Attention: First Aid CPR TRAINING

 Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest in conjunction with the USFS have been invited to participate in a First Aid CPR Training and Certification class on June 8, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  We only have room for a limited amount of people to attend this certification class.  This class and certification is a required prerequisite to getting a chainsaw certification.

This class will be held at the:

Bass Lake Ranger District Office

57003 Road 225

North Fork, Ca. 93643

At the North Fork Conference Room

If you are interested in volunteering in the Sierra National Forest to help keep our trails and roads open for all of the public to enjoy and would like to fill one of these valuable spots please RSVP to info@sotsnf.org as soon as possible as these spots will fill fast.  By working together as volunteers and in conjunction with the USFS we can keep our forests open and provide a great place for our families to enjoy. 

 

Attention all Stewards of the Sierra:

 

 Now that the Record of Decision (ROD) has been released by the Forest Service it is more important than ever to stay engaged with the process to help keep our PUBLIC LANDS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC NOT FROM THE PUBLIC. 

 

The Forest Service will be holding a series of open houses and public workshops for the Sierra National Forest Travel Management Decision.   If you cannot make it to one of the workshops, they will be holding a webinar on-line to hear an overview of the decision and opportunity to ask questions.  

 

Below please find the dates and locations for the open houses and a brief overview of the massive amounts of closure of Public Access to both roads and trails and also the loss of access to seasons of use for the Forest.   

Public Workshops and Webinar

 

May 17, 2010  Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B, Oakhurst, 6:30-9pm (Optional open houses begins at 5pm for those who would like to stop in and talk with Forest Service Staff).

 

May 18, 2010  Clovis Veterans Memorial Building,  Liberty Rm, 808 4^th Street, Clovis, 6:30-9pm (Optional open houses begins at 5pm for those who would like to stop in and talk with Forest Service Staff).

 

May 20, 2010  Foothill Middle School, Multi-Purpose Rm, 291147 Auberry Rd, Prather,
6:30-9pm (Optional open houses begins at 5pm for those who would like to stop in and talk with Forest Service Staff).

May 26, 2010  Virtual Webinar-Join us on-line for an overview of the Decision, 7-8:30pm.  To sign-up for the webinar please visit the following website:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/539264808

 

May 27, 2010   Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 5100 Chambers Street, Mariposa   6:30-9pm (Optional open houses begins at 5pm for those who would like to stop in and talk with Forest Service Staff).

Highlights of the Decision:

1. The decision provides 2,189 miles of roads and 127 miles of trails for motorized travel on the Sierra National Forest.

Trails added to the System:

67 Total  miles of Trails in the Motorized System.

 88 miles open to All Vehicles.

 33 miles open to vehicles less than 50” .

 6 miles open to motorcycles only.

Roads added to the System:

15 miles (logging roads and spurs to dispersed campsites)
Total miles of roads in the System:    

 1,665 miles open to all vehicles.

 524 miles open to highway vehicles

Areas added:

20 areas added for 105 acres (7 acres-parking/staging and 98 acres of areas)
Total number/acres of parking/staging facilities open to all vehicles = 64 (49 acres)
Total number/acres of motorized areas open to all vehicles = 15 (173 acres)

 Definitions of an Area and Parking/Staging areas:
 Area:  An area is open to all vehicles for motorized recreation
Parking/Staging Areas:  Parking for Highway Legal Vehicles

 

2. The decision prohibits cross country travel by motor vehicles on the Sierra National Forest.

Parking is allowed within one vehicle length (includes a towed vehicle) of a road, trail or area, unless otherwise prohibited.

 

3. The decision protects the Natural and Cultural Resources.

Protects watersheds, cultural resources, endangered, threatened and sensitive species (including plants, animals and their habitat) and adds no new  roads or trails in inventoried roadless areas.

4. The decision provides a Season of Use for roads, trails and areas for the Sierra National Forest.
Changes to the Season of Use were made to 1,688 miles of roads and 43 miles of trails.  
460 miles of roads have no restrictions.
The decision establishes 20 Seasons of Use to allow access to the greatest extent possible.
Over Fifty percent of the roads and trails are (1,317 miles) open for motorized travel from May 20^th to December 1^st.  
Nearly twenty percent (464 miles) is open year around for motor vehicle travel.

5. The decision maximizes recreation opportunity by changing 178 miles of roads which were open to highway legal vehicles only to a new designation allowing mixed use.  Also converts 12 miles of roads to trails allowing for additional motor vehicle opportunities.

