OHV WELCOMES NEW FOREST SUPERVISOR ON THE ELDORADO NF

Joe Stout (L) with QWR's Don Amador (R) on Field Trip

South Cow Mountain OHV Area - BLM Ukiah Field Office

 

OHV WELCOMES NEW FOREST SUPERVISOR ON ELDORADO NF

 

QWR wants to congratulate Joe Stout on his recent appointment to serve at the new Forest Supervisor on the Eldorado National Forest.  I had the privilege to work with Joe during his tenure with the BLM and believe he will do an excellent job in his new role with the Forest Service.  

 I especially appreciated Joe coming out to a tour of the BLM’s South Cow Mountain OHV Area 2016 when he was BLM’s State Office Deputy Director. 

 Here is link to that field trip.

https://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/11/

  

Also, I will provide a link to the FS News Release on Joe’s Appointment and text as well.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1083626

 

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - The Eldorado National Forest welcomes Joe Stout as the new Forest Supervisor beginning January 17, 2023. Based in Sacramento, Stout has served as the Associate State Director for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in California since May 2015. Stout is replacing Jeff Marsolais who accepted an Associate Deputy Chief position in Washington, DC.

 

“I am excited to take on this new leadership role with the Eldorado National Forest and look forward to actively engaging with our staff, partners, organizations and local communities in the shared stewardship of the forest,” Stout said.

 

Joe’s leadership experience includes serving as Acting BLM California State Director from fall 2018 to early 2020. Prior to coming to California, Joe spent six years in the BLM’s Washington Office as the Acting Chief of Staff for the Director’s Office, Division Chief for the Decision Support, Planning and NEPA Program, and Legislative Affairs Specialist. He also worked in Colorado as the Acting Associate State Director; State Office Planning and NEPA Coordinator; and as a NEPA Coordinator, and Acting Assistant Field Manager in the Kremmling Field Office.

 

As Forest Supervisor, Joe will lead a team that oversees four ranger districts and manages programs in natural resources, fire and aviation management, public services and engineering. The Eldorado National Forest includes over 600,000 acres within major watersheds of the American, Consumnes and Mokelumne Rivers. These lands provide many ecological, economic, and recreational benefits.

 

Joe holds a master's degree in Public Administration (Environmental Policy, Management and Law) from the University of Colorado in Denver. His undergraduate work was in sociology and environmental studies at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Along with his wife and two boys, Joe loves spending time in the outdoors, including backpacking, fly fishing, and skiing.

 

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The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

NEWS RELEASE - Congrats to New Forest Supervisor on the Eldorado NF

Jeff Marsolais Giving Presentation to Region 5 Recreation Resource

 Advisory Council in 2010 - Inyo National Forest

Quiet Warrior Racing (QWR) would like to extend our congratulations to Jeff Marsolais on his recent appointment to be the new Forest Supervisor on the Eldorado National Forest.   Jeff will start his leadership role on June 22, 2020.

Don Amador, President of QWR, states, “Over the last several decades, I have had the privilege of working with Jeff in support of sustainable recreation opportunities on several National Forests in California.  Jeff is committed to working with diverse interest groups in a collaborative manner.”

LINK TO ELDORADO NF NEWS RELEASE ABOUT JEFF TAKING LEAD POSITION

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD746433

“Jeff will be busy since the Eldorado NF is home to a lot of high-quality motorized and non-motorized trail-based recreational opportunities.   Some of those uses include single-track motorcycle trails, ATV routes, and challenging alpine-type backcounty touring for SxSs and 4WDs.  The Forest is also home to permitted motorized skill events and club outings,” Amador concludes.

Travel Maps are Important Management Tool

2016 MVUM - Eldorado NF

The 2005 Forest Service Travel Management Rule (TMR) requires that each National Forest designates roads, trails, and areas where use of motorized vehicles is authorized.   TMR also requires the Forest or Ranger District to publish a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) that identifies where those legal motorized opportunities exist.

QWR believes an important public compliance factor for “staying on the trail” is having MVUMs readily accessible at key staging areas and campgrounds.

Kiosk with Stocked MVUM Holder

Eldorado NF - Georgetown Ranger District

OHV recreation continues to be a highly popular outdoor activity on federal lands.  A significant amount of motorized recreation occurs on weekends when many FS offices are closed.  This can create an information deficit if the unit does not stock kiosks with MUVMs.

Having MVUMs available online is helpful, but QWR believes there is no substitute for having OHV map holders well stocked at sites where riders stage to unload their vehicles.

As more units ramp up their trail programs and as funds become available (via appropriated recreation monies, fees for maps, grants, etc.), they may want to consider publishing a color Travel Opportunity Guide that shows the route system with additional highlights such as topographical features, campgrounds, vista points, route numbers, and trail difficulty.

