Signs of R.E.S.P.E.C.T - OHV Management in the 21st Century

 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

QWR believes that respect for the resource on private, state, or federal lands is an essential part of any sustainable OHV program.

As you know, QWR believes that a quality signing program conveys the land manager’s commitment to both the resource and the public.  It is then up to the user to respect those management prescriptions that have been developed to enhance and protect the recreational experience for this and future generations.

The concept of designating roads, trails, and areas to reduce environmental impacts has been around since the 1970s.  In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued Executive Order 11644 to control the use OHVs on public lands, to protect the resources, and to minimize conflicts among various uses.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 11989 that directs federal land managers to close areas to OHVs where said use will cause considerable adverse effects on natural and cultural resources. It also orders the mitigation of those impacts before the route can be reopened.

Since those early presidential directives were issued, Congress has passed many laws and regulatory agencies have promulgated numerous rules, including the Forest Service’s 2005 Travel Management Rule, to govern motorized use.

Despite that ever growing list of regulations, there are many units that have robust and growing OHV programs where new trail opportunities are being created, new partnerships are being developed, and long-term plans for managed motorized use are in the queue.

Law enforcement officers that QWR talks with continue to state that even though it appears that OHV access to public lands is a complex issue, the actual rules that govern the sport are very simple and easy to comply with.

Those access tenets are as follows:  Use a sound compliant exhaust system that has a functioning spark arrester, have a valid license or permit, and stay on designated roads, trails, and areas.

This is not to say that OHV has an easy path ahead.  There certainly will be more rules and regulations that will be implemented to address water quality, soil loss, and wildlife impacts over the next 5-10 years.  There will be more meetings to attend, stakeholder groups to join, comment letters to write, and trail decisions to defend or challenge in court.

However, if trail enthusiasts can show respect for the resource and follow those simple three rules, QWR believes our future looks relatively bright and secure.

QWR at Chappie-Shasta OHV Area - Tech and Trail Review

Amador at New Campground at Bohemotash Mountain

 

QWR’s sound tech team and Sound Trails Initiative were at the 2012 Buckhorn Enduro held at BLM’s Shasta-Chappie OHV Area near Redding, California.  The Redding Dirt Riders did a great job of putting together a challenging and scenic motorcycle event that attracted Enduro riders from throughout the region.

 

 

Rider Gets "Pass" Sticker at Sound Tech Station

 

Before the event, QWR reviewed some of the new projects on the unit that included the creation of a remote camp ground on Bohemotash Mountain.   BLM has been working hard to maintain and improve the trail experience at the area for dirt-bikes, ATVs, and side x sides.

QWR/BRC’s Don Amador helped show off this premier destination OHV area this past spring to OHV media.   Most, if not all, of the side x side journalists had never visited the area.  Based on the articles that were published, they were impressed with the quality of the recreational experience and vowed to come back.  In fact, many side x side owners have visited the area based on those articles. 

Here is a link to the ATV.com article

http://www.atv.com/features/atv-trails-chappieshasta-ohv-area-2124.html

 

Here is a link to the ATVconnection.com article

http://atvconnection.com/articles/driving-kawasakis-teryx4-on-the-gorgeous-trails-of-mountain-shasta/

 

QWR appreciates the great work the BLM is doing at Shasta-Chappie to provide the OHV community with high quality and environmentally-sound recreational opportunity.

 

Signs Indicate Level of Agency Commitment to Trail Management

Signs give the trail user a lot of very useful information.  Signs often tell us what vehicle types are allowed on a certain route, the difficulty of the trail, or a route number that is keyed to a map.  Signs are one of the primary ways the agency communicates with the public.

When doing a site-review of a recreation facility or route network, signs also inform me as to the level of commitment that unit has to its OHV program and public safety.

In the attached photo, you will see on the left a newly installed “mixed-use” sign that identifies what portion of a forest road is open for non-street legal OHVs.  It is well placed and current.

On the right of that photo, you will notice that I had to hold a sign so a fellow rider could see it.  It appeared the post had rotted out many years ago and both it and the sign had been cast to the side of the road.

QWR believe signs are an important travel management tool.  However, they also convey to the public the level of commitment the unit has to managed OHV recreation.  Without exception, you can be assured that a well-signed unit has made a commitment to the trail community.

A management unit with few signs, missing signs, or poorly maintained signs is sending a signal to the user that the agency does not care about the area or you. 

What sort of “signal” have you been getting from the land management agency where you ride? 

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Quest/3M is Official Sound Meter Partner for QWR in 2011

Quest Model 1200 Type One Sound Meter Kit

Quiet Warrior Racing is proud to announce its selection of Quest Technologies as the provider of official sound testing equipment for 2011.  QWR will be using the law enforcement-grade Type 1 1200 sound meter for testing both street and non-street legal motorcycles and OHVs at events and outreach efforts throughout the country.

We are pleased to be teaming up with Quest Technologies here at QWR to help get us the word out about riding quiet on public roads and trails.

I have used Quest sound meters over the last 10 years and they have proven to be accurate, reliable, and rugged.  Here in Northern California, they are the sound meter of choice used by Forest Service and BLM law enforcement officials to enforce sound laws. It’s great to partner with Quest on our never ending journey to promote a responsible sound ethic on public travelways.

Eureka Access Champion Signs on as Individual Supporter for 2011

Dale Warmuth Pointing to a Trail He Wants to Keep Open on the Six Rivers NF

Quiet Warrior Racing is grateful to Dale Warmuth for his recent individual sponsorship.  Dale continues to be an access champion on the North Coast of California.  Not only is he a strong supporter of the OHV land-use fight, he is a darn good rider too.

QWR Blog with Dale Listed as Individual Member

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/

Dale and his family support many other OHV and non-OHV local and national charities. QWR is honored to call Dale a friend and is also thankful that he waits for me to catch up to him on trail rides.