QWR STATEMENT ON COVID-19 - This Too Shall Pass

STATEMENT ON COVID-19

“This too shall pass”

The outdoor recreation community in California is all too familiar with having significant natural disaster events - such as the recent 2018 wildfire season - disrupt access to both casual trail use and permitted events.

Today, we are facing the coronavirus (COVID-19) that is another type of natural disaster which is not just restricted to forest lands in California but is impacting people and their activities – including powersports related events - on a worldwide basis.

The federal government has been directing the public to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to follow mitigation measures and other guidance from state and local government agencies.

CDC GUIDANCE on COVID-19

https://www.cdc.gov/

QWR would like to support guidance from the AMA, Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, and other recreation groups who have issued statements about working in a cooperative manner with government officials and our land agency partners when it comes to cancelling or postponing scheduled permitted events or conferences.

GUIDANCE FROM GOV. NEWSOM’S OFFICE

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/12/governor-newsom-issues-new-executive-order-further-enhancing-state-and-local-governments-ability-to-respond-to-covid-19-pandemic/

Also, some jurisdictions may decide to allow outdoor group events based on site-specific information.  However, local government agencies may have a lower number of people that may be gathered at an event.  Always check with your local health agencies.

COVID-19 has now become a political issue with an uncertain outcome at this point.  It is the hope of many that the virus will run its course in a short period of time so we all can get back to a normal life.   However, there is the possibility that things could get much worse before the situation gets better.  We just don’t know.

As OHV, MTB, MotoGP, Supercross, and other competition events continue to be cancelled or rescheduled it is important to know that both motorized and non-motorized recreationists can still get out and enjoy casual trail use with family and friends in small group settings.

We will get through this natural disaster as we have so many times before.  That is what we do!

NEW CA NOHVCC STATE PARTNER - Comments Needed on CEQ NEPA Reform Process

Don Amador at 2019 NOHVCC Annual Conference

As a new CA State Partner for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), I would like to express my appreciation to NOHVCC for allowing me to help support their efforts to promote sustainable OHV recreation here in the Golden State and throughout the country.

LINK to NOHVCC CA STATE PARTNERS

https://www.nohvcc.org/engagement/find-a-local-organization/?state=California

Part of my volunteer work for NOHVCC will be to help share their resources and work products with fellow OHVers in CA.  One of those important current efforts is to let you know that the comment period to submit NEPA reform comments to the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) ends tomorrow.   Outdoor recreational interests have a keen interest in supporting government efforts to reduce the amount of red-tape associated with federal land agency planning and permitting processes.

NOHVCC issued a recent news release with information on the CEQ NEPA review process with a link to their excellent comment letter.  Please feel free to read their letter and send in a comment with your own suggestions and/or stating support for NOHVCC’s comments. 

LINK TO NOHVCC NEWS RELEASE ON CEQ NEPA REFORM PROCESS

https://www.nohvcc.org/nohvcc-comments-on-proposed-nepa-rulemaking-still-time-for-you-to-comment-as-well/

Once you have read the NOHVCC news release, you can go to the CEQ link below and find out about the proposed rulemaking and where/how to submit comments.

LINK TO CEQ NEPA REVIEW PROPOSALS

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/10/2019-28106/update-to-the-regulations-implementing-the-procedural-provisions-of-the-national-environmental

Thanks for your review of this information and your support of environmentally sound OHV recreation and efforts by federal agencies to reduce the amount of paperwork associated with land agency planning and permitting processes.

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Don Amador, President

Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting

Don Amador

CA State Partner, NOHVCC

  

OP ED - State of the CA OHV Program

OP - ED

By Don Amador

Feb. 25, 2020

OCEANOFICATION 

 State of CA OHV Program

Like many of you, I have had more than a full plate over the last couple of months but am now back more fully in the OHV saddle.  With the upcoming OHV commission meeting slated for Thursday, February 27, I wanted to share my view on the current state of affairs at the CA OHV Program.

The following comments are hard for me to pen and share because of my long history with the Program and my deep appreciation for the OHV staff that I work with and for the many partners it has in various local and federal jurisdictions.

For reasons I don’t fully understand the Program has entered into a “Dark Ages” status where substantive communications with Park/Division leadership are almost non-existent.   Transformation has largely obliterated the hands-on SVRA superintendent role where management is meaningfully engaged with unit staff and partners in operation of the SVRA.

Probable loss of the opportunity to purchase the 1,300 Blue Oak Ranch, because approved grant monies to help with the purchase of the property -  that would act as a high quality staging/camping area for the BLM’s South Cow Mountain OHV area - are now lost in a bureaucratic black hole in Sacramento. 

While there remains the responsibility of grant applicants to be accountable for grant funded projects, there are a growing number of past and potential future grant applicants (including government agencies) that have told me the massive increase in grant reporting requirements goes far beyond other grant reporting requirements including those who get non-OHV grants from other state agencies.

The Oceano Dunes SVRA PWP - absent any meaningful projects that would benefit OHV recreation – is simply adding momentum to ongoing political efforts that seek to permanently ban OHV recreation at the SVRA while at the same time supporting the continued gross misuse of dedicated OHV funds to manage and support non-motorized recreation at the SVRA and other Park units.

It is my hope the Thursday OHV Commission meeting will provide an opportunity for Parks leadership, Division staff, and stakeholders to reconnect, find solutions, and chart a positive course for our OHV Program.