Color Travel Opportunity Guide (avail. for purchase)

Eldorado NF - Georgetown Ranger District

QWR believes accessible travel maps helps ensure that motorized recreationists stay on designated routes, understand the rules, protect resources, and respect other users. 

MVUMs Guide OHVers to a Great Experience

 Finally, an accessible map can lead to a fun, safe, and enjoyable OHV trail experience.

LINK TO FS MVUM WEBSITE

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml

TRAIL NEWS UPDATE – FS National Trails Strategy

Don Amador on FS System Trail

Mendocino NF

QWR commends the Forest Service for its effort to develop a national trails strategy for sustainable motorized and non-motorized trails.

LINK TO FS NATIONAL TRAILS STRATEGY

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/strategy/index.shtml

According to the agency, for the past two years, the Forest Service has gathered the body of knowledge which now forms the core of the Trails Strategy discussion draft. Through engagement with employees at all levels of the agency, non-governmental organizations and partners, other trail management agencies, and the health care and private industry, we are striving to define and implement a strategic approach for closing the gap between where we are and where we want to be.

Trail Inventory

Six Rivers NF

QWR encourages trail professionals and advocates to download the discussion draft strategy.  QWR believes this is a very positive program and will provide important high-level guidance to line-officers and agency trail champions at the Regional Office, Forest, and District levels.

Rubicon Trail

This is a very exciting process and bodes well for the future of trail-based recreation on lands managed by the Forest Service.

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"Seat Time" Important Part of Trail Education

Region 5's Regional Forester, Randy Moore, (Far Right)

on Tour of Stonyford OHV Program

QWR believes that spending quality time out in the field and on the trail with local club representatives, agency staff, and OHV business leaders is a critical factor in land-use education efforts.

Attending meetings and hearings related to trail use are important and will remain so for decades to come.  In addition, OHV professionals and advocates should also include on-site field/trail reviews with local experts and key decision-makers as part of their advocacy/education program.

Eric Anderson,Vroom Network, Tours "Wash"

Designation  and Grouse Issues in Northern Nevada

Today, many public land agencies have embraced the collaborative process where key interest groups are invited to participate in ongoing meetings where unit management ideas are discussed.  Eventually, those concepts addressing forest health, impacts of intense wildfire, and OHV recreation might be used to help shape future agency planning efforts.

Forest Supervisor Tours OR Dunes With Users to Review

OHV Management Program

Staff turnover is not just affecting the Forest Service and BLM.  Clubs often select new presidents or task members with being their point-of-contact for trail issues.   On many units, agency leadership and recreation staff are rotating out at an alarming rate do to retirement, move-to-promote, or other factors.

Local Club Officials and Volunteers Engage with

FS Recreation Staff in Trail Monitoring

OHV industry representatives are also important to include in the trail education process since they often have both a professional and personal stake in sustainable motorized recreation.

OHV Representatives Tour Hull Creek OHV Program

with FS Recreation Staff Lead

Modern 21^st Century trail management has many tenets that are best experienced out in the field.  Those prescriptions/concepts include trail signing, connectivity, erosion control structures, route armoring, public information programs, quality of the user experience, law enforcement, resource restoration efforts, potential trail projects, and safety programs.

FS Recreation Lead Tours Trail Program

There are also potential impacts from ongoing or future agency planning efforts that might impact the current OHV program.  Over the next 5-20 years, land managers will be making trail decisions based on everything from major landscape level plan revisions to OHV route and event restrictions driven by environmental regulations or court ordered mandates.

Riders and Agency Recreation Staff Tour/Discuss FS Restoration 

Grant Project

 QWR wants to encourage the OHV education community to continue efforts to spend some quality “seat time” out on the trail with our key partners.  There is no substitute for stopping on the tour and discussing just how a planning process or proposed regulation might impact OHV use.  That stop might also be the best time to see if a solution is possible.  

See you on the trail.

  

Full or Half Culvert OHV Bridges Address Water Quality on System Trails

QWR on New Full Culvert OHV Bridge

As federal and state land management agencies throughout the country continue to add or improve environmental protections to their designated trail systems, QWR wants to highlight several newly constructed full and half culvert OHV water crossing structures.

Example One - Trail Before Install of Full Culvert OHV Bridge

These OHV “bridges” were noted on a recent field tour of various trail system improvement projects on the Eldorado National Forest, Georgetown Ranger District.  The Mace Mill OHV Area is a popular motorized and non-motorized trail-based recreation area located in the Sierra Nevada.  Dirt-bike enthusiasts share many of the trails with local equestrians.  Several motorcycle events are held each year including the Fools Gold Enduro and the Crazy Miner Family Enduro.

