Posts Tagged ‘motorcycle’

Report to Congress is Opportunity to Completely Rescind Youth Model OHV Ban

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUESTED

As you know, BRC has been participating in efforts to rescind a youth-model off-highway motorcycle and ATV ban along with other state, local and national OHV advocacy groups. The next few days offer a golden opportunity to completely remove the ban.

But we need your help. OHV groups have met with agency officials and politicians. We have the acknowledgment that the youth-model ban was not Congress’s intent when they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). But the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency charged with implementing the law, says their hands are tied. There are several solutions available, but both Congress and the agency need to act.

We believe that a report from CPSC to Congress regarding CPSIA gives our community a golden opportunity to fix this lousy situation. Our action item is below. We have tried to make it as easy as possible so it won’t take unnecessary time away from work and family.

CPSC’s report is due January 15, 2010. The next few days present a key opportunity, and BRC is most influential when our membership makes their voices heard.

Please take a few minutes to complete the action item, and please also forward this alert to your friends, family and riding buddies.

Let’s not miss this opportunity,

Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208.237.1008 ext 102

ACTION ITEM:
We’ve prepared a letter generator to help keep it as easy as possible. Please take a minute to click on the link below and send a letter. Your comments will help, please send your letter today!
Click here to take action now.

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access. Join us at 1-800-258-3742 http://www.sharetrails.org

Video Explains How to License and Register Motorbikes, ATVs in Idaho

Do you need a registration sticker and a license plate for your motorbike and ATV to ride legally in Idaho? Or do you just need a sticker? Or just a plate? What’s the deal?

There has been some confusion about those questions, so the Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle Public Outreach Campaign produced a step-by-step video that explains the process for registering and licensing OHVs in Idaho.

Read more at New Video Explains How to License and Register Motorbikes, ATVs in Idaho

Proposal for Motorized Trail System on the Ochoco National Forest (Oregon)

For Immediate Release:
November 18, 2009
Contact: Virginia Gibbons 541/416-6647
Bill Queen 541/416-6500

Prineville, OR – A proposal for a designated motorized trail system on the Ochoco National Forest is currently available for public review. The “Ochoco Summit OHV Trail” would be located east of Highway 26 on Forest Service-administered lands in the general vicinity of Big Summit Prairie on the Lookout Mountain and Paulina Ranger Districts. The project includes 124 miles of motorized trails that would be used, in a varying capacity, for ATV, motorcycle, jeep, small truck and buggy recreational riding. The trail system includes a number of staging areas, trailheads, camping opportunities, riding areas and interconnected trail loops.

Prior to this proposal, the McKay Creek area was considered for a designated motorized trail system. Ochoco National Forest Supervisor Jeff Walter felt it made good sense to conduct an analysis for a designated motorized trail system in McKay watershed that could be managed and enforced. The McKay watershed has sustained significant resource damage from illegal OHV use for a number of years and more recently, the reintroduction of steelhead into the McKay Creek system has created additional concerns. However, upon review by local citizen groups and cooperating agencies affiliated with the Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee and the Crook County Natural Resource Planning Committee, the proposal for a motorized trail system in McKay was not well supported.

The Forest recognizes that not all of the issues have been resolved with the Ochoco Summit OHV Trail Proposed Action and that many people have yet to provide input. It is important to note that the proposal is just the starting point in this planning process. Issues that are unresolved, or that emerge as a result of public input will be addressed through a modification of the “Proposed Action” and/or through the development of alternatives that will be analyzed and compared in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

We anticipate the public comment period for this Proposed Action will begin on November 20, 2009 and end on December 21, 2009, pending publication in the Federal Register. The Proposed Action, maps, and additional information is posted on the forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/travel-mgmt/och_summit/index.shtml

Comment forms and a comment inbox are also available on the website. Those who wish to view printed paper maps or receive an electronic copy of maps on CD may go to thefollowing locations:

