lPpW/s320/fort%20sage%20don%20800%20signss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Fort Sage OHV Area - Special Recreation Management Area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, Susanville, CA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">OPINION<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>By Don Amador</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>June 23, 2023</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC
SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Nobody in the OHV public land policy arena supports
conservation of federal lands to protect natural resources - while still
providing access to environmentally sound multiple-use recreation – more than I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of that support includes active participation
on trail stewardship, restoration of lands damaged by illegal OHV use, and
pre-fire fuel reduction and post-fire recovery projects. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Most, if not all, of those projects are done in
collaboration with the Forest Service, BLM, agency partners, and volunteers
with grant support from the powersports industry and the California State Parks
OHV Grant Program.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The proposed 2023 BLM planning rule redefines the term Conservation,
creates Conservation leases managed by private sector interests, and emphasizes
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) as the sole designation for
protecting important natural, cultural, and scenic resources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYIulZ4mgcmCklONj1Quqqn5-drddU1Lzp3DHvq2D7KiB0QOZwz6FHkRocSZEPhShxtXp16MXzpns7ZQ-Pj3O6j91EkmV5uAVNY_Xeq3i6e_bMTOurF3-NgcWv_wNFeXpeezQLsZkSLh6l7jb34pXvJidzYTb2v9pGQ5khUddiTaDn1OThD9BOuhSSMNA/s885/fort%20sage%20wildlife%20restorationsignss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="885" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYIulZ4mgcmCklONj1Quqqn5-drddU1Lzp3DHvq2D7KiB0QOZwz6FHkRocSZEPhShxtXp16MXzpns7ZQ-Pj3O6j91EkmV5uAVNY_Xeq3i6e_bMTOurF3-NgcWv_wNFeXpeezQLsZkSLh6l7jb34pXvJidzYTb2v9pGQ5khUddiTaDn1OThD9BOuhSSMNA/s320/fort%20sage%20wildlife%20restorationsignss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">RESTORATION PROJECT UNDER CURRENT BLM STANDARDS</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Fort Sage OHV Area, Eagle Lake Field Office</div> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Conservation is a key element of land management today
that protects natural resources and also provides sustainable recreation for
OHV and other activities that families enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Traditional Conservation includes maintaining trails to reduce soil
loss, restoration, and post-fire recovery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, under this rule proposal Conservation
efforts would be restricted to “protection” and “restoration.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The proposed rule would direct BLM staff to identify and
mitigate “disturbances” and restore the land to its natural state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Authorized officers would be required to
avoid authorizing any use of the public lands that permanently impairs
ecosystem resilience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Staff would also be
directed to review and mitigate OHV and other recreation uses at designated
intensive use areas such as the BLM Fort Sage OHV Area in California and the BLM
Knolls OHV Area in Utah. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIyeY-aBKPrvCZZoRyqcn_H2s-cQzyXKkJF_8b2UcvAQfHw7nalkFSXrgGeG21snVYCv1L_Lvh61sU0-7gjAZiq_CU2nhTAnWwbW18HJrbGmh4FGgisRCTwwMIt27GqXMRVqgQa0Rfa3vuAWRpY57gn-YWtHs96QoU8QsyUKxfZFnZVpDmijSDqGW5aLy/s510/fort%20sage%20kaw%20fire%20recovery%20signss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="510" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIyeY-aBKPrvCZZoRyqcn_H2s-cQzyXKkJF_8b2UcvAQfHw7nalkFSXrgGeG21snVYCv1L_Lvh61sU0-7gjAZiq_CU2nhTAnWwbW18HJrbGmh4FGgisRCTwwMIt27GqXMRVqgQa0Rfa3vuAWRpY57gn-YWtHs96QoU8QsyUKxfZFnZVpDmijSDqGW5aLy/s320/fort%20sage%20kaw%20fire%20recovery%20signss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CURRENT POST FIRE RECOVERY CONSERVATION PROJECT</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Fort Sage OHV Area, Eagle Lake Field Office</div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">The new mitigation hierarchy would be to avoid, minimize,
and compensate for impacts to all public land resources.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The new concept of private sector managed Conservation
leases on BLM lands is also troubling for OHV access since the strict
prohibition of OHV activity is a core tenet of most, if not all, private, state,
and federal conservation lease plans and programs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Many recreation and other multiple-use interests objected
to the BLM’s 2017 2.0 Planning Rule because it created a vague set of hard to
follow or implement standards that would have resulted in confusion, chaos and a
loss of OHV access for casual use and permitted events such as amateur
competition and club rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those
and other reasons, Congress and the President repealed the rule.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If this new rule is enacted it will also create confusion
and chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agency staff will no longer
have time to authorize permitted OHV events or do travel plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designated OHV sites would most likely see a
loss of opportunity including entire areas being closed due to new definitions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I believe the agency should redraw this proposal that
appears to have been crafted behind closed doors with little if any substantive
input from diverse multi-use stakeholders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The public, partners, and agency staff that we work with deserve better.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK to BLM PROPOSED PLANNING RULE – Public Comments Due
by July 5, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001">https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-66745766188891372162023-06-15T08:20:00.003-07:002023-06-15T08:20:14.610-07:00ACTION ALERT – Comment on FS Special Use Permit Proposal<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHyU8UWTbJSEbt1wxNpCCENMN52TMo8397KzLWC-KqUdN1Rl6nd6ueH67wIEs3GZEVNiV-fEQRDgHI9ZdfzADJxlIVRBBaQHOt9cVKdbGTwoXSdtrVR14E17VxJedukI7svwt6f8KFenw27k7jQ-joZ58PoHV3yF9u3Q-Qnp2vRNrlrf1xCxepCLyog/s747/beta%20fools%20gold%20bridgess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHyU8UWTbJSEbt1wxNpCCENMN52TMo8397KzLWC-KqUdN1Rl6nd6ueH67wIEs3GZEVNiV-fEQRDgHI9ZdfzADJxlIVRBBaQHOt9cVKdbGTwoXSdtrVR14E17VxJedukI7svwt6f8KFenw27k7jQ-joZ58PoHV3yF9u3Q-Qnp2vRNrlrf1xCxepCLyog/s320/beta%20fools%20gold%20bridgess.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador on Event Trail </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eldorado National Forest</div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">ACTION ALERT – Comment on FS Special Use Permit Proposal<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Comments due: June 20, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I first want to thank my counterpart at AMA, Nick Haris,
for bringing this issue to my attention as it has the potential to increase the