Changing the vehicle class to mixed (green/red sticker) use allows for both highway legal and non-highway legal vehicles (as defined by the California Vehicle code) to use NFTS roads.
Results in uninterrupted connectivity between key roads, trails and areas, enhancing motorized recreational opportunities

6. The decision changes the Maintenance Levels and Use on some Forest Roads.
In order to be in compliance with Forest Service policy, 181 miles of Maintenance Level (ML) 1 roads will be opened as ML 2 roads, which will allow public use by green/red sticker vehicles.
65 miles of ML 2 roads, previously closed, will also be open for public use.

Appealing the Decision

This decision is subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215.  In accordance with the April 24, 2006 order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Missoula Division  of the District Court of Montana in Case No. CV 03-119-M-DWM, for those individuals and organizations who provided comments during the comment period are eligible to appeal [36 CFR 215.11(a), 1993 version].  Appeals must be filed within 45 days from the publication date of the legal notice in the Fresno Bee (Monday, May 10, 2010). The appeal period ends June 23, 2010.  Detailed procedures for appealing the decision are located in the ROD.

We look forward to seeing you.  

Betty
Betty Mathews
Acting Forest Supervisor

 

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest will be having their regularly scheduled monthly meeting this Wednesday May 12, 2010 at the Pizza Factory located in the Madera Ranchos.  Please bring your wife and kids out to eat some pizza and stay informed as to what is happening in the forest.  The meeting will start at 7:00 sharp and run till 9:00. 

 Our main topic of discussion will be the release of the Sierra National Forest Record of Decision (ROD) and what it means to public access for the Sierra National Forest.  We need as many people to show UP as possible to help look at the maps and find out what you can do to help gain back more of YOUR PUBLIC LAND.  Please take a night and come out to see what you can do to help.

This morning May 10, 2010 the Sierra National Forest released the long awaited Record of Decision (ROD) for the Sierra National Forest.  The public has been waiting months for the release of this document and to see how it will affect public access to the forest.  If you did not recieve a copy you can find it at the web site for the Sierra National Forest and can also go to the Forest Supervisors office and request a copy if there are any left. 

Please get involved with the issues facing all of us and access to our public lands.

Clear Creek Protest Day

The promoter of the Clear Creek Protest day scheduled for Sunday May 2, 2010 at the entrance to Clear Creek has moved it to the BLM’s Hollister Field Office.  The protest will start at 10:00 a.m. and last till?  Come out and voice your concerns over the closure of your PUBLIC LANDS by our government.     

The office is located at:

BLM Hollister Field Office

20 Hamilton Ct.

Hollister Ca. 95023

 

Please come out and show your support and help provide a united front in the quest to reopen Clear Creek.  For more information go to the South Bay Riders forum and look for more info on the subject.

 

ENVIRO LITIGATION GRAVY

Ever wondered how so called environmental groups can afford to keep filing more and more lawsuits each year? You think it is because they win huge awards, well think again. Most people are unaware that these groups legal fees are reimbursed by our government under the Equal Justice Act. That is correct we the taxpayers are paying them to sue us. This means each lawsuit they file is a money maker for them. That is why most of the suits filed today actually harm the environment instead of helping. It's about the money not the environment.

For example:

• There are much needed Forest fuel reduction projects which would reduce dangerously high fuels loads in our unnaturally overgrown National Forests. Enviro Groups file lawsuits blocking these projects, a death sentence for the Forest which ends up incinerated along with all the wildlife and destruction of the watershed.
• Or lawsuits forcing trail closures which concentrate use and increase impacts on the land.
• Or lawsuits to ban fish stocking which cause native trout population to become over fished and also severely reduced the food supply to native wildlife like eagles

Reports show Enviro Groups like the Wilderness Society, Forest Guardians and Center for Biological Diversity have been paid over $4 BILLION of your tax dollars to file lawsuits from 2003-2007.

Lawsuits filed under the guise of preservation which harm the environment in order to make money, show the true colors of such groups as Litigation Machines using pseudo Environmental Fronts.
Read more here http://www.SaveTheTrails.us/EnviroLitigationGravy.html

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

 

Could you?  Would you?  Like to help out in the Sierra National Forest and have some fun at the same time?

 

We would like to invite all users of the forest to our regularly scheduled meeting this Tuesday night.  If you are interested in being a volunteer we encourage you to attend this meeting and find out how you can have a little fun riding and volunteering at the same time.  We will also be discussing some ideas for future OHV events we are planning for the forest and the progress of the Record of Decision (ROD).

