User Fees Important to Future BLM Travel Management

Don Amador (L) with CA OHVers 

BLM's Logandale Trails OHV Area, Clark County, Nevada

As the BLM continues with its Resource Management Plan (RMP) revisions on many units in the West, QWR believes that new user fee programs will have an important role to play in supporting managed OHV recreation designated in subsequent project level travel plans.  Those site-specific on-the-ground OHV-related services often include trash pickup, pumping vault toilets, law enforcement, route signing, recreation staff, resource protection, camp tables, fire rings, and trail maintenance.

Designated Route Marker

BLM Las Vegas Field Office

Historically, resource-based industry helped fund or subsidize recreation on public lands.  However, in many regions and states, those industries are either out-of-business or in decline. Without debating if that is a good or bad thing, the fact remains that agencies must have the fiscal resources to manage high-quality 21^st Century OHV recreation.

Fee Station - Mendocino National Forest

Since it is highly unlikely that Congress will appropriate more recreation dollars to backfill monies lost to the agencies from resource industries, it will be important for users to support reasonable fee programs where funds collected stay on the unit.

One such fee area that some may look to as an example is the BLM’s 4,795 acre Sand Mountain Recreation Area located about 75 miles east of Reno, Nevada.  That unit charges $90/one year from date of purchase or a weekly permit of $40 that is valid for seven consecutive days upon entry.   Users that QWR has talked with largely support that program because monies collected help pay for public services that benefit both the resource and the OHV recreationist.

Sand Mountain Fee Program

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/sand_mountain.html

Another popular OHV site is the Logandale Trail System located near Overton, Nevada.  QWR recently visited that area and was impressed with the facilities and trail opportunities.  The riders that we interviewed come there regularly from California and help bolster the economy by staying in town, buying fuel, and eating at local restaurants.

Kiosks, Shade Structures,Vault Toilets,and Tables

BLM's Logandale Trails OHV Area - Clark County, Nevada

User fee programs also help support on-the-ground services at many Forest Service units including the Mendocino National Forest in California and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in Oregon.  Fee programs are not the only answer, but they are an ever growing factor in the OHV management equation.

Fee Info - Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

 Certainly fees are not appropriate at all sites particularly in remote areas for dispersed recreation, but in popular developed OHV sites some level of fiscal support might be appropriate given current funding levels coming from Capitol Hill.

If you are asked to support a fee program, please make sure your support comes with the condition that funds collected stay on that unit to benefit that local resource and the user.

Eagle Scout Leads Archeological Site/ OHV Trail Project - Partnerships in Action

Early Stage of 2012 Mill Fire at Stonyford OHV Area

Mendocino National Forest

Over the last few years, large wildfires throughout the West have had a significant impact on cultural/natural resources and managed recreation programs including those prescriptions related to OHV activities.

This article will focus on partnerships that help the Forest Service protect archeological sites where the protective vegetation – that acts as a trail delineator - has been burned off.

A good case study is where in 2014; Sean Griffith led a volunteer crew to install trail delineators to help protect an archeological site in California’s Sierra Nevada.  This project was part of Sean’s progression to obtain Eagle Scout status.

According to the agency, Sean planned, directed, and led 21 scouts, adults, family members and friends in a project to protect an archeological site on the Mi-Wok Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest. The district’s Camp Clavey, Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) area has a section which passes by an archeological site. The 2013 Rim Fire burned much of the area, and Sean’s project was to build barriers on both sides of the OHV trail to delineate the trail and protect the site.

Sean selected the project well in advance, but delays happened due to the government furlough, the Rim Fire and hazard tree removal activities. That’s when his perseverance paid off. Once started, the project was completed in 4.5 hours.

“Sean set a good example of being a dedicated steward of the National Forest with the Eagle Scout project he undertook,” said Chuck James, District Recreation Specialist, who was Sean’s mentor and advisor throughout the project.

“Having a partnership with the Forest Service is a win/win for both organizations. Six Eagle projects through the Forest Service have been completed since I’ve been involved with the scouts,” Sean declared. “It’s been an honor to have worked together with the agency and I know that my project will make a difference in protecting the Forest.”