Example One - Trail After Install of Full Culvert OHV Bridge

Increasing regulations related to water quality and soil erosion means that land agencies, partners, and volunteers will need to employ the most current trail management techniques to address resource concerns.

QWR believes that both full and half culvert trail bridges are appropriate structures depending on site-specific details - such as soil composition, amount of water flow, type of vehicle using the trail, or topography - of each installment.

Example Two - Trail Before Install of Half Culvert OHV Bridge

One advantage the half culvert has over the full culvert is that it maintains the original creek bed and has fewer disturbances to the stream channel.

Example Two -Trail After Install of Half Culvert OHV Bridge

John Ward, OHV Manager for the Georgetown Ranger District, Eldorado National Forest, states, "Modern trail management strategies include armoring stream courses to protect water quality.  The Eldorado National Forest appreciates the partnership it has with the California Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR). The OHMVR grant program provides critical resources that enable the Forest to provide an environmentally sound and high quality OHV trail experience to the public."

One of the Mixed-Use Trails at Mace Mill OHV Area

As QWR has stated before, the future of OHV depends on our collective ability to successfully address motorized recreation-related water quality issues on state and federal lands.

*QWR wants to thank John Ward for his contributions to this article and for his work on the unit.

Federal Register Notice Today Highlights Water/Soil Loss Trail Prescriptions

OHV Bridge over Stream on Eldorado National Forest

QWR believes the Federal Register Volume 79, Number 87 notice today regarding Proposed Directives for National Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Water Quality Protection on National Forest System (NFS) Lands highlights the import of ongoing use of modern water/soil related OHV trail prescriptions on public lands throughout the country including those on the Eldorado National Forest in California.

May 6, 2014 FR FS Proposed Directives

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-06/pdf/2014-10363.pdf

Rolling Dip to Address Soil Loss/Water Quality 

on Eldorado National Forest

 For over 20 years, addressing water and soil concerns have been an important part of managed OHV recreation in California.   Those management prescriptions were updated a few years ago in the California OHMVR Division’s 2008 SOIL CONSERVATION STANDARD AND GUIDELINES which states:

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation facilities shall be managed for sustainable long-term prescribed use without generating soil loss that exceeds restorability, and without causing erosion or sedimentation which significantly affects resource values beyond the facilities. Management of OHV facilities shall occur in accordance with Public Resources Code, Sections 5090.2, 5090.35, and 5090.53.

Wet Weather Prescription on the Mendocino NF

It also requires other land agencies (FS, BLM, counties) with projects funded by the OHV Trust Fund (PRC Section 5090.06) to be managed in accordance with the 2008 Standard. Assessment, maintenance and monitoring activities are necessary for any OHV project to ensure that an OHV facility is managed for its sustainable prescribed use, without generating soil loss that exceeds restorability, and without causing erosion or sedimentation which significantly affects resource values beyond the facilities.

CA OHMVRD 2008 Soil Conservation Standard and Guidelines

 http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/2008%20soil%20cons.%20standard%20and%20guidelines.pdf

Wet Weather/Wildlife Travel Sign on Eldorado NF

Ongoing drought conditions in the West and new resource and wildlife regulations being promulgated means that being pro-active in the application of modern trail management practices will continue to be important in the decades to come.

Environmental Responsibility Key Tenet of OHV Recreation

Environmental responsibility is a key element of OHV recreation on state and federal lands.  It is important to know that many units are working hard in a collaborative manner with various stakeholder groups to address conservation issues associated with motorized recreation so that those OHV opportunities are preserved for future generations.

 

The Eldorado National Forest is a leader in such efforts to solve environmental challenges related to management of both casual OHV use and permitted recreation events.

CERA Leader Reroutes Enduro Course around

California Spotted Owl Nest Site

 

 

The agency is required to protect the California Spotted Owl and to safeguard owl nesting sites especially during the spring reproduction season.  Recently, the California Enduro Riders Association successfully rerouted a section of the Fool's Gold Enduro to avoid conflict with an owl nest so the event could be held.

 

QWR's Don Amador Stands at Old Low Water Crossing

Replaced by New OHV Bridge in Background

 

 

The Forest has installed a number of structures including the recently completed OHV bridge over lower Rock Creek.  This project replaced the low-water crossing along Trail 1 and ensures the long-term viability of this highly popular motorcycle route.

 

OHV Bridge Over Little Silver Creek

 

 

The OHV bridge seen in the above photograph was constructed over a perennial tributary of Little Silver Creek as part of the Rock Creek Recreational Trail’s decision document.  It replaced a low water crossing and was designed to reduce sediment delivery into the stream course.

  

QWR is believes the future of OHV recreation can be secured through actions that address important environmental challenges that are associated with motorized access in the 21^st Century.

 

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