BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY

BLM's Fort Sage OHV Area - Special Recreation Management Area

Eagle Lake Field Office, Susanville, CA

OPINION

 By Don Amador

 June 23, 2023

  

BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY

 

 Nobody in the OHV public land policy arena supports conservation of federal lands to protect natural resources - while still providing access to environmentally sound multiple-use recreation – more than I.  A lot of that support includes active participation on trail stewardship, restoration of lands damaged by illegal OHV use, and pre-fire fuel reduction and post-fire recovery projects.

 

Most, if not all, of those projects are done in collaboration with the Forest Service, BLM, agency partners, and volunteers with grant support from the powersports industry and the California State Parks OHV Grant Program.

 

The proposed 2023 BLM planning rule redefines the term Conservation, creates Conservation leases managed by private sector interests, and emphasizes Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) as the sole designation for protecting important natural, cultural, and scenic resources.

Current Restoration Project at Fort Sage OHV Area

Conservation is a key element of land management today that protects natural resources and also provides sustainable recreation for OHV and other activities that families enjoy.  Traditional Conservation includes maintaining trails to reduce soil loss, restoration, and post-fire recovery.   However, under this rule proposal Conservation efforts would be restricted to “protection” and “restoration.”

 

The proposed rule would direct BLM staff to identify and mitigate “disturbances” and restore the land to its natural state.  Authorized officers would be required to avoid authorizing any use of the public lands that permanently impairs ecosystem resilience.  Staff would also be directed to review and mitigate OHV and other recreation uses at designated intensive use areas such as the BLM Fort Sage OHV Area in California and the BLM Knolls OHV Area in Utah.

Current Post Wildfire Conservation Project

Fort Sage OHV Area

The new mitigation hierarchy would be to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to all public land resources.

 

The new concept of private sector managed Conservation leases on BLM lands is also troubling for OHV access since the strict prohibition of OHV activity is a core tenet of most, if not all, private, state, and federal conservation lease plans and programs.

 

Many recreation and other multiple-use interests objected to the BLM’s 2017 2.0 Planning Rule because it created a vague set of hard to follow or implement standards that would have resulted in confusion, chaos and a loss of OHV access for casual use and permitted events such as amateur competition and club rides.  For those and other reasons, Congress and the President repealed the rule.

 

If this new rule is enacted it will also create confusion and chaos.  Agency staff will no longer have time to authorize permitted OHV events or do travel plans.  Designated OHV sites would most likely see a loss of opportunity including entire areas being closed due to new definitions.

 

I believe the agency should redraw this proposal that appears to have been crafted behind closed doors with little if any substantive input from diverse multi-use stakeholders.  The public, partners, and agency staff that we work with deserve better.

 

LINK to BLM PROPOSED PLANNING RULE – Public Comments Due by July 5, 2023

https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001

 

 

 

 

  

QWR OPINION - BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY

BLM Fort Sage OHV Area - Special Recreation Management Area

BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, Susanville, CA

OPINION

 By Don Amador

 June 23, 2023

  

BLM 3.0 - SEISMIC SHIFT IN BLM PUBLIC LAND POLICY

 

Nobody in the OHV public land policy arena supports conservation of federal lands to protect natural resources - while still providing access to environmentally sound multiple-use recreation – more than I.  A lot of that support includes active participation on trail stewardship, restoration of lands damaged by illegal OHV use, and pre-fire fuel reduction and post-fire recovery projects.

 

Most, if not all, of those projects are done in collaboration with the Forest Service, BLM, agency partners, and volunteers with grant support from the powersports industry and the California State Parks OHV Grant Program.

 

The proposed 2023 BLM planning rule redefines the term Conservation, creates Conservation leases managed by private sector interests, and emphasizes Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) as the sole designation for protecting important natural, cultural, and scenic resources.

RESTORATION PROJECT UNDER CURRENT BLM STANDARDS

BLM Fort Sage OHV Area, Eagle Lake Field Office

 

Conservation is a key element of land management today that protects natural resources and also provides sustainable recreation for OHV and other activities that families enjoy.  Traditional Conservation includes maintaining trails to reduce soil loss, restoration, and post-fire recovery.   However, under this rule proposal Conservation efforts would be restricted to “protection” and “restoration.”