red-tape and costs of obtaining a special use permit for OHV and even
non-motorized clubs if fees are charged to attend a competition or group event.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Forest Service has proposed to amend its special use
regulations to update the processing and monitoring fee schedules based on
current Agency costs; to provide for recovery of costs associated with
processing special use proposals, as well as applications; and to remove the
exemption for commercial recreation special use applications and authorizations
that involve 50 hours or less to process or monitor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/19/2023-10436/land-uses-special-uses-cost-recovery-strict-liability-limit-and-insurance">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/19/2023-10436/land-uses-special-uses-cost-recovery-strict-liability-limit-and-insurance</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO PROPOSED RULE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-05-19/pdf/2023-10436.pdf">https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-05-19/pdf/2023-10436.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">QWR believes the proposed rule amendments with their
collective weight will disenfranchise important partners by creating a
significant fiscal hardship on the motorcycle clubs, riders, and families that
use FS lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many clubs, are 501 (c) 7
volunteer-based social clubs or have some other non-profit classification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">QWR believes the loss of the 50-hour exemption and other
proposed, yet vague, fee increases will force many partner clubs to cease
applying for a special use permit since events such as an amateur enduro <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are many times a “break-even” proposition
since the entry fees will not cover the club’s expense for items such as
on-site medical services, communications, and other event materials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This proposal threatens those important
partnerships and the pre-event volunteer trail work they do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In 2011, I was part of a national effort that called for
reform of the permitting process because it had become so complicated and
costly that most "non-profit club events" could simply not comply
with the requirements. In addition, historic and popular competitive events
occurring without problems had been subjected to arbitrary fees where permit
fees were raised from $500 to $10,000 -$20,000 or more. In some areas, the
application process to obtain a special use permit was used to prohibit and/or
severely restrict otherwise allowable activities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">QWR is urging our motorized and non-motorized recreation
group partners to review the proposal and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>urge the agency to amend the proposal to
address <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>concerns you may have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comment period ends on June 20,
2023.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for your review of this
important topic.<o:p></o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-77640240224843825822023-05-19T08:18:00.002-07:002023-05-19T08:18:45.758-07:00QWR PSA - NICK HARIS IS NEW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD AT AMA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_r5dwB2sjunGIsGeTQ27z9bMnlWUt3q0F7Dtafn-dBIG_1f-LBjKcI7uuXsRuU2prZ4wH5-USL6erf3PIs2YQH271Qgt1yz1BJwj0nm2obnAD_1wXQXi_1tm2qYCugcUbQMrCS0nfQk3fBGgUlxIq-79QhmA8L-8lulULDXjiaTEXN8c6Q76uV0VZw/s377/nick%2017anniv.don.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_r5dwB2sjunGIsGeTQ27z9bMnlWUt3q0F7Dtafn-dBIG_1f-LBjKcI7uuXsRuU2prZ4wH5-USL6erf3PIs2YQH271Qgt1yz1BJwj0nm2obnAD_1wXQXi_1tm2qYCugcUbQMrCS0nfQk3fBGgUlxIq-79QhmA8L-8lulULDXjiaTEXN8c6Q76uV0VZw/s320/nick%2017anniv.don.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador (L) with Nick Haris (R) at Field Review </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Las Vegas Field Office</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">QWR PSA</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">May 19, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">STATEMENT FROM QWR'S PRESIDENT, DON AMADOR</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>CONGRATS TO NICK HARIS AS NEW AMA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS LEAD</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As a senior OHV advocacy lead who has served for over 20
years with Nick Haris in his capacity as Western Representative for the AMA, I
want to extend my sincere congrats to Nick as the new government affairs lead for
the AMA. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>STATEMENT FROM NICK HARIS ON HIS NEW POSITION</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://americanmotorcyclist.com/big-changes-bigger-opportunities-?fbclid=IwAR0BgdKpnFshmtHe4IE-A-22RiAxLbbiSzizn7cEBe49HFUz9vN6W79_BNc">https://americanmotorcyclist.com/big-changes-bigger-opportunities-?fbclid=IwAR0BgdKpnFshmtHe4IE-A-22RiAxLbbiSzizn7cEBe49HFUz9vN6W79_BNc</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have appreciated Nick’s commitment to motorcycles and
OHV recreation and his dedication to the riders which he has demonstrated by
speaking/testifying at many commission and legislative hearings. Also, I have spent a lot of time with him on
the trail or otherwise in the field reviewing key OHV access issues on state
and federal lands. I look forward to
working with him and his team on future endeavors. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p># # # </p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-58691315552238976342023-05-15T07:54:00.000-07:002023-05-15T07:54:47.033-07:00OHV KICK START - EMERGING TECH, OPPORTUNTIES, AND CHALLENGES KEY FOCUS AT INTERAGENCY TRAIL WORKSHOP <p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5V8AeLb8BX1sPtXbjntPhAOIErBbBHwwIHQEhA3quaok76Yey2PVpk1HIm_Uu9bo_JgCXZZtuzXP4a_7BdIhjfl1pJjSBBKfe-UmRKwz-pUUXBg1DTwfEtyZdlXlEAaXmeo8mL9x82T2XhzsiH3QCvsx2LyRd1j2uUF5uhrig-RVU4J1pJ1cUnOjZQ/s3041/rr%202023%20banners%20high%20resol.QWRBLOG..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="3041" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5V8AeLb8BX1sPtXbjntPhAOIErBbBHwwIHQEhA3quaok76Yey2PVpk1HIm_Uu9bo_JgCXZZtuzXP4a_7BdIhjfl1pJjSBBKfe-UmRKwz-pUUXBg1DTwfEtyZdlXlEAaXmeo8mL9x82T2XhzsiH3QCvsx2LyRd1j2uUF5uhrig-RVU4J1pJ1cUnOjZQ/s320/rr%202023%20banners%20high%20resol.QWRBLOG..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2023 RANGER RIDE AND INTERAGENCY OHV WORKSHOP</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area, Redding Field Office</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: George McDougall</i></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>OHV KICK START - EMERGING TECH, OPPORTUNTIES, AND
CHALLENGES KEY FOCUS AT INTERAGENCY TRAIL WORKSHOP</b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">As part of our commitment to facilitating OHV educational
opportunities, QWR restarted its popular on-site OHV workshop program by
hosting the 2023 Interagency Ranger Ride at the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area
near Redding, CA on May 1-4. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Due to a series of mega wildfires and COVID, the OHV
Ranger Rides had been sidelined since 2017 so the group of dedicated OHV trail
