Include Trail Specialists in Agency Planning Efforts

Tillamook State Forest Trail Project

Tillamook State Forest OHV program managers highlight the important role that trail specialists have in recreation, resource, and vegetation project planning, development, and implementation.  These holistic concepts were presented by State Forest staff at the 2015 NOHVCC Annual Conference held in Folsom, California.

The Tillamook State Forest is over 350,000 acres and is located about 30 miles west of Portland, Oregon. It contains the Browns Camp, Jordan Creek and Diamond Mill OHV Areas with approximately 250 miles of routes for dirt-bike, ATV, SxS, and 4WD recreationists.

Logging Operation on Forest Service Land

This is an actively managed unit with ongoing logging operations, forest health/fuel reduction projects, and road/trail maintenance.

Shaded Fuel Break Forest Health Project

The OHV recreation staff leads are also engaged with local user groups and clubs since private sector volunteerism is critical to the success of the area.  Volunteers help clear trails of downed trees and provide a work force to assist agency staff with important trail maintenance projects.  Volunteers provide comments on recreation/forest health projects and also show up to county government meetings to show political support for the area.

Half Culvert on FS System Trail

QWR believes that federal and state agencies should include their trail specialists in any planning effort that might impact recreation facilities such as designated system trails, campgrounds, and staging areas.

Today’s system trail network is comprised of routes with engineered soil/water control structures such as rolling dips, half culverts, and sediment catch basins.  These system trails often represent a significant construction or reconstruction investment of taxpayer or user generated funds that can range from $10 to $40 thousand dollars per mile.

Rolling Dip on BLM 4WD Route

Without substantive input from trail specialists, QWR believes these recreation facilities could be impacted by resource activities related to initial wildfire attack, post-wildfire restoration, fuel reduction, timber projects, and vegetation treatments.   Trail management staff should also be part of any programmatic planning efforts related to Forest Plans or Resource Management Plans.

Rock Catch Basin on Rubicon Trail

 With all agency disciplines working together in a collaborative manner, both the protection of our recreation assets and resource values will be ensured.

Registration/Agenda for 2015 NOHVCC Annual Conf. Oct. 27-31 in Sacramento, CA

QWR is proud to be attending the 2015 NOHVCC Conference in the Sacramento area this year.  The dates for the 2015 Annual NOHVCC and INOHVAA Joint Conference are Oct 27 – 31.

NOHVCC has moved the conference back to California, the State in which the first conference was held.  They have lined up the mobile workshop to be at the Prairie City SVRA, which is the site of the Hangtown Pro-motocross track.  To add even more value to the conference this year, in addition to the NOHVCC and INOHVAA conference sessions, the All-Quad Council of Canada (AQCC) and the California OHV Commission will be meeting just prior to the conference start.  All this means great networking opportunities for you. There will be training modules for ATVs, Dirt-Bikes, and SxS.

Knowing that many agency recreation staff are on tight budgets, QWR has worked with the OHV Division to allow for agency staff who cannot afford the hotel ($95/night/govt. rate) to camp out either in a tent or RV at Prairie City SVRA.   If you plan to camp at the SVRA, please RSVP to Jeanne Sisson with dates you plan to camp to:

Link to Prairie City SVRA

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1221

OHMVRD - Jeanne Sisson - Jeanne.Sisson@parks.ca.gov

Here is the Conf. Overview/Registration

http://nohvcc.org/Education/Conference.aspx

Here is Conf. Registration

http://nohvcc.org/docs/default-source/miscellaneous-files/2015registrationpacket38BECA9C5DEE.pdf?sfvrsn=2

This is a great learning and networking opportunity!  I hope to see many of you there.

Happy Trails,

Don Amador

2015 NOHVCC National Trail Conf. - Oct. 25 - Nov. 1

R5 Wet Weather Soil Study Update at 2014 Ranger Ride/Workshop

Tahoe NF

Dear OHV Recreation Agency Contacts,

I talked with a number of agency recreation staff at last week’s OHV commission meeting

in Sonora who asked about the dates for the NOHVCC 2015 National OHV Trail Conf.

As you know, QWR is attending this event and encourages agency recreation staff to

attend as these events are a great opportunity to network with OHV recreation specialists

from around the country. 

NOHVCC is still working on the final event program, but here is the preliminary info.

It will be held in Folsom, a suburb of Sacramento the week of October 25 - November 1, 2015;

most likely using the same schedule as last year.

Here is the agenda from the 2014 conf. as they expect to follow the same format.

2014 NOHVCC Agenda (Tue. – Sun.)

http://www.nohvcc.org/docs/default-source/miscellaneous-files/2014registrationpacket.pdf?sfvrsn=2

QWR will be working with NOHVCC on some potential trail rides at nearby OHV areas during

the 1^st part of the week.

Here is a link to a story QWR did when it attended the 2012 NOHVCC National Conf.

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-trail-ideas-highlighted-at-2012.html

Stay tuned for updates.

Don Amador

Quiet Warrior Racing

www.quietwarriorracing.com