Important Role for Dirt-Bike Based Trail Crews in Post Wildfire Recovery

Dirt-Bike Based Post Wildfire Recovery Project of 50 Inch Trail

Mendocino National Forest - Grindstone Ranger District

One of the lessons QWR learned during the ongoing post wildfire recovery efforts of  three federal destination OHV areas devastated by the 2018 450,000+ acre Mendocino Complex Fire highlight the need for skilled dirt-bike based “strike teams” to perform important hazard mitigation tasks on the narrower 50-inch or single-track motorcycle trails.

Downed Trees on 50-Inch Trail

Mendocino National Forest - Grindstone Ranger District

While some BLM Field Offices, National Forests, and Ranger Districts have excellent trail crews or volunteers that can buck out downed trees or repair trail damage on routes used by larger OHVs such as SxSs or 4x4 vehicles, it appears that many units do not have the staff in-house with those advanced dirt-bike rider skills to deploy on narrow trail-based hazard mitigation projects.

Bucked Out Downed Trees on 50-Inch Trail

Mendocino National Forest - Grindstone Ranger District

As you know, intense wildfires can destroy important OHV management tools along narrow routes such as trail delineators and signs.  Debris flows and downed trees can also impact trail access and in many remote areas they are most effectively addressed by dirt-bike based post wildfire recovery trail crews or strike teams.

Bucking Out Single Track Motorcycle Trail

Mendocino National Forest - Grindstone Ranger District 

QWR believes that OHV recreation sites in California and the West will continue to face the likelihood of more intense wildfires over the next 10-20 years.  And, that creation of skilled agency and/or volunteer dirt-biked based strike teams will have an ever increasingly important role to play in delivery of timely and strategic post wildfire recovery efforts on narrow OHV trails that are largely inaccessible by larger vehicles.

POST MENDOCINO COMPLEX FIRE UPDATE - OHV Recreation Reopens on Federal Lands in Northern California

BLM and OHV Partners Reopen Cow Mountain OHV Area

June 3, 2019 - BLM Ukiah Field Office

The 2018 Mendocino Complex fire scorched over 400,000 acres of public lands managed by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service.  The Mendocino Complex fire included the 30,000 acre River Fire that impacted BLM lands near Ukiah and the 410,000 acre Ranch Fire that burned mostly on federal and non-federal lands within the Mendocino National Forest boundary.

BLM Signs in over 30 Volunteers at Cow Mountain Work Party

 BLM Ukiah Field Office

It is the largest such wildfire complex in California history.  The wildfire also resulted in the closure of three federal OHV areas that are key destination recreation sites that provide casual trail use, motorized access to non-motorized activities, and permitted motorized events.

BLM OHV Program Lead, Ashley Poggio, Reopens Motorcycle Trail on June 3, 2019

Cow Mountain OHV Area - BLM Ukiah Field Office 

The closure of the BLM Cow Mountain OHV Area and the Forest Service OHV Areas on the Grindstone and Upper Lake Ranger Districts had a direct and significant economic impact on gateway communities, powersports dealerships, and related businesses.

Trail Crew Installs No-Dig Barriers on Dozer/Cat Line

Cow Mountain Volunteer Work Party - BLM Ukiah Field Office

The recreational access prohibitions within the burn footprint also had an indirect resource impact on other OHV areas as trail enthusiasts had to seek their outdoor experiences at federal recreation areas not burned in the 2018 wildfire season.

Understanding the aforementioned hardships the fire closures have had on stakeholders, the BLM and Forest Service have been working diligently to reopen campgrounds and the route network once the most serious post fire mitigation treatments were completed.

OHV Volunteers Install New Route Markers

Cow Mountain OHV Area - BLM Ukiah Field Office

In late 2018, the BLM Ukiah Field Office stated at several public meetings that their post fire reopening strategy was to get the Cow Mountain OHV Area reopened once a majority of the hazard trees were addressed and damaged trail and campground infrastructure was repaired.