leads, crews, instructors, and partners were glad to get back to an in-person
field workshop. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Top tier federal and state OHV specialists from the
Klamath, Shasta Trinity, Mendocino, Eldorado, and Tahoe National Forests and
the Ukiah, Eagle Lake, and Redding Field Offices were in attendance. CA State Park representatives were there from
grants, law enforcement, and the OHV Safety Week Program. Chris Real from DPS Technical was there to
give agency staff training on administering the SAEJ1287 Sound Test for OHVs and
performing the inspection for spark arrestors.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW24oJWQRrPgmgIB-nCWor_7ixpsPivfs6QMYjnyrjOl1LJMQrrMSj20Sqxq-jFfsMhTfMyBnLjvGlS-7awlE8FbBQYHIKKavKsiC4BiQS5ApJvNk3xlbY6Mih-d_SnJuY5gXu_X-PZsq8rb4S2Zd0INNkf4Pf1whungkwi34vmhgmk7jtaeBbauYQBQ/s598/rr%202023%20sxs.bike%20groupontrail.QWRblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW24oJWQRrPgmgIB-nCWor_7ixpsPivfs6QMYjnyrjOl1LJMQrrMSj20Sqxq-jFfsMhTfMyBnLjvGlS-7awlE8FbBQYHIKKavKsiC4BiQS5ApJvNk3xlbY6Mih-d_SnJuY5gXu_X-PZsq8rb4S2Zd0INNkf4Pf1whungkwi34vmhgmk7jtaeBbauYQBQ/s320/rr%202023%20sxs.bike%20groupontrail.QWRblog.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Intersection of SxS Trail and Single-Track Motorcycle Trail</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">To kick off the workshop on Tuesday morning, Sky Zaffarano,
the OHV Program Manager for the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area talked about the
agency’s efforts to manage the route network for all sizes of OHVs with a
recent focus over the last few years to provide trails for SxS use while
increasing single-track companion routes that often parallel the wider trails
used by larger vehicles. This enhances the
OHV recreation experience for both vehicle types and also increases vehicle
safety.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3KbuXZTGp91klrVU7Trcq3UDqIKfbw621CZBwkI6NAlAApJ7RSbdBOHJzM4SIW6l6w_4UrwJZMT-3ZuCIRuYCUaZ-GotV2LQHXfcK3Clf8cvX6D0IdRQdJDctlgr-44WAOnj7NS1tARHy9ReQjQqgd83hSVmtwu5bE3uDQ5jH0Z8Xuxm_7tgWyrlxA/s2816/rr%202023%20dirt%20bike%20school.QWRBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2816" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3KbuXZTGp91klrVU7Trcq3UDqIKfbw621CZBwkI6NAlAApJ7RSbdBOHJzM4SIW6l6w_4UrwJZMT-3ZuCIRuYCUaZ-GotV2LQHXfcK3Clf8cvX6D0IdRQdJDctlgr-44WAOnj7NS1tARHy9ReQjQqgd83hSVmtwu5bE3uDQ5jH0Z8Xuxm_7tgWyrlxA/s320/rr%202023%20dirt%20bike%20school.QWRBLOG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DirtBike School Class</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: Virginia Real</i></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Jon Brandt, a certified DirtBike School coach and State
Park Peace Officer, taught a one-day hands-on training session to agency
students that needed lessons on how to safely ride an off-road motorcycle and
to get their Dirt Bike certification.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Josh Liebscher, CA State Parks OHV Grants Administrator,
gave the participants on overview of the Grants Program and their commitment to
help support their federal agency partners provide environmentally responsible
OHV recreation on public lands.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO24SRxXrZBukbcAgSVpxmN3SAMfCbcm5SYdgc7kcZQxcD6EYcpuez30fuOxDE2k77bCqJ7CSvVABZwfVKe5t1Wqx69T28VFJ4CIRR7La9YirT-yLzwrt457emZ9TuT42FyKvjacZVDqj8STQF7VqKFiJesztBNo3Ox9ojWJatAthPmObeuibjTbneQ/s480/rr%202023%20real%20sound%20classQWRBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="480" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO24SRxXrZBukbcAgSVpxmN3SAMfCbcm5SYdgc7kcZQxcD6EYcpuez30fuOxDE2k77bCqJ7CSvVABZwfVKe5t1Wqx69T28VFJ4CIRR7La9YirT-yLzwrt457emZ9TuT42FyKvjacZVDqj8STQF7VqKFiJesztBNo3Ox9ojWJatAthPmObeuibjTbneQ/s320/rr%202023%20real%20sound%20classQWRBLOG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chris Real teaching OHV Sound and Spark Arrestor Class</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo credit: Virginia Real</i></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Chris Real from DPS Technical, provided sound and spark
arrester training/certification. The new field staff had the opportunity to
perform vehicle measurements use of instruments and to understand inspection
methods for spark arresters with valuable participation from seasoned OHV
specialists.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Real also had a special presentation related to Emerging
Technologies of Off-Highway Vehicles. This presentation reviewed 50 years of
Off-Highway vehicle types and provided a perspective of the new vehicles that
are headed to the Off-Highway recreation areas. In addition, he highlighted both the
opportunities and challenges from large ROVs to Electric motorcycles that land
managers are contending with in multiple use areas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Other topics discussed in various modules or around the
campfire include the import of land
agencies adding dirt bike strike teams to their suite of post wildfire and
storm recovery efforts, developing meaningful partnerships with trail clubs or
non-profit trail recovery organizations, looking for new management strategies to
enhance recreation opportunities for SxSs (since it remains a growing user
group),and allowing staff to actually get some on-the-trail seat time to help
build muscle memory and/or see how other units manage their trail systems, and
much more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don Amador, QWR President and founder of the 27 year-old Ranger
Ride Program, states, “We had an dynamic mix of new OHV trail personal, private sector professionals, and agency OHV
Master Performers that fostered a rich educational experience for new agency
hires and seasoned staff alike.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6wofy33lbaY9UCmD5nMyUpkcfA_SIujUOAFqNl8q76CVHsZFkX5WQ6erKHzZQ8KKEXEzURExEGgOgIvMF1wfWMI-_vSkYMx65GsmLF0smqvbdg8DO9QspZONWWvTh45VwY7igb5JR8BgpfOuC_OaOFhLOBWHPpuvf-tz97mtW3JlNawZOl_MG1Ky8g/s1903/rr%202023%20group%20lake.waving.final.QWRBLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1903" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6wofy33lbaY9UCmD5nMyUpkcfA_SIujUOAFqNl8q76CVHsZFkX5WQ6erKHzZQ8KKEXEzURExEGgOgIvMF1wfWMI-_vSkYMx65GsmLF0smqvbdg8DO9QspZONWWvTh45VwY7igb5JR8BgpfOuC_OaOFhLOBWHPpuvf-tz97mtW3JlNawZOl_MG1Ky8g/s320/rr%202023%20group%20lake.waving.final.QWRBLOG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">45-Mile Group Trail Ride at Scenic Vista with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake Shasta near Full Pool</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“It was clear the group thought one of the most important
benefits of this and similar field-based events is they allow for participants to
build long-term relationships with other professionals for the benefit of
providing sustainable trail-based recreation for current and future
generations,” Amador concludes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">QWR appreciates the presenters from the FS, BLM, DPS
Technical, and the CA State Parks OHV Division who helped make this workshop a
success. We also thank the OHV Division and
the CA Outdoor Recreation Foundation’s BE THE OFF-ROAD HERO Safety Week Program
for sending educational materials and support staff.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">QWR wants to thank the BLM’s Redding Field Office for
sharing their OHV management expertise with the Ranger Ride attendees and the
Redding Dirt Riders for helping with the BBQ.
