AMA BRC QWR etc recent posts
- Thread starter Butch
- Start date
opcorn
BRC: H.R. 5129 Legislation to Streamline Recreation Permitting Process Introduced by Rep. LaMalfa
Outdoor recreation clubs, organizations and outfitter/guide related businesses have a lot to celebrate today as Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) announced that he has introduced the Guides and Outfitters Act (GO Act), H.R. 5129.
H.R. 5129 Guides and Outfitters Act (GO Act) LINK
For the last 5 years, BRC has been urging Congress to address excessive costs and red-tape associated with both motorized and non-motorized recreation groups getting special recreation permits.
BRC's SRP ISSUE PAGE
BRC looks forward to working with legislators and other recreation groups on this issue as The GO Act proceeds through Congress.
Congressman LaMalfa's News Release LINK
Thanks and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition
925-625-6287
Outdoor recreation clubs, organizations and outfitter/guide related businesses have a lot to celebrate today as Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) announced that he has introduced the Guides and Outfitters Act (GO Act), H.R. 5129.
H.R. 5129 Guides and Outfitters Act (GO Act) LINK
For the last 5 years, BRC has been urging Congress to address excessive costs and red-tape associated with both motorized and non-motorized recreation groups getting special recreation permits.
BRC's SRP ISSUE PAGE
BRC looks forward to working with legislators and other recreation groups on this issue as The GO Act proceeds through Congress.
Congressman LaMalfa's News Release LINK
Thanks and as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition
925-625-6287
Trail-based Volunteer Programs Don’t Happen by Accident.
QWR:
Recent Pre-Event Recon for May Volunteer Project
Upper Lake Ranger District, Mendocino NF
QWR believes that substantive federal trail-based volunteer programs don’t happen by accident.
The success of any volunteer program is directly related to agency and user commitment to both the process and the product.
QWR understands that agency volunteer programs are simply just one tenet (albeit an important factor) of managed recreation on a Forest Service or BLM unit.
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/04/trail-based-volunteer-programs-dont.html
Field Recon with Local Club Representative from
Marin County Motorcycle Association
One aspect of user involvement is to participate with the agency on pre-planning for any large volunteer work project(s). Often that pre-event planning requires meetings with recreation staff to review material needs for products such as cement, barriers, signs, tables, building materials, etc.
With reduced amounts of federally appropriated funds for recreation projects, there can be a role for users to play by helping secure construction materials via state or industry grants or private donations.
One key planning tool is for OHV leaders to do a pre-event field-level recon of the project to ascertain the number of volunteers required and which specific skillsets/tools are needed to help the agency accomplish the task.
In areas where the agency is just beginning to staff up with recreation specialists, it will be important for trail enthusiasts to reach out to new FS/BLM staff. Riders should invite agency leads to attend club meetings or go out for a tour of the area in OHVs.
It has been QWR’s experience that agency recreation staff are more than willing to go out in the field with the OHV community to discuss trail management, solutions to resource issues, and potential future projects.
A field trip not only gives them an excuse to get out of the office but it is an important method by which both parties can build mutual trust and respect.
There is a lot of truth to our trail motto which is: The quality of the unit’s trail program is directly proportional to the quality of the relationship that exists between the agency staff and user community.
QWR:
Recent Pre-Event Recon for May Volunteer Project
Upper Lake Ranger District, Mendocino NF
QWR believes that substantive federal trail-based volunteer programs don’t happen by accident.
The success of any volunteer program is directly related to agency and user commitment to both the process and the product.
QWR understands that agency volunteer programs are simply just one tenet (albeit an important factor) of managed recreation on a Forest Service or BLM unit.
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/04/trail-based-volunteer-programs-dont.html
Field Recon with Local Club Representative from
Marin County Motorcycle Association
One aspect of user involvement is to participate with the agency on pre-planning for any large volunteer work project(s). Often that pre-event planning requires meetings with recreation staff to review material needs for products such as cement, barriers, signs, tables, building materials, etc.
With reduced amounts of federally appropriated funds for recreation projects, there can be a role for users to play by helping secure construction materials via state or industry grants or private donations.
One key planning tool is for OHV leaders to do a pre-event field-level recon of the project to ascertain the number of volunteers required and which specific skillsets/tools are needed to help the agency accomplish the task.
