COVID-19 UPDATE - Respect Reopening Process

RESPECT REOPENING PROTOLS

According to a Region 5 news release on May 14, 2020, many Forests will be reopening this weekend in California.  Also, other federal recreation sites throughout the West, including portions of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, will also be reopening.  

QWR believes it is important for OHVers to honor the agency’s request to follow various COVID-19 mitigation measures – including the call to recreate locally - as highlighted in the R5 news release below:

LINK TO REGION 5 REOPENING NEWS RELEAS

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD738552

VALLEJO,CA  - May 14, 2020—National Forests in California are increasing access to the public by providing additional developed recreational opportunities. National Forest websites and social media pages will have the most up-to-date information on re-openings. Whenever possible, please recreate locally.

Visitors should practice self-sufficiency when visiting national forests and come prepared with all the essentials needed for a day trip, including food, emergency supplies, and the ability to pack-out trash. Remember to recreate responsibly by keeping the following in mind:

• Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others
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• Do not gather in groups and follow the latest guidance from health officials
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• Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass
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• Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use

Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continue. Certain services may still be unavailable, please plan accordingly.

Since many units are operating at a reduced capacity due to furloughed or sick staff, cleaning or PPE shortages, etc., QWR believes it is important for OHVers to come with their own hand sanitizers and toilet paper per chance toilets are still closed or have not been cleaned or stocked.

The loss of recreational opportunity due to COVID-19 closures has been hard on both the user community and agency staff. The crisis has also interrupted those dynamic on-the-ground partnerships that help keep our riding areas managed and open.

Respecting the various COVID-19 mitigation measure recommended by land agencies in coordination with local and state officials will help them remain open though the summer and expedite additional reopening of state and federal OHV recreation areas.

*Make sure you call or check the website of any unit you plan to ride or camp at BEFORE  you leave.

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COVID-19 OPINION - Government Overreach and the U.S. Constitution

U.S. Supreme Court

OPINION

By Don Amador

May 3, 2020

Government Overreach and the Constitution

I am not an attorney nor do I play one on TV.  However, I do have 30 years of experience working on land-use legislation, litigation, politics, and policy at the local, state, and national level.   Based on those experiences, I want to share my opinion with you.

In March, all Americans including recreationists were asked to comply with temporary Covid-19 shelter-in-place (SIP) orders and mitigation measures to “Flatten the Curve” to avoid overcrowding our hospitals and reduce the number of projected deaths.

The American public responded to the government mandates by largely complying with those plans and mitigations.   Recreation leaders in the grassroots and industry sectors also responded with outreach and education programs to encourage compliance with those temporary orders.

Today, many in the general public are now questioning some states and local jurisdictions that appear to have politicized Covid-19 restrictions by extending hard SIP orders – without a strong rationale - that apply to residents and businesses.

Considering the above reality in some states, it should come as no surprise for the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) to weigh in on the matter when potential violations of the U.S. Constitution appear to be taking place.

On such case is in Pennsylvania where according to the article linked to below: "A group of Pennsylvania businesses petitioned the US Supreme Court Monday in their lawsuit seeking to overturn Governor Tom Wolf’s March 19 executive order closing “non-life-sustaining” business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."

SCOTUS has now weighed in by giving the PA Governor until May 4 to respond to a petition that accuses the commonwealth of violating the constitutional rights of its citizens.

LINK TO SCOTUS ORDER TO PA

https://www.jurist.org/news/2020/05/supreme-court-orders-pennsylvania-to-respond-to-challenge-to-stay-at-home-order/

Folks in other states are also challenging extended SIP orders that appear to violate our constitutional rights.  The purpose of this opinion is not to start a debate about the veracity or effectiveness of Covid-19 mitigation measures but to simply highlight the growing concern about government overreach and potential violation of our constitutional rights. 

Having SCOTUS step in on this issue may be the biggest news item in recent weeks.

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Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management profession for over 30 years. Don is President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting. Don served as a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition from 1996 until June, 2018. Don served as Chairman and member 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 currently serves as the government affairs lead for AMA District 36 in Northern California and also serves as the OHV representative on the BLM’s Central California Resource Advisory Committee.  Don is also a contributor to Dealernews Magazine.

COVID-19 UPDATE - Embrace Land-Use Ethos as Parks Reopen

New Tread Lightly! Covid-19 Poster

QWR appreciates the efforts by our friends and fellow trail enthusiasts at Tread Lightly! to encourage a common sense land-use ethos for use by recreationists in areas that are under county, state, or federal COVID-19 shutdown directives or orders.

TREAD LIGHTLY!

https://www.treadlightly.org/

The Governor of Utah has a very simple “Stay Home and Stay Safe” message for those of us who like to enjoy the great outdoors.  His directive encourages residents and visitors to refrain from long distance recreational travel at this time.  That same message is also being echoed by many other government agencies and non-profit organizations.

LINK TO UTAH MESSAGE

https://www.visitutah.com/plan-your-trip/covid-19/

The Forest Service has a similar message on their national website that they are taking the risks presented by COVID-19 seriously and are following USDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health guidance as they continue to offer services to the public. Visitors to National Forests and Grasslands are urged to take the precautions recommended by the CDC.

The Forest Service also has an easy to use icon on their website where you can go to get the latest COVID-19  information on any National Forest in the country. 

LINK TO FS COVID-19 INFORMATION

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/covid19-updates

As many of you know, our land agencies are working hard to keep recreational opportunities for local residents available during the COVID-19 crisis.  There are both HARD and SOFT restrictions of varying degrees based on state/federal guidance county health officer orders.

As local/state/federal recreation sites start to reopen after winter seasonal closures or as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, it is important for trail enthusiasts to embrace a strong land-use ethic out of respect for our partners and friends.

Complying with existing trail management rules and regulations during casual use now can help ensure that county, state, and federal agencies will authorize permits – when the time comes - for competition and club events that occur on either public or private lands.

Rules, restrictions, and reopening efforts are changing on a daily basis.  As the Tread Lightly! poster suggests, it remains important to always check with the land agency before you travel to an area.   

Stay well!