And thanks also to the MIC’s Right Rider Access Fund and Kawasaki Motors
Corp., U.S.A. for their generous support of this workshop to help educate
agency staff about safe vehicle operation and review new recreation management strategies
to address emerging technologies and uses.
<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-76295492103170971812023-04-12T06:58:00.001-07:002023-04-12T06:58:08.227-07:00PSA - APRIL 15 POST STORM RECOVERY VOLUNTEER DAY at STONYFORD<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XVEEz_nPpChIWFPlVKn7tNo2o1q2JNlgoQW0IzIwVU3_PwwPV8SPgxWyDm5dhN5GX57LOqZMe3x5QnhEcnAgE2nxcl91bfmX9t5tR8mHtJaD8q96OcRhQ4W1oj3kfbkITSk6ljf2GoBU5BVK_JOmQ-4DhwDTTvW4oodYDdQqYQo45yxs4DFw2sld4Q/s476/pwora%20stonyford.3.21.don.cutting.trail35.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XVEEz_nPpChIWFPlVKn7tNo2o1q2JNlgoQW0IzIwVU3_PwwPV8SPgxWyDm5dhN5GX57LOqZMe3x5QnhEcnAgE2nxcl91bfmX9t5tR8mHtJaD8q96OcRhQ4W1oj3kfbkITSk6ljf2GoBU5BVK_JOmQ-4DhwDTTvW4oodYDdQqYQo45yxs4DFw2sld4Q/s320/pwora%20stonyford.3.21.don.cutting.trail35.ss.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">PSA - POST STORM RECOVERY VOLUNTEER DAY at STONYFORD<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>*The message below is from the FS OHV lead at Stonyford. Please RSVP to Paige if you are able to attend and also let her know if you have a current FS saw card.</i><i> </i> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Please join us this Saturday, April 15th for a Volunteer
Work Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will meet at 10 AM on the
Nail Track and reconvene by 4PM on the Nail Track. After completing the sign in
sheet and reviewing the Job Hazard Analysis, we will break out into groups and
assign you to an area. Your signature is required and reporting your mileage
and location at the end of day is critical to the OHV grant.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Snow levels are rising with the warm days but there will
still be some deep snow, especially on the north facing slopes. Forecasted
temperature for Saturday is high of 67° - Expect downed trees and hazards and
be aware of your surroundings. Before and after photos of the areas you work
are great for reporting purposes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If you are USFS Chainsaw Certified, great! If not, we
will have folding handsaws for your use.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank you for your excitement in helping out on the
trails and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Paige Whitney <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Assistant Recreation Officer<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone Ranger District<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">p: 530-963-1327 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="mailto:paigemakowski@usda.gov">paigemakowski@usda.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-26443154269114988702023-04-03T11:46:00.003-07:002023-04-03T11:46:59.603-07:00COLLABORATE IN SUPPORT OF OHV SAFETY - APRIL 1-9<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14BcD28CuI7jND9RpfJKjw66RwFOGJpoAE1xcIroxNZfhGd8nAnK9z_CxH6oaEc7YGiZiEvYRM0aawtgxBBnS5EENpNmNZsxdzDC2MJ4h-vQrgKRsM9yyWELfZbVGqazCi8BGH0IBfc5SMiP8pAwIWkDXB2HzBDEGKTH0_b9gZKo43R1qshKxRJtCwg/s1221/safety%20week%20poster%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="977" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14BcD28CuI7jND9RpfJKjw66RwFOGJpoAE1xcIroxNZfhGd8nAnK9z_CxH6oaEc7YGiZiEvYRM0aawtgxBBnS5EENpNmNZsxdzDC2MJ4h-vQrgKRsM9yyWELfZbVGqazCi8BGH0IBfc5SMiP8pAwIWkDXB2HzBDEGKTH0_b9gZKo43R1qshKxRJtCwg/s320/safety%20week%20poster%202023.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">COLLABORATE IN SUPPORT OF OHV SAFETY – APRIL 1-9<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>QWR wants to encourage OHV enthusiasts to support the
2023 OHV Safety Awareness Weeks that are running April 1-9 and November
11-19. The theme this year is “Be the
Off-Road Hero” where we can set an example of the responsible and safe use of
SxSs and other OHVs.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO OHV SAFETY WEEK</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1161">https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1161</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is a key program developed by <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor
Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners based on discussions at the
August 2022 OHV Safety Summit held at the McClellan Training Center in
Sacramento. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">That conference was the first major in-person post-COVID OHV
meeting in CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The primary focus was on improving/updating safety
efforts to address the rapid growth of ROV/UTV/SxS use on public lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The summit was successful since it planted the
“safety standard” in the ground to mark this effort and to recognize the
commitment by those in attendance to improve safety and reduce impacts to
