November 1998 Newsletter
Awarded #1 Off-Road Club for 1998 by the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission

Phone: 619.561.3877; Fax: 619.561.5424; email: garv@cts.com;
www.sdorc.org


NEXT MEETING


IMPORTANT NOTE:

Due to the fact that our normal meeting date, the first Tuesday of the month, falls on election day in November and June, the meetings those months are the first Thursday of the month. Accordingly, the November meeting will be held on Thursday the 5. The location is Giovanni's, 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 promptly at 7:00 p.m.

Come enjoy our new feature: a raffle. We tried it at the end of last month's meeting, and it seemed to go well. Hopefully each month the raffle will get bigger and better as the proceeds are poured back into more and better prizes.


CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

- Jim McGarvie


Do you ever feel discouraged about the future of our sport? I know I do. After all, it isn't easy to maintain an optimistic outlook in the face of restrictions upon our sport by CARB, inability to acquire adequate OHV recreation opportunity close to home, and fees implemented where there used to be none. Now even the very way we refuel our vehicles has come under fire!

So what's the answer? I know of no definitive answer, but I know what helps. It helps to become involved. It helps to go to meetings, to write letters, to send faxes and email and to make phone calls. And it helps to vote for those who cherish the same kinds of freedoms we do, and against those who would jeopardize our form of recreation.

Is off-roading the most important issue upon which to base a vote for or against a particular candidate? Probably not, but I find that most of those who agree with my attitudes about personal freedoms, about keeping government out of our business, about upholding the constitution and about the importance of human beings and families, also tend to vote on our side on issues of importance to off-roaders.

Think about it. And vote.

[Web Ed: Don't know where to vote? Click Here.]


FEES IN IMPERIAL DUNES


The continuing saga of whether, when and how much we will be charged to visit the Imperial Dunes has had more ups and downs than whoops on a motocross course.

Historically, of course, recreation on public land was always free. As it would seem it should be, since we the public own the land and our tax dollars go toward maintaining and operating it.

Then along came "green stickers." We started paying a biennial registration fee on our OHV's. Now generally this is a good thing. In fact it was implemented at the request of off-roaders. It helps provide increased OHV recreation opportunity throughout the state, and works so well it has become a model for other states. Some of the proceeds of this fund go toward operating and maintaining those same public lands we pay taxes to operate, and provide more and better facilities and services than tax dollars alone could ever hope to do.

Now along comes the threat of a third "tax." User fees have been in effect for some time in many of the OHV areas in our National Forests. The El Centro office of the BLM has decided they would like to get on this bandwagon. They were going to start charging a fee at Glamis last Easter, but postponed it. They then were going to implement a fee beginning this month, but at the urging of the State Director of the BLM, the El Centro office backed down from that. As recently as two weeks before this issue went to press the State Director told Janette McGarvie that the fees would not be implemented this desert season at all, that the entire subject would be revisited and likely brought up again at the beginning of the next desert season, probably in a different form.

Not one week after that conversation we find out that the plan had changed once again. Fees will indeed be charged in the Imperial Dunes, most likely beginning January 1, 1999.

The last word we had was that the amount of the fee was going to be $10 for seven days or $30 for a season. The fee would apply at Glamis, Buttercup and Grey's Well, but apparently not at Gordon's Well. The primary method of collection would be ATM machines (!) scattered around the affected area.

So what is the real story? Don't hold me to any of this. It will probably have changed again twice more by the time you read this. Just be prepared with your cash, credit and/or ATM cards the next time you go to the dunes. And let El Centro BLM know how you feel about this!


CARB GREEN STICKER UPDATE


CARB is expected to make its final decisions on both the road and off-road emissions issues at a meeting scheduled for December 10 in Sacramento. In the meantime, the proposed standards are open to public comment. Off-roaders who would like to state their opinions about the CARB proposals are encouraged to send their comments to:


Clerk of the Board
California Air Resources Board
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812

As it stands now, non-complying OHV's (those manufactured after December 31, 1996 which do not comply with the new emissions requirements - which includes all two-strokes and all but a handful of four-strokes) will only be allowed to be operated in the following areas during the designated riding season. These seasons were ostensibly designed to coincide with those periods of the year when smog is not considered to be a problem, but I can't recall seeing a bad smog day at, for example, Corral Canyon... any time of year.


Following is a list of the "riding seasons" at various locations throughout the southern portion of the state.

[Web Ed: Click here to see the official CARB document - Attachment A is the one you want to read.]


