San Diego Off-Road Coalition

October 1999

Fax: 619.561.5424

e-mail: jgarv@home.com

www.sdorc.org

Although the majority of those in the audience at the public hearing held in Lakeside were in favor of the park, the opposition was plentiful and vocal. They appeared to consist primarily of people who lived in the general area but not adjacent to the park site, and were largely concerned with the normal issues such as noise, dust, environmental impact, etc. The Commission, however, is experienced in the processes

through which projects such as this one must pass, and knows that each and every one of these concerns will be addressed before the project can continue.

Although critical, this is only step one. SDORC is hopeful that the property will be acquired by the State Department of Parks and Recreation before year-end, but that is only the beginning. Following will be probably two years or more of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) processes during which time the environmental impact of the project will be thoroughly studied. There will be additional public hearings. SDORC has said all along that this is a community-based project, and it is anticipated that various interest groups including equestrians, mountain bikers, OHV enthusiasts and others will participate in the planning process. It is the local community that, in concert with the results of the CEQA process, will determine the shape and character of this park.

SDORC Chairman Jim McGarvie accepting the award surrounded by several SDORC board members.

During an awards luncheon following the public hearing on September 17, OHMVR Commissioner Ken Nelson announced that SDORC is the winner of the 1999 OHMVR Commission’s Superior Achievement Award in the Volunteer Group category. This is the first time the Commission has named the same winner for two consecutive years.

Credit for this is rightfully placed with your hard-working and dedicated Board of Directors and our many involved members. Congratulations to us all!

As understandably proud as I am of this accomplishment, I am equally pleased that our own Roy Denner, SDORC Business Representative, was selected as the outstanding individual volunteer of the year. Roy’s list of activities on our behalf is longer than a four-seat buggy, but the most obvious and meritorious is without a doubt the progress he has managed to make toward the establishment of a close-in OHV park. We are closer than we have ever been to realizing this most difficult of achievements. And when — not if, but when — we do, we will all have Roy Denner to thank for it.

We are also pleased to announce that SDORC’s nominee for government employee of the year, Curt Itogawa, won that award. Curt is Superintendent of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, and it is my understanding that this is the first time an SVRA Superintendent has won this award. Congratulations, Curt. You deserve it!

Remember the County-Wide OHV trail plan? County staff is once again attempting to torpedo this important plan, claiming they cannot make it work. Why? Well first they refuse to consider any County owned land. None of the huge regional parks (Otay, Sweetwater, etc.) were even looked at. Second, they decided not to include any of the routes in Anza-Borrego State Park. Third, they ignored private property that is being looked at by the County for purchase as open space.

They decided that the only possible routes were on Cleveland National Forest land but they claim that the Forest Service does not want to participate in trail planning. We called their bluff by requesting a meeting with the County, Forest Service and SDORC but County Staff refuses to meet. I can't tell you how frustrating it is dealing with these people. I expect the next step will be for County staff to go to the Board of Supervisors with a junk plan giving us a two week notice.

General Plan 2020

As the County proceeds with revising the General Plan recreationists are getting shafted. The entire recreation element is to be removed and replaced with light recreation language buried in several sections. The only good part is that the Board of Supervisors suggested that the trail plans be transferred from Public Works to the Parks Department.

The main focus of this plan is to accommodate housing development and open space. The problem is that we will end up with only development and preserve lands, with nothing in the middle. What ever happen to managing land based on sustainability?

City of San Diego General Plan

City of San Diego is also updating their general plan. I don't have a whole lot of info on it but we will need to get involved. This update will be a great opportunity to remove the City of San Diego's prohibition against OHV use on City owned property. SDORC needs help. If you live in City boundaries you need to get involved.

Miscellany

Have you recently been ticketed for operating your OHV? If so, let us know when, where, and why you received the ticket and what the results were.

Finally, we are looking for an off-roader translator/columnist who can write in Spanish.

Watch this column and get on our e-mail list to stay informed.

According to Greg Thomsen, BLM's El Centro Field Office Manager, the recreation fee expansion at the popular off-highway vehicle riding area came about as a result of a decision by an eleven member Technical Review Team (TRT).

"Basically, the TRT felt that there were inequities with some people having to pay the fees while others did not," said Thomsen. "The recreation fees are used to supplement other fees and grants for upgrading the infrastructure and adding services needed for visitors to the area."

The TRT recommended to spend funding on maintenance of the Railroad Wash Road at the facility's eastern boundary and additional money has been allocated to construct a new camping pad along Gecko Road.