In areas where the agency is just beginning to staff up with recreation specialists, it will be important for trail enthusiasts to reach out to new FS/BLM staff. Riders should invite agency leads to attend club meetings or go out for a tour of the area in OHVs.
It has been QWR’s experience that agency recreation staff are more than willing to go out in the field with the OHV community to discuss trail management, solutions to resource issues, and potential future projects.
A field trip not only gives them an excuse to get out of the office but it is an important method by which both parties can build mutual trust and respect.
There is a lot of truth to our trail motto which is: The quality of the unit’s trail program is directly proportional to the quality of the relationship that exists between the agency staff and user community.
FireScape Mendocino
Don Amador:
Here is an article from last FireScape Mendocino’s meetings/field trip last
week in Upper Lake, CA.
I believe that recreationists have an important role to play in helping craft/support
forest health projects since intense wildfires can impact recreation facilities and
related outdoor experiences.
FireScape Mendo Blog
http://mendocinofirescape.blogspot.com/2016/04/firescape-mendocino-works-to-help-shape.html
Thanks for your interest in managed forests.
Don Amador
Core Team Leader
FireScape Mendocino
Don Amador:
Here is an article from last FireScape Mendocino’s meetings/field trip last
week in Upper Lake, CA.
I believe that recreationists have an important role to play in helping craft/support
forest health projects since intense wildfires can impact recreation facilities and
related outdoor experiences.
FireScape Mendo Blog
http://mendocinofirescape.blogspot.com/2016/04/firescape-mendocino-works-to-help-shape.html
Thanks for your interest in managed forests.
Don Amador
Core Team Leader
FireScape Mendocino
User/Agency Trail Field Trips Important Part of Collaborative Process
QWR:
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/04/useragency-trail-field-trips-important.html
QWR is committed to the collaborative process as a strategy to bring land agency staff and the trail-based recreation community together with a common goal of both protecting resources and providing a high-quality outdoor experience.
Much of the collaborative or stakeholder process is centered on attending meetings where information is shared, values are appreciated, and relationships are formed.
QWR believes that “out-of-the office” field trips where private sector partners invite agency staff to review the development and management history of an OHV area is also an important element of the stakeholder process.
Recently, leadership from the Mendocino National Forest toured the multiple-use recreation program on the Grindstone Ranger District. With one of the largest destination OHV programs in the country, the District is a good case study on how OHV management prescriptions have evolved over the last 36-40 years.
On the Mendocino and several other National Forests/BLM units, managed recreation didn’t start with the 2005 Travel Management Rule. Rather, it has been a multi-decade process where the 1960s-era mining, firebreak, or logging road-based route network was gradually converted to a sustainable trail system that consists of engineered contour trails, soil loss structures, and road-to-trail conversions.
Managed federal OHV trail-based recreation programs are hard to sustain on current (and future) recreation budgets appropriated by Congress. In some regions of the country, the Forest Service and BLM receive grants from state funding sources such as the CA OHV Division Grant Program or OR’s ATV Grant Program.
In the 21st Century, successful OHV trail programs must also rely on partnerships with the private sector such as OHV clubs, conservation groups, and other local stakeholders. Those entities can be the source for the agency’s professional volunteer workforce where users are given chainsaw certification classes or other trail maintenance training.
QWR commends those user groups and agency units where an all-hands-approach has been adopted and implemented. QWR understands that it can take a lot of agency staff time to manage a substantive volunteer program. However, a robust volunteer corps can also play a supportive role in helping the agency obtain non-federal resources/monies (i.e. grants to help manage their trail program, fund projects such as an OHV bridge, or donations for construction labor/materials).
The collaborative process is a two-way street. Don’t wait for agency staff to call for a meeting or workshop. As a private sector partner, looks for ways to engage your federal contacts either at meetings, field trips, or volunteer work parties. Be willing to do some heavy lifting yourself.
QWR believes the quality of our trail future is directly proportional to the quality of the collaborative process/stakeholder involvement on your Forest or BLM unit.
QWR:
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/04/useragency-trail-field-trips-important.html
QWR is committed to the collaborative process as a strategy to bring land agency staff and the trail-based recreation community together with a common goal of both protecting resources and providing a high-quality outdoor experience.
Much of the collaborative or stakeholder process is centered on attending meetings where information is shared, values are appreciated, and relationships are formed.
QWR believes that “out-of-the office” field trips where private sector partners invite agency staff to review the development and management history of an OHV area is also an important element of the stakeholder process.