Volunteer Trail Recon and Trail Clearing

Grindstone Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest

QWR believes that early communication and substantive engagement with volunteer partners was a critical element that led to the reopening of Cow Mountain on June 3, 2019.

Grindstone RD OHV Program Manager, Sarah Ridenour, doing Post Fire

Recovery of Trails in the Stonyford OHV Area - Mendocino National Forest

The Forest Service also made a similar commitment to restoring public access in a timely manner with an understanding the much larger size and scope the Ranch Fire had on the agency and its recreation facilities.

Don Amador is Member of Trail Clearing Crew on Trail 36

Grindstone Ranger District - Mendocino National Forest

Just as the BLM is honoring its pledge to reopen their unit to public use, the Mendocino National Forest is implementing their “phased” reopening strategy with today’s publication of Forest Order # 08-19-02.  The order reopens certain areas that have received post fire mitigation work by either agency staff, contractors, and recent/ongoing volunteer efforts.

LINK TO FOREST ORDER (with maps) # 08-19-02
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd637051.pdf

Here are the areas/routes reopened on the Mendocino NF

On the Grindstone Ranger District, the following campgrounds are open: Davis Flat,
North Fork, South Fork, Fouts, Mill Creek, Gray Pine Group, and Mine Camp. In
addition, the RV Dump Station, Nail Track OHV Play Area and Day Use, Little Stony
Day Use (all OHV trails and roads remain closed in the area) and Little Stony
Campground (all OHV trails and roads remain closed in the area) are open as well as
the following trails and roads:

Trail 85342 - loop out of Davis Flat Campground
Trail 85341 - north of County Road 43A (M10) - connector trail to campgrounds in Fouts
18N10 - leads to Mine Camp
17N64 - spur to South Fork Campground
17N47 - spur to Fouts Campground
17N60 - spur to RV Dump Station
18N03D - spur to Davis Flat Campground
18N03 - open to junction of 18N03A
18N03A - spur to North Fork Campground
18N08 and 18N08A (access roads to Happy Camp private property)
County Road 42 (Goat Mountain Road) to Little Stony Day use area
County Road 43A Fouts Springs Road open to M10 (Fouts Campground Complex)

The following are open on the Upper Lake Ranger District:
Middle Creek Campground Novice area
Forest Trail No. 60 Erickson Ridge 4x4
Forest Trail No. 61 Coyote Rock
Forest Trail No. 63 Browns Gulch
Forest Trail No. 65 Powder House 4x4 (north of M1)
Forest Trail No. 66 Refuge 4x4
Forest Trail No. 67 Rattlesnake 4x4
Forest Trail No. 69 Windy Point

Please remember that there is a seasonal closure, from May 18 to September 8, which
affects the following trails on the Upper Lake district:

Forest Trail No. 62 Oak Flat Access (also known as Forest Road No. 18N40)
Forest Trail No. 64 Powder House
Forest Trail No. 65 Powder House 4x4 (south of M1, also known as Forest Road No. 19N46)

QWR commends the OHV community and agency leads for exercising patience with, and lending support to, each other during the challenging post fire recovery and reopening process.   It speaks volumes to the substance and quality of a very dynamic private/public partnership that was made stronger by the flames of last year’s wildfire season.

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UPDATE - Efficacy of Lincoln Log No-Dig Trail Delineators

May 2019 Review of Lincoln Log Barriers Installed

in October 2018 - Post Carr Fire Recovery Update

BLM Chappie-Shasta OHV Area

Efficacy is the ability of achieving a goal or objective to produce the intended result.  In the case of post-wildfire recovery of recreation facilities those efforts often include travel management-related projects to reestablish delineation of designated routes, highlight a trail entrance, or protect natural or cultural resources.

Over the last 18 years, QWR has witnessed the increased frequency of reoccurring intense wildfires impacting popular federal recreation areas in the California and the West.