 

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest will be meeting this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the:

 

The Pizza Factory

37184 Ave. 12

Madera Ranchos Ca. 93636

559.645.7011

 

All user groups and individuals of the public who use and recreate in the Sierras are encouraged to come out and attend these meetings and give us your input as to what you would like to see happen in the forest.  Bring your better half and have a little pizza dinner and stay up to date on what is happening with the forest and the California State OHV Grants programs.  Please pass this message on to all of your friends and we hope to see you there.

 

Mike Wubbels

Executive Director

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

www.sotsnf.org

 

The Best News in 23 Months

Today April 6, 2010 the San Benito County Board of Supervisor made history by voting unanimously to reopen all of the closed roads in the Clear Creek Management Area.  This does not mean that you can go out and ride in Clear Creek, but you can once again travel any of the county roads without the fear of being ticketed or thrown in jail.  This was done over the requests of the BLM’s Hollister Field Office Manager Rick Copper who asked that the board keep the roads closed till the Record of Decision comes out.  Mr. Copper was asked by the board when that was and he replied maybe as early as January 2011? 

We ask that all Americans who will be visiting and driving thru the Clear Creek Management Area in the near and foreseeable future to observe the rules by staying on the county roads and not go off of them.  We must learn to police ourselves thru these trying times knowing that the ultimate outcome will be a full return to the type of riding we used to know at the creek.  If just a few abuse this sweet victory it will be short lived and give cause for the BLM to find ways to revoke what we have fought so hard to achieve. 

If you see someone breaking the rules, please take a moment and educate them to what is at stake for all of the OHV community and the public if we lose this victory.  I believe full heartedly that if we stand united together, that in the foreseeable future we will once again ride and enjoy all that the Creek has to offer every one of us and the family experiences it has provide for many of us throughout the years. 

This day will forever live in the history books as a pivotal point for the OHV community and the American Public.  The impacts of today’s decisions are being watched all across this great country of ours, and the impacts of these decisions will shape the future of OHV and the way our Public Lands are managed.  After all Public Lands belong to the Public and not the government agencies managing them.  Remember the CONSTITUTION says that the federal government CAN NOT OWN OUR PUBLIC LANDS but can only manage them. 

Please pass this information on to as many people as you can, and remember that UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.  Please remember that there is still a great amount of hard work ahead for all.  Enjoy this hard fought victory, but do not let up the pressure to accept anything short of full unrestricted access to the Clear Creek Management Area.

Mike

Your Presence is Requested

 

A very important day has finally come.  The San Benito County Board of Supervisors will be meeting this Tuesday April 6, 2010 to vote on reopening all 25 miles of county roads in the Clear Creek Management Area.  We are requesting that as many people as possible show up and support the reopening of these PUBLIC ROADS, and the County Supervisors and County Council in their quest to better serve the citizens of San Benito County and the surrounding areas.

 

This would be the first giant step in having one of the top ten riding areas in the nation reopened for public use since it was closed two years ago by the BLM's Rick Copper of the Hollister Field Office.  Please make the time show up to this meeting to show our local government that as Americans we are willing to stand up and fight for what we believe is right.

 

 

 

SAN BENITO COUNTY

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

 

County Administration Building – Board of Supervisors Chambers, 481 Fourth Street, Hollister, California

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

APRIL 6, 2010

 

Mission Statement

The County Board of Supervisors will recognize the public trust it holds, will on all occasions conduct business with honesty, integrity, and respect for the individual, and will hold the organization of County government to that same standard.

 

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors welcomes you to this meeting and encourages your participation.

• If you wish to speak on a matter which does not appear on the agenda, you may do so during the Public Comment period at the beginning of the meeting. Please complete a Speaker Card and provide it to the Clerk of the Board prior to the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, no action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda. When addressing the Board, please state your name for the record. Please address the Board as a whole through the Chair.

• If you wish to speak on an item contained in the agenda please complete a Speaker Card identifying the item(s) and provide it to the Clerk of the Board prior to consideration of the item.

 

Each individual speaker will be limited to a presentation total of three (3) minutes.

 

AFTERNOON SESSION 1:30 P.M.

 

 PLANNING DEPARTMENT – A. Henriques:

24) Review staff report, and draft comment letter to the Bureau of Land Management Clear Creek Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and provide comments and direction to staff.