OHV RIDING AREAS

State Vehicular Recreation Areas Riding Season

Hungry Valley Oct 1-Apr 30

Ocotillo Wells Oct 15-May 15


BLM

Bakersfield District Office

Bishop Year-round


California Desert District Office

Olancha Dunes Year-round

Panamint (closed) Year-round

Spangler Hills Oct 1-May 31

Jawbone/Dove Oct 1-May 31

Dumont Dunes Nov 1-Apr 30

Stoddard Valley Oct 1-Apr 30

Johnson Valley Oct 1-Apr 30

Superstition Mtn. Oct 1-May 31

Imperial-Glamis/Gecko Oct 1-Apr 30

Plaster City Oct 1-May 31

Imperial-Buttercup Valley Oct 1-Apr 30

Lark Canyon not allowed

Rasor Oct 1-Apr 30

Imperial-Mammoth Wash Oct 1-Apr 30

Arroyo Salado not allowed

El Mirage/Shadow Mtn. Nov 1-Mar 15

Rice Valley Year-round

Parker Strip Year-round


U.S. Forest Service

Angeles National Forest

Mt. Baldy Dec 1-Jan 31

Rowher Flat Nov 1-Mar 31

Tujunga Dec 1-Jan 31

Littlerock Nov 1-Mar 31


Cleveland National Forest

Corral Canyon not allowed

Wildomar Dec 1-Feb 28-29


Inyo National Forest

Poleta Year-round


Los Padres National Forest

Alamo Mtn. Oct 15-Apr 30

Ballinger Canyon Nov 1-Mar 15

Black Mtn Oct 1-Apr 30


San Bernardino National Forest

Lake Arrowhead Nov 1-Feb 28-29

Big Bear Nov 1-Feb 28-29

San Jacinto Nov 1-Feb 28-29

Lytle Creek Nov 1-Feb 28-29


Sequoia National Forest

Tule River Nov 1-Apr 30

Frog Meadow Nov 1-Apr 30

Kennedy Meadows Year-round


In looking at the list for the entire state it is interesting that most areas in Northern California are unrestricted, while in the southern portions of the state we have limited seasons or none at all. The reason, of course, is smog, folks. CARB is basing the seasons on smog levels, and we just happen to have more smog down in Southern California than most areas to the north.


But Corral Canyon, Wildomar and the desert??!!


SPEAKING OF CARB...

- Roy Denner


FLASH: OFF-ROADERS ARE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO AIR POLUTION - EVEN WHEN ENGINES ARE OFF!

According to a report released by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) - the same organization that shut down two-stroke motorcycles - California off-roaders pump over 14 tons of pollutants into the air every day while refueling vehicles and storing gas in cans. This compares with a total of .006 tons per day resulting from refueling airplanes, 1.213 tons per day from agriculture, and 1.056 tons from construction! We can only imagine what gas cans will cost when they have anti-spill and vapor recovery nozzles like public service stations in California.

Concerned gas can users can get a copy of this report from the following source:


William V. Loscutoff, Chief
Monitoring and Laboratory Division
Air Resources Board
P.O. Box 2815
2020 L Street
Sacramento, California 95812
www.arb.ca.gov

or call: Mr. Dean Bloudoff at 916.263.2070


Comments can be submitted to Mr. Bloudoff by email at dbloudof@arb.ca.gov no later than December 1, 1998. A public workshop to "solicit comments and suggestions" will be held on November 20, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at:

Monitoring and Laboratory Division

Northgate Laboratory
600 North Market Boulevard (at Northgate Blvd.)
Sacramento, California 95834

CARB has been criticized in the past for drawing conclusions without thorough scientific analysis. This report sets new records for extensive analysis. With a complicated "Scientific" approach using this kind of analysis, how can anyone question the conclusions?

The report considers two refueling emission components: (1) pump refueling, and (2) container refueling. Pump refueling, according to the report, involves emissions due to spillage and vapor displacement. Vapor displacement results from displacing vapors in the fuel tank with liquid fuel (apparently off-road vehicles are refueled in California at service stations that do not have vapor recovery nozzles).

The report states that container refueling causes emissions from (1) spillage, (2) vapor displacement, (3) container transport/storage spillage, (4) container diurnal losses, and (5) container resting losses. Diurnal losses result from evaporation from vented containers. Resting losses apply to plastic containers when vapors permeate through the container walls (this is why plastic containers are always found to be empty after long storage periods).

A comprehensive table titled "Refueling event definitions" defines that all two-stroke recreational vehicles are refueled 100% of the time using portable containers. Four-stroke vehicles under 25 horsepower are also 100% container refueled while four-stroke vehicles over 25 horsepower are 60% container refueled and 40% pump refueled. Apparently off-roaders with equipment in trucks or trailers never refuel that equipment at service stations - by definition!

