San Diego Off-Road Coalition

April 1999

Phone: 619.561.3877; Fax: 619.561.5424; e-mail: jgarv@home.com; www.sdorc.org

Our April meeting will be Tuesday the 6^th, at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant, 9353 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at the corner of Ruffin Road. Their phone number is 619.279.6700. A buffet including all-you-can-eat pizza, salad and soft drinks for $7.00 will commence at 6:00 p.m., and the meeting proper will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring some extra money for raffle tickets. Each month the pot gets bigger and the prizes get better. As with all our income, proceeds go to toward preserving and increasing our off-highway recreation opportunity.

It is that time of year again. Our April meeting will feature nominations for elective office, followed by elections during our May meeting and installation at our June meeting.

Your Board of Directors urges each member to consider running for one of our volunteer positions, or nominating another. Please get the approval of your candidate before forwarding his or /her name. The Phone Committee Chairman position is currently unfilled and we particularly welcome candidates for that position. Dick Miller is recuperating from surgery and is unable to continue to fulfill the duties of that chairmanship.

Coalition member Linda Berman has graciously agreed to act as Nomination Chairperson this year. Please call her with your nomination, giving her the name and desired position of the nominee. Linda can be reached at home at 760.788.4410, or at work at 619.443.8880. Nominations will remain open until immediately prior to the election at the May meeting.

Just a reminder: you must be a current member in order to run for office or receive a ballot at the May meeting.

On March 2, representatives from the San Diego Off-Road Coalition and the east county community of Crest attended the State Wildlife Conservation Board hearing in Sacramento. The State Department of Fish and Game is attempting to acquire this popular active recreational area and convert it into an "Ecological Reserve". Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in stopping the funding for this purchase but we were able to obtain some concessions from them. The State has agreed to hold public hearings here in San Diego to determine a management plan for this 2,600-acre open space.

Our presence created quite a shock not only to the local enviro’s but also to the Wildlife Conservation Board members themselves. It is unheard of for anybody to oppose environmental acquisition funding. Bob Herity, an off-roader from Crest, told the Board that the Crest Community Association supported open space but not an Ecological Reserve. He also spoke of the large number of off-roaders and equestrians in the Crest area and the need to keep this area managed as it has been for many years. Another issue that was raised was the dollar amounts being spent for this property. The Nature Conservancy paid $3,000,000 for the property last December. The State is paying $3.5 million in up-front cash and is giving the Nature Conservancy an additional $8,000,000 in credits for them to sell. In other words, the State is paying $11,500,000 for the property that Nature Conservancy paid $3,000,000 for.

The meeting was not without skullduggery. The California Backcountry Horsemen had sent letters opposing this Ecological Reserve. But Supervisor Diane Jacob convinced one of the group’s officers to support it and so her representative gave testimony that the Backcountry Horsemen supported this use. In another example, one of the local environmental groups presented 700+ signatures. But these signatures were gathered over a year ago to oppose a large subdivision on this site, not to support an Ecological Reserve. But most disturbing was that staff said they had only received four letters opposing this! If you sent a letter, please contact the SDORC @ 619-561-3877 or 619-445-5011.

We’ll let you know when the local hearings are to be held.

Now that the temperatures are starting to rise out in the dunes we need to be more careful about drinking enough liquids (not of the alcohol type). My husband, Jerry, and I almost learned this the hard way.

On our Saturday morning ride we left in a hurry. We put ice, some iced tea drinks and juice drinks in the cooler, 5 year old Jessica in the buggy and off we went. About one hour into the ride we stopped. One of the passengers in another buggy wasn’t feeling well. Jessica came to me and told me that her tummy hurt so I offered her a juice drink but she declined. Five minutes later she had to go potty. As I was helping her, she said she did not feel good and began to collapse in my arms. I hollered for Jerry to come help and when he reached for her she could not reach back. She was a wet noodle in his arms. We quickly got her into the shade of the buggy. I looked for water but had forgotten to put any in the ice chest (that won’t happen again). Nobody else had brought any either. So we took her shirt off and started rubbing ice cubes all over her back, neck, chest and legs. She just sat there without any protest. It wasn’t until we started into the second set of ice cubes that she began to protest. We gave her the juice drinks at that point.