natural resources and other user groups.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyegjm_QZRrmoaedzGbP5XbVa-J-VKEfXnF5CORRky-kydim1hShO57JaWHiDd1-R0JuMPsyJ0HyAaJK1iK_0kRfFq1RxACbmyXH9oEFdetvSzNcjSkJsts1YiJT2dBn0HsVTFmANoiY_dlHrh9KgW7anDY9dFwusWfVeH0uLciTpAc0pcrYWThpjNgA/s572/safety%20rohva%20chappie%20mike.backingss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="459" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyegjm_QZRrmoaedzGbP5XbVa-J-VKEfXnF5CORRky-kydim1hShO57JaWHiDd1-R0JuMPsyJ0HyAaJK1iK_0kRfFq1RxACbmyXH9oEFdetvSzNcjSkJsts1YiJT2dBn0HsVTFmANoiY_dlHrh9KgW7anDY9dFwusWfVeH0uLciTpAc0pcrYWThpjNgA/s320/safety%20rohva%20chappie%20mike.backingss.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ROHVA Basic Driver Course - Exercise #4</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Don Amador, QWR President and ROHVA Driver Coach, states,
“I am glad to see the OHMVR Division continue this collaborative effort to
promote OHV safety and offer related training opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“What makes this SxS-related safety program important is
that many owners of these vehicles have very little if any experience in trail-based
backcountry recreation on public lands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Often they are not aware of the various land management agencies or
their efforts to manage travel on legal routes so this educational outreach is
helpful,” Amador concludes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As this safety initiative continues to build capacity to
address SxS-related management needs, QWR believes it is important for the
greater OHV community to increase efforts to share our responsible use message
with those new to the sport.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-65676917097997808992023-03-17T08:04:00.002-07:002023-03-17T08:04:51.075-07:00PSA - ATTEND CA OHV COMMISSION MEETING/TOUR IN NORTH STATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-X5wWz63Rugaqfxzq5mDQgoYiPgddL-a6QAv7sS5oaKSdvdn6OtKzO4LMk2iEayAqDeTQb2D5HW5queLwRS5kKTU2yCmt2hmat5j2ZfBVsfm4rl7HSwlKuDr8OWcvXwNOt7Q0-Ig1KB8Vz3gek06bkBQFRECArmk8bvGboaABxbjLdoFoK_U-AZnlg/s1435/dan%20don.chappiecrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1435" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-X5wWz63Rugaqfxzq5mDQgoYiPgddL-a6QAv7sS5oaKSdvdn6OtKzO4LMk2iEayAqDeTQb2D5HW5queLwRS5kKTU2yCmt2hmat5j2ZfBVsfm4rl7HSwlKuDr8OWcvXwNOt7Q0-Ig1KB8Vz3gek06bkBQFRECArmk8bvGboaABxbjLdoFoK_U-AZnlg/s320/dan%20don.chappiecrop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">PSA - CA OHV COMMISSION MEETING/TOUR IN NORTH STATE</span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> QWR wants to make sure that OHV and other trail interests
know about the upcoming OHV Commission Tour and Meeting being held in the
Redding area on March 23 and 24. This is
a great opportunity for club leads and others to meet program officials,
provide input to the commission, network with other trail interests, and learn
about your program. The info below is
from the CA OHV Program and feel free to share it with your own OHV network. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">TOUR AND MEETING NOTICE OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE
RECREATION COMMISSION<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">March 23 and March 24, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Recreation (OHMVR)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Commission, pursuant to authority contained in Section
5090.24 of the Public<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Resources Code and Section 11120 et seq. of the
Government Code, will conduct a<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">tour on March 23, 2023, and meet on March 24, 2023,
according to the following<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">schedule:<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4meSjaOUghCS-huJqREuP8B7nP7FNDUUHXnoG106rwJ98VTBuTP9rW5PYK5UXZ2K1TdETicnSGluHho5WvBmIgHy1PbduPGU4hmsZrIdS8calTQ3F8hMDNv2BMKSLBUwgOUqfmNNE6oA5p6W4gSsbW899JZe0womO5wWHbBb4Ag6NXt68xa80stgl1A/s3603/dan%20rock%20climbclosess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3209" data-original-width="3603" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4meSjaOUghCS-huJqREuP8B7nP7FNDUUHXnoG106rwJ98VTBuTP9rW5PYK5UXZ2K1TdETicnSGluHho5WvBmIgHy1PbduPGU4hmsZrIdS8calTQ3F8hMDNv2BMKSLBUwgOUqfmNNE6oA5p6W4gSsbW899JZe0womO5wWHbBb4Ag6NXt68xa80stgl1A/s320/dan%20rock%20climbclosess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4x4 Challenge Course @ BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">OHMVR Commission Tour: Thursday, March 23, 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">10:30 a.m. – approx. 2:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area (BLM)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Redding, CA 96001<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>Basic Information:</b> The tour is open to the public and
will begin at 10:30 a.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Commissioners and staff will meet the public at the
Chappie-Shasta ORV Staging<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Area. The tour is expected to last approximately 4 hours.