Recently, leadership from the Mendocino National Forest toured the multiple-use recreation program on the Grindstone Ranger District. With one of the largest destination OHV programs in the country, the District is a good case study on how OHV management prescriptions have evolved over the last 36-40 years.
On the Mendocino and several other National Forests/BLM units, managed recreation didn’t start with the 2005 Travel Management Rule. Rather, it has been a multi-decade process where the 1960s-era mining, firebreak, or logging road-based route network was gradually converted to a sustainable trail system that consists of engineered contour trails, soil loss structures, and road-to-trail conversions.
Managed federal OHV trail-based recreation programs are hard to sustain on current (and future) recreation budgets appropriated by Congress. In some regions of the country, the Forest Service and BLM receive grants from state funding sources such as the CA OHV Division Grant Program or OR’s ATV Grant Program.
In the 21st Century, successful OHV trail programs must also rely on partnerships with the private sector such as OHV clubs, conservation groups, and other local stakeholders. Those entities can be the source for the agency’s professional volunteer workforce where users are given chainsaw certification classes or other trail maintenance training.
QWR commends those user groups and agency units where an all-hands-approach has been adopted and implemented. QWR understands that it can take a lot of agency staff time to manage a substantive volunteer program. However, a robust volunteer corps can also play a supportive role in helping the agency obtain non-federal resources/monies (i.e. grants to help manage their trail program, fund projects such as an OHV bridge, or donations for construction labor/materials).
The collaborative process is a two-way street. Don’t wait for agency staff to call for a meeting or workshop. As a private sector partner, looks for ways to engage your federal contacts either at meetings, field trips, or volunteer work parties. Be willing to do some heavy lifting yourself.
QWR believes the quality of our trail future is directly proportional to the quality of the collaborative process/stakeholder involvement on your Forest or BLM unit.
TRAIL NEWS UPDATE – FS National Trails Strategy
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/03/trail-news-update-fs-national-trails.html
QWR commends the Forest Service for its effort to develop a national trails strategy for sustainable motorized and non-motorized trails.
LINK TO FS NATIONAL TRAILS STRATEGY
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/strategy/index.shtml
According to the agency, for the past two years, the Forest Service has gathered the body of knowledge which now forms the core of the Trails Strategy discussion draft. Through engagement with employees at all levels of the agency, non-governmental organizations and partners, other trail management agencies, and the health care and private industry, we are striving to define and implement a strategic approach for closing the gap between where we are and where we want to be.
QWR encourages trail professionals and advocates to download the discussion draft strategy. QWR believes this is a very positive program and will provide important high-level guidance to line-officers and agency trail champions at the Regional Office, Forest, and District levels.
This is a very exciting process and bodes well for the future of trail-based recreation on lands managed by the Forest Service.
http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/2016/03/trail-news-update-fs-national-trails.html
QWR commends the Forest Service for its effort to develop a national trails strategy for sustainable motorized and non-motorized trails.
LINK TO FS NATIONAL TRAILS STRATEGY
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/strategy/index.shtml
According to the agency, for the past two years, the Forest Service has gathered the body of knowledge which now forms the core of the Trails Strategy discussion draft. Through engagement with employees at all levels of the agency, non-governmental organizations and partners, other trail management agencies, and the health care and private industry, we are striving to define and implement a strategic approach for closing the gap between where we are and where we want to be.
QWR encourages trail professionals and advocates to download the discussion draft strategy. QWR believes this is a very positive program and will provide important high-level guidance to line-officers and agency trail champions at the Regional Office, Forest, and District levels.
This is a very exciting process and bodes well for the future of trail-based recreation on lands managed by the Forest Service.
The Foothill Conservancy Survey
AMA: this is a survey by a "green" organization. Dave Pickett suggests...
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPKHJH7
The idea is to get OHV folks filling out their form, getting OHV INFORMATION using their own form!! The more OHV folks respond to ChimpMonkey, the better.
It shows the greenies that OHV is important on land use issues.
1000 OHV folks saying OHV is important on a non OHV website STRESSES the importance of OHV Recreation to Non OHV organizations.
Can you imagine a FEW THOUSAND, or millions of Off Road Folks doing this survey, and all asking for more OHV oriented recreation and show our alliances to AMA, D37, D36 BRC, NOHVCC, etc…….