 

The proposed rule would direct BLM staff to identify and mitigate “disturbances” and restore the land to its natural state.  Authorized officers would be required to avoid authorizing any use of the public lands that permanently impairs ecosystem resilience.  Staff would also be directed to review and mitigate OHV and other recreation uses at designated intensive use areas such as the BLM Fort Sage OHV Area in California and the BLM Knolls OHV Area in Utah.

CURRENT POST FIRE RECOVERY CONSERVATION PROJECT

BLM Fort Sage OHV Area, Eagle Lake Field Office

 

The new mitigation hierarchy would be to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts to all public land resources.

 

The new concept of private sector managed Conservation leases on BLM lands is also troubling for OHV access since the strict prohibition of OHV activity is a core tenet of most, if not all, private, state, and federal conservation lease plans and programs.

 

Many recreation and other multiple-use interests objected to the BLM’s 2017 2.0 Planning Rule because it created a vague set of hard to follow or implement standards that would have resulted in confusion, chaos and a loss of OHV access for casual use and permitted events such as amateur competition and club rides.  For those and other reasons, Congress and the President repealed the rule.

 

If this new rule is enacted it will also create confusion and chaos.  Agency staff will no longer have time to authorize permitted OHV events or do travel plans.  Designated OHV sites would most likely see a loss of opportunity including entire areas being closed due to new definitions.

 

I believe the agency should redraw this proposal that appears to have been crafted behind closed doors with little if any substantive input from diverse multi-use stakeholders.  The public, partners, and agency staff that we work with deserve better.

 

LINK to BLM PROPOSED PLANNING RULE – Public Comments Due by July 5, 2023

https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTION ALERT – Comment on FS Special Use Permit Proposal

Don Amador on Event Trail 

Eldorado National Forest

ACTION ALERT – Comment on FS Special Use Permit Proposal

 

Comments due: June 20, 2023

 

 

I first want to thank my counterpart at AMA, Nick Haris, for bringing this issue to my attention as it has the potential to increase the red-tape and costs of obtaining a special use permit for OHV and even non-motorized clubs if fees are charged to attend a competition or group event.

 

The Forest Service has proposed to amend its special use regulations to update the processing and monitoring fee schedules based on current Agency costs; to provide for recovery of costs associated with processing special use proposals, as well as applications; and to remove the exemption for commercial recreation special use applications and authorizations that involve 50 hours or less to process or monitor.

 

 

LINK TO FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/19/2023-10436/land-uses-special-uses-cost-recovery-strict-liability-limit-and-insurance

 

LINK TO PROPOSED RULE

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-05-19/pdf/2023-10436.pdf

 

 

QWR believes the proposed rule amendments with their collective weight will disenfranchise important partners by creating a significant fiscal hardship on the motorcycle clubs, riders, and families that use FS lands.  Many clubs, are 501 (c) 7 volunteer-based social clubs or have some other non-profit classification. 

 

QWR believes the loss of the 50-hour exemption and other proposed, yet vague, fee increases will force many partner clubs to cease applying for a special use permit since events such as an amateur enduro  are many times a “break-even” proposition since the entry fees will not cover the club’s expense for items such as on-site medical services, communications, and other event materials.  This proposal threatens those important partnerships and the pre-event volunteer trail work they do.

 

In 2011, I was part of a national effort that called for reform of the permitting process because it had become so complicated and costly that most "non-profit club events" could simply not comply with the requirements. In addition, historic and popular competitive events occurring without problems had been subjected to arbitrary fees where permit fees were raised from $500 to $10,000 -$20,000 or more. In some areas, the application process to obtain a special use permit was used to prohibit and/or severely restrict otherwise allowable activities.

 

QWR is urging our motorized and non-motorized recreation group partners to review the proposal and  urge the agency to amend the proposal to address  concerns you may have.  The comment period ends on June 20, 2023.  Thanks for your review of this important topic.

QWR PSA - NICK HARIS IS NEW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LEAD AT AMA

Don Amador (L) with Nick Haris (R) at Field Review 

BLM Las Vegas Field Office

QWR PSA

May 19, 2023

STATEMENT FROM QWR'S PRESIDENT, DON AMADOR

 

  

CONGRATS TO NICK HARIS AS NEW AMA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS LEAD

 

As a senior OHV advocacy lead who has served for over 20 years with Nick Haris in his capacity as Western Representative for the AMA, I want to extend my sincere congrats to Nick as the new government affairs lead for the AMA.

