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Current Land Use & Legislative Issues The issues on this page come from the NMA "Off-Roader" newsletter. See our News page for land use and legislative updates as they happen.
From the NMA Off-Roader—Fall 2005
Thurston-Grays Harbor ORV Park Opens!!! By Mike Rudolph It took over three years, a lot of letters, a zillion phone calls and emails, a lawsuit, a rally on the Capitol steps, a bunch of dedicated ORV enthusiasts and the good graces of the Grays Harbor County Commissioner Bob Beerbower to get the park reopened. In a unanimous vote, all three county commissioners voted to re-open the park provided funding was available from the Inter-Agency for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). The IAC later voted unanimously to provide $424,000 to re-open the park. The timing couldn't have come at a better time since the nonconformity permit would expire by November 1 if the park wasn't open for 30 days prior to that date. Now the park will open for a brief period in October, to satisfy this requirement. Then it will close for the season and undergo some much needed maintenance. The park will revert to its original name "Straddleline ORV Sports Park." John Eaton from Dirt Cheap Cycles in Shelton, Ed Bushnell from Northwest Outdoor Coalition, and Angie Marek from Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association helped organize volunteer work parties to get the park whipped back into shape for a full schedule of events to take place in October. The park was in need of lots of brushing and general clean-up after being closed for three years. There was evidence of vandalism, too. Someone broke into the bathrooms through the skylights and stole the copper fittings. Most of the maintenance work is cosmetic and can be accomplished through some basic tools and elbow grease. Other items will require much more resources and equipment to get back into shape. Scores of volunteers from the local ORV community, including members from PNW4WDA, Seattle Motorcycle Club, Tacoma Motorcycle Club, Mudslingers and Puget Sound Enduro Riders, have pitched in to spruce up the park. "We've got to thank Joe Taurman who brought heavy equipment and donated 100 gallons of diesel fuel," said Eaton. Welander Racing, Dirt Cheap Cycles and South Sound Honda all donated food and cooked for the volunteers during the work weekends. Three events are planned for October. The PNW4WDA will hold a jeep race Oct 15-16; there will be AMA sanctioned motocross racing on Oct 22-23 and Oct 29-30. "After October we will be forming the ORV advisory committee," said Bushnell. "We have asked Commissioner Beerbower to be on this committee." The ORV advisory committee will be working closely with the county developing the operational plan. The IAC has give the county $15,000 to build an operations plan which is required prior to getting $350,000 for maintenance and operations to run the park through 2007. How to Testify--Guide for going to the Hill By Bret Kreier I must admit, it was fun yelling "YEA" and "BOOO" on the steps of the capitol building last March during the ORV Rally. Now that the rally is over, my wife is tired of me parading around the house with my NMA sign. You might be in a similar situation, lots of energy to fight for our sport, but don't know how to vent it. Well, here is an idea. Go to a public bill hearing to support or oppose a Bill. Enclosed are some guide lines while attending a meeting. Your participation usually only takes about an hour and your sport will love you for it. At the Meeting:
Making Your Remarks 1. Address the chair and committee members, introducing yourself and your purpose. For example, "Mr. or Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am John Doe from Spokane. I am here representing myself. I support this bill because . . ." 2. In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing other citizens or a separate group. 3. Be brief and be sure your remarks are clear. Avoid being too technical and do not repeat previously made remarks. You do not need to be nervous or worried about how you present your testimony. 4. Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members. These are designed to gain additional information, but don't answer if you are not sure of the answer. Tell the members you will send a written answer to the committee, and then follow through. 5. Restrict yourself to your testimony. Abstain from other overt demonstrations such as clapping, cheering, booing, etc. Please understand having 50 people show up for a bill hearing makes just as much impact as a 1,000 on the steps. Do not assume your ridding buddies will be there, go pick them up. If not, you might have your weekends free to do those chores around the house instead of going riding. See you on the Trail. Bret. Timber Tiger Trail Grand Opening August 6, 2005 Story and Images by Mike Rudolph The U.S. Forest Service held a grand opening celebration for the new kid's trail at Taneum Junction on Saturday, August 6, 2005. The event was sponsored by Cascade Family Motorcycle Club, Hinshaw's Motorcycle Store and the Cle Elum Dairy Queen. Over forty people, including a dozen kids, participated in the festivities that included a hot dog roast, ribbon cutting, and even an appearance by Smokey Bear. "This is such a huge deal," said Mikki Douglass, USFS ORV Ranger. "We have been trying to get an area for kids to ride at Taneum Junction that wasn't in the parking lot." The trail was envisioned by ORV Ranger Wally Shearer and had been in development for two years. Tim Foss, Trails, Wilderness and ORV Supervisor, worked very hard to get the proposed trail through the approval process. Once the trail was approved, it took a trail crew about a week to complete the half-mile trail along with an impressive stair case leading from the parking area to the trail. In addition, the crews constructed benches so parents can view their youngsters on the trail. To top it off, special Timber Tiger (chipmunk) directional signs were posted throughout the trail. Once the ribbon was cut, the kids had a chance to try the trail out for themselves. Meanwhile, members from Cascade Family M/C were cooking hot dogs and serving up cold drinks for the folks on hand. After the kids were ready for a break, all gathered around for a drawing of generous motorcycle contingencies donated by Hinshaw's Motorcycle Store and Cascade Family M/C. "What a terrific day," said Douglass. "Many thanks to Cascade [Family M/C] for making this a great event!" Hinkle Bill (EHB 1003) Signed into Law--"Why do you mean all USFS roads aren't open to non-highway vehicles?" Meeting held in Cle Elum Story and images by Mike Rudolph Over 100 Off-Road Vehicle enthusiasts, local citizens and even a few from the Washington Trails Association attended a meeting held July 23, 2005 in Cle Elum to discuss the U.S. Forest Service's response to the passage of the Hinkle Bill. The bill allows local jurisdictions to use their discretion to allow non-highway vehicles on secondary roads. The bill is often referred to as the "Hinkle Bill" named for the bill's sponsor, Rep. Bill Hinkle from the Thirteenth Legislative District (Ellensburg). Many riders have expressed confusion over the bill, thinking that come July 1 