Weather permitting, the<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">tour group will stop at various locations within the main
staging area. To access the<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">tour location, individuals will be required to show proof
of current vehicle<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">registration and insurance to pass through the security
checkpoint on the<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Shasta Dam.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJyOfjjpv7CCgBuOI5peNXUMEElZ3kWznm7B7s0OYp-0t4wd0dEJ8Gnle6jwF7rq0RDTVsWxIB_kzJyN7PLABHUWS3tQkwwdfEtvs051VRjCEMidWDchp4E8TQJXZ5oT1FObKNM7SwyvYIRRfc7BMjjzi6TEErcH2EABqNw3-ppDAHmglpDoUMtO0HQ/s617/dam%20amador%20bike%20commissiontmg..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="617" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJyOfjjpv7CCgBuOI5peNXUMEElZ3kWznm7B7s0OYp-0t4wd0dEJ8Gnle6jwF7rq0RDTVsWxIB_kzJyN7PLABHUWS3tQkwwdfEtvs051VRjCEMidWDchp4E8TQJXZ5oT1FObKNM7SwyvYIRRfc7BMjjzi6TEErcH2EABqNw3-ppDAHmglpDoUMtO0HQ/s320/dam%20amador%20bike%20commissiontmg..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Popular OHV Trail - BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area<br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><br /></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>Lunch for Tour:</b> A scheduled lunch break will occur at
approximately 12:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Participants can choose between (1) bringing their own
lunch or (2) paying $10.00<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">(cash only) for a picnic lunch provided by staff. All
individuals are responsible for<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">bringing their own water, layered clothing, and footwear
suitable for walking over<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">uneven terrain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u>RSVP for Tour and/or Lunch: Please call (916) 902-8598 no
later than 5:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u>on Friday, March 17 to RSVP if you plan to attend the
tour and/or want to purchase<o:p></o:p></u></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><u>lunch. </u>This will provide the commission staff with enough
time to plan for sufficient<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">vehicle accommodations, transportation, and food
supplies.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">OHMVR Commission Meeting: Friday, March 24, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">8:30 a.m. – until adjournment<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Bridge<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">820 Sundial Bridge Drive<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Redding, CA 96001<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO LINK BELOW</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/01A-Tour%20and%20Meeting%20Notice%20(March%2023-24%202023)%20final.pdf">https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/01A-Tour%20and%20Meeting%20Notice%20(March%2023-24%202023)%20final.pdf</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<br />Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-31519147051335061172023-02-22T07:07:00.001-08:002023-02-22T09:20:38.978-08:00VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - TRAIL PROJECT ON THE UPPER LAKE RANGER DISTRICT<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvkvGQzUV2dPatjtKXe6WqyUrFoT1jhZ4C8BgAkmBTMBoBBWMHW3pJ8C6znDhS83Fjb0nK8qMjC3gA1xn-JNnny-r3eLl3mgkjwFB6DSVlWhsfgczhgswiq0dcNcVNwCJYNOhJRSU6ztetTXxHpJYzmWd9k1Rz592jLEnJcA5Q_pDim38sr_Dd4VWaw/s887/mason%20trail%20project%20pic%203.july21ssss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="887" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvkvGQzUV2dPatjtKXe6WqyUrFoT1jhZ4C8BgAkmBTMBoBBWMHW3pJ8C6znDhS83Fjb0nK8qMjC3gA1xn-JNnny-r3eLl3mgkjwFB6DSVlWhsfgczhgswiq0dcNcVNwCJYNOhJRSU6ztetTXxHpJYzmWd9k1Rz592jLEnJcA5Q_pDim38sr_Dd4VWaw/s320/mason%20trail%20project%20pic%203.july21ssss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PWORA Mason Trail Project </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Upper Lake Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest</div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>JOIN VOLUNTEER <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRAIL PROJECTS ON THE UPPER LAKE RANGER
DISTRICT</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For OHV and other trail enthusiasts who want to get
engaged with ongoing volunteer efforts on the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upper Lake Ranger District just east of Ukiah,
CA – Please contact the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Post
Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance (PWORA) that has been working with the Forest
Service on important trail clearing projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>PWORA has a new online volunteer management program where you can
register to help reopen trails that are currently closed due to downed trees
from winter storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will see there
are a lot of slots available for the March 11 volunteer work event<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when you sign up/register. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">March 11, 2023; Upper Lake Road, trail-clearing work
party; Mendocino National Forest. Middle Creek Campground Check-in and
briefing; more details on Facebook (PWORA).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">CHECK-IN: Volunteer Check at 9 am, Saturday, USFS Middle
Creek Campground, Mendocino National Forest, 8 miles north of Upper Lake on
County Road 301 (Forest Road M-1).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">CAMP: camping available on site with toilets and water;
trailers/RVs ok.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">JOBS: will include hand tool work, cutting and moving cut
tree limbs, and other trail repair and restoration work.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">FOOD: Bring your own lunch/food (unless we get a
sponsor/donor) and hydration fluids.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">GEAR: Bring personal protective gear if you have it; some
will be available on-site.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">DATES: work is scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of each
month of January, February, March, April, May, June (nothing in July –
September), October, November, and December.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">VOLUNTEER: Sign-in or create an account; pick a job and
let's do this!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">BACKGROUND: PWORA is working with the Mendocino National
Forest, Upper Lake District, to build new trails and restore fire-damaged
trails. The Mason Trail Connector is a conversion to OHV use of approximately
1.3 miles of the abandoned logging road. It will provide a connection between
two existing Mendocino National Forest OHV trails. The trail was partially
constructed by the Mendo NF and improved with 3 other culverts in locations
along with the trailbed but lacked a sustainable all-season creek crossing in
one location. PWORA constructed a multi-plate culvert to provide an all-season,
sustainable, fire-resistant creek crossing to complete the new trail. Final
preparations and arrangements are being made by PWORA and Mendo NF to prepare
for an official opening of the trail in 2023.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK: Project Catalog URL where you can VOLUNTEER (after
