49′er Family Enduro Cancelled
The Polka Dots MC have had to cancel the 2011 49′er Family Enduro. Here is their official statement.
The Polka Dots MC have had to cancel the 2011 49′er Family Enduro. Here is their official statement.
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
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
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
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.”
“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”
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
Below is a link to video from the Budget Conference Committee that Dave Pickett attended yesterday, on behalf of D36. (Note from Dave below)
“I did have a chance to talk with Assemblyman Nielsen pre-hearing with Terry McHale of Aaron Read & Associates. They supplied this video cut, and we are a client of AR&A. I attempted to meet with others, but most in a different committee meeting. I visited by Senator Gaines and Senator La Malfa’s offices, and was told the OHV community IS making an impact with hundred of emails, telephone calls and faxes burn up at their capitol offices. Ditto their field offices.
Please note that this committee has completed all but 3/10ths of their work on proposals for their portion of the budget mess. Having said that, yesterday was the 4th time our OHV issue has been tabled and moved due to conflict.
The pressure we have levied upon the entire legislature and especially these members of this important committee is causing many on the committee to review, and ask for more information. The information presented by the AOL (Office of Administrative Law) & LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) and DOF (Department of Finance was full of holes, and correct information was NOT being presented to the committee members. Nary a word about SB742 intent for the program. The committee has heard from us loud and clear that OHV supports law enforcement, but the cuts proposed will harm our ability to fund supplemental LE agencies like the 58 county sheriff’s offices. IF, and a big IF, the program dies – CHP would lose millions of dollars a year that is given to them within SB742 and paid by Reg fee’s we pay, AKA “Green Sticker Fee” and this also would harm LE. Basically, they got the word about trickle down poverty destroying LE and thus it could be construed that the Administration does not support Law Enforcement. (A political bomb for them on public safety.) Things are changing hour by hour, but the testimony is clear and two state agencies are fighting and the mere mention of lawsuit is a testy topic.
They know we will sue if necessary.
Keep those love letters going to all 120 Legislators who WORK FOR US. Again, be professional and courteous; make your points, stress family, and responsible OHV recreation, as well as the tourism dollars that your family brings to the rural counties, and local SVRA merchants.
As always, follow the money.
I contacted Amador County Board of Supervisors, and they in turn “get it” and have made call up the food chain to representatives in the Assembly and Senate.
It is working, so if you have time, educate your County BOS. One thing they understand, and need, is MONEY.”
To view the hearing, click here.
It is password protected; the password is OHV.
FYI. Open the document and see page 8 - OHV.
This is ugly!!!
This time, the State does NOT want to pay back any stolen OHV funds (that WE paid) backto the OHV program!!!
They don’t want to allow any public comment from anyone, either.
To quote someone else “those arrogant a–holes”
We must ACT NOW to save the OHV program! The Governor of Califoria is trying to sweep all the user fee/trust accounts.
What can you do: Act now and contact your legislative members ASAP! Find your representatives here, and use the speaking points below, or add some of your own: click here
Every day the status on this changes - but here is the basic background:
The Issue: On Friday, February 18th, the Assembly Budget Committee voted to take $27 million out of the OHV operating budget. This would NOT be a loan, and would continue unstopped year after year. It would result in closures and cut-backs to the California OHV Parks – Carnegie, Clay Pit, Heber Dunes, Hollister Hills, Hungry Valley, Mammoth Bar, Oceano Dunes, Ocotillo Wells and Prairie City. The Snow Grooming program and State Sno-Parks will also be greatly affected or closed. In addition, the Governor is proposing to take $27 million more from the OHV program. This could be the end of the OHV program as have enjoyed it for the last 40 years.
This Thursday, February 24th, the Conference Committee will meet in the State Capitol to iron out difference between the State Assembly and Senate Budget Committees. We have to influence the Conference Committee members through our elected legislative representatives.
The budget proposes only an $11 million cut for 270 State Parks, yet a cut of $27 million is proposed from the OHV division which has only 8 State OHV Parks. This represents less than a 10% cut to State Park operations, but over a 40% reduction to the operating budget of the OHV parks. The OHV Division is a user funded program, taking NO money from the General Fund.
The State OHV Parks are all about children, offering them opportunities to recreate outdoors. The OHV parks encourage families to go camping, and offer urban residents the chance to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment. The OHV parks enjoyed a 150% increase in attendance over the last 10 years, which State Parks cannot equal.
The Law says the OHV division of State Parks should have equal priority among the other State Parks. Budget impacts should be equally shared….yet the State OHV Parks have had $112 million dollars taken over the last 3 years. Now the Assembly proposes to gut the program, favoring less popular State Parks. This is certainly discriminatory, and counter to the law. The OHV community has given more than it’s fair share of the OHV Trust Fund. These are dedicated user fees.
