Dear D36 members,

Please take a few minutes to review this released video about Travel Management. It gives a great overview of the plan, and the issues OHV has to deal with. What was supposed to be a good thing, has turned into the beau racy that many of us were afraid was going to happen.

While 15 minutes long, it is worth the time to review. Note, in order to change process in Washington, and the appointees that made the decisions like this action, can be changed by the public. A key way is to vote out those that want to close public land from the public, and the easiest way for you as an individual, is to VOTE next November, and ask those politicians running for Congress their views on public land use, and vote accordingly.

In California, over 10% of the voting public recreates via some kind of OHV. If our folks vote, we can remove or re-elect those making the decisions affecting OHV LEGAL recreation on OUR public land. With this volume of voters, we CAN control ANY election in this state by our sheer numbers….

Until we change Washington, nothing will change and closure/acccess will become worse that it already is………

David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee

click here

Please click on the link below to read the story about the State requesting this frog to be listed for Endangered Species listing under California law.

This is the new way of getting everything that crawls, fly’s, swims, or poops – to be listed. Seems like EVERYTHING animal and plant is getting listed these days. This appears to be the way of the future to CLOSE all public lands in this state, and country so the people cannot recreate anywhere anymore.

These are the kinds of battles OHV leadership, and industry, fight on almost a daily basis. One of the ways to help stop these kinds of actions, is to change those elected officials within our state and the federal government.

So, this frog will join the red legged frog, and probably every other color of frog in the future and be listed as endangered………..

In the body of the news release is a sentence highlighted in blue – “will meet next week” and another “which has been fighting” and if you click on it, will give you more information.

Of course, in the “which has been fighting” section, look to the right, and to the bottom. There, you can click and get a “genuine yellow leg frog RINGTONE for your cell phone. I am sure therewill be a rush on that one to be the first on the block to have it……………….

For those of you seeking a way to sleep at night, print out the 65 page, Feb. 2000 Center for Bio-Diversity “Petition to list” submission to the Secretary of the Interior.

And if you are bored, come on up to Fish & Game in Sacramento for the meeting about this on 2/2/12…………

Folks, while I wrote this is a cynical nature, it is what OHV goes up against to keep riding areas open almost on a daily basis.

David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office

SierraNevadaFrogs

Dear Fellow District 36 Members:

Senator Joel Anderson has promised to deliver letters in support of Daphne to Governor Brown personally and meet with him regarding her dismissal.

Please review the Dirt Bike Rider Link below for a great background story on Deputy Director Daphne Greene, I strongly urge everybody to send in a letter, or another letter if you have already done so.

We are coming to the finish line on this one, and we need many more letters submitted to try and turn this bad decision by the Governor around………..

I suggest that anyone who has already written a letter to the Governor forward a copy to Senator Anderson at the following address.

Senator Joel Anderson
State Capitol, Room 2054
Sacramento, CA 95814
or fax: (916) 447-9008

or saveohv@gmail.com

Below is an article by Jimmy Lewis, Editor of Dirt Rider Magazine.

Thank you for your effort on this important issue.

Dave Pickett, District 36 LAO
Eric Lueder, District 36 Member and OHV Commissioner
Kane Silverberg, District 36 Member and OHV Commissioner

click here

HAPPY NEW YEAR, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The Pine Nuts riding area needs support for National Recreation Area Status.

Please take a minute and send an email. (Special thanks to Don Amador for advising.)

David Pickett
209-295-1207

ACTION ALERT - Comments Due Jan. 6 - Support NV Pine Nut NRA Designation

If you like to ride in the Pine Nut Mountains near Carson City, NV - this is important. See the alert for a sample letter and information.

Action Alert on Pine Nut NRA Designation

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/01/hq-action-alert-send-in-comments-on-nv.html

Thanks,

Don Amador

click here

If you haven’t already heard, Daphne Greene is being released from her duties as OHV Deputy Director on 12/31.

Follow the link to write a letter or email to Gov. Brown asking him to reappoint her and keep one of the best state employees there is. You can also call the Gov.’s office at 916-445-2841.

click here

Also here is a link to the Sacramento Bee news blog. Feel free to post your comments there as well.

click here

Thank you for your support.
Eric Lueder
Chairman, California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission.

Dear District Members:

Governor Brown has decided the Deputy Director of the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division is not longer needed due to politics, and EVERY OHV organization in the state is working to have her termination/appointment reinstated. If not, then her last day is December 31, 2011.