 

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT – S. Wittry:

 25) Adopt a Resolution to re-open unmaintained County roads upon the installation of appropriate information signage referencing a potential for human health risks within surrounding terrain in the BLM Clear Creek Management Area; and direct staff to maintain quarterly inspections of signs in the area. 26) Receive the County Service Area quarterly report encompassing

Attention All:

 Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest in conjunction with the USFS has been invited to participate in a Chainsaw Certification class on April 23, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  We only have room for two people to attend this certification class.  This will be an advanced training class and not for the beginning chainsaw user. 

The attendees MUST have prior chainsaw experience and be familiar with chainsaw use and safety.  Please wear leather boots with vibram soles and a long sleeve shirt.  Also bring a pair of leather gloves, safety glasses, and a hard hat if you have one.

 This class will be held at the:

Bass Lake Ranger District Office

57003 Road 225

North Fork, Ca. 93643

At the Engineering Division Office in back

If you are interested in volunteering in the Sierra National Forest to help keep our trails and roads open for all of the public to enjoy and would like to fill one of these valuable spots please RSVP to info@sotsnf.org as soon as possible as these spots will fill fast.  By working together as volunteers and in conjunction with the USFS we can keep our forests open and provide a great place for our families to enjoy. 

Trail Appreciation Help Needed

 

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest in conjunction with the Forest Service will be working in the Miami Trails area on 3-24-2010 which is this coming Wednesday.  We will meet at the McDonalds in Oakhurst at 9:00 A.M.  From there we will head up to the Kamoke Staging area and begin our day from there.  We will be focusing our efforts on clearing downed trees from the trial system so everyone can start riding.  Come out on a ATV, UTV, or Bike and help us start of the new year.  Bring gloves and a lunch and be ready to have some fun out on the trails.  If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 831-801-1111-cell and we can talk.

 

Mike

State of California Grant Application and Meeting to Discuss Proposal

Each year the State of California makes funding available through the Off-Highway Vehicle Grants Program.   The grants program provides financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations (federal, city, county, nonprofit, etc.) that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well managed, high-quality, OHV recreation areas, roads, and trails.  This year the State has available $27 million for education, operation and maintenance, law enforcement and restoration projects.  

The Sierra National Forest is submitting a grant application to the State for OHV funding.   As a part of the grant application, the State requires that the grant be available for public review and input for 30 days.  Starting Tuesday, March 2, 2010, you may review the Sierra National Forest's application as well as all grant applications on the State's internet website:  http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/

The Sierra National Forest will also host a open house on Tuesday, March 16, to discuss the OHV Grant application and the funds being requested.    The meeting will be at the Sierra National Forest Headquarters at 1600 Tollhouse Road in Clovis,  starting at 6:30 pm.  

You may also submit written comments to the OHV Division’s website or you send your comments to Sierra National Forest, Attn. Mose Jones-Yellin, 1600 Tollhouse Road, Clovis,  CA  93611.  

Stewards of the Sierra NF would like to invite you to review and comment on our 2010 preliminary Ground Operations grant application that we have submitted to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR).  The public review and comment period this year runs from March 2^nd 2010, and ends April 5^th 2010.

 

By participating in the process and developing this grant, we are making an effort to return our Green Sticker funds back to there rightful place:  our trails!   We have developed a grant to address basic route brushing, water diversion, minor maintenance, and signage issues in the Sierra National Forest.  Check out the grant to learn details!

The OHV grant applications are an annual process that is a key part of the management of Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) managed lands in California.
 
Public comments are a valuable tool to improving the grants for submission.  It also demonstrates to the OHMVR that we as the public care about our Green Sticker fees being used to sustain our public OHV opportunities.  Your input is greatly appreciated!

 

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest ‘Ground Operations’ grant can directly be found here:

http://134.186.25.134/designer/viewPDF.aspx?ShowPDF=Y&ExtUser=Y&TempID=2&Filename=Application_2_G.PDF&cat=GCA&appid=980&fyr=2010

 

Instructions for viewing and commenting on other submitted grants for 2010:

http://134.186.25.134/admin/ViewAppDocs.aspx?pdfappcode=000825

(SotSNF grant is listed under its parent organization, 95-4690961 California Trail Users Coalition)

 

Attachments to the grants can be viewed by clicking on the paper-clip icon in the lower left of the screen when viewing a grant application.

 

Comments can be made to the grants by clicking the icon above the paper-clip.  Hover your mouse pointer above the graphics to see a description.