Ochoco National Forest Supervisor’s Office
3160 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754
Rager Ranger Station (Paulina Ranger District)
171500 Beaver Creek Road
Paulina, OR 97751

Crooked River National Grassland
813 SW Hwy 97
Madras, OR 97741

A CD may also be requested by contacting the Ochoco National Forest at (541) 416-6500. Hard copy comments may be mailed or delivered to:

Ochoco Summit OHV Trail Planning Team
Ochoco National Forest
3160 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754

The Ochoco Summit OHV Trail DEIS is tentatively scheduled to be available for public review and comment in the spring of 2010. Public meetings and a 45-day public comment period will be scheduled and announced at that time. A Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision is tentatively scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010.

The Ochoco Summit OHV Trail Proposed Action is not to be confused with the “Travel Management DEIS” for the Ochoco & Deschutes National Forests. The Ochoco Summit OHV Trail is a separate analysis from the Travel Management DEIS, and it is consistent with the direction stated in the “Forest Service 2005 Travel Management Rule”.

For more information on the Travel Management DEIS, which is currently available for review and public comment, please visit our website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/travel-mgmt

For specific project information regarding the Ochoco Summit OHV Trail Proposed Action, contact Dede Steele, Project Lead, at (541) 416-6500. For general concerns and questions regarding the Ochoco Summit OHV Trail proposal, contact Bill Queen, Lookout Mountain District Ranger (541) 416-6500; Slater Turner, Acting Paulina District Ranger (541) 416-6900; or Virginia Gibbons, Public Affairs Officer, (541) 416-6647.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/news/2009/11/20091118-ochsum-propmotor_trail_ochoco_nf.pdf

BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition Join Forces to Raise Money for Trail Preservation

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Oct. 10, 2009 – BFGoodrich Tires and BlueRibbon Coalition announced today a partnership that will benefit off-roaders and off-road trails alike. BFGoodrich Tires will make a $5 donation to the BlueRibbon Coalition for each of its new 10 sizes of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tires sold between August 2009 and December 2009.

Due to consumer demand, BFGoodrich recently expanded its line of Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 tire sizes, which are part of the 10 sizes eligible for the contribution. The tire sizes are as follows:

LT345/75R16 LRD
LT365/75R16 LRC
38X14.50R17 LRD
40X14.50R17 LRD
36X13.50R18 LRD
38X14.50R18 LRD
40X14.50R18 LRC
38X14.50R20 LRD
40X14.50R20 LRC
42X14.50R20 LRC

“The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tire has set the standard in the world of off-roading, both for competitive and recreational uses” said Gary Enterline, senior product category manager, light truck tires for BFGoodrich Tires. “What better way to give back to the community that made the tire what it is today than by teaming up with the BlueRibbon Coalition to help preserve our off-road trails.”

As a respected national recreation group that represents more than 600,000 recreationists nationwide, the BlueRibbon Coalition is dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters.

“This generous donation from BFGoodrich Tires will help the BlueRibbon Coalition continue working to keep public land open for use, whether you recreate on a mountain bike, snowmobile, motorcycle, personal watercraft, ATV, four-wheel drive, horse or your hiking boots,” said Greg Mumm, executive director of BlueRibbon Coalition.

Inspired by the BFGoodrich Tires Krawler(tm) T/AKX tire, which is the most successful tire in rock-crawling history, BFGoodrich Tires incorporates Krawler TEK(r) technology into the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/AKM2 TriGard(r) sidewall. Krawler TEK technology consists of three main components: aggressive sidewall lugs, cut- and chip- resistant sidewall compounds and sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/AKM tire. These advancements allow for more bite and sidewall protection along with increased strength and resistance to bruising caused by rocks and rough trails.

More information about the BlueRibbon Coalition is available at www.sharetrails.org.

Using motorsports as a proving ground for more than 30 years, BFGoodrich Tires is involved in every type of racing, including oval, sports car, drifting, drag, desert, dirt, rally and extreme rock-crawling. BFGoodrich Tires combines technological expertise with vast motorsports experience, delivering a high-performance tire for every type of vehicle. Visit BFGoodrich Tires online at www.bfgoodrichtires.com.