Attached to the report is an extensive table with 35 to 37 entries per page (prepared at taxpayers' expense). This table addresses everything from off-road vehicles and personal watercraft to lawn equipment, construction equipment, and farm implements. Each category of equipment is broken down into specific groups. For example, two-stroke off-road motorcycles are broken into horsepower groups of 15, 25, 50, and 120 [I want one of those! - Ed.] horsepower. For a two-stroke off-road motorcycle in the 15-hp category, the following information is listed:

Engine type (G2)
Horsepower Category (15hp)
Refueling Emission Factor (7.143 grams/gal)
Spillage (17 grams/refuel)
Tank Volume (2.38 gal/refuel)
Vapor Emission (4.520 grams/gal)
Container Spillage (18.00 grams/gal)
Container Diurnal (5.67 grams/year)
Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (1.30 lbs/brake horsepower hour)
Average Load Factor (.76)
Average Horsepower (10 hp)
Density of Fuel (6.17 lbs/gal)
Cnvt (1.60 gal/hr)
Combined Emissions Refueling Factor (47.5 grams/hr)
Activity (68 hrs/year)
1990 Population in # of Units (15,039)

These numbers are average figures that would apply if the owner of a two-stroke motorcycle spilled fuel during every refueling operation. If, by some miracle, the refueler managed to refuel a couple of times without spilling, he would need to spill 2 or 3 times the amount in the table on the next refuel to support the average figure.

So, what is the solution to this pollution problem? Should we encourage California's lawmakers to outlaw vehicles that are refueled by portable containers? Should we outlaw fuel containers that are not elaborately engineered to avoid spillage and recover sneaky vapors? Or, are we ready individually to speak up to those who would use reporting like this to restrict our individual freedoms? If gas can users allow laws to be made based on this kind of analysis, it will certainly establish a dangerous precedent on which to build a case for eliminating the internal combustion engine!


WRITE THE GOVERNOR FOR $21.5 MILLION!


On September 18, 1998, California Governor Wilson's Administration filed an appeal on the lawsuit, Wilson vs. Counts. If the case had not been appealed, it would have eventually returned $21.5 million to the Off-Highway Vehicle fund which was "borrowed" from it several years ago. Even the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division was unaware that the governor was going to appeal this decision.

According to the attorney for the plaintiffs (us) all is not lost; the Administration could change its mind and drop the appeal. To convince the Administration to drop the appeal readers must overwhelm the administration with a massive letter writing campaign. Write, fax or e-mail the Governor's office.

This appeal could tie up the $21.5 million for another two to three years. Hopefully, with a massive letter campaign, Governor Wilson would drop the appeal on his way out of office.

Click here to write the governor an Email and let him know we want our off-roading money back!


OCOTILLO WELLS

The Ocotillo Wells SVRA is holding its ninth annual cleanup day on November 7. Meet at the Ranger Station at 7:30 am. There will be a free barbecue following the cleanup. Contact a Board member or the OWSVRA, 760.767.5391, for further details.

Further information from Ocotillo Wells: There has been considerable traffic of undocumented immigrants in the area, and a few of them haven't made it. Should you be so unfortunate as to happen upon one of the ones that didn't, leave the corpse alone and contact a ranger.


HALLOWEEN POKER RUN


Los Pretot's Desert Club is once again holding its popular Halloween Poker Run on Saturday, October 31. Poker hands will be available for purchase at noon at the orange clubhouse on Highway 78 in Ocotillo Wells. The starting time for the poker run will be approximately 7:00 p.m.

SDORC is manning a checkpoint this year, and it promises to be a good time. Come on out and have a scare!


MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION


The San Diego Off-Road Coalition is proud to announce its sponsorship of Off Road for Hope, an off-road event to be held at Ocotillo Wells on February 6, 1999. All proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. SDORC has also partnered with co-sponsors, California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs and CORVA, to make this first year event the tremendous success we know it will be.


This off-road event is a way for SDORC and its members to help in the quest for a cure for neuromuscular disease, which affects thousands of families in Southern California, including members of the off-road community. Off Road for Hope will be open to all off-highway vehicles and we will be working hard to attract new people to the event and to the sport of off-roading. This partnership with MDA is a great opportunity and we encourage all our members to join in the off-road fun of Off Road for Hope: Ocotillo Wells Adventure '99.


Many SDORC, CA4WDC and CORVA members are heading up committees and new volunteers are always welcome. Los Pretot's is coordinating activities such as games and poker runs for ATVs, buggies, bikes, Baja bugs, SUV's and other 4WD vehicles. It'll be a great time for a great cause.


To get a registration form, call Eric at the Muscular Dystrophy Association 619.492.9792. MDA is also accepting items for the event sweepstakes, so if your company can make a donation please give MDA a call.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


We thank the following businesses for their recent generous contributions: Fun Bike Center, Lemon Grove Motorcycles and Off Road Warehouse. Please patronize these friends of our sport!


COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

- Janette McGarvie


My appointment on the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission has expired. I would like to take a few moments to reflect on the past four years.

The Commission meetings were always challenging, particularly during my two years as Chairman. A few of the issues addressed were keeping Oceano Dunes open, supporting the establishment of the CAL/PAL Program, development of the El Mirage OHV area, monitoring the Fee program on the National Forests in Southern California, and awarding $12 million in grants annually.

