OHV Funds under attack!! Attend July 19th Meeting

[dhc]

We just got back from the Stewards of the Sierra's Dual Sport ride and found out some disturbing information.

It is extremely important that as many of the public as possible attend this meeting. Although they are calling it a Organizational Structure Opportunities Project, it is actually another attempt to take our OHV dollars.

They are going to try to merge the OHV program in with the Parks and Recreation . What this means is that our funds will be put into the general fund. If you think we are having trouble maintaining our trail systems now, just wait until they get a hold of our Green Sticker funds.

Decisions will be made at this meeting if we don't show a strong presence. They tried taking our funds before and were caught and had to repay them, this is just another way of doing it legally.

If we do not fight back, we will be riding in OHV parks. All that single track you like riding on will eventually be phased out.

They are also going to try to eliminate the OHV Grant process.
Those Grants are what we just received to purchase equipment to continue to help the Forestry open and maintain trails. It also pays for personnel to create and maintain trails.

Again, the meeting will be held at the Resources Building Auditorium, 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 6:00 to 9:00.

If we don't stand up... they win!

Stewards of Stanislaus National Forest
(209)845-8159
Dave & Barb

 

[budman]

I can't go, but this is a real threat to the OHV system.

See other threads

City bike ride and more.

Sit on your ass and watch it explode. Time to step up if you can!

 

[Lunch Box]

I just saw this thread. I was there, and was impressed at the turnout. Some interesting discussion, for sure. Thank you both for all that you do for us and our community.

 

[Brewster]

Tuesdays meeting recap:
About 30 of us OHV advocates held a meeting in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the afternoon. Parks Director Lisa Mangat also attended for about the last half of the meeting, took a few questions and spoke about possible changes.
The actual meeting was in the evening. We filled the meeting location. We had many folks make the journey from S. Cal. to attend the meetings. The public wrote their questions and submitted them. Lisa gave brief answers. Short break and then public comment time, 3 minute max per person so we all would have the opportunity to speak.

This is my take on what's happening:
Director Mangat is on a steep learning curve. She has already had several one on one meetings with our OHV leaders and got a good history lesson from the public as to why we are skeptical.
She is a hands on person. In all of the OHMVR Commission meetings I have attended, I think that the previous Parks Director showed up once or twice. OHMVR Division is only a part of what she has been tasked to work on. There is all of the non OHV section that needs much attention.
There are NO plans within Parks Dept. to use our OHV Trust fund to finance non motorized parks (no comingling of funds). The book keeping system for State Parks has finally been upgraded enough to track income and expenses in a quick and clear manor. Funds that have been redirected away from the OHV Trust fund were done so by the Governor.
Some members of the public commented that funding for the Grants program should take a priority over SVRA expansions. I think that is a location response, North vs South CA.
There were NO comments from the anti-OHV folks. I didn't see any of them at the meeting that I know.
Bringing the OHMVR Division into the Parks management hierarchy is the one area that Director Mangat seems focused on. Presently, OHMVR Division is pretty much autonomous and operates without direction from State Parks. The possible change she mention a couple of times is going to a management system where SVRA and non SVRA parks would be in the same district for management purposes. They are currently separate.
Another idea from her was to eliminate the current OHMVR Commission and use the Parks Commission in its place. Why duplicate function? Hopefully, comments from the public showed her the potential unwanted damages that could cause to a good program.

Bottom line:
The OHV Trust fund is as safe as it has been and we all know that it only takes a spot in the state budget to raid the fund. That happens without any changes to the OHV program.
There may be some changes to the management structure where OHV and non OHV functions are gathered under one position.
By legislative decree, the OHV Program is scheduled to sunset (go out of existence) in Jan. 2018. The Program sunset must be extended, eliminated, or a modified OHV program put in place in order to maintain the existence of the program.

Ride on
Brewster
CORVA

 

[Butch]

Southern CA Meeting:

NOTICE OF OPEN HOUSE California Department of Parks and Recreation

July 27, 2016

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) serves the public by bringing families and friends together and providing an wide array of recreational opportunities for the benefit and enjoyment of all people while protecting and preserving California’s most significant natural and cultural resources. DPR accomplishes this not only through delivering services to 280 parks across the state, but also through programs that support local, regional and national recreation activities.

The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR) is a vital program that is recognized across the country as the leader in off-highway vehicle recreation. While DPR operates nine state vehicular recreation areas, the vast majority of recreation occurs on other lands supported through this robust division.

On June 3, 2016, DPR Director Lisa Mangat provided an update to the California Off- Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission and members of the public on the department’s Organizational Structure Opportunities Project (Project). At that meeting, Director Mangat stated that there would be additional opportunities for public engagement in this process.

The public is invited attend an open house to learn about the effort to review DPR’s organization structure. Through the Project the department seeks to identify opportunities to elevate and strengthen all of its programs, including OHMVR and the services it provides. (Information on the Project can be found online at www.parks.ca.gov/ShapingOurFuture.)

The open house will provide a forum for the public to learn about the Organizational Structure Opportunities Project and for DPR to hear from the stakeholders. The members of the California Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission have been invited to attend; the commission will not be taking any action on any matters at this open house.

Open House – City of Ontario

page1image16224 page1image16384
Date: Time: Location:

Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 6 to 9 p.m.

Double Tree Hotel by Hilton Ontario Airport
222 N. Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764-4431 (909) 937-0900