Media Contacts:

Lela Randall
(949) 223-2323
Lela.Randall@hillandknowlton.com

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national (non-profit) trail-saving group that represents over 600,000 recreationists nationwide The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season is beginning. Federal employees, please mark BlueRibbon Coalition and Check #11402 on your CFC pledge form to support our efforts to protect your access.

Join us at 1-800-258-3742
http://www.sharetrails.org

Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance Files Lawsuit to Block Transfer of ORV Funds to State Parks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Olympia, Washington – 5 October 2009

The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance has teamed up with the Northwest Motorcycle Association to file a lawsuit against the State of Washington to block the transfer of over 9.5 million dollars in offroad vehicle funds from the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account to State Parks. Attorney James Buchal will be representing both organizations.

This spring the Legislature passed House Bill 1244, which transferred the money out of the NOVA account. The NOVA account money comes from the gas tax paid by offroad vehicle users and the license tab fees on offroad vehicles (ORV).

According to the Washington State Constitution gas tax collected must be used only for roads. To comply with that the state allows refunds on gas tax paid for other uses.

In 1972 the offroad vehicle community supported passage of legislation that waived their right to a direct refund of the taxes they paid for ORV fuel in exchanged for having those same funds “refunded” into a dedicated account to promote and protect their sport. Later on, their ORV license tab money was added to this account too. The NOVA program was established to administer these funds.

Now that all the money is going to State Parks and State Parks is not going to spend the money on offroad vehicle recreation, this is no longer a legitimate refund for the benefit of these taxpayers.

The NOVA funding is normally distributed by the State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board in the form of grants. These grants are awarded to governmental agencies such as the United States Forest Service, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and various counties. It is the primary source of funding for offroad vehicle recreation and for law enforcement on public lands in Washington.

If this funding is not returned to benefit the taxpayers that paid for it, families and their children throughout the State of Washington will lose the healthy, outdoor recreational opportunities they were promised and for which they paid their taxes and ORV tab fees, as the trails they have enjoyed together are closed. And public employees throughout Washington who maintain and patrol those trails will lose their jobs.

The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance and the Northwest Motorcycle Association are nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting off highway vehicle and offroad motorcycle recreation.

Tod Petersen
Political Action Committee Chairman – Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance
Legislative/Land Use Coordinator – Northwest Motorcycle Association
P.O. Box 61161
Seattle, WA 98141
tod701@aol.com
www.wohva.org
www.nmaoffroad.org

CRITICAL – Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan – Comments Needed Now

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BRC:

Yesterday I received a note from a person who works in a land managing agency. I won’t mention their name. The person emailed me about the final plan for the Idaho City Ranger District, which was recently released.

The person noted that the Forest Service received only 22 comments during the EA period.

She wrote “If people don’t respond to these plans, then they really don’t have the right to complain when the decision is made.”

I sincerely hope you will take the time to action on today’s Action Alert:

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
PRIORITY LEVEL: CRITICAL

CLEARWATER NF TRAVEL PLAN – COMMENTS NEEDED BY OCTOBER 2, 2009

The comment deadline for the Clearwater National Forest’s (CNF) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is almost here and your comments are needed NOW.

Of all of the recent travel plans in Idaho, the Clearwater is by far the worst for OHV and snowmobile recreation.

Recreationists will lose more opportunity with this travel plan than any other travel plan in the state.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This plan includes both summer and winter travel.

We have tried to make commenting on these plans as easy as possible. So there are no excuses.