The OHV community has taken legal action for two other attempts of this kind…and the State has lost! We sued you and won $21.5 million. We are willing and able to do this again, and the State will lose even more money before all this is over. We will pursue all legal remedies to stop this action, and stop the discrimination against the State OHV Program and affiliated activities.
This is an urgent appeal to contact your legislators NOW and tell them HANDS OFF OF OHV FUNDS!
Dave Pickett District 36 MC Sports Committee – President & LAO
Amy Granat Nor Cal Representative – California 4 Wheel Drive Association
Nick Haris – AMA National-Western Region Representative
We need you help, as we have obtained assistance from congress and a new bill inside of Congress, HR 412 “The just let kids ride bill” is alive and kicking.
Please click on the link, and take 5 minutes to lend your support of this bill for our kids.
BRC & D36 are asking everybody to send in a note. Please pass this along to all of your riding friends.
It is very important we defeat this outrageous law.
David Pickett, Director
Legislative Action Office
AMA District 36 - Motorcycle Sports Committee
Action Alert with Video and Letter Links:
click here
Here is some information on how you can support & contribute positive ideas to help OHV access. You can use the websites to register to “vote” and make more positve comments on the President’s Great Outdoor Initiative . . . .
Here is a story in the Contra Costa Times about Carnegie
Keep up to date with other news related to Carnegie SVRA at this website: click here
Here is an information/press release from the Polka Dots MC:
Here is a link to find out information about where OHV Grant money for the 2009/2010 “Intent to Award” has been distributed: click here
Attention off road enthusiasts,
We have all seen the effects of the legal battle that continues to rage against the OHV community. The closing of Clear Creek, an attempt to close down the Carnegie State Recreational Vehicle Area, delayed and cancelled events, increased fees and dwindling areas to ride in are just a few of the recent events. Numerous times the call to stand up and fight goes out and this is one of those times.
Anti-OHV groups have filed a law suit against the current travel plan in the El Dorado National Forest. These groups are attempting to have all of the current trails in the forest closed down until each and every trail can be surveyed for environmental impact. The case is Case 2:09-cv-02523-LKK-JFM Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation, et al., v. United States Forest Service, et al. The California Enduro Riders Association (CERA) has been granted intervenor status on this case. We are forcing any action to include the interests of all OHV activity in the Forest. The AMA District 36 LAO has seen the importance of this law suit and donated to the cause. They are looking for matching donations from corporate sponsors. Jeepers have also stepped up and donated to protect their rights to the Rubicon Trail. The Blue Ribbon Coalition has provided an experienced attorney to stand up for our rights. But, the Costs of this legal battle are not cheap. Literally tens of thousands of dollars and counting. This brings me to the point of this letter:
CERA is going to attempt to meet the needs of this lawsuit by soliciting and accepting donations on behalf of any OHV enthusiast or other OHV friendly source.
In order to do this, as CERA Treasurer, I am setting up a separate spreadsheet to keep track of all donations. These donations will solely be used for and forwarded to the BRC as CERA’s legal fund contribution. I will keep a running total of all donations including the person or organization donating the money. All of this money will be tracked separately from our normal business operations with the cumulative balance announced at the club meetings (no names). All information will be completely confidential. You can even make arrangements to have donors make anonymous contributions directly to our bank account.
To make your donation to the BRC legal defense fund, write the check to BRC, make sure to note on the check that this is a Eldorado Legal Defense Fund Donation, and send it to:
CERA
c/o Anthony J. Godrich
5746 Daphne Drive
Livermore, CA 94550
Thank you,
California Enduro Riders Association
Friends. Please take a minute to do this simple thing.
As you know, another Unintended Consequence has popped up concerning lead in childrens OHV off highway vehicles.
Please take a minute and let your voice be heard.
Our future OHV community depends on your involvement.
You should be compelled to engage also. Only takes a minute of your time.
Thanks.
Dave
Use this URL to take action now:
http://capwiz.com/amacycle/
Dave Pickett
D36 LAO
IMPORTANT ALERT TO REVERSE CLOSURE OF PUBLIC LANDS
Dear Everyone,
I thought you would want to hear about President Obama’s recently released, but little known America Great Outdoor Initiative, which has the potential to lock you out of millions of acres of public lands, as well as take away your private property rights. The good news is this Initiative has just started and if lots of people like you speak up and take two minutes to send letters it can be turned around.
Thanks for taking action.
Chris Horgan and your friends at Save the Trails
America Great Outdoors Initiative seeks to Close Public Lands-
Due to the leak of internal White House document showing secret plans to designate 13 million of acres as National Monuments and Wilderness without public input, President Obama announced on 3/29/10 his America Great Outdoor Initiative to encourage local involvement in the crafting of this new plan, which will supposedly encourage urban youth to get out and enjoy the Backcountry and preserve access to the outdoors.