In the Wilderness First Responder Course that I took at Southwestern College, the instructor said that you are far more likely to die once you’ve gotten too hot than from having gotten too cold. I knew Jessica was in potentially serious trouble. Jessica had nothing to drink with breakfast and it turned out the other kid who wasn’t feeling well had nothing to drink either. The point I’m trying to make is drink lots of liquids (non-alcoholic, alcohol is not good for hydration), especially now that the temperatures are rising. If you should come across a similar situation, the faster you cool the person down the better. If that means pouring a cold drink on them, then do it. Make sure you save some for them to drink also.

That’s the theme of SDORC’s entry in this year’s Lakeside Western Days Parade, Saturday morning, April 17th. The parade is a part of the town of Lakeside’s annual "LAKESIDE WESTERN DAYS" event over the weekend of April 16, 17, & 18.

Last year the SDORC participated in the Western Days Parade. We mixed horses, jeeps, mountain bikes, ATV’s, motorcycles, VW’s, buggies, and lots of kids in our marching group. The theme of the parade was "FREEDOM." Our theme was "FREEDOM TO RIDE." Our message to the community was that there is room for all public land users and that we need to work together to make sure that the lands stay open for everyone to use. As is SDORC’s custom, we had a great barbecue and party after the parade.

While accepting our last minute entry this year, Jeanette Perez, Executive Director of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce said: "We were wondering where the SDORC entry was this year. We were hoping you were going to enter in this year’s parade. We got so many comments last year about how great your group was!"

Soooooooo! This year we’re going to do it bigger and better! This event is probably SDORC’s greatest opportunity to be recognized and accepted by the East County residents. If you, and/or your family, would like to participate, please notify Roy Denner (see last page). Please indicate how many people would like to participate, what vehicles you might like to enter, and if you are willing to walk the parade route and hand out literature.

A barbecue party is planned immediately following the parade. Directions to the party site will be handed out at the parade.

SDORC will participate in the California Trail Days on April 24 & 25 with our annual trail work at the Corral Canyon ORV Area.

Trail brush clearing from 8:00AM — noon, followed by burgers and sodas (provided); call if you would like to bring a salad.

There will be riding in the afternoon, and free camping. You can work either day or both. Bring gloves, long pants and boots. Tools will be provided.

For more info, call Mark Smith at: 619-479-1054 or 619-422-2949

The Anza-Borrego State Park has a new superintendent. Chief Ranger, Lynn Rhodes says, "My goal is to be more cooperative and have better communication. It will be nice to have joint contacts and ability to share resources."

SDORC members Dave Konstantin and Jan McGarvie along with members of the Backcounty Horsemen of California met recently with the new superintendent and Trails Maintenance Chief, Keenen Sederquist.

Discussion focused on the need for a new management plan, complete appropriate trail signing, and prepare a new map of the trail system. SDORC will be asked to participate in all these projects along with all other park visitors.

We were extremely pleased that Chief Ranger, Lynn Rhodes has agreed to have all negative references to Off-Highway Recreation removed from all campfire programs that are presented by park rangers.

This was a very positive meeting and we look forward to future meetings with the Anza Borrego State Park staff as the Coyote Canyon By-pass continues to move forward.

A meeting was held on March 8, 1999 at the San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office to discuss how fees collected from the OHV community will be identified and spent on the forest. The meeting was attended by representatives from the OHV Leadership, OHMVR Division and Forest Supervisors. The forest has collected $1.8 million in 1998. Cost of Administration of the program is 15%. A survey conducted by the forest showed a 60% compliance overall. Susan Swinson, Project Manager, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Angeles National Forest reported that of the one million visitors to the forest, 7% were OHV users. It was recommended that an advisory group be appointed that would represent all forest users to select projects on each of the four forests to fund with monies collected by the fee program. The OHV community will continue to monitor the fee program to determine if fee funded projects are in addition to those already funded in the "green sticker" grant program.