Remember, the deadline is this Friday (October 2), so please read the Action Alert below and take action today!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.
Thanks in advance for your support,

Brian Hawthorne Ric Foster
Public Lands Policy Director Public Lands Department Manager
208-237-1008 ext 102 208-237-1008 ext 107

__________________________________________________________

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

SITUATION:
The comment period deadline on the draft winter and summer Travel Plan for the Clearwater National Forest is set for October 2, 2009. This is the first time a National Forest in Region 1 has attempted site-specific implementation of their new (and unlawful) de-facto Wilderness policy. COMMENTS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED

WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT:
Since 1991, motorized opportunities have decreased dramatically in Idaho. The Clearwater is an excellent example. According to the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, in 1991, there were 885 miles of motorized trails. In 1994, there were 829 miles. In 2005, the Clearwater had 696 miles.

The Clearwater is proposing additional closures with this latest travel plan. And Motorcycle single track trails will see a huge hit, with one Alternative closing just over 60%!

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
We are asking our members to send an email to the Forest Service. Simple instructions are below. We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible.

IMPORTANT: If you have had the pleasure of visiting this spectacular area and have the time to write a bit about how valuable these trails are, please do so!

Comments must be in writing (paper or electronic) and must be received by October 2, 2009. Mail written comments to: Kamiah Ranger Station, Attn: Lois Foster, Travel Planning Team Leader, Rt. 2, Box 191, Kamiah, ID 83536. Email comments to: comments-northern-clearwater@fs.fed.us.

MORE INFO ON THE WEB:
BRC encourages OHV and snowmobile enthusiasts to carefully view the maps on the web and check to see if the trails you use or the areas you enjoy are on any of the Alternatives. http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/Projects/TravPlan/ClwTravel.htm

For more information, contact Lois Foster, Team Leader, at 208-935-4258.

BRC’S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS:

NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can.

STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to
comments-northern-clearwater@fs.fed.us. Put “Comments on Clearwater National Forest
Travel Plan” in the Subject Line.

STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email.
Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.

STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride
and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your
name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! (“anonymous” emails
are often discarded).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you can add any trail-specific information or personal testimony about your experiences enjoying this spectacular area, please take a minute to add that to your email. (See links above for maps and other info.)

Then click “send” and you’re done!

Sample comment letter:

Kamiah Ranger Station
Attn: Louis Foster, Travel Planning Team Leader
RT 2 Box 191
Kamiah, ID 83536

As an Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiast, I strongly oppose the level of closures proposed by the Clearwater National Forest. I object to the fact that the agency refused to develop even one alternative that did not significantly reduce motorized trail opportunity.

If forced to choose between the flawed range of Alternatives you have presented to the recreating public, I would recommend Alternative B be adopted. However, numerous changes should be made to both summer and winter use.

I strongly oppose the Clearwater’s approach to managing recommended Wilderness Areas (RWA). Simply stated, if OHV use did not preclude these areas being designated as RWAs, then continued OHV use would not significantly impact their RWA status. To argue otherwise is arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of authority. The inventory criteria must not deviate substantially from the management prescription.

The Alternatives are especially disappointing for snowmobile use. Over the last 20 years, high mountain alpine riding has been drastically reduced across Idaho and Montana. The Clearwater contains some of the last remaining areas that provide this very valuable opportunity. All of the Alternatives propose unacceptable losses for snowmobilers. I recommend you meet with representatives of Idaho State Snowmobile Association and discuss how your alternatives can be modified to provide an adequate level of this type of use.

The Junction Mountain Trail #191 provides a great looping single-track trail looping opportunity for motorcycles using Trail #106. This trail provides a great looping opportunities for motorcycle use in the Kelly forks area.

The Junction Creek Trail #106 is a great looping single-track trail looping opportunity for motorcyclists.

The Windy Ridge Trail #167 (Cook Mountain Section) should remain open. Closing this trail eliminates a popular and sustainable looping opportunity for the Weitas drainage and Junction mountain area.

The Switchback Hill Trail #567 provides access to the Scurvy Mountain Lookout from Windy Ridge and Junction Mountain. This trail is enjoyable and allows riders to make connections with the Scurvy Mountain Lookout.

The Cook Mountain Trail #627 and the Windy Creek Trail #634 also offers great looping opportunities. These trails are being used almost solely by motorcyclist enthusiasts and must to be brushed by the Trail Rangers annually.