The recreation fee demonstration program is part of a pilot program that affects selected BLM recreation areas nationwide. The U.S. Congress mandated the recreation fee demonstration program in 1996 to help offset rising costs at all recreation areas.

Under the recreation fee program, visitors are charged $10 for a weekly recreation user fee or $30 for a season pass fee for their primary vehicle. The weekly fee is valid from the date of purchase for seven consecutive days and the season fee is valid from October 1 through September 30. There is no charge for simply driving through the facility, although the fees do apply to day use visitors.

"The California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Program has traditionally voted to budget Greensticker grants to the Imperial Dunes," said Jim Bramham, a member of the state's OHV commission and a member of the BLM TRT. "However, it is not a sufficient budget to keep up with infrastructure and personnel demands needed for the facility's customers. This new recreation fee program is really an investment in OHV recreation and an opportunity to see increased services and sustainable resource protection that enthusiasts have been asking for."

Visitors may purchase passes at self-pay stations that are located at all campgrounds within Imperial Dunes as well as Glamis Flats, and the Cahuilla Ranger Station. The pay stations will accept cash, credit or debit cards. This year, a pre-purchase service will be available for season passes over the telephone using a credit card. The toll free phone number for the service is (877) 415-1381. However, there will be an additional $1.00 charge for the postage and handling fee and service will start on October 1^st, 1999.

For more information on the recreation fee program, contact the BLM El Centro Field Office at (760) 337-4400 or the TRT web page at www.glamisonline.org/TRT.
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SDORC has gone on record as objecting to the expansion of the fee program in the Imperial Dunes. Our representative on the TRT, Justin Cole, voted against it. AMA District 38 representative to the TRT — and SDORC member — Harold Soens voted against it. The California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) has spoken out in opposition. We see no "inequities" when those choosing to camp where there are improvements and facilities, such as the camping pads and restrooms at Glamis, have to pay a fee while others not desiring those facilities could camp at Gordon’s Well and not pay a fee.

But we were out-voted, and we lost this one.

One Dollar donation per ticket. Proceeds from this raffle will be used by San Diego Off-Road Coalition to protect and increase OHV recreation opportunity in Southern California.

Raffle tickets available at Motoworld of El Cajon and other participating SDORC member businesses, or check the SDORC web site: www.sdorc.org or call SDORC at: 619.561.4917

Drawing to be held 9:00 p.m. Saturday, November 20, 1999 at Motoworld’s "Midnight Madness", 660 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon 619.442.0941 (Need not be present to win)

Winner responsible for payment of approximately $240 for tax and license.

ATV’s with engine sizes of 90cc or greater are recommended for use only by those age 16 and older. YAMAHA recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATV’s can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid excessive speed; and be particularly careful on difficult terrain.

As much as $60,000,000 may be available for year 2000 grants nationwide, up from $30,000,000 previously. The funds are allocated to states by (1) 50 percent equally among all eligible states and (2) 50 percent proportionately based upon non-highway recreational fuel use. Seventy percent of the funds received by California are available for non-motorized trails and thirty percent are available for motorized trails. These funds are allocated through a competitive grants program. The legislation requires states to receive guidance from the Advisory Board in implementing the RTP.

Not long ago, through the efforts of Alan Klumph, SDORC received a $12,000 grant from this program for the purpose of trail maintenance and signing at Corral Canyon.

I attended a NOHVCC conference in Boise, Idaho last month. Orientation was on Thursday, September the 9^th, and it was full of information about what they are all about. After orientation it was time to go to the lounge to shoot the bull and get to know the movers and shakers in the organization, and there are a ton of them. A lot of these people started state organizations and brought all the clubs together in that state.

On Friday the 10^th the meeting started 8:00 am sharp with a word from Bob Hammond, President of NOHVCC. Next came introductions of everyone who was there, as well as information about the menu and our web site. Next on the agenda were the work shops starting with an exciting future (Education Team) developing OHV recreation presented by Dana Bell, AMA Western States Representative. Jim Cooper of the BLM and his wife Nora Hamilton Cooper, who is retired from the forest service but still active in OHV as a consultant, presented OHV management principles. Trail design and construction was hosted by the one and only Cam Lockwood who, I might add, has forgotten more about the Forest Service than we will ever know. This man has a vast amount of knowledge about trails. Paul Slavik gave a report on OHV parks and youth program presentation tools. Paul has a lot of good information on the youth development team.

Dinner was from 5:00 till 7:00, but most wanted more information about trails. Cam Lockwood stayed along with Tom Crimmens, who was the OHV coordinator for Region Five in the forest. He has retired but helps with OHV issues. Mark Mitchell and Kim Ryherd did a two-hour thing on computers, finding info that will help your cause and designing web sites; a lot of good info here. At last happy hour.