non-highway vehicles (dirtbikes and ATVs) would be permitted to ride on all USFS roads. ORV Rangers were inundated with calls and complaints regarding the confusion and decided to bring the public together to discuss the new bill. The meeting was kicked off by District Ranger Rodney Smoldon by stating the meeting had two major themes. One was to communicate the present policy within the district as it relates to non-highway vehicles. And second, it was to hear comments from the group on what roads they would like to see opened up to dual use. In attendance were Reps. Bill Hinkle and Cary Condotta, Twelfth Legislative District (Wenatchee). "The intent of the bill was to reduce user conflict, create more riding opportunities and protect resources," said Hinkle. "We have more and more users of our public lands. People have become polarized in their views of the various users. This bill will alleviate some of those conflicts. It is a fact that riding opportunities in this state have reduced significantly over the years. With the designating of Level 2 roads for dual use, that will create more riding opportunities. And lastly, to protect resources. With few riding opportunities and ORVs not permitted on most roads, irresponsible users were creating bootleg trails that caused resource damage." Roads are classified into five levels:
The meeting then dispersed into break-out sessions where the public had a chance to meet with various members from the U.S. Forest Service. Also, they had the opportunity to list the roads they wished could be opened and the reasons why. The lists of information were taken back to the Ranger Station for consideration. The District plans to review the list and then make recommendations for which roads to put through an approval process. This will take place during the winter. There are a number of Level 2 roads that were opened to non-highway vehicles immediately after July 1. These roads have signs prominently posted that state they are open to non-highway vehicles. A list of these roads may be viewed at www.cleelumtrails.com. If you would like to recommend a road, please contact Tim Foss at tfoss@fs.fed.us Off-Road Organizations Ask for Post Audit Hearings and Oversight From the Blue Ribbon Coalition SACRAMENTO (Sept. 15) - A coalition of all major off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations with members in California sent a letter State Senator Bill Morrow requesting post-audit hearings, oversight, program reform, and possible criminal prosecutions. This action was prompted by the group's collective concerns regarding the Bureau of State Audits Report 2004-126: Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Program. The recreation organizations are calling for legislative hearings conducted by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Joint Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection Committee on the conduct of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and Commission. Additionally, the groups state that current and former state officials and contractors -who participated in illegal "contract splitting" to avoid oversight by control agencies - should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Other issues that should be addressed include return of misappropriated monies to the OHV Trust Fund, reform of current buffer land purchase policy and introducing legislation to prevent mismanagement by state parks of the OHV program. Roy Denner, executive director of the Off Road Business Association who first called for the audit said, "I think this audit gives the OHV community a golden opportunity to demand that their program - which derives its funding from user-supported fees - be held accountable to those who recreate on public lands." Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, concludes, "I believe this audit shows the OHMVR program has been robbed by environmental extremists and state bureaucrats who have misused the fund to further their own personal or political anti-OHV agenda." The groups signing the letter include; American Sand Association, Off-Road Business Association, San Diego Off-Road Coalition, American Motorcyclist Association, American Motorcyclist Association - District 36, American Motorcyclist Association - District 37, BlueRibbon Coalition, California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs, California/Nevada Snowmobile Association, California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Desert Vipers Motorcycle Club, Duners, American Motorcyclist Association District 37 Dual Sport, and United Four Wheel Drive Associations. Excellent Letter to U.S. Forest Service This is a great comment letter from one of our SAWS members in NE Washington State regarding the absurd proposal by the Gallatin National Forest (Montana) personal regarding the forest plan revision and the outlandish amount of land they propose to close to snowmobiling. Dick is a retired forest service employee and a very active and involved snowmobilers. Dick is a member of many organizations attempting to keep our riding areas open. Dick has given me permission to share his comment letter with all of you. Thanks for allowing me to share your excellent letter Dick. Dave Hiatt I would strongly urge you to reject all alternatives that you have developed to this date and develop one that surrounds the concept of Multiple Use. The Secretary of Agriculture has embraced Multiple Use; the Chief of the Forest Service said that "Multiple Use is Alive and Well" and that Snowmobiles leave no trace; The President of the United States has said the Public Lands are for the use of all people as did Gifford Pinchot. It does not seem right to throw these guiding principles away on the Centennial Year of the Forest Service. The alternatives you have proposed amount to a lock out of the National Forest to the aged and the infirm who must use motorized or mechanized aid to allow them to enjoy the mountains and meadows of their public lands. I would remind you that the National Forest of the United States are not the Kings Forest and belong to every citizen of the United States, rich or poor, agency employee or coal miner. Other items that concern me lie within the Travel Plan Amendment itself: a. The FS will no longer be required to investigate any areas for expansion of motorized use in the future. No trail maintenance, any new trails or trail heads and no communication with local clubs to expand areas of over use. The only option they give themselves is to shut down more area. b. The FS will no longer have to do Economic Impact Reviews as part of their EIS in future Travel Plan planning! c. The FS will no longer include Recreational Opportunities in future EIS studies for Travel Plan Purposes Animals take precedence and the areas will be managed for animals that don't even exist there yet! d. Snowmobiles will be considered the same as WHEELED vehicles for Travel Restrictions. Right now they are not included in that language. An agency employee or head should remind themselves that without public support, dollars for wages or programs will become very short. It is cheaper and takes less time to oppose a government agency than to support them. Dick Coppock 4/4/2006 |
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