 STATEMENT FROM NICK HARIS ON HIS NEW POSITION

https://americanmotorcyclist.com/big-changes-bigger-opportunities-?fbclid=IwAR0BgdKpnFshmtHe4IE-A-22RiAxLbbiSzizn7cEBe49HFUz9vN6W79_BNc

  

I have appreciated Nick’s commitment to motorcycles and OHV recreation and his dedication to the riders which he has demonstrated by speaking/testifying at many commission and legislative hearings.  Also, I have spent a lot of time with him on the trail or otherwise in the field reviewing key OHV access issues on state and federal lands.  I look forward to working with him and his team on future endeavors. 

 

# # # 

OHV KICK START - EMERGING TECH, OPPORTUNTIES, AND CHALLENGES KEY FOCUS AT INTERAGENCY TRAIL WORKSHOP

 

2023 RANGER RIDE AND INTERAGENCY OHV WORKSHOP

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area, Redding Field Office

Photo credit: George McDougall

OHV KICK START - EMERGING TECH, OPPORTUNTIES, AND CHALLENGES KEY FOCUS AT INTERAGENCY TRAIL WORKSHOP

As part of our commitment to facilitating OHV educational opportunities, QWR restarted its popular on-site OHV workshop program by hosting the 2023 Interagency Ranger Ride at the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area near Redding, CA on May 1-4.  

 

Due to a series of mega wildfires and COVID, the OHV Ranger Rides had been sidelined since 2017 so the group of dedicated OHV trail leads, crews, instructors, and partners were glad to get back to an in-person field workshop.

 

Top tier federal and state OHV specialists from the Klamath, Shasta Trinity, Mendocino, Eldorado, and Tahoe National Forests and the Ukiah, Eagle Lake, and Redding Field Offices were in attendance.  CA State Park representatives were there from grants, law enforcement, and the OHV Safety Week Program.   Chris Real from DPS Technical was there to give agency staff training on administering the SAEJ1287 Sound Test for OHVs and performing the inspection for spark arrestors.

Intersection of  SxS Trail and Single-Track Motorcycle Trail

 

To kick off the workshop on Tuesday morning, Sky Zaffarano, the OHV Program Manager for the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area talked about the agency’s efforts to manage the route network for all sizes of OHVs with a recent focus over the last few years to provide trails for SxS use while increasing single-track companion routes that often parallel the wider trails used by larger vehicles.  This enhances the OHV recreation experience for both vehicle types and also increases vehicle safety.

DirtBike School Class

Photo credit: Virginia Real

 

Jon Brandt, a certified DirtBike School coach and State Park Peace Officer, taught a one-day hands-on training session to agency students that needed lessons on how to safely ride an off-road motorcycle and to get their Dirt Bike certification.

 

Josh Liebscher, CA State Parks OHV Grants Administrator, gave the participants on overview of the Grants Program and their commitment to help support their federal agency partners provide environmentally responsible OHV recreation on public lands.

Chris Real teaching OHV Sound and Spark Arrestor Class

Photo credit: Virginia Real

 

Chris Real from DPS Technical, provided sound and spark arrester training/certification. The new field staff had the opportunity to perform vehicle measurements use of instruments and to understand inspection methods for spark arresters with valuable participation from seasoned OHV specialists.

 

Real also had a special presentation related to Emerging Technologies of Off-Highway Vehicles. This presentation reviewed 50 years of Off-Highway vehicle types and provided a perspective of the new vehicles that are headed to the Off-Highway recreation areas.  In addition, he highlighted both the opportunities and challenges from large ROVs to Electric motorcycles that land managers are contending with in multiple use areas.

 

Other topics discussed in various modules or around the campfire include the import of  land agencies adding dirt bike strike teams to their suite of post wildfire and storm recovery efforts, developing meaningful partnerships with trail clubs or non-profit trail recovery organizations,  looking for new management strategies to enhance recreation opportunities for SxSs (since it remains a growing user group),and allowing staff to actually get some on-the-trail seat time to help build muscle memory and/or see how other units manage their trail systems, and much more.

 

Don Amador, QWR President and founder of the 27 year-old Ranger Ride Program, states, “We had an dynamic mix of new OHV trail personal,  private sector professionals, and agency OHV Master Performers that fostered a rich educational experience for new agency hires and seasoned staff alike.”