 

If you have questions on the project that we have submitted for this year, please feel free to contact us directly at info@sotsnf.org

 

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest is proud to announce that we will now be meeting on the second Tuesday of each month to help keep the public informed on the status of the Sierra National Forest and the volunteer work being done in the forest.  We will meet at 7:00 p.m. at:

 

The Pizza Factory

37184 Ave. 12

Madera Ranchos Ca. 93636

559.645.7011

 

All user groups and individuals of the public who use and recreate in the Sierras are encouraged to come out and attend these meetings and give us your input as to what you would like to see happen in the mountains.  Bring your better half and have a little dinner and stay up to date on what is happening with the forest and the California State OHV Grants programs.  Please pass this message on to all of your friends and we hope to see you there.

 

Mike Wubbels

Executive Director

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

www.sotsnf.org

 

Release Date: 3/5/10

Contacts: Jan Bedrosian 916-978-4616

              John Dearing 916-978-4622

News Release No. CA-CC-10-48

 

BLM Extends Comment Period on Clear Creek Draft Plan

 

The public comment period for the Clear Creek Management Area draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement has been extended by 45 days by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

 

“Because the plan addresses potential long term restrictions on public lands,” said BLM Acting California State Director Jim Abbott, “we are extending the comment period to allow further public input”

 

The Clear Creek Management Area in southern San Benito and western Fresno counties has a long history of public recreational use.  But because of increased awareness of potential health risks caused by asbestos, the area has been temporarily closed since May 2008.  The closure was in response to results of an Environmental Protection Agency’s human health risk assessment.  The temporary closure remains in effect until the new management plan is approved.

 

The draft resource management plan and environmental impact statement was released in December 2009 with a 90 day comment period.  Three public meetings were also held in Coalinga, Hollister and Santa Clara in January 2010 to gather comments.  The initial 90-day comment period ends today.

 

Comments must be postmarked or received by April 19, 2010.  Written public comments may be submitted by mail to BLM, Attn. CCMA RMP/EIS, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95023.  Comment may also be provided via email:  cahormp@ca.blm.gov, or fax:  831-630-5055. 

 

For more information contact the Hollister Field Office at 831-630-5000.

Two Minutes to Help Save Clear Creek

 

At this very critical time we need to ask everyone to take less than two minutes to send in a comment to the BLM so we can SAVE CLEAR CREEK AND THE FUTURE OF OHV IN CALIFORNIA AND NATION WIDE.  The comment period ends March 5, 2010.  Please go to the link listed below and follow the instructions to fill out a comment and send it to the BLM it’s the American thing to do.

Thanks in Advance for every ones help to save the sport we love.

 

 http://www.savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=44

THE STEWARDS OF THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

PRELIMINARY OHV GRANTS 2010

PUBLIC REVIEW/COMMENTS

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest, a Division of California Trails User Coalition a 501 c 3 nonprofit, in partnership with the Sierra National Forest, plan to complete the following maintenance activities on fourteen National Forest system roads (approximately 24 miles). 

This work includes; removing roadside brushing, cleaning drainage structures such as culverts, dips, leadoff ditches, removing downed trees and boulders from roadways, repair and installation of road and directional signs, performing condition surveys, reporting unsafe road conditions or heavy maintenance needs, and removal of trash.

This work is focused on National Forest System roads that provide popular OHV riding opportunities and are critical to connecting OHV riding areas.  These roads also provide access to dispersed camping and recreational destination points.  This project will improve water quality, access, signage, and enhance the OHV riding experience on the Sierra National Forest.

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest and California Trails Users Coalition, a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sierra National Forest has undertaken steps to improve upon lands in Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa Counties, by submitting grants for these enhancements.

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest, California Trails Users Coalition, and Sierra National Forest would like to invite you to review and comment on the 2010 applications submitted to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR).  The public review and comment period will be open from Tuesday, March 2, 2010 through Monday, April 5, 2010.

You can view and comment on the applications online at OHMVR's website at http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/. , click the “GRANTS Tab” then click on “OLGA” when the screen appears, then click on the “Public Review Instructions”  follow instructions at Step 2 and proceed to the applications.

If you have questions on any of the projects, please feel free to contact:

 

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest,

P.O. Box 601

North Fork, Ca 93643

E-Mail: info@sotsnf.org

 

 

The California Trails Users Coalition (CTUC),

3550 Foothill Blvd

Glendale, Ca. 91214

(818) 247-8878, Ext. 215

FAX:  (818) 957-4435

E-mail: edwaldheim@aol.com or wtarvin@charter.net

 

EMERGENCY ACTION

NEEDED

2-18-2010

 

The following letter was sent in good faith to Mr. Rick Cooper, head of the BLM Hollister Field Office for the Clear Creek Management Area requesting a 90 day extension to the Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan/ Draft Environmental Impact Statement comment period, which is slated to end March 5, 2010. 