NO replacement has been named, nor is one in the wings waiting to fill her position.

Deputy Director Daphne Greene deserves our help in an effort to have her reappointed, and as the LAO for D36, I ask EVERY D36 member to use this easy way to assist the OHV leadership in the state get the message that we are not happy about the Governors decision, and to reappoint Ms. Greene to the Deputy Director position so she can continue the great work she has done for the last 7 and ½ years……..

Make your voice heard, and let the Governor know he has made a big, big mistake………

See the AMA National letter below.

David Pickett
David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee

From the AMA:

OHV Division Deputy Director Greene Needs Your Help!

Recently Governor Brown’s office notified the Deputy Director of the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR) of State Parks, Daphne Greene, that her appointed term would end as of January 1, 2012. Director Greene, a democrat who has served under both the Davis and Schwarzenegger administrations, has been a strong ally for the OHV community. Nonetheless she has also brought a much needed balance to and long term vision for the OHV program. To remove her now from this important position would be a mistake.
Perhaps most significantly, in 2009, after intensive interaction and involvement from all communities of interest, under her guidance and leadership, the OHV Division submitted their Strategic Plan to the Governor and the Legislature. This plan, which outlined a clear direction for the future, is based on the principles of sustainability, transparent decision-making, a commitment to working with volunteers and consideration of the needs and concerns of all affected stakeholders. All eight State Vehicle Recreation Areas (SVRA’s) have seen notable improvements in facilities, maintenance, resource management, as well as increased environmental protections under Director Greene’s watch.
Riders, law enforcement and agency personnel statewide have been contacting the Governor’s office requesting he reconsider this decision. Removing Director Greene simply because she was appointed by the previous administration is a mistake.
The Governor’s office needs to hear from all of us!!

From: Greene, Daphne [mailto:dgreene@parks.ca.gov]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 4:46 PM
Subject: Thank you

Hello,

It has been my privilege to serve the OHV community under three administrations; first as a Commissioner appointed by Governor Davis, then as Deputy Director when I was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger, and most recently, to serve in this position under Governor Brown while he considers and develops his own team for the future. At this time, I want to let you know that my term as Deputy Director will end on December 31st.

I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a variety of stakeholders and interest groups who are committed to providing safe and responsible OHV recreation on public lands in California, whether in the SVRAs, other state park units that offer OHV opportunities, through the grants program, or the SNO-PARKs program.

Since my appointment as Deputy Director 7 ½ years ago, the program has made a number of advancements towards ensuring a sustainable program, which include:

o We overhauled the Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program to be more accountable, transparent and fair, and to comply with Office of Administrative Law standards.
o We streamlined the grant application process by creating an on-line application program, and recovered millions of dollars through improved auditing procedures.
o We increased accountability for expenditure of OHV trust funds, ensuring that expenditures are aligned with fulfilling the mission of the OHV program.
o We brought the focus of the program back to properly maintaining the areas where OHV recreation is provided, while at the same time ensuring sustainable long-term management practices were in place.
o We implemented a vastly improved wildlife habitat monitoring program, designed by UC Davis and peer reviewed by wildlife professionals that informs management actions.
o We increased focus on water and dust monitoring efforts, in accordance with the 2009 Division Strategic Plan, which will provide vital information to support better resource management.
o We created and implemented a new soil standard and guidelines, in partnership with federal and state agencies, that will have far-reaching effects on improving sustainability.
o A renewed focus on providing OHV safety programming is already showing positive results in our parks as well as on county and federal lands.
o We opened new OHV use areas with improved design principles that ensure sustainability while providing outstanding recreation.
o We closed and restored areas that were negatively impacting the environment.

Perhaps most significantly, in 2009, after intensive interaction and involvement from all communities of interest, we submitted our Strategic Plan to the Governor and the Legislature. This plan, which outlines a clear direction for the future, is based on the principles of sustainability, transparent decision-making, a commitment to working with volunteers and considering the needs and concerns of all our stakeholders, and sound data management to support informed decision-making. Many of you contributed to developing the Strategic Plan, and while there is still much to be done, it is something about we all can be proud. I leave knowing that the collective commitment to achieving the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan will result in continuous improvements to the OHV program.

These accomplishments – and so many more – could not have been done without the involvement and support of all of you. Working for the Division is not just about having a job, but about a commitment to making a difference and the desire to contribute in a meaningful way. These are challenging and uncertain times, and only through the continued vigilance and active support of the community can the OHV program continue to meet its objective of providing for high-quality and sustainable OHV recreation in California.