QWR believes partnerships such as this one on the Stanislaus National Forest or the volunteer efforts on the Mendocino National Forest to address the 2012 Rim Fire are excellent examples of how various interest groups can work together to protect both cultural resources and recreational access.

Don Amador on 2013 Volunteer Project 

to Protect Archeological Site

State or OHV industry grant programs can also play an important role as a force multiplier in post-fire trail rehabilitation efforts or other projects that protect the resource and enhance OHV recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas. For example, the CA OHMVRD Grant Program helped purchase the materials used on the Stanislaus NF project.

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Q Format Enduros,Cost Recovery, and Improved Communication/Collaboration Key at FS Meeting

As QWR starts our 5^th year anniversary in 2015, there might be no better kickoff of our Adventure module then riding to a meeting with Region 5, Forest Service, in Vallejo, California yesterday.   It was great to have Nick Haris (AMA) and Dave Pickett (AMA Dist. 36) join the discussion on important topics with agency recreation and trail leads.

Throughout the country and in California, the Forest Service provides a significant amount of high quality OHV recreation for both the casual user and clubs hosting amateur events such as enduros, poker runs, and dual-sport rides.

I think there is a growing consensus in support for addressing excessive cost recovery fees for permitted events.  Other topics include user support for “Q format” enduros which seem to be growing in popularity with new and old riders alike and improved communication/collaboration between clubs and the agency.

QWR is excited for 2015 and what it holds for both street legal and non-street legal OHVs.  Stay tuned for more articles and updates as this year kicks into high gear.

First Aid/CPR/AED Training Important For OHV Leaders and Trail Workers

As QWR celebrates our 5^th year anniversary this month and our 25^th year anniversary working with and for the BlueRibbon Coalition, we thought it was appropriate to kick off the celebration with a safety tip for all of us who enjoy the great outdoors on the vehicle of our choice.

This recommendation is not for the many First Aid/CPR/AED certified first and lay responders that already serve the OHV community in various capacities for which their service is greatly appreciated.

Rather, it is designed to encourage heads of households, club officers, trail bosses, and others in leadership roles to get First Aid, CPR, and AED training from the American Red Cross.  This training will help you stabilize an injured rider in the field until the emergency responders arrive on scene.

Just to emphasize how important we feel this issue is, I took the Adult/CPR/AED class yesterday.  It had been about 30 years since I took this course.  My classmates included teachers and fire fighters who were there to get certified or recertified.  It gave me the confidence now to better stabilize critical injuries until professional emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene.

It also gave me the knowledge to better utilize the first-aid supplies that I always carry during trail rides or work parties.  Learning these basic skills can save a life and should be considered an important element of your off-road experience.

To learn more about the American Red Cross training programs, please visit:

http://www.redcross.org/

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Hope and Optimism for OHV in 2015

Adventure Ride in Northern California

QWR is looking forward to 2015 with great enthusiasm and the belief that OHV recreation’s future looks bright.  Understanding there will always be battles to fight, QWR believes that motorized recreation has secured a front row seat at the land-use table and will continue to benefit from that reality as highlighted by the following examples.

Last week, President Obama signed legislation that created the Nellis Dunes OHV Recreation Area near Las Vegas, Nevada.  Senator Dean Heller (R- NV), a 4WD enthusiast, had worked hard for over 5 years to have more than 10,000 acres designated specifically for OHV use near Nellis Air Force Base. This bipartisan bill also conveys over 1,200 acres to Clark County for use as an OHV park.

QWR believes the aforementioned pro-OHV legislation passed in Nevada bodes well for similar legislation that seeks to reopen 70K acres to motorized use once again at Clear Creek in the Central Coast Mountain Range in California.

Legislative Efforts Continue in 2015 to Reopen Clear Creek to OHV

The BLM recently stated their desire to designate legal OHV trails within the Temblor Range near Taft, California. The agency is also working to secure public access routes through the oil fields to this unique area just east of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

New OHV Carsonites Like This in Temblor Range?

 Completion of the General Plan for Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area near Livermore, California is expected in 2015.  Besides updating management prescriptions for the existing riding area, the long anticipated opening of the 1,500 acre Tesla parcel to OHV recreation is part of the document.