Lincoln Log Barriers Installed in Oct. 2018

Many land management agencies have historically relied on a post wildfire model to “buy and replace” milled timber barriers to meet desired travel management objectives. Often purchasing, constructing, and transporting a milled timber barrier with footings and rebar stakes to its destination at a remote trailhead or cultural site can exceed $100 to $150 dollars each.

While milled timber barriers or trail delineators may still be valid and necessary depending on desired management objectives, QWR believes our new and more frequent wildfire reality requires us to reevaluate the automatic response to purchase miles of costly milled timber barriers vs. increased use of “free” on-site dead or dying trees to construct “lincoln log” trail delineators.

Milled Timber Barriers Installed in Oct. 2018

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

To review the effectiveness of lincoln log delineators to restrict OHV travel on routes impacted by dozer lines, QWR reviewed post-Carr Fire recovery efforts at the Chappie-Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California.

In October of 2018, OHV volunteers and BLM recreation staff installed both milled timber and non-dig lincoln log barriers/trail delineators on several dozer lines created during fire suppression efforts.

The “No Dig” Strike Team was directed to a dozer line that needed barriers installed. The team cut various lengths of dead trees on-site which were then laid into the v-notches of natural footings also cut on-site from fire damaged trees. 

This created a stable natural-looking no-dig barrier/delineator that highlighted the designated path of vehicle travel and/or the area that was protected. 

A recent field review in May 2019 showed those no-dig lincoln log barriers were meeting their management objective and were just as effective to date as the milled timber barriers.

May 2019 Review of Milled Timber Barriers that were

Installed in Oct. 2018 - BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

QWR believes that some credit to the effectiveness of both the no-dig and milled timber barriers can be attributed to ongoing travel management efforts by the Forest Service, BLM, and the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to encourage OHV travel on designated roads, trails, and areas.

Freshly Installed Lincoln Log Trail Delineators Installed

May 2019 at Post River Fire Recovery Project

BLM Cow Mountain OHV Area

While the 2005 Forest Service Travel Management Rule that directed all National Forests to designate roads, trails and areas for motorized use was at the time controversial, it appears that post-2005 travel management planning efforts and subsequent implementation strategies may be contributing to the user community’s willingness to stay on designated routes at popular OHV areas in the West that are at risk from intense wildfires.

  

Lincoln log barriers/delineators are just one of many post wildfire recovery travel management tools that may not be as effective in high use areas such as campgrounds and staging areas where milled timber or rock barriers are more appropriate.

However in more remote areas where OHV recreationists are simply passing through on a designated road or trail, the no dig delineator might prove to be a more cost-effective option.

  

Agency Leads get Dirt Bike Training at Nor Cal OHV Area

Chris Lloyd (L), Archeologist, BLM Ukiah Field Office - Rebecca Wong (C), Manager,

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument - Paul Hart (R), MSF Dirt Bike Coach 

QWR wants to congratulate the federal land agency leads that completed official dirt bike motorcycle training at a recent trail workshop held at the BLM’s Chappie Shasta OHV Area near Redding, California on April 26, 2019.

Those graduates include Rebecca Wong, Manager of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, and Chris Lloyd, BLM Archeologist at the Ukiah Field Office.  The class was taught by Paul Hart, a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Dirt Bike Coach.  Hart is also the Trails Manager on the Yuba River Ranger District, Tahoe National Forest.

Paul Hart (L), MSF Dirt Bike Coach - Chris Lloyd (L), BLM 

Ukiah Field Office 

QWR believes it is important for agency line-officers, specialists, and recreation staff to learn how to ride OHVs so they can have 1st hand knowledge of how travel management is being implemented on their unit.

Due to decreasing federal funding for recreation and related training, QWR believes that non-government partners have an important role to play in helping provide access for agency staff to certified safety instruction for OHVs.

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting, states, “A lot of our OHV trail opportunities are either designated as single-track motorcycle trails or ‘50-inch’ routes that are used by dirt-bikes, ATVs, and in some cases very narrow UTVs.”