There were some fun times also. We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the "Green Sticker" program at Hungry Valley; took a tour of the Rubicon Trail; got soaked to the bone on a snowmobile tour; and had the opportunity to visit several SVRA's.

But the best part of being on the Commission was meeting and developing working relationships with OHMVR Division staff, club members and OHV'ers throughout the state. We didn't agree on every issue but we always worked to preserve and expand the OHV opportunity in California.

I want to say "thank you" to all of you for your support and encouragement; especially to my husband, family, and members of SDORC.

The next meeting of the OHMVR Commission will be on November 20, 1998 in Barstow, California. One of the agenda items will be the fee proposal on BLM lands.


ELECTIONS


Election time approaches once again. It is vital to our democracy in general and our favorite hobby in particular that each of you who is eligible to vote do so. Does your vote really matter? You bet your sweet knobby it does! Especially in an off-year election such as this, there will be some very close races. Remember too that all candidates need and greatly appreciate volunteers. Call a candidate you support and offer to help.

The League of Off-Road Voters, of which your coalition is a member, has once again sent questionnaires to candidates eliciting their opinions regarding off-highway recreation issues. The following is a listing of those candidates in southern California whose responses to those questionnaires indicate a certain measure of support of off road recreation. Save this newsletter and take it to the polls with you on election day.


United States Senator

Matt Fong (R)


United States House of Representatives

District 39 Ed Royce (R)

District 40 Jerry Lewis (R)

District 41 Gary Miller (R)

District 42 Elia Pirozzi (R)

District 43 Ken Calvert (R)

District 44 Mary Bono (R)

District 45 Dana Rohrabacher (R)

District 46 Bob Dornan (R)

District 47 Christopher Cox (R)

District 48 Ron Packard (R)

District 49 Brian Bilbray (R)

District 50 Did not respond

District 51 Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R)

District 52 Duncan Hunter (R)


California Governor Dan Lungren (R)

California Lieutenant Governor Tim Leslie (R)

California Attorney General David Stirling (R)



California State Senate

District 30 Did not respond

District 32 Joe Baca (D)

District 34 Rob Hurtt (R)

District 36 Ray Haynes (R)

District 38 Bill Morrow (R)

District 40 Steve Peace (D)


California State Assembly

District 65 Brett Granlund (R)

District 66 Bruce Thompson (R)

District 67 Scott Baugh (R)

District 68 Ken Maddox (R)

District 69 Jim Morrissey (R)

District 70 Marilyn Brewer (R)

District 71 Bill Campbell (R)

District 72 Dick Ackerman (R)

District 73 P. Bates (R)

District 74 Howard Kaloogian (R)

District 75 Charlene Zettel (R)

District 76 Did not respond

District 77 Steve Baldwin (R)

District 78 Jean Roesch (R)

District 79 Denise Moreno Ducheny (D)

District 80 Jim Battin (R)


PREFERRED MERCHANTS


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

Alignment & Brake Specialties
Lemon Grove Motorcycles
Arma Coatings
Off-Road Warehouse
Aros Trailers
Rhino Linings of El Cajon
County Motor Parts
Webb's RV Supply
Fun Bike Center


MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Bill Quackenbush, Membership Chairman


New members joining us are: Shauna Pomerleau, Dave Lukasik, John Allen, Charlie Freeman, Ron Niemeyer & James Mosley. Welcome aboard!


Renewals this month include: John Ellis, Peter Buell, Gerry Routt Sr., Jesse & Marianne Callis & Frenchie La Chance.


Renewing business memberships this month are: House of Motorcycles, Ron Bishop Motorcycles & Event Photography Services.


New business members this month are: Motorsports Warehouse in Poway & Hasen Quality Loan Services.


Need a membership form? They are available online at http://wwww.off-road.com/~sdorc/join.html

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


TOTES FOR TOTS


It's that time again. SDORC is about to begin its annual "Totes for Tots" campaign during which we collect tote bags, flight bags, backpacks, gym bags, even diaper bags, for the benefit of the disadvantaged kids at the Polinsky Children's Center.

Please bring any bags, new or in near-new condition, to the next SDORC meeting, or call to learn of a drop-off point near you.


CLASSIFIEDS


VW MOTOR PARTS AND DRIVE TRAIN PARTS: Engine cases, heads, crankshafts, camshafts, carbs, manifolds, rocker arms, push rods, oil pumps, transaxles, CV joints, axles, wheels, and much more. CHEAP! Call Roy Denner 619.443.9101.


FLAT BED TOY TRAILER: 12'x7 1/2' bed, 12" side rails, tongue jack, ramps. Brand new! Asking $800 OBO. Call Sean at 619.561.8161.




Last Updated October 30, 1998