Entrance to Carnegie SVRA

County officials are working with local OHV leaders and the Forest Service to enhance the quality of OHV recreation and restore open dune structures in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

In November, Del Norte County in California designated over 100 miles of their non-paved county roads as “non-highways” which are open for non-street legal OHVs.  This county route network will allow increased OHV access to many Forest Service level two 4WD/ATV/SxS roads within the Smith River National Recreation Area.

View from FS Route in Smith River NRA

There are a number of high elevation “Alpine-type” OHV trails in the Sierra Nevada that are scheduled to be reopened for motorized use once important trail armoring projects are completed.

Alpine 4WD Route in the Sierra Slated to be Reopened

On the industry side, QWR has heard there are many new street-legal and non-street legal OHVs of all types slated for release in 2015.  Those new models will most certainly raise the excitement level for those of us who enjoy OHV adventures.

QWR is encouraged by these developments and is strongly committed to see OHV recreation continue to grow and prosper in 2015 and in the years to come.  Happy New Year!

"Signs" are Important Communication Tools

South Border Fence at Oceano Dunes SVRA

Festive lights at shopping malls, decorated store fronts, and carols playing in many venues are all signs the Christmas season is upon us.  Signs are important forms of communication.   Land management agencies also use “signs” to communicate their commitment to high quality recreation and resource protection.

Boundary Fence between Motorized and Non-Motorized Area

One example of that commitment is Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) located on California’s Central Coast.   Managing about 1,500 acres of open OHV sand riding and another 1,500 acres for non-motorized uses requires a complex system of “signs” that include border fencing, travel management placards, and public education.

Placards are used to advise users about speed limits, dangerous surf, and where to camp.  With over 1.6 million recreationists visiting the SVRA each year, maintaining those signs is a must. 

Dune Condition Advisory Sign

Insuring the integrity of the border fencing that separates the motorized area from the non-motorized section requires a constant vigil due to blowing sand or sand washed in by the tide.

Native plants are protected by exclosures in the OHV open area.  Exclosures (specific areas fenced in to protect important natural or cultural resources) have proved effective management tools in many sand-based state and federal OHV open areas.

Vegetation Islands (Exclosures) within SVRA OHV Open Area 

QWR believes the ongoing public education program at the SVRA is also an important sign the agency has dedicated a significant amount of time to help users, school children, and local residents understand the many recreational, natural, and cultural resources that reside within the unit.

SVRA Education Program on Cultural Heritage

The aforementioned signs are the most effective (and often the only management tool the public sees) method by which a land agency communicates its commitment to the public and the resource.  Other “signs” can include level/type of law enforcement, route markers, and understandable maps.

QWR believes the quality of an agency’s signing program is directly proportional to the rate of user enjoyment, public compliance with regulations, and success of the unit’s mission, vision, and values.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND THANK YOU for Your Support in 2014!

Road-to-Trail Conversion Project

As QWR prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, I just want to express my deep felt thanks and appreciation to our partners, sponsors, and colleagues in the OHV community.

I am thankful for that support and friendship that has seen us successfully champion responsible motorized recreation on public roads, trails, and areas.

Some of those positive events for OHV include substantive grant funding from the CA OHMVRD to our local, federal, and non-profit partners for betterment of the sport and the resource.  There is a growing acknowledgement by federal agencies, legislative bodies, conservation groups, and the media that sustainable OHV recreation is here to stay and that it contributes significantly to local economies and personal well-being.

New OHV Corridor Designated 

In many areas, local government has accepted their role as an important factor in OHV travel management via new designations of county roads for use by non-street legal OHVs.  Said routes often provide functionality and connectivity with existing federal trail systems.

Colusa County Designates Combined Use Road

Land agency staff that QWR works with appears to have a renewed interest in providing enhanced trail opportunities for all sizes of OHVs.

The Industry and Aftermarket are continuing to expand their support for trail-based advocacy and education efforts.

Again, QWR wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Don Amador, President

Quiet Warrior Racing

www.quietwarriorracing.com