This is more Washington double talk since locking the majority of the public out of their public lands via Wilderness and Monument designation will discourage the most popular forms of outdoor recreation, such as Off Road Vehicle use and in many cases Mountain Bikes. This will clearly discourage the public from enjoying the backcountry. There is just no way reducing access can be preserving access.
President Obama held a last minute conference on 4/16/10 in Washington DC to encourage local partnerships, but after polling over 60 local organizations we could not find one who had been invited. The folks who were invited and who are partners, were those who support closure of public lands such as Sierra Club, Wilderness Society etc.
Of particular interest is Government Landscape Wide Planning (including private property) and designation of Wildlife Corridors, as proposed in the President’s Outdoors Initiative, are also key elements in the United Nations Wildlands Project, which seeks to make 50% of America off limits to humans (Yellow and Red on the Wildlands Project map). It appears that all those invited to the DC Conference also support the Wildlands Project. If you don’t then ACT NOW by clicking here to send your letter!
TAKE ACTION NOW
SEND YOUR LETTERS IN JUST TWO MINUTES HERE
Click here to create your two mintue Outdoor Initiative letter or use the link below
http://www.savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=47
The good part is this Initiative has just started and you can help get it back on track by sending a letter using our two minute letter generators link above
After you send your letter please see the Take Back Your Public Lands-Extra Credit at the end of this email
The goals of the America Great Outdoors Initiative is laudable, to encourage local involvement, increase access to public lands and Encourage the Public to get our in the Backcountry, but as you may have guessed the proposed policies are heading in the opposite direction.
The President has asked for public involvement, so let’s take advantage of his offer and speak up to ensure this Initiative stay true to the goals. Please send your letter now and ask your friends to send a letter too
You can read more about the United Nations Wildlands Project and see the map at
http://www.savethetrails.us/WildlandsProject.html
You can read the President’s 4 page outline for this Outdoor Initiative at
http://doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/upload/2010outdoors-mem-rel-2.pdf
TAKE BACK YOUR PUBLIC LANDS-EXTRA CREDIT
The President has created a website where the public can post topics and comment on his proposed America Great Outdoor Initiative. Normally this kind of forum is taken over by the vocal minority who seem to favor closure, but lately the silent majority, which probably includes you, have been speaking up. However we need more people to comment or we will lose ground. Please take a few minutes to register and most importantly vote for topics you support. Threads have been started on the topics of removing financial barriers, improving agency accountability, sustaining rural communities, and promoting forest health among many other good ideas. You can also post your own comments.
Remember the world is run by those who speak up.
This alert sent by your friends at www.Save The Trails.us
GRANT MONEY FOR ROCK CREEK TRAIL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
PUBLIC NOTICE OF MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
Possible new trails, bridges and permanent restrooms.
Comments needed.
Click Here
Tickets are going fast!!!! There are only 500 tickets available to win a NEW 2007 KTM 50 SX Jr. The bike will be raffled off at the 2010 Hangtown MX, between pro motos.
100% of the funds from this bike raffle will go to the Clear Creek / BRC Legal Defense Fund.
Thank you Moore & Sons Motorcycles of Santa Cruz!!!
Here is the flyer with information about how to get your tickets!
BLM Extends Comment Period on Clear Creek Draft Plan (03-05-2010)
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2010/march/cc1048_clearcreek_comments_extended.html
Copy/paste this url in your web browser.
Here is a photo of the bike (and how to get tickets) that will be raffled in January, 2011 at the 2010 D36 Series Awards Banquet . . . before all the extras that our generous sponsors donate to add to it. Thank you KTM North America and Mach 1 Motorsports!!!
Carnegie Update – State Water Quality Control Board Speaks
This document was just passed along from D36’s LAO, Dave Pickett . . . . click here: parks-v-superior-court-carnegie-svra-1-11-2010-signed.pdf
This link can take you to a news story about the BLM/EPA and Clear Creek closure:
http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=4461140&at1=News&h1=Hollister%20Residents%20Discuss%20Land%20Closure&flvUri=&partnerclipid=&rnd=97968434
Don’t forget to attend the Jan. 20th meeting if you can -
January 20, 2010: Santa Clara Convention Center, Great America Meeting Rooms, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara All public meetings will take place from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
20091229 2010_D36_Operations_Manual
The new 2010 District Operations Manual, also known as “The Rulebook” is now available on-line.
Printed copies of the 2010 Operations Manual will be available from your Steward after the January 20, 2010 District Meeting.
If you should have any questions, please contact either your Steward, or the Rulebook Chairman at d36rulebook@live.com