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.

# # # 

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.

# # #

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.

# # #

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

QWR NEWS RELEASE - Tribute to Access Icon Clark Collins

Clark Collins (C) on Trail Ride in Tahoe National Forest

Photo: Rick Guidice

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don Amador

Phone: (925) 783-1834

Email: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

Date: December 6, 2019

CLARK COLLINS TRIBUTE – ICONIC VISIONARY, MENTOR, AND FRIEND

OAKLEY, CA - Iconic visionaries are few and far between in the land-use arena.  John Muir, an avid naturalist, was an early visionary and is considered the father of the modern environmental movement.   Aldo Leopold, a U.S. Forest Supervisor and forester, was also a visionary who promoted a strong land stewardship ethic and fought for creation of federal Wilderness Areas.

I believe the history books will also recognize Clark Collins as a similar visionary that founded a national grassroots movement to promote access to, and responsible recreational use of, federal lands.

  

For me, Clark’s biggest contribution was securing a permanent seat at the national “land-use table” for managed OHV recreation.  In the B.C (before Clark) era, OHV was largely ignored by other well established federal land stakeholders such as the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, environmental groups, resource industry, and Wilderness advocates.  When those groups met, OHV was often not at the table.  Today we are.

Clark also worked hard to inspire the recreation community to become substantively engaged with land agencies, conservation organizations, elected officials, and other user groups as a way for them to help secure recreational access to designated roads, trails, and area for future generations.

Finally, Clark took it upon himself to mentor budding recreation advocates such as myself and many others.  That effort may be Clark’s most significant contribution to land-use in that it helped father today’s volunteer and professional OHV advocacy corps that is seeded in numerous local, state, and national organizations.

* Clark’s funeral is December 10, 2019 at 1:30 p.m at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, St. Anthony Chapel, 524 North 7th Ave., Pocatello, Idaho 83201

# # #

Don Amador has been in the trail advocacy and recreation management profession for almost 30 years. Don is President of Quiet Warrior Racing/Consulting. Don is President/CEO of the Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance. Don served as a contractor to the BlueRibbon Coalition from 1996 until June, 2018. Don served on the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission from 1994-2000. He has won numerous awards including being a 2016 Inductee into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame and the 2018 Friend of the AMA Award. Don currently serves as the government affairs lead for AMA District 36 in Northern California and also serves as the OHV representative on the BLM’s Central California Resource Advisory Committee.  Don writes from his office in Oakley, CA and can be reached via email at: damador@quietwarriorracing.com

GIVING THANKS FOR ED WALDHEIM

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL PERSON

THANKFUL FOR ED WALDHEIM – Being thankful for family and friends during this holiday season is important.  Expressing that thankfulness is also important especially for those who play or have played an important role in our lives.

With that thought in mind, I want to share a message (see below) from Ed Waldheim’s OHV network about expressing a kind note to Ed as he is placed on Hospice. As part of that network, I want to thank Ed in public for his friendship and leadership over the years.

Ed was an important mentor for me when I first got started in OHV advocacy about 30 years ago.  Ed set an example for me and many others.  Listed below are some terms that I like to use to describe Ed.

Visionary

Show up at meetings/work parties

Educate elected officials

Facilitation/organization of meetings

Servant leadership

Commitment

Passion for the sport

Growing role for non-profits

Engage with land managers

Communication

Don’t take no for an answer

Never give up

Present solutions

Have fun with family and friends

The bullet-points listed above are just a few of the personal and professional tenets that Ed helped instill in me.

If you are one of the many folks in OHV recreation that Ed has touched either directly or indirectly, please take time to read the message below and send Ed a message that will be read to him over this holiday season.

MESSAGE FROM ED’S OHV NETWORK (and where to send thank you notes)

Hello,

As we enter this Thanksgiving season of giving thanks for our many blessings, we have a special request from anyone who has been touched by Ed Waldheim.

Ed's three years of treatment for stage IV lung cancer has ended and he has been placed on hospice.

Ed has impacted many people on his life’s journey, whether it was in the off-road community, the S.O.I. Motorhome club, or groups such as the Optimist Club, Relay For Life, and many other circles.

We are requesting thank you notes or cards to be sent to Ed to remind him how thankful we are of his help, support, and guidance along the way.

These will be delivered and read to Ed during this holiday season.

You can mail letters to:

Ed Waldheim

3550 Foothill Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91214

Or email to:

ChrisWFO@aol.com