OPINION
By Don Amador
June 17, 2021
EFFECTIVE OHV ADVOCACY
Back in 2009, I read what maybe one of the best books
ever written on the subject of effective grassroots political activism and how
groups use the fine art of “political-craft” to achieve their land-use
goals. Given the current number of
fierce political campaigns to shut down OHV-related legislation and recreation at Oceano Dunes SVRA and
other state and federal riding areas, I want to encourage the new crop of OHV
advocates to spend a few bucks to purchase online their own personal copy of NIMBY Wars.
It was early in my career of OHV land use advocacy (circa
1991) that I had this epiphany, “All land use decisions are political decisions.”
Many club leaders, riders, new activists, and seasoned veterans have heard me
talk about how important it is for all of us involved in land use advocacy to
understand that at the end of the day - ALL land use decisions are political
decisions.
Sure, scientific studies, reports, biological opinions,
and other criteria are certainly factors in the land use decision-making
process. However, the politics of the issue will be the last filter through
which any decision must pass.
I have tried to explain (often times unsuccessfully) to
those new to the field of land use politics the aforementioned thesis. To the
normal person just sitting down with the decision-maker and explaining the
facts, pointing out good science, offering a common sense solution, or
supporting best management practices should be enough to encourage the
decision-maker to make the right call. Unfortunately, those factors have
little, if anything, to do with the final decision because the final decision
is a political decision.
NIMBY Wars is a
literary masterpiece that diagrams the bottom-up approach to grassroots
activism and the importance of that local citizen (e.g. voter) or citizen’s
group in achieving your objective.
Again, you must order this book if you are involved OHV
advocacy, the OHV industry, or want to be involved in or lead, successful
political campaigns to champion OHV recreational activities on public and
private lands. If you are an experienced land use political professional, it
will confirm various concepts and strategies you have employed and teach you
new tactics.
If you are a new advocate, it will explain the politics
of land use decision-making. If you are in the OHV business, it will explain
and highlight the important roles of the professional land use consultant and
the local user/leader. If you are a politician, lobbyist, or bureaucrat it will
explain the history of land use politics and illustrate why and how you make
your decisions.
Read this book! It will make you a more effective OHV
champion.