Saturday was going to be long and full with more good information. It began with announcements and a preview of the day. Clark Collins from the Blue Ribbon Coalition told about how and why it came to be. He also told us about the new wilderness land grab and why the wilderness proponents are getting stronger. The most startling injection of money is coming from Pew Charitable Trust out of Philadelphia, worth $4.5 billion. They made their money as owners of the Sun Oil Company and plan to give the enviros $20 million a year starting in 2000. Clark has written a paper about wilderness and recreation. He has also formed the Wilderness Act Reform Coalition (WARC). You can find information about it at www.wildernessreform.com. Next up, AMA overview. Dana Bell and Terry Cook gave us insight on how they can help with mail-outs and other info that they have to send out that can help in just about everything you can think of.

One of the best presentations of the week was from Christopher Douwes. He is from the Federal Highway Administration Department of Transportation (DOT). He gave a report on the Recreational Trail Program (RTP) in the United States. There will be $60 million in the fund for the year 2000 and if you want to know how much your state will get go to www-cta.ornl.gov/publications/offroad.pdh.This should give you all the info about your state. This man is so pumped up about his job he will do anything for you to get a grant.

Next came the team meetings. There are five teams: Education, Youth, Network Development, External Relations and Resource Development Each one of us chose a team, went to our tables and brain-stormed for about three hours. Then came a two-hour tour of Boise followed by dinner at the Idaho State Historical Museum. After dinner there were slides of the rides they had before the conference.

Sunday consisted of two hours of team meetings, followed by the team reports and finally a wrap-up and adjournment. All in all it was a good conference. I am glad I was there; I received a lot of good information.

October 5: SDORC regular meeting 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.

Greg Thomsen, the new Field Manager for the El Centro Field Office of the BLM, has offered to be our guest speaker. Greg’s previous position was acting field manager in Ridgecrest, and he brings with him a good reputation with the off-road community in that area. He’s ready for your questions and input, so have at it!

We have an exciting new raffle format that we previewed at the September meeting. Rather than raffling off products, we are now holding "50-50" raffles. Half of the proceeds from the sale of the tickets during the meeting goes to the winner, and half goes to the Coalition’s coffers. At the September meeting Alan Klumph won $66. Ask him if he likes the new format!

October 30: Los Pretots Halloween Run. For the second straight year, SDORC will be creating and manning a checkpoint at this popular event. It will be held in Burro Bend. Contact Dave Konstantin at davek@san.rr.com or 619.569.2080 to volunteer to help with our checkpoint, or if you have any general questions about the event contact Harold Soens at hsoens@worldnet.att.net or 619.449.1616.

October 29-31: Borrego Days Desert Festival. All 4-wheel drive clubs in particular need to contact Jim Arbogast at jimarbo@aol.com to see how they might participate in this event to help in the effort to re-open Coyote Canyon to motorized travel.

November 6: Annual Ocotillo Wells SVRA clean-up. Meet at the OWSVRA Ranger Station. Call 760.767.5391 for details.

November 14: Highway clean-up. Meet at Buckman Springs off-ramp at 8:00 a.m.

November 19-20: Midnight Madness at Motoworld - drop by the SDORC booth to purchase raffle tickets to win a brand new 2000 Yamaha Blaster!

December 7: SDORC regular meeting.

December 31: SDORC's 2nd annual New Year's Eve Family Fun Rallye at Plaster City

We are so indebted to so many groups and businesses this month that I scarcely know where to begin.

First a very special thank you to the wonderful folks at Motoworld of El Cajon. Incredibly they have donated a 2000 Yamaha Blaster quad to SDORC for the purposes of a fund-raising raffle. They then invited us to set up our booth at their location at the Thunderboat races September 17-20, during which time we sold $747 worth of raffle tickets!

Next I want to thank long-time SDORC friend and supporter Bill Silverthorn. Not only has he contributed directly, but he talked the San Diego Motorcycle Dealers Assoc. into contributing $100 per month per business (there are 12) to SDORC. This infusion of cash will help us tremendously in our efforts to establish an OHV park in San Diego County, as well as allow us to join such battles as that of re-opening Coyote Canyon to through motorized travel. Bill, and the rest of the SDMCA, we can’t thank you enough!

Finally I’d like to thank the following for their generous donations: San Diego 4 Wheelers, Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club, Boys and Girls Clubs of East County, Off-Road Warehouse, CORVA, Cycle Parts West, the Denner Family, Fud, K-CO Construction, the Soens family, Tankslappers Motorcycle Club and the McGarvie family.