Next year the Division will celebrate its 40th anniversary. In 1972, and now, the citizens of California recognize the importance of a well-managed program that provides OHV opportunities while protecting the environment. The work we do to provide responsible and sustainable OHV recreation is vital to maintaining California’s outstanding natural beauty. I can think of few goals that are so important.

As I make the transition back to the private sector, I do so with a much deeper appreciation for what it means to work in the public sector, serving the people of this state. It has been my honor to work with you in a program about which I care deeply.

Best,
Daphne

Daphne Greene
Deputy Director
California State Parks
Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division
916-324-5801

The program lineup for the 6 pm news tonight on ABC News 7 (bay area) includes a Clear Creek story . . . . if you can’t watch it or DVR it, you can watch it on the following web link. (As long as something else doesn’t trump the story).

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/index

Thank you Ken for making this inforationa available!!!

Important OHV Commission
Meeting August 6th, 2011 Los Altos, Ca
Rare SATURDAY meeting.

Dear Clubs and District Members,

Please review item “C” on the OHV Commission agenda.
This is the once a year open meeting for the public to speak on issues of concern regarding any topic relating to OHV in this state. You can talk about what YOU want from the program, what YOU want them to work on, and what YOU want the commission to focus upon for the future.

Suggested items you can discuss are:
CCMA; Open land owned by OHVMRD at Carnegie but not yet utilized; Cost Recovery; Permit Issues; Travel Management Plans and closures of trails in the forest and on BLM land; Grant Money; Sound laws/regulations and yes; the dreaded Red Sticker issue.
Everything is on the table.

Please note the Agenda (2) Public Comment (A) which allows individuals 2 minutes to talk, or an Organization like a club, 4 minutes to talk. I would urge participation if possible by a club representative to make this meeting if at all possible.

It is unusual to have a meeting is the San Jose area, so this is an opportunity for Bay Area clubs and District members to attend this meeting and voice their concerns on some of the suggested topics mentioned.

If you plan on submitting documents of any kind, bring 13 sets of copies so the commission members and staff have copy for reference.

Please remember if you speak, professional courtesy is paramount, and YOU are representing millions of OHV users in this state, AND what you say will be recorded. (What I am saying here is what you say speaks volumes on behalf of the community.)

District 36 LAO urges you get involved, and EDUCATE the folks who run the program of YOUR wishes for the future. Let them know District 36 members, clubs and promoters are alive and well in California, and it is OUR program…………

If you have any questions on this, or need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you wish to review the Division website, the address is: WWW.OHV.PARKS.CA.GOV

David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee

comm_mtg_notice_8-6-11.pdf

commission-agenda_-8-6-11.pdf

Please review, and act, to the AMA release just put out.
May I suggest you personally sign up for these kind of releases.
It only takes a few seconds to respond if you wish.
Stay informed and protect OHV!

David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee

“From: AMA [mailto:grassroots@ama-cycle.org]
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 7:53 AM
To: DAVE PICKETT
Subject: Congress to hold hearing on bill that supports greater access to public lands

Contact your Senators and Representative today

On July 26, 2011, the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, chaired by Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), will hold a hearing on H.R. 1581, the “Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011.” This bill would remove restrictions to motorized access on more than 40 million acres of public land nationwide.
To view a live webcast of the hearing scheduled for July 26 at 10 a.m. EDT.
Representative and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) along with Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), and Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM), Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus introduced H.R. 1581.
On May 26, 2011, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced the Senate companion bill (S. 1087).
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) support these bills and applaud Reps. McCarthy, Bishop, Pearce, and Sens. Barrasso, Murkowski, Hatch and Heller for helping every American achieve greater access to our public lands. On April 5, 2011, the AMA and ATVA sent McCarthy a letter of support for this bill. (To view the letter, get someone to forward the AMA email to you, or go to their website.)
These bills would remove the riding ban on 6.7 million acres managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and riding restrictions that may be in place for 36.1 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land.
“As strong supporters of multiple-use principles for our public lands, we should release public lands from restrictive management practices that are unnecessary,” Rep. McCarthy told his colleagues. “This bill also would preserve and strengthen the robust local land management planning process by returning emphasis to local stakeholders and local communities who know best how to manage their public lands rather than bureaucrats here in Washington.”
Specifically, these bills would “release” all Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) controlled by the BLM and Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) managed by the USFS that have been determined by land managers to be unsuitable for congressional Wilderness land-use designations. Motorized recreation is banned on Wilderness land.
The AMA and ATVA support appropriate Wilderness designations that meet the criteria established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. A Wilderness designation is one of the strictest forms of public land management. Once Congress designates an area as Wilderness, nearly all forms of non-pedestrian recreation are prohibited.
These bills are long overdue and the AMA and ATVA thank Reps. McCarthy, Bishop, Pearce, and Sens. Barrasso, Murkowski, Hatch and Heller for introducing them. For years, anti-access groups have used WSAs and other tactics to inappropriately keep responsible riders off public land that is well suited for motorized recreation.
The AMA and ATVA need you to contact your Senators and Representative now to urge them to become a cosponsor to H.R. 1581/S. 1087, the “Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act of 2011.” Just follow the “Take Action” option to send a pre-written e-mail directly to your Senators and Representative.