 

OUR REQUEST WAS DENIED

 

This will be the most critical land use battle in California History

 

The Clear Creek Management Area has been closed since May of 2008, and the BLM has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on December 4, 2009 that plans to virtually close that area permanently to ALL use. The 700+ page document was released right before Christmas, and the BLM employees in the Hollister Field Office went on vacation shortly afterward, and were unavailable for questions and comments. Furthermore, the BLM didn't hold any Public meetings for over 30 days, and still hasn't held a meeting addressing concerns of local businesses, counties and local governments affected by the closure.

For the reasons above, and because of the shear complexity of the document, we now we need your help to flood the BLM computers and fax machines with e-mails and faxes till they melt down requesting a 90 day extension to the comment period. 

 

This is one of the LARGEST, ERRONEOUS, PUBLIC LAND CLOSURES ever attempted by a government agency.  Please, if you value your freedom, take a moment to send a quick e-mail and fax to the following demanding the BLM grant this extension.

Rick Cooper, Hollister Field Office Manager,rick_cooper@ca.blm.gov   

Fax: (831) 630-5055

Kathy Hardy, Central District Manager, Kathryn_Hardy@blm.gov   

Fax: (916) 978-4657

Jim Abbott, Acting California State Director, Jim_Abbott@blm.gov   

Fax: (916) 978-4416

Robert Abbey, Head of the Bureau of Land Management, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov   

Fax: (202) 208-5242

 

 

February 12, 2010

 

Rick Cooper

Field Manager

Hollister Field Office

Bureau of Land Management

20 Hamilton Court

Hollister, CA 95023

 

Dear Rick,

 

The following organizations, each representing and advocating on behalf of thousands of members throughout California and the United States, are requesting a 90-day extension to the comments period for the Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan/ Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

 

u    American Motorcyclist Association

u    California Off-Road Vehicle Association,

u    CA4WDC,

u    BlueRibbon Coalition,

u    District 36 AMA,

u    AMA District 37 AMA

u    Friends of  Clear Creek Management Area,

u    Off-Road Business Organization

u    Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club

u    Timekeepers Motorcycle Club

 

There are numerous reasons for this request for this extension including, but not limited to, the following:

 

1. The BLM took 18 months to produce a 735-page document dealing with very technical, complex issues and 90 days is not a sufficient time frame for the public to research the issues and provide substantial comments.

 

2. The BLM released this document just prior to the Christmas/New Year holiday season when the public was distracted and members of the BLM staff were on vacation.

 

3. The printed copies of the document were not immediately available to members of the public who do not have access to the internet.

 

4. The first public meeting was not held until 40 days into the public comment period, denying the public the opportunity to receive presentations and additional information about the document.

 

5. A meeting to discuss the financial/economic impacts of the actions suggested in the plan will not be held until February 22, 2010 leaving less than two weeks for comments based upon discussions and questions raised in this meeting.

 

The OHV community desires to provide the BLM with comprehensive and constructive comments and in order to do so will require a greater length of time than the 90-day period currently afforded us.

 

We trust the BLM will understand the need for the public to review, understand, and comment on this document and will affirm our request for this extension.  Please inform us as regarding the new due date as soon as possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Nick Harris: AMA

Bruce Whitcher: CORVA

Amy Granat: CA4WDC

Don Amador: BRC

Dave Pickett: District 36

Jerry Grabow: District 37

Mike Wubbels: FOCCMA

Matt Beck: SRMC

Terry Pederson: TMC

Fred Wiley: ORBA

 

 

OHV Groups Request Time Extension for CCMA DEIS Comment Period

 

February 12, 2010

 

Rick Cooper

Field Manager

Hollister Field Office

Bureau of Land Management

20 Hamilton Court

Hollister, CA 95023

 

Dear Rick,

 

The following organizations, each representing and advocating on behalf of thousands of members throughout California and nationwide, are requesting a 90-day extension to the comments period for the Clear Creek Management Area Draft Resource Management Plan/ Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

 

u American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)

u District 36 AMA

u District 37 AMA

u BlueRibbon Coalition

u California Off-Road Vehicle Association

u California Association of Four Wheel Drives

u Friends of the Clear Creek Management Area

u Off-Road Business Organization

u Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club

u Timekeepers Motorcycle Club

 

There are numerous reasons for this request for this extension including, but not limited to, the following:

 

1. The BLM took 18 months to produce a 735-page document dealing with very technical, complex issues and 90 days is not a sufficient time frame for the public to research the issues and provide substantial comments.