“Due to decreased federal funding for recreation programs, it is important for OHV stakeholder groups to create educational opportunities for agency staff to get dirt-bike and other OHV-related training.  There are a lot of important travel management, resource protection, and post wildfire recovery planning efforts that deserve on-trail review by decision-makers and riding the appropriately sized OHV on those surveys is the best way to understand the issue,” Amador continues.

“QWR wants to thank Beta USA for their support of rider education with use of an Xtrainer and Paul Hart for his ongoing commitment to helping educate agency staff on how to ride a dirt-bike in a safe and responsible manner. QWR looks forward to our continued partnership with Hart and land agencies to provide dirt-bike classes at future events,” Amador concludes.

# # #

Core Tenets of Successful Competition Off-Road Motorcycle Events

Race 2 - Round 4 - AMA West Hare Scramble Championship

BLM Chappie Shasta OHV Area

Amateur off-road motorcycle competition organizations rely on collaboration with diverse partnerships and key stakeholders for a successful event.  One good example of that axiom was highlighted this past weekend at the Shasta Dam Grand Prix hosted by the Redding Dirt Riders (RDR).

Stewart Helmer (L), RDR Flag Pole Project Lead at Chappie Staging Area receives

 Proclamation from City of Shasta Lake Mayor, Greg Watkins (R)

QWR has created a list of five core tenets that form a solid foundation upon which a competition event is constructed.

BLM Law Enforcement at Event

First, it takes an active OHV club that is substantively engaged with the local land management agency.  Throughout the year RDR often donates time and materials to enhance OHV staging areas or maintain the trail network.  They also attend BLM meetings and have an open line of communication with the agency.

Sky Zaffarano, BLM OHV Lead, on Pre-Event Monitoring Recon

Second, engaging with local government leaders on important public land access and recreation planning efforts is critical.  Often, elected county and city officials rely on active OHV clubs for information and feedback on recreation opportunities within their jurisdiction or sphere of influence.  Those elected officials can then review or amend policies that enhance OHV recreation for their residents and visitors.

Shasta Lake Fire Department at Event

Local 1^st responders are also an important part of that local government outreach since they can provide important first aid and rescue for a competition event.

Third, competition events can bring an economic benefit to rural businesses so it is important to communicate with them on event support opportunities for vendors, hotels, dealerships, stores, and other economic interests.

Local Food Vendors at Event

Fourth, robust communication between the local OHV club and larger sanctioning bodies makes for a smooth event that is both noticed and appreciated by the riders and spectators.

Racers Enjoying Event

Last but not least, creating an event that meets rider expectation and spectator need is what all of the aforementioned tenets are focused on and those elements include a quality trail network and camping/staging facility, support from local elected officials/1^st responders, working with local economic interests, and substantive communication with the sanctioning body.  When those factors are combined they add up to seamless delivery of a stellar event.

# # # 

BREAKING NEWS - Interior Orders BLM to Review Disposal Lands for Recreation Access

"Disposal Site" near BLM Moonrocks OHV Area

Carson City BLM Field Office

QWR strongly supports the decision made today by Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to issue a  secretarial order requiring BLM to consider public access for outdoor recreational activities before deciding whether a federal parcel should be sold or exchanged.

INTERIOR ORDER 3373

https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/s0_3373.pdf

This order should help the agency strengthen its ongoing commitment to preserving OHV recreation opportunities when disposal areas – previously identified by the BLM or Congress – overlap, or are adjacent to, existing Special Recreation Management Areas or other recreation or general use designations.

In California and other Western States, checkerboard or matrix lands can impede the BLM’s effort to provide connectivity for federally maintained roads and trails.  Consolidation can improve both motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities particularly where the public was prohibited from legal egress and ingress by non-federal land owners.