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OHV Trails Reopened Due to Post Ranch Fire Recovery Collaboration

Grindstone OHV Program Manager, Sarah Ridenour-Chamberlin (L), Reviews

 Reconstructed Sediment Catch Basin with Grindstone District Ranger, Christine Hill (R) 

According to a February 3, 2020 News Release from the Mendocino National Forest, the Forest Supervisor, Ann Carlson, reopened more trails and campgrounds that were impacted by the 2018 Ranch Fire.

LINK TO FS NEWS RELEASE

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD698753

WILLOWS, Calif., Feb. 3, 2020 — Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson has issued Forest Order No. 08-20-02 for the Ranch Fire area which opens more trails and campgrounds and continues the temporary closure of selected trails and campgrounds until more fire hazards can be removed. The new closure is effective from January 29, 2020 until December 31, 2020.

Most of the road system and trails in the Ranch Fire area have been evaluated and hazards have been removed. Forest Order No. 08-20-02 opens the majority of OHV trails on the Grindstone Ranger District as well as Pine Mountain Lookout and Bear Creek campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District. However, numerous hazards still exist within the general forest, along many roads and trails and in campgrounds.

Supervisor Carlson says, “Due to the hard work of Forest Service employees and volunteers there are now many fire impacted areas that are safe for the public to enjoy and I feel it is important to reopen access to public lands where we can. We are continuing to remove hazards such as dead standing trees, exposed rebar in trail treads, and stump holes on trails in order to reopen the remaining trails and campgrounds.”

“Although the end date for Order 08-20-02 is December 31, 2020, we are working hard to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas as soon as possible,” Carlson adds. Forest Order 08-20-02, including the order, map and list of closed trails and facilities is posted on the forest website: https://tinyurl.com/urx4jwu

QWR believes the Forest Supervisor correctly identifies the collaboration between agency staff and volunteers from non-profits, clubs, and the community to clear trails, remove hazards, and repair campgrounds as an important factor in reopening OHV opportunities on the Forest.

Watch for Trail Hazards and Respect Trail Closures

QWR urges trail riders to get out and enjoy the reopened trails but also respect the closure order and stay off of routes that remain closed.  Your cooperation will help support the Forest’s ongoing post fire recovery efforts so that additional routes – that are used for both casual riding and permitted events -will continue to be reopened sooner vs. later.

CA OHV BUDGET UPDATE - Governor’s Proposed Budget for 2020-2021

On January 10, 2020, Governor Newsom released his Proposed Budget which highlights the Governor's goals and objectives for the forthcoming year.  For OHV recreation, the proposed budget indicates the administration’s fiscal commitment to programs and departments including the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) program at the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

LINK TO DPR PROPOSED BUDGET

http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/2020-21/pdf/GovernorsBudget/3000/3790.pdf

Upon initial review, it appears the Governor is supportive of the OHV program with a proposed budget for 2020-2021 of $108,387 million dollars which includes $36 million for the OHV grants program.  In 2018-2019 the actual budget was $104,596 million. The estimated budget for 2019-2020 is $108,315 million. 

While this is good news for OHV, the motorized recreation community must remain engaged with the OHMVR program and DPR due to potential impacts from the Parks Transformation Process.

As most of you know, the OHMVR Division has a distinct mission that is carried out by a highly-skilled team of OHV-related trail specialists, environmental scientists, law enforcement personnel, and grant administrators.  The Division Deputy Director position has been vacant for over a year and recently the acting deputy went back to his previous duties, leaving the Division without a leader.  How long it takes the governor to fill this essential position will go far to gauge his support for the program.

We should remain concerned about the potential dilution of those aforementioned skillsets that would devastate the OHMVR Division’s ability to manage its highly acclaimed system of State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRAs).  It would also impact the grant program that supports managed OHV recreation on Forest Service and BLM lands and related restoration projects, law enforcement, and safety programs.

QWR believes that OHV advocacy efforts in 2020 should remain focused on Park Transformation to help ensure the OHMVR Division retains those aforementioned skillsets.

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NATIONAL LE APPRECIATION DAY - Say Thanks to our Law Enforcement Officers

FS Law Enforcement Officer

Mendocino National Forest

On National Law Enforcement Day 2020, QWR would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who dedicate their life to our protection and safety.

BLM Ranger at OHV Event

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

 

CA State Park Ranger

QWR also extends our gratitude to those officers who work on OHV details to protect natural resources, ensure that OHV regulations are followed, and educate riders on public safety issues. 

Plumas County Sheriff

Their efforts are a critical component of successful OHV programs and help ensure that we have continued access to sustainable motorized recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas.

Thanks to all who serve!

2020 VISION FOR OHV

OP-ED

By Don Amador

Date: 1/7/20

2020 VISION FOR OHV

Will Rogers, a famous cowboy, actor, and social commentator, once said, “Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."

As OHV leaders, advocates, clubs, riders, and consultants prepare to address ongoing or much anticipated challenges or opportunities in 2020, I believe it is important for us to embrace those efforts with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Certainly it is important to remember and utilize successful strategies that have helped support access to existing OHV recreation opportunities or have created new sustainable trails and route networks.

However, it has been my experience that OHV advocates can often get bogged down and discouraged by negative experiences incurred in the many battles we fight with ourselves, agencies, politicians, environmental groups, and courts.

Each one of us only has so much gas in our emotional tank.  I believe its best – and also more productive – to ride forward in our advocacy journey than to backtrack in search of mistakes we may have made or to dwell on discouragements.

Resolve in 2020 to be that eternal optimist who stays positive regardless of challenges or hurdles placed in their path.   Visualize a positive outcome for OHV this year.  It’s our best option.

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Don Amador writes on recreation and land-use issues from his office in Oakley, CA.  Don may be reached via email at: damador@cwo.com