you create an account)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://pwora.volunteermatters.org/project-catalog/15">https://pwora.volunteermatters.org/project-catalog/15</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">LINK TO PWORA WEBSITE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://www.pwora.org">www.pwora.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As a co-founder and past president of PWORA, I thank you for
your interest in volunteer trail projects to help recover, restore, and reopen
recreation facilities damaged by wildfires and winter storms. I also want to commend the new President, Ted Cabral, for his efforts to support future work projects starting with the Six Rivers NF and moving to the Eldorado NF and elsewhere. Good stuff!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-11432106229596945492023-02-21T09:44:00.000-08:002023-02-21T09:44:09.170-08:00TESLA SAGA - Not All OHV Advocacy Journeys are Pleasant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyauwXUt66U4H1AZZUrrpCpXjNXfJJ2g6sGmfECQp6dY6QhAUuZi3ik3EjUx9vYPAXRywSJiKFnTkzIP_NCzFWaAhGH2JOC2tKxjJO8PS6HftvBHB42IROp0_A0p1D9d5GaKkcwudspSdFtlbgbaKUm_kUlGgpCXqAi3zdSYeOXJ9I34-gWfDfprvHQ/s2635/access%20for%20all%20tesla%20closed%20sign..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="2580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyauwXUt66U4H1AZZUrrpCpXjNXfJJ2g6sGmfECQp6dY6QhAUuZi3ik3EjUx9vYPAXRywSJiKFnTkzIP_NCzFWaAhGH2JOC2tKxjJO8PS6HftvBHB42IROp0_A0p1D9d5GaKkcwudspSdFtlbgbaKUm_kUlGgpCXqAi3zdSYeOXJ9I34-gWfDfprvHQ/s320/access%20for%20all%20tesla%20closed%20sign..jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tesla Expansion Property Closed to OHV</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>OPINION</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">By Don Amador</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">February 21, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>TESLA SAGA - Not
All OHV Advocacy Journeys are Pleasant</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Not all OHV advocacy journeys are enjoyable and maybe the
best example of that is the CA State Parks “Access for All” open house held on February
16 in Pleasanton, CA. The goal of that
meeting was to discuss Senate Bill 155 and the process it authorized for Parks
to find a new OHV area to replace lost motorized use of the 3,000 acre “Tesla”
property adjacent to Carnegie SVRA.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The event marked the end of a fierce 25-year legal and
political battle between the OHV community that wanted new trail opportunities
on lands purchased in the late 1990s for said use vs. a powerful coalition of
environmental attorneys, East Bay Regional Park District, Alameda County, politicians,
conservation groups, and the City of Livermore. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVS3TnLcQpeuKwCEHG6RGFEWbVQLYNlrDRjcNbtfeUkWytvzW4jHgBtqlzTG-q3jcMDM2zwi3IV_i0eDO2e46FTGXTMM60IBCLRhUMxadOCaFWxLanWaHsWYZhiVG7m6dzvznDSrmU438ej4dtDLiQ2eaFU1ONYEJyU_lqi1du7FqXR0NVvm8rD-qVA/s1288/access%20for%20all%20mtg.%20fouts.duffy..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1288" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVS3TnLcQpeuKwCEHG6RGFEWbVQLYNlrDRjcNbtfeUkWytvzW4jHgBtqlzTG-q3jcMDM2zwi3IV_i0eDO2e46FTGXTMM60IBCLRhUMxadOCaFWxLanWaHsWYZhiVG7m6dzvznDSrmU438ej4dtDLiQ2eaFU1ONYEJyU_lqi1du7FqXR0NVvm8rD-qVA/s320/access%20for%20all%20mtg.%20fouts.duffy..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OHV Leads from Oakland MC and AMA D36 talk with Park Staff</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">On the other hand, the 40 people – representing both
sides of the aisle - who attended the meeting seemed willing to find common
ground on the effort to find an alternative site for motorized recreation that
is outside of the Greater S.F. Bay Area.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In contrast to the highly charged political Land-Use
battles in the 1990s between multiple-use interests and environmental groups
many of which today (including me) found those fights to be ineffective and divisive,
there were positive discussions at the open house about diverse groups working
in a collaborative manner to find a replacement facility for the Tesla property
that was recently added to the CA State Park System as a non-motorized area.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo5QP5SDHz-0MdFF8-9zvgMhHVFQm8yrKlFloAUstgFgiumMDRq4td77kPI85llGR7pZQw7Pt1nvHWnZBvPibjcCp8xLH6PvAk6CliZLY0GVC2zESM4CE3Qn-t1RXgDGfvDbkdEiWuo2EqCoy0nZ4gWBjDpo5ebFXUoCvj_IH10FaURO69pYftHbosQ/s1393/access%20for%20all%20mtg.%20fouts.katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1393" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEo5QP5SDHz-0MdFF8-9zvgMhHVFQm8yrKlFloAUstgFgiumMDRq4td77kPI85llGR7pZQw7Pt1nvHWnZBvPibjcCp8xLH6PvAk6CliZLY0GVC2zESM4CE3Qn-t1RXgDGfvDbkdEiWuo2EqCoy0nZ4gWBjDpo5ebFXUoCvj_IH10FaURO69pYftHbosQ/s320/access%20for%20all%20mtg.%20fouts.katie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Access for All Discussion with Park Planning Leads</div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">In hindsight, I would have never supported the purchase
of the Tesla property 25 years ago if I knew the juggernaut OHV would face in trying
to open it for managed motorized trail recreation opportunities.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have found shouldering responsibility for misjudging rugged
terrain encountered on one’s OHV political journey - and then taking corrective
action - is part of the adventure. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In-the-trenches OHV advocacy is not for the faint of
heart and as my paraphrased version of the old saying goes… “Nothing in this
world that's worth having comes easy especially when it comes to siting a new
motorized park in the Bay Area.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"># # # <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">OVERVIEW OF SB 155 FROM CA STATE PARKS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In <i>September
2021, Senate Bill 155 amended Public Resources Code Section 5090.42. This bill
transferred funding from the General Fund to the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
Trust Fund to explore the acquisition and development of properties and
opportunities to expand OHV recreation in new and existing facilities. Also,
this bill recommends prioritizing opportunities that can serve large urban
areas such as the Bay Area and Central Valley and offer potential recreational
opportunities for OHV recreation and motorized access to nonmotorized
recreation. This meeting is the second of several opportunities to be involved
in this project, including virtual and in-person meetings. CSP will develop a
preliminary report, feasibility study, and OHV Recreation Access Plan with
recommendations and strategies to enhance existing OHV recreation areas or
expand OHV recreation within the State through an acquisition, lease, land
swap, or other available means. The project would also consider developing
motorized access to non-motorized recreational opportunities</i></span>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-24137573505467030162023-02-06T08:26:00.002-08:002023-02-06T08:26:17.564-08:00POST TESLA STATE PARK ACCESS PROGRAM LAUNCH TO SITE NEW SVRA IN NOR CAL<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsfIKzjwSeNveCnGmMAtaMh2klT-xrW78L8SjsO3xI6-HztY3OHHN8IkywPZCGRgW-F9nkxrR2SN719wIHld6_YhYtY-VJlBPn9egtDtaFxczm6K69qSWCJhQAWAqs6aLY6S2IKJg34vRPnBHy4_qijippMlZ0-anl-aje4GMeJMYT8XhVwhMOnIVOA/s333/alameda%20county%20don%20buildingsss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="333" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsfIKzjwSeNveCnGmMAtaMh2klT-xrW78L8SjsO3xI6-HztY3OHHN8IkywPZCGRgW-F9nkxrR2SN719wIHld6_YhYtY-VJlBPn9egtDtaFxczm6K69qSWCJhQAWAqs6aLY6S2IKJg34vRPnBHy4_qijippMlZ0-anl-aje4GMeJMYT8XhVwhMOnIVOA/s320/alameda%20county%20don%20buildingsss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Championing OHV Recreation at Tesla and Carnegie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in 2015 at Alameda County Meeting</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ACTION ALERT - POST