 

2. The BLM released this document just prior to the Christmas/New Year holiday season when the public was distracted and members of the BLM staff were on vacation.

 

3. The printed copies of the document were not immediately available to members of the public who do not have access to the internet.

 

4. The first public meeting was not held until 40 days into the public comment period, denying the public the opportunity to receive presentations and additional information about the document.

 

5. A meeting to discuss the financial/economic impacts of the actions suggested in the plan will not be held until February 22, leaving less than two weeks for comments based upon discussions and questions raised in this meeting.

 

 

 

Rick Cooper

Comment Extension Request

February 12, 2010

Page 2

 

 

The OHV community desires to provide the BLM with comprehensive and constructive comments and in order to do so will require a greater length of time than the 90-day period currently afforded us.

 

We trust the BLM will understand the need for the public to review, understand, and comment on this document and will affirm our request for this extension.  Please inform us as regarding the new due date as soon as possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Nick Haris       Bruce Whitcher           Amy Granat    Don Amador               Dave Pickett

AMA               CORVA                      CA4WD          BRC                            District 36

 

Jerry Grabow  Mike Wubbels             Matt Beck       Terry Pederson            Fred Wiley

District 37       FOCCMA                   SRMC             TMC                            ORBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMA Urges Action to Prevent Trail Funding From Being Slashed in Budget

US Forest Service Launches Effort to Rewrite Forest Planning Rule -- Shifts Focus to 'Restoration'

In just Two Minutes you can help stop the proposed closure of 780 miles of roads and trails which are vital for recreation as well as access for management to promote forest health in the Sierra National Forest.

Please ACT NOW there only a few days left to get your comments in by the 6/30/09 deadline

These trails lead to vistas, scenic byways, secluded lakes, creeks and primitive camping. None of these trails have been proven to affect water quality, habitats, or plants. However unless more people speak up in favor of preserving these great trails it is likely they will be lost forever.

Please ACT NOW comments are due before 6/30/2009. Click below and create your letter to Sierra National Forest  to help keep trails open by using predrafted or your comments in just Two Minutes.

 
http://www.savethetrails.us/Default.aspx?PetitionID=39

Please share this email with your lists and post it on blogs

~Thanks your friends at Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

This campaign is supported by Save The Trails, Stewards of the Sierra National Forest,  Recreation Outdoors Coalition, Sierra Access Coalition, CORVA, National Off Road Association and others

OHV 4x4 Drive In and Bike Ride In

 

When: June 20, 2009

 

Where: Jim Riley’s Yamaha 99

Located off of Highway 99 and the Avenue 12 Exit in Madera California.

 

Time: 2:00 till 6:00

 

The Stewards of the Sierra National Forest in conjunction with Ca 4 WDC and CORVA will be holding an OHV 4x4 DRIVE IN and BIKE RIDE IN on June 20, 2009.  This will be a chance for you bring out all of your toys and show them off to all of the people in the OHV community who use the Sierra National Forest. 

 

This will also be an informational meeting and fundraiser and will allow all users of the Sierra National Forest to come together to talk strategies and become involved in keeping as much of the forest open as possible.  We will be serving hot dogs, chips and soda.

 

As you know the Stewards have retained one of the nations top comment writers to make substantive comments on your behalf to keep as much of the forest open as we can.  As you can imagine all of this does not come without a cost.  But than again:

 

FREEDOM HAS NEVER BEEN FREE

 

It’s of the utmost importance that all users of the forest attend this event and become a part of the response being drafted by the Stewards and CORVA Comments Project to the DEIS that the Sierra has released.  We will have our signer’s letter on hand for you to become a part of this massive document that is being drafted to be submitted to the Forest Service.  This is our best hope for retaining as much open area in the forest as we can. 

 

By becoming a signer on the Stewards Comments document it will give you standing in the appeals phase of the NEPA process.  If you are not a signer or do not submit a comment to the DEIS during the public comment period you will have no rights in the appeals process and must be willing to settle for what ever they give you.  

 

This Comment Document is being sponsored by the Stewards and CORVA Comments Project and is endorsed by the Ca 4 WDC Central District.  The Comments Project is producing a professionally written response and draws on a huge experience base from a number of other forests to focus on the inconsistencies of the Travel Management Plan. 