AmericanMotorcyclist.com • Rapid Response Center • Contribute to the Cause • Get Involved • Register to Vote
AMA Facebook Page • RSS Feed”

Dear District Members,

Please review the letter below and specifically look at whom this document is addressed to, as well as the CC list at the end.

Having an OHV Commission that has backbone, listens to the constituents (Green Sticker Folks) and the motorized community at large, it is refreshing to see strongly worded action alerts like this sent to key decision makers who work FOR us.

The Clear Creek Recreation Area issue has never gone away for this District, and every effort by many is put forth in the frustrating process we all are going through to get OUR land back and opened once again for OUR recreation choice.

D36 LAO applauds this commission for the effort it is making on our behalf, and unlike the Commission members before SB742 passed, these folks understand the recreation, many ride off road, and work hard to protect our interests. Prior, every effort was expended by the old commission on ways to block our recreation, and literally steal our money with absurd purchases like Deer Creek Hills and the near 2 million they voted to take to buy land for NON-motorized recreation. This Commission is trying to make the program better, not destroy it like in the past.

Let me be the first to state CONGRATULATIONS to Eric Lueder, who was elected Chairman of the OHMVRD Commission, AND is a current District 36 member and MCMA member.

David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee

ccmaohvcommcongress062111.pdf

Here is a link to either watch the video testimony (about 1 hour, 4 minutes into the video) or read the written testimony from Don Amador (click on his name under Panel II) in Washington DC for the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Oversight Hearing on “Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation on Public Lands”.

click here

D36 Members,
Please log on to this string. Enter Sac Bee, and post a comment SUPPORTING OHV and motorcycle activities.
We need to pinpoint that the twisted truth has been stated. The more postings about this story FROM our community, the better!!
We must bury the ’spin’ from radical environmental groups who are pushing to steal, and yes, I mean STEAL . . . . . YOUR OHV trust fund money.
David Pickett
D36 LAO

click here

Fool’s Gold Enduro Postponed Due To Rain, Make-Up Date TBD

All–

The cumulative rain received at Georgetown since the last area closure stands at 1.16″ of the 1.5″ needed for closure. With more rain expected over the weekend, it is likely that the remaining 0.34″ will be met or exceeded, forcing closure of the Rock Creek Area, not just the enduro. In an attempt to prevent our valued participants, members and volunteers from wasting their time and money to only have the event shut down at the last minute, or worse, during the event, the decision has been made to postpone this Sunday’s event.

As of this point, we are in contact with the Forest Service regarding a make-up date. We will release further information on the make-up date as it becomes available.

Thank you for your time and dedication. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Regards,

Charlie Hirst
CERA President

All –
Please see attachments regarding action and memo issued today regarding BLM Wilderness Designation process, and the Congressional order indicating that NO funding is to be granted in the Wilderness Designation process for BLM on NEW designations of areas or study areas considered for Wilderness designation.
If any D36 members wish, please send a letter to Deputy Director David J. Hayes, and CC your local Congressional representative, indicating that YOU and your Family wish for more public lands to be opened to responsible Off Highway Vehicle recreational opportunities in the future.
We MUST let our leaders know of our wishes, and be part of the conversation on public land designations.
Please end your letter with “keep public land open for ALL Americans to use, including legal off highway vehicle recreation” for you and your family.