TESLA ACCESS PROJECT TO SITE A NEW SVRA IN NOR CAL<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Many of us who fought hard in the 20-year TESLA battle
are still stinging from that fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
you know, the CA OHV program purchased the Tesla/Alameda property back in the
1990s to expand legal OHV opportunity at Carnegie SVRA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did we know at the time that OHV
would be in a protracted, bitter, fierce, ugly, and costly legal and political battle
with a strong cabal of anti-OHV environmental attorneys/groups, East Bay
Regional Park District, legislators, regulators, City of Livermore, vineyard
owners, and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at the end, it was a bridge too far.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">However, we must move on and support the new CA State
Park OHV Access Program that is being launched on February 16 in Livermore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that many of you who fought in the
Carnegie/Tesla fight will be there and join an effort to find and build a new
SVRA in Northern CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you at the
Marriott!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">INFO ON ACCESS FOR ALL MEETING<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Date: February 16, 2023<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Location: Pleasanton Marriott, 11950 Dublin Canyon Rd,
Pleasanton, CA 94588<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meeting
Information<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">California State Parks (CSP) will hold an open house to
inform the public about the Off-Highway Vehicle Access Project and receive
input. The meeting will be held in person, and the public can join anytime
between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. There will be stations with topics of interest and
time to discuss the project with State Parks staff. The public will learn about
Senate Bill 155 and the Department’s process for searching, selecting, and
acquiring property; discuss OHV recreation opportunities and visitor needs; and
discuss potential locations for OHV recreation opportunities, including
partnerships, leases, and new properties.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Project Background<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In September 2021, Senate Bill 155 amended Public
Resources Code Section 5090.42. This bill transferred funding from the General
Fund to the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trust Fund to explore the acquisition and
development of properties and opportunities to expand OHV recreation in new and
existing facilities. Also, this bill recommends prioritizing opportunities that
can serve large urban areas such as the Bay Area and Central Valley and offer
potential recreational opportunities for OHV recreation and motorized access to
nonmotorized recreation. This meeting is the second of several opportunities to
be involved in this project, including virtual and in-person meetings. CSP will
develop a preliminary report, feasibility study, and OHV Recreation Access Plan
with recommendations and strategies to enhance existing OHV recreation areas or
expand OHV recreation within the State through an acquisition, lease, land
swap, or other available means. The project would also consider developing
motorized access to non-motorized recreational opportunities.<o:p></o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94566619623885396.post-33206192715418828112023-01-30T16:46:00.004-08:002023-01-30T16:46:53.157-08:00VOLUNTEER TRAIL CREWS HELP THE MENDOCINO WITH POST WILDFIRE/STORM DAMAGE RECOVERY<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwgANp-Oxsj6yq5x1u-5n0UJStW9AnxGP6d5KOoXKSL7eNlNW3Q9-vD-N0CRWM_HmX3ER0y6xqWDinZxBZ6-p7OLNIfplWx7ri6PAvtTnsZa5wUQm989C4YyizT-rbGFIeeNMw52-cewZraDTUY0nqvHQNzWHfkF7M7paBQzuSQoacqG1GU14bbAPlg/s287/strike%20team%20qwr%202022ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="287" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwgANp-Oxsj6yq5x1u-5n0UJStW9AnxGP6d5KOoXKSL7eNlNW3Q9-vD-N0CRWM_HmX3ER0y6xqWDinZxBZ6-p7OLNIfplWx7ri6PAvtTnsZa5wUQm989C4YyizT-rbGFIeeNMw52-cewZraDTUY0nqvHQNzWHfkF7M7paBQzuSQoacqG1GU14bbAPlg/s1600/strike%20team%20qwr%202022ss.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">V<b>OLUNTEER TRAIL CREWS HELP THE MENDOCINO WITH POST WILDFIRE/STORM DAMAGE RECOVERY</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Glad to see PWORA and other work parties taking place on
the ULRD and Stonyford OHV areas!</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I had
the privilege to help organize and lead several dirt bike strike teams for
PWORA back in the spring of 2021.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">We had
two dirt-bike mounted trail strike teams with support from a ROV carrying
larger saws, tools, etc., which we used to clear downed trees from some of the
higher elevation trails.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Even back then we were running into more of the larger
diameter trees falling across the trail that were killed by the 2012 Mill Fire
and were reburned in the 2018 Ranch Fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the small diameter trees had fallen or were burned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like now we are seeing even more of the
larger trees starting to fall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEt-mv9K-0R4Fq6iIkd-nZVLG9lJ--VyUk_sbj9_e5a_EnIrduQHnrh2_Ljs0LKzA3J1oDF1-0sMNtoQJVtYGWRSQi7P1QMUhv6bs2t8snYX3jwzGodPvCzb1ev-n9HoMZlObT63sTQ38dh8Hg2Q6z-w0NbmvslkMtA5lExp2fMHf-fWYZbVuHbuz6g/s476/pwora%20stonyford.3.21.don.cutting.trail35.ss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="376" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEt-mv9K-0R4Fq6iIkd-nZVLG9lJ--VyUk_sbj9_e5a_EnIrduQHnrh2_Ljs0LKzA3J1oDF1-0sMNtoQJVtYGWRSQi7P1QMUhv6bs2t8snYX3jwzGodPvCzb1ev-n9HoMZlObT63sTQ38dh8Hg2Q6z-w0NbmvslkMtA5lExp2fMHf-fWYZbVuHbuz6g/s320/pwora%20stonyford.3.21.don.cutting.trail35.ss.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don Amador Bucking Tree as Part of Dirt Bike Strike Team</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Post Fire Recovery Effort from 2018 Ranch Fire</div><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Having worked with the Mendo agency leads and staff for
over 30 years on various recreation and fuel projects, I have every confidence
they will continue to work hard to utilize every resource at their disposal
including fire crews, partners, etc. to recover and reopen the OHV trail
network.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Be sure and check in on the Mendocino National Forest
website and FB page for updates on trail conditions and volunteer events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/">https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Also check in on the PWORA FB page for updates on their
ongoing Mendo work parties.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=post%20wildfire%20ohv%20recovery%20alliance%20-%20pwora">https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=post%20wildfire%20ohv%20recovery%20alliance%20-%20pwora</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>Don Amadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13045787382896008473noreply@blogger.com0