 

45-Mile Group Trail Ride at Scenic Vista with

Lake Shasta near Full Pool

“It was clear the group thought one of the most important benefits of this and similar field-based events is they allow for participants to build long-term relationships with other professionals for the benefit of providing sustainable trail-based recreation for current and future generations,” Amador concludes.

 

 

QWR appreciates the presenters from the FS, BLM, DPS Technical, and the CA State Parks OHV Division who helped make this workshop a success.  We also thank the OHV Division and the CA Outdoor Recreation Foundation’s BE THE OFF-ROAD HERO Safety Week Program for sending educational materials and support staff.

 

QWR wants to thank the BLM’s Redding Field Office for sharing their OHV management expertise with the Ranger Ride attendees and the Redding Dirt Riders for helping with the BBQ.  And thanks also to the MIC’s Right Rider Access Fund and Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. for their generous support of this workshop to help educate agency staff about safe vehicle operation and review new recreation management strategies to address emerging technologies and uses. 

 

# # #

 

 

 

PSA - APRIL 15 POST STORM RECOVERY VOLUNTEER DAY at STONYFORD

 

PSA - POST STORM RECOVERY VOLUNTEER DAY at STONYFORD

 

*The message below is from the FS OHV lead at Stonyford.  Please RSVP to Paige if you are able to attend and also let her know if you have a current FS saw card.  

 

Please join us this Saturday, April 15th for a Volunteer Work Day.  We will meet at 10 AM on the Nail Track and reconvene by 4PM on the Nail Track. After completing the sign in sheet and reviewing the Job Hazard Analysis, we will break out into groups and assign you to an area. Your signature is required and reporting your mileage and location at the end of day is critical to the OHV grant.

 

Snow levels are rising with the warm days but there will still be some deep snow, especially on the north facing slopes. Forecasted temperature for Saturday is high of 67° - Expect downed trees and hazards and be aware of your surroundings. Before and after photos of the areas you work are great for reporting purposes.

 

If you are USFS Chainsaw Certified, great! If not, we will have folding handsaws for your use.

 

Thank you for your excitement in helping out on the trails and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

 

Paige Whitney

Assistant Recreation Officer

Mendocino National Forest, Grindstone Ranger District

p: 530-963-1327

paigemakowski@usda.gov

 

 

COLLABORATE IN SUPPORT OF OHV SAFETY - APRIL 1-9

COLLABORATE IN SUPPORT OF OHV SAFETY – APRIL 1-9

 

 QWR wants to encourage OHV enthusiasts to support the 2023 OHV Safety Awareness Weeks that are running April 1-9 and November 11-19.  The theme this year is “Be the Off-Road Hero” where we can set an example of the responsible and safe use of SxSs and other OHVs.

LINK TO OHV SAFETY WEEK

https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1161

 

This is a key program developed by  the California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and partners based on discussions at the August 2022 OHV Safety Summit held at the McClellan Training Center in Sacramento.

 

That conference was the first major in-person post-COVID OHV meeting in CA.  It was attended by various key state and federal agency representatives, powersports industry leads, major OHV organizations, ROV/UTV trainers, motorized media outlets, law enforcement, competition event organizers, and educational non-profits.

 

The primary focus was on improving/updating safety efforts to address the rapid growth of ROV/UTV/SxS use on public lands.  The summit was successful since it planted the “safety standard” in the ground to mark this effort and to recognize the commitment by those in attendance to improve safety and reduce impacts to natural resources and other user groups.

ROHVA Basic Driver Course - Exercise #4

 

Don Amador, QWR President and ROHVA Driver Coach, states, “I am glad to see the OHMVR Division continue this collaborative effort to promote OHV safety and offer related training opportunities.   As a ROHVA driver coach, I have seen the importance of SxS owners enhancing their driving skills and also learning about the use of proper safety gear.”   

 

“What makes this SxS-related safety program important is that many owners of these vehicles have very little if any experience in trail-based backcountry recreation on public lands.  Often they are not aware of the various land management agencies or their efforts to manage travel on legal routes so this educational outreach is helpful,” Amador concludes.

 

As this safety initiative continues to build capacity to address SxS-related management needs, QWR believes it is important for the greater OHV community to increase efforts to share our responsible use message with those new to the sport.