USFS and BLM, State Parks OHV Division, ETC…………..
This would shake up the survey for sure.
In the box asking for contribution to environmental groups, I put in NO, not at this time. I cited I don’t join, because it seems all they do is file lawsuits agains the USFS and BLM, which burns up resources.
I also said, public land is just that, public land for ALL Americans regardless of recreation choice….
TAKE THE SURVEY! The Foothill Conservancy, plus our partner organizations, would like to know about your outdoor pursuits and your interest in nature and the environment. Your participation will help drive our priorities, programs and future outreach, which will benefit you, plus current and future members of our organizations.
Our survey will take 5 - 10 minutes to complete and as a Thank You, you’ll be entered to win one of five $100 gift certificates from REI. The answers you give to our questions will be kept in confidence and will only be used to help us with this research project.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPKHJH7
AMA: this is a survey by a "green" organization. Dave Pickett suggests...
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPKHJH7
The idea is to get OHV folks filling out their form, getting OHV INFORMATION using their own form!! The more OHV folks respond to ChimpMonkey, the better.
It shows the greenies that OHV is important on land use issues.
1000 OHV folks saying OHV is important on a non OHV website STRESSES the importance of OHV Recreation to Non OHV organizations.
Can you imagine a FEW THOUSAND, or millions of Off Road Folks doing this survey, and all asking for more OHV oriented recreation and show our alliances to AMA, D37, D36 BRC, NOHVCC, etc…….
USFS and BLM, State Parks OHV Division, ETC…………..
This would shake up the survey for sure.
In the box asking for contribution to environmental groups, I put in NO, not at this time. I cited I don’t join, because it seems all they do is file lawsuits agains the USFS and BLM, which burns up resources.
I also said, public land is just that, public land for ALL Americans regardless of recreation choice….
TAKE THE SURVEY! The Foothill Conservancy, plus our partner organizations, would like to know about your outdoor pursuits and your interest in nature and the environment. Your participation will help drive our priorities, programs and future outreach, which will benefit you, plus current and future members of our organizations.
Our survey will take 5 - 10 minutes to complete and as a Thank You, you’ll be entered to win one of five $100 gift certificates from REI. The answers you give to our questions will be kept in confidence and will only be used to help us with this research project.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPKHJH7
Arra
these guys are pretty good...
http://www.arra-access.com/newsletter/washington-newsletter-may-2016/
these guys are pretty good...
http://www.arra-access.com/newsletter/washington-newsletter-may-2016/
Last edited:
ARRA on the EPA and Clear Creek
good stuff:
http://www.arra-access.com/newsletter/washington-newsletter-april-2016/
EPA
...A group of House and Senate members have introduced legislation that would make it crystal clear that it is legal to convert for racing competition a vehicle that had previously been certified for highway use. H.R. 4715 and S. 2659, the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016,” is that legislation. Without it, the long reach of EPA will put a serious damper on competitive motorsports. If you are interested in this issue and would like to encourage other members of Congress to climb on board and support this needed legislation...
CCRA
...H.R. 1838 basically overturns the EPA/BLM decision to close the area and reopens it to OHV recreation and designates it as a National Recreation Area. The legislation also creates a relatively small wilderness area, 21,000 acres, and designates about 31 miles of creeks/streams under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. There is still a long way to go in the legislative process in getting this measure across the goal line, but we are heartened by the bi-partisan support for this measure in the Committee and we are expecting similar support when this measure is called up for consideration on the House floor...
good stuff:
http://www.arra-access.com/newsletter/washington-newsletter-april-2016/
EPA
...A group of House and Senate members have introduced legislation that would make it crystal clear that it is legal to convert for racing competition a vehicle that had previously been certified for highway use. H.R. 4715 and S. 2659, the “Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016,” is that legislation. Without it, the long reach of EPA will put a serious damper on competitive motorsports. If you are interested in this issue and would like to encourage other members of Congress to climb on board and support this needed legislation...
CCRA
...H.R. 1838 basically overturns the EPA/BLM decision to close the area and reopens it to OHV recreation and designates it as a National Recreation Area. The legislation also creates a relatively small wilderness area, 21,000 acres, and designates about 31 miles of creeks/streams under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. There is still a long way to go in the legislative process in getting this measure across the goal line, but we are heartened by the bi-partisan support for this measure in the Committee and we are expecting similar support when this measure is called up for consideration on the House floor...