The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) Technical Review Team (TRT) held its first meeting in El Centro on Sunday, February 28 and Monday, March 1. As you know, our own Justin Cole is one of the members of the TRT.

The TRT toured the ISDRA on Sunday and met at the BLM office on Monday. The meeting on Monday lasted for six hours, during which the TRT established goals and ground rules, and developed a list of short- and long-term projects for the ISDRA. Mike Ahrens was elected chairman and Larry Jowdy was elected vice chairman of the TRT.

It was estimated by the staff of the El Centro Field Office of the BLM that about $50,000 from fee revenue may be available in fiscal year 1999. The TRT prioritized two projects with the revenue collected. The first priority is the weekly grading of the road along the eastern side of the ISDRA. This will provide access to considerable camping area which is currently not accessible by motorhomes and other large vehicles due to the roughness of the road.

The second priority is the development of a camping pad adjacent to Gecko Road.

Remember to contact Justin with your input for the TRT.

The BLM remains committed to the construction of the Herman Schneider Bridge at Gray’s Well in the ISDRA. The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) is about 90% complete with the engineering design and contract specifications. The BOR bid package is scheduled to be sent out for solicitation on April 1, 1999. Anticipated completion date is February 2000.

Reported in the March 1999 issue of the Limbaugh Letter:

From Commerce Undersecretary, James Baker: "There is no question that we are being invaded by alien species." President Clinton has ordered the establishment of a new agency, the Invasive Species Council. "We could call this order the X-files order," Baker said. The aliens the agency will fight are the Zebra Mussel, the Brown Snake, the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, the Green Crab, and the Tamarisk Tree. (Yes, the shade tree we see in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA!)

Good grief. What next?

Thanks to Mike Cotten and family for their generous donation accompanying their membership renewal. We appreciate the help!

We would like to thank the following new and renewing members:

Richard Andrus, Rob Batcher, James Boswell, Tim Brown, Mike Cotten & Family, Sharon Escher, Mark McMillin & Family, Larry Newton & Family, Megan Palazzolo, Party Time Liquor, Sam & Judy Pritchard, and Harold Soens.

Need a membership form? They are available online at http://wwww.sdorc.org/join.html

Membership questions? Contact me, via e-mail: billq@san.rr.com, or Jim McGarvie.

Just a reminder to support our Preferred Merchants, as they support us with their discounts, donations and contributions.

This month we would like to welcome new Preferred Merchant Cycle Parts West at 3104 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego. They have graciously offered card-carrying SDORC members a 15% discount on their already reasonable prices for merchandise and labor (sale items excepted). Always supportive of SDORC, we want to thank CPW for joining our growing list of Preferred Merchants.

Following is a list of all those businesses that currently support our Coalition by virtue of their membership. Please show your appreciation by patronizing these businesses: Alignment & Brake Spec., American Metal Processing, B.A. Dick, Brattin Motors, Buffalo Metal Works, Chenowth Racing Products, Crazy Keven’s, Cycle Parts West, D&R Automotive, Douglas Wheels Inc., Duncan Racing, Escondido Cycle Center, Event Photography, Explorer Competition Products, Fabcom, Fiber-Tech, Fritz Garage, Fun Bike Center, Gilmore Off Road, Green Fascination, Hansen Loan Services, House Of Buggies, House Of Motorcycles, Johnson’s Bug Machine, K-Co, Law Offices of Gary Quackenbush, Lemon Grove Motorcycles, Mazzone Sandcars, McMillin Realty, Motorsport Warehouse, Motoworld of El Cajon, Party Time Liquor, Quackenbush Construction, Rick’s Buggy Works, Ron Bishop Motorcycles, San Diego Off Road Magazine, Sand Sports Magazine, Sand Tires Unlimited, Scrib’s Motorcycle, SMD Motorsports, Streamline Graphics, Sunlight Press, THOR and Tops International.

WANTED! Volunteers to help SDORC with anything and everything! We need help manning our booth at events, cleaning up our designated highway section and area trails, acting as liaison at your favorite off-road dealer, making occasional phone calls, and other tedious (and, of course, unrewarded) tasks. Please give us a call if you’d like to help out once in a while. Thanks!