The Upper Weitas Creek Trail #20 is one of the few ATV opportunities in the area and is highly prized by the ATV community for the scenery it provides. In addition, the Fish Lake Trail #419 is a very popular ATV Trail to a scenic fishing destination.

The Weitas Ridge Trail #173 provides a looping opportunity for expert level motorcycle enthusiasts, limiting the number of motorized users who can use the trail. The trail runs along the ridge so there is limited sedimentation into streams.

The Weitas Butte Trail #103 provides an essential connection to the Weitas Creek Trail System. The ford at the bottom of the trail at Weitas Creek keeps motorcycles off this trail until late summer. This trail is cleared annually by the local motorcyclists.

The Liz Butte Trail #649 provides great looping opportunities with Weitas Creek Trail 20 and Trail 650. It is also cleared by local motorcycle enthusiasts.

The Bugle Point Trail #580 is a great single-track trail that allows motorcyclists to bypass the Pierce-Superior Road #250 and connects up with the Weitas Creek Trail.

The Trail Creek Trail #124 provides a single-track trail connection to the Pot Mountain Area for motorcyclists.

The Pot Mountain Ridge Trail #144 is a premier single-track motorcycle trail. This trail provides one of the most scenic rides in Idaho.. This trail requires an advanced skill level to ride which limits the motorized use. The trail is also limited to later season of use due the elevation and snowpack.

Jackknife Ridge Trail #154 provides an important connector to the Pot Mountain Trail. Discontinuing the maintenance the motorized trail ranger program performs will result in increased erosion and eventually render the trail unusable.

The Chateau Rock Trail #165 provides a looping connection to the Pot Mountain Trail #144. This trail is primarily used and cleared by motorcyclists. The Cave Point Trail #617 provides another looping connection to the Pot Mountain Trail #144

The Cold Springs Peak Trail #169 provides a single-track trail experience to the cabin and has been cleared by trail rangers for many years.

The entire length of the Elizabeth Mountain Trail #445 is an important connector to the Black Canyon road and allows motorized users access to the lakes in the area. The trail is in good condition with minimal sediment load carried down the trail.

The Pollack Ridge Trail #478 is in great condition and was rebuilt by a prison work crew in the mid 90’s over the years the trail rangers have had to work hard to keep this trail open and free of brush. It makes a great loop opportunity to fish lake.

The Osier Ridge Trail #429, along with Pollack ridge, provide an excellent ride and loop opportunity on a trail that is easily sustainable for motorbike recreation opportunities.

Alternatives C and D close the Upper North Fork Trail #373 to motorized use. This trail is also a part of the Idaho Centennial Trail (west). It is the last remaining single-track motorized trail in the Vanderbilt area. In order to keep at least one trail in this area on the system, the trail should be designated for motorcycle use.

All alternatives will close trails #373-A and #94. These two trails are a part of the Idaho Centennial Trail and provide visitors the opportunity to travel the Idaho Centennial Trail outside of recommended wilderness. It is improper for the Forest not to include these trails on any of their Alternatives.

The Eldorado Creek Trail #31 on the Lochsa Ranger District should remain open for single-track motorcycle use. Resource damage is a non-issue on this trail.

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

BRC Alert: Important Idaho Land Use Update and Alert

BlueRibbon Coalition Alert

The looming deadline for comments on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Travel Plan gives us a chance to blast a quick update on some important Idaho land use issues.

Comment Deadline November 25, 2008

A really important action alert on the Salmon-Challis NF Travel Plan is at the bottom of this email. Above that, we have a section giving a quick update on some of the land use issues BRC is tracking in Idaho. In each update, we’ve included a suggestion on what you can do to help.

Please take a minute to review this alert before the holiday. Also, everyone at BRC would be very grateful if you would forward this alert to family and riding pals. If you are already a BRC member, please ask them to join BRC and help us protect Idaho’s trails.
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