Send letters to:
Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes
US Department of the Interior (DOI)
1849 “C” Street
Washington, D.C. 20240
PH 202-208-3100
Feedback@ios.doi.gov

Dave Pickett
D36 LAO

06-01-11-wilderness-memo-press-release-final.pdf

salazar-wilderness-memo-final.pdf

All-
Just a reminder that CCMA is STILL CLOSED. Until the legal process is completed, please remind your friends and neighbors who MAY be taking a ride there, that they will be cited if caught within the boundaries of CCMA.
Please review the notice that BLM has sent out.
Dave Pickett
LAO D36

cc-11-59-ccma-trespass.pdf

Please review the official response from EPA Reg 9 concerning OHV study at Clear Creek.
D36 and partners will explore possible options.
Dave Pickett LAO

ccmaepacommentsierfreport12may11.pdf

The 2011 D36 Outlaw HS on Sept 17-18 as been postponed for D36 Series only at this time.

The AMA National Outlaw HS (on same dates) has been cancelled.

The club is dealing with a new paved road and BLM Insurance demands (due to crash down south last year) and are trying to keep event going or find a new location.

Watch for updates as they are learned.

Kraig Traum

The fire staff at Georgetown Ranger District will be conducting a 3 day chainsaw training at the Georgetown Ranger Station from May 3 through 5, 2011. They will be able to accommodate volunteers as well as Forest Service employees, who need the training or re-certification. If you are interested just in recertification, you would need to just come on May 5. This training is not for fireline chainsaw qualifications.

Since class size is limited, please let us know if you are interested in attending this training. Let me know if you have your own chainsaw, saw chaps, eye and hearing protection and hardhat. If you don’t we have some loaners available. Volunteers would need to sign up under a volunteer agreement, which I will email out to those who are able to attend this session.

Class will probable start around 8 AM and go to 5 PM the first day. The second day class will be in the classroom from 8 until 1 PM. In the afternoon of the second day, there will be some field practice for cutting and bucking. On the third day, the exercise will be out in the woods for certification and recertification starting at 8 AM at the Georgetown Ranger Station.

Thanks,

Jon Jue, Resource Officer
Georgetown Ranger District
Eldorado National Forest
(530)333-5550, FAX: (530)333-5522
email: jjue@fs.fed.us

The Polka Dots MC have had to cancel the 2011 49′er Family Enduro. Here is their official statement.

49er-family-cancellation-announcement.pdf

restore-multiple-use.pdf

by . . . .

call-your-senators-today.pdf

ATTENTION District 36 Members.
An important meeting will be taking place in Hollister on April 5th.
Key on the Agenda is CCMA with the BLM recreation area.
Federal officials from Environmental Protection Agency will be on hand, and members of the public are invited.
This is the first time a presentation will be made at a Commission Meeting, and a recorder will be in place taking every word down for legal transcript.
If you can attend this meeting, public testimony will take place on this critical issue and your voice will be heard.
Additionally, a PUBLIC COMMENT period is held at all Commission meetings on ANY topic.
You can address your concerns about Cost Recovery in USFS & BLM public lands, talk about SVRA units, the state budget and the State taking your Green Sticker funds and transferring said funds to the General Fund to balance the budget, etc. Just a few examples.
Remember, courtesy is paramount. The commission is NOT at fault for any of the above. They are fighting back as best as possible ON your behalf, within the legal authority they have.
Also, a CCMA tour will take place on the 6th. if you wish to go.
And, if you check out the OHMVRD Website, you can download the CCMA Report on Asbestos completed by an independent contractor. At the same site, you can send an email to OHV Commission if you cannot make the meeting in person. All commissioners will receive your Email, on any topic.
LAO hopes to see you at this meeting.
WWW.OHV.PARKS.CA.GOV is the Division site, then click on Commission for more information.

Dave Pickett D36 LAO

april_2011-commission-meeting-agenda.pdf

april_2011_commission-meeting-notice.pdf

All, a small but very important step in the reopening of Clear Creek.
Commission meeting in April to be held in Hollister, with EPA to make presentation.

Never say die!

Dave Pickett, LAO

ccmaohmvr2011.pdf

The 2011 District 36 Operations Manual, otherwise known as the “Rulebook”  is now available for viewing and downloading on-line. Please click on the file link below to view / print or save a copy of the newly updated District Operations Manual. You will need Adobe Acrobat, or Acrobat Reader to view the file.

2011 District 36 Operations Manual

There have been some recent significant changes to the Enduro Advancement Points calculation method. Please see Section 7.1.4 for the new advancement procedure for Enduro riders.