Don Amador, President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting, states, “I have long supported the concept of consolidation of BLM administered lands for public benefit and careful review of proposed disposal lands to ensure they are not currently being used for recreational activities or have the potential to provide access to new trails or other forms of recreation.”

“As a newly appointed ‘OHV Recreation’ representative to the Central CA BLM RAC, I look forward to discussions with other RAC members and the agency about looking for opportunities to purchase or exchange non-federal lands to enhance public access and recreational opportunity at existing BLM units or create new recreation sites in underserved areas,” Amador concludes.

# # #   

NEWS RELEASE - CA OHV LEAD APPOINTED TO BLM RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL

BLM's Knoxville OHV Area

Ukiah Field Office

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don Amador

Phone: 925.783.1834

Email: Damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Date: March 7, 2019

OHV RECREATION LEAD APPOINTED TO BLM RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL

OAKLEY, CA (March 7) –  Acting Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, has appointed a nationally recognized OHV recreation professional to serve on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC).  Don Amador, a former chairman of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, will be representing the interests of OHV enthusiasts who enjoy casual use or participate in permitted motorized events.

BLM Map of  Northern, Central, and Desert CA Districts

This particular RAC advises the BLM on public land issues within the boundaries of the Bakersfield, Bishop, Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices, which comprise the Central California District.

According to the agency website, the BLM maintains 37 chartered advisory committees located in the West. These include 30 statewide and regional Resource Advisory Councils; 5 advisory committees affiliated with specific sites on the BLM’s National Conservation Lands; and two others, including the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board and the North Slope Science Initiative Science Technical Advisory Panel. 

RACs are sounding boards for BLM initiatives, regulatory proposals and policy changes. Each citizen-based council consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities, including ranchers, environmental groups, tribes, state and local government officials, academics, and other public land users.

BLM Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area

Ukiah Field Office

The Department of the Interior (DOI) established the RACs in 1995. RAC members vote on recommendations related to public land management and provide those recommendations to the designated Federal official who serves as liaison to the RAC. The Designated Federal Officer is usually a BLM line manager, such as the state director or district manager. 

BLM Poleta OHV Area

Bishop Field Office

Although RACs are solely advisory in nature, the contributions of RAC members are of great value to the BLM and have aided in the development of balanced decisions that serve the interests of all public land users.

Upon the request of the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) the RAC may develop recommendations for BLM with respect to the land use planning, classification, retention, management, and disposal of the public lands within the area for which the advisory council is established and such other matters as may be referred to it by the DFO.  

The RAC can also make recommendations on programs and policies to increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans, expand access for hunting and fishing on BLM land in a manner that

respects the rights and privacy of inholders, and implementation of the agency’s regulatory reform initiatives.

Don Amador, a trail recreation and forest health advocate, states, “It’s an honor to be selected to serve on this RAC since most of my 29 years of recreation and resource management career has been spent on public lands within the RAC boundary.”

“Managed OHV recreation in the 21^st Century is a sophisticated activity and has many moving parts which include construction of engineered trails, restoration of lands damaged by unauthorized use, law enforcement, maintenance of existing trail networks, protection of cultural resources, planning for new OHV areas, and education/safety programs,” Amador continues.  

“OHV is a significant contributor to the economy and an important part of the California state-wide recreation opportunity matrix. OHV recreation is also an important partner when it comes to addressing the growing threat of intense wildfires on both public and private lands.  I look forward to working with other user groups on the RAC in support of access to, and resource management of, lands within the RAC’s project area,” Amador concludes.

# # #

Don is president of Quiet Warrior Racing, a recreation consulting company.  Don also serves as the Government Affairs lead for AMA District 36. He served on the CA Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission from 1994-2000. He is president and board member of the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance, a national non-profit organization, and since 2013 has served as Core-Team Lead for FireScape Mendocino, a forest-health collaborative.  Don is a member of the Governor’s Forest Management Task Force Northern Regional Prioritization Group. He is a 2016 Inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and recipient of the 2018 Friend of the AMA Award.