 

In speaking to CORVA activists and Stewards it is apparent that there is an agenda that underlies the imposition of these plans to isolate various user groups from each other (divide and conquer) and pick us off one by one.  The approach that seems best suited to address the hidden agenda is a professionally written response prepared by a knowledgeable writer.  The Stewards of the Sierra have engaged such assistance and need the support of everyone to help move the Sierra National Forest DEIS Comment Project forward.

Four types of help are needed:

1) Come to our informational and fund raising event at Jim Riley's Yamaha 99 Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 pm to sign the DEIS comment support form on your own, or as a club representative.

2) A JERRYCAN of gas (or two) or a TANKFUL (or two) of gas in the bike ($20-$40) worth of financial support from everyone that cares about keeping your trails and access to the Sierra National Forest open.  Donations can be made at www.sotsnf.org if you cannot come to the fund raising event.

3) Make your own comments and ask the Forest Service for more time to organize our response.  Time is short and all comments must be in by June 30, 2009. 

4) Tell your friends, family, neighbors, fellow OHV enthusiasts, and club members about our event and about the need to support the Comments Project.  Please contact us or go to the www.sotsnf.org site for more information.  Please act now!

Mark Cave, President of Californians for Public Access, Vice President Central District California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs
mdcave@calaccess.net

Mike Wubbels

Executive Director

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

info@sotsnf.org

 Thank you to Don Amador of BRC for sending a letter of support to our local officials urging them to support the efforts of the Stewards of the Sierra National Forest to preserve public access in the National Forest.

Mitigation Issues

 

Here is some interesting information that the Stewards of the Sierra National Forest has found in the DEIS Document that the Forest Service has not been sharing in the public meetings.  Out of the 558 miles of GPS inventoried public requested routes only 72 miles of these roads and trails were proposed to be brought forward in Alternative 5 the most OHV friendly alternative.   61.51 miles of these public requested routes need mitigation.  If you do the math that leaves only 10.49 miles that will be open for the publics use. 

 

According to all of the information that the Forest Service has been giving the public during their meetings, all of the routes that need mitigation will be closed till that mitigation is corrected.  If we did the math right that means only 10.49 miles will be on the first Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) slated to be released 1/1/2010 this should be a very easy map to produce and read as it should be no bigger than 1 page.

 

When we compared all of the Alternatives put together the picture looked even worse.  When comparing Alternatives 2 thru 5 the total mileage that needed mitigation was 69.02 out of a total of 72 miles of routes proposed to be brought forward. That would leave only 2.98 miles of routes that would be open and on the MVUM as of 1/1/2010.   

 

Now here is where the situation gets even worse.  The Forest service by their own omission has told the public at the DEIS meetings that they have NO MONEY to do work in the forest and will be relying heavily on user groups and public support to get the job done.  The best case scenario is the agency will put in for grant money in the 2010 grant cycle, if there is even a grant cycle available in 2010.

 

 If they receive funding it would be very late in 2010 and would not be able to get much work done in the forest if any and would plan to do most of it in 2011.  The routes in question would be closed till the mitigation is complete and then they must first be put on the MVUM before the public is allowed to use them which at best would be printed 1/1/2012.  

 

As you can see the picture of the Route Designation Process (RDP) being painted by the Forest Service is not as nice as they appear to make it.  How would you like to have to tell your kids or grand kids that they could not go to the forest for up to the next two years and do what they have been doing all of their life.  Please get involved in the process and tell everyone that you know what is happening and encourage them become a member of Stewards of the Sierra National Forest www.sotsnf.org and help make a difference.

 

Mike Wubbels

Executive Director

www.sotsnf.org

info@sotsnf.org

    

Strategic Map Meeting

 

From Stewards Member: Nick Lalanne

 

When: 5-22-2009

 

Time: 6:00 p.m.

 

Where: Nick’s Shop

10585 East Kamm Ave.

Selma Ca.

 

R.S.V.P.

559-786-8886

basslake@aol.com

 

I am planning on getting as many people together as possible at my shop to review the maps in the Shuteye and Whiskey Falls area and also the Miami Trails Area.  I would like as much help as we can get to review all of the trails and roads in these areas and how they are listed on the alternatives.  We will also be looking at season of use so we can start to comment on these to the Forest Service.

 

If you have knowledge of these areas or would just like to help out, we could really use your help to determine how best to lay out the most amounts of trails and roads for the best possible trail system with the most amount of connectivity.  I have access to several of the large maps that were at the Forest Service meetings, if we could get as many people to bring computers to help speed up the process that would be great.

 

Please R.S.V.P. to my contact info listed above so I have an idea of how many people will be able to make it.   I am looking forward to seeing you there on Friday night