The printed copies of the 2011 District 36 Operations Manual will be available from your District Stewards in the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you should have any questions, please contact your Steward, or the Rulebook Chairmen at D36rulebook@live.com

*4/1/2011 EDIT*:  Please be advised that the on-line version of the 2011 D36 Operations Manual was updated on 3/24/2011. If you downloaded a copy prior to 3/24,  please disregard that copy and re-download the file attached above. That will ensure you have the most up to date copy.    Thanks,  S. Freitas

20110316_coalition_wildlands_abbey.pdf

From Dave Pickett:

“Attention D36 Members. We need your help. Please take a minute to email, call or fax a quick message urging the OHV Commission to take action on your behalf to STOP the state from ripping off our OHV TRUST FUND.

The Commission has scheduled an EMERGENCY meeting about this single topic.
Click on the link below, and you will see an address to the OHV COMMISSION where you can make your voice heard.
Remember, show courtesy, respect and address your email professionally. Just tell them you want them to represent your family in letting the Governor and Legislature know you do not want YOUR Trust fund money taken again to support the General Fund like has been done in the past. $90 Million taken in 2008 and $22 Million in 2009. More from past years…………
They NEED to hear from you loud and clear. They convened this emergency meeting as response from statewide OHV leadership, and OHV folks need to let them know your feelings. Please send this to you contact lists, and let’s see if we can get a thousand letters, faxes and calls into YOUR Commission representatives. Your information will be sent to all the members of the Commission.
DO IT NOW! TIME IS VERY SHORT. Your comments will get to the Commission Members. Give them the support of the community on this issue.
Please Email, Fax or Phone your comments to the Commission at:
Email: OHVCommission@parks.ca.gov
Fax 916-324-0271 Phone 916-324-5801

Below is the Notice of Meeting, and the Agenda.
If you can come in person and speak to the Commission, which would even be better. Can we get 100 D36 members??
D36 LAO will be at this meeting speaking on behalf of ALL D36 members and families.
If you send an email, please copy D36LAO@Volcano.net and I will also present copies of your email to the Commission at the meeting.”

Notice link

Agenda link

“NATIONAL FOREST ACCESS AT RISK

Extreme anti access groups are once again suing the Eldorado National Forest over the recently completed Travel Management Plan Decision in an attempt to create a precedent setting case that will force the Forest Service to further “minimize” public access to roads and trails. The Plaintiffs, Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation, Center for Biological Diversity and Forest Issues Group (aka Wilderness Groups) are asking the federal court to require the Forest Service to close roads and trails in order to first achieve a “minimum road system” before designating any of the few remaining routes for recreational use and public access. It has always been the wilderness group’s position that recreational routes be available for public access only after USFS gets around to completing studies for a site specific analysis to the wilderness groups’ satisfaction. The Forest Service all but admits the agency will never have the funding available to satisfy the wilderness groups’ vision. Our opponents are trying to create a system where the Forest Service will be forced to provide written assurance, in advance, that USFS has and will have all of the funds necessary to do the site specific environmental process, monitoring, trail maintenance, law enforcement, and related obligations, for each and every route. To further complicate any management efforts, the wilderness groups are also suing the State of California OHV Division in other venues to have many of the funding sources eliminated and cut-off from the National Forests.

The history of this situation clearly demonstrates that we cannot rely on the Forest Service (FS) to look after our public access and recreational interests, and the last thing that we now need is for Forest Service to willingly or unwillingly give away what little access we have remaining in any settlement agreement with wilderness groups. We need to have our public access and recreational interest groups at the table.

Several recreation access groups have joined together and have succeeded in having BlueRibbon Coalition and attorney Paul A. Turcke of Moore Smith Buxton & Turcke represent our interests. Our success so far is that we have been able to attain Defendant–Intervenors’ status with the court which allows us to participate in the litigation and any settlement process.

We recognize that most of the recreational access community is dissatisfied with elements of the National Forest Travel Management Plan Decisions. However, the gravity of the wilderness groups’ demands makes it clear that step one is to first stop their efforts to force the USFS into never ending studies and route closures.

If we as intervenors were to file cross claims as complaints against the current travel management decision, it would in effect place us on the side of the wilderness group asking for yet another round of travel planning via remand of the USFS decision to be redone. In the current sociopolitical environment that would be a huge risk towards allowing most of the wilderness group’s demands to be met. Their demands are far more injurious to us than the issues we have with the USFS decision at this time.

If the access groups and engaged public can demonstrate our unity and the ability to fund legal actions we can then be a force for issues in our own pro-active litigation. Let’s show that we can take care of this major threat to public access.

Please donate what you can. The key to this fundraising success is having as many pro-access community united in this action, so please spread the word. See attached, Plaintiffs legal brief.

The BlueRibbon Coalition will manage the Eldorado Legal defense fund and guarantee the payments to our attorney. Funds received over and above what is necessary for this action will be held to fund future action related to our issues.
Make your check payable to the BlueRibbon Coalition and indicate on the check (Eldorado Legal Defense Fund).

Mail to:
BlueRibbon Coalition
4555 Burley Drive, Suite A
Pocatello, ID 83202-1921

Thank you for your consideration and support.” (information provided by Rick Guidice)

_59-opposition-to-cross-msj-reply-in-support-of-pltfs-msj-2-4-11.pdf

From the USFS:

“From: Tricia Christofferson [mailto:tchristofferson@fs.fed.us]
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 9:04 AM
Subject: Mendocino National Forest OHV Grant Review Opportunity

Hello Mendocino National Forest OHV Enthusiasts — I appreciate your continued interest in the OHV Recreation Program on the Mendocino National Forest. We have been working on our OHV grant application for the 2010 / 2011 grant cycle with the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Please see the attached letter which provides more information on our grant application, as well as a link to the State’s website where you may review and comment on our application. Comments will be accepted by the State between March 8 and April 4th, 2011.

Tricia D. Christofferson
Recreation Officer
Mendocino National Forest
(530) 934-1167 (Willows)
(530) 879-6608 (Chico)
tchristofferson@fs.fed.us”

030711-fsup-letter_public-comment-period-for-ohv-grants.pdf

Dear Fellow Members,
Kane Silverberg – District 2K, has sent his letter in to the folks making decisions; formatted from concern, fairness, and thoughtfulness. His letter speaks volumes for our D36 and AMA members.
While Kane may be a Commissioner, he is a dedicated racer first, and puts his money where his mouth is.
Thank You Kane for your words on our behalf. Hopefully it will spurn others to do the same. (Dave Pickett)

Subject: OHV TRUST FUND EMERGENCY

Honorable Budget Committee Members,

Please don’t take Monies from the State Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Operating Budgets or Grant and divert them to State’s General Fund. The Fuel Tax Revenue Component of the OHV Trust Fund is protected by California Constitution Article 19 and is not fungible. This action will most assuredly be challenged in court. More litigation is just another example of kicking the can down the road and is not what the Governor is asking for in the budget, he does not want us to pass the buck anymore. The OHV Trust Fund monies have very specific intended purposes and cannot be used for anything other than those uses as highlighted by both case law and the Constitution. Borrowing the OHV Trust Funds is the only way to legally access these monies, the state has done that for the last 3 years to the tune of about $140 million (including the Governor’s $21 million this year).

Both myself and over 7,000,000 OHV Registered Users/Families that are currently using OHV opportunities in the state of California are vehemently opposed to this proposal by your committee.

The State OHV Program operates with fiscal responsibility and in a manner that is the example for the rest of the state parks to follow. Dismantling the one part of the State Parks system that is healthy is an unforgivable
action and makes no sense. This action would unjustly penalize the OHV users and the program for being fiscally responsible, while rewarding other groups for fiscal mismanagement and irresponsibility. Would the taxpayers want you to take funding from a innovative, well managed program and add them to the mismanaged mess? Would you take money from one child’s piggy bank and give it to their sibling because they had spent all of their money frivolously?

The truth is these State OHV Parks offer the type of recreation preferred by a greater number of people in the park user population. Park attendance at OHV parks out paces attendance at other parks by leaps and bounds. We manage the land set aside for OHV recreation in a responsible way. Families are enjoying and protecting the land in a way that also supports their pursuit of happiness.

Please do not take the action of “Stealing” funds from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, it will just cost us all more money in the long term. There is a reason it is called a “Trust” fund, it is held “in trust” by you - held in our “trust of you”. If we cannot teach our children to trust you, as elected officials, to do what is right and appropriate in your positions, regardless of power and ability thereof, who can we trust?

Respectfully submitted,

Kane Silverberg
OHMVR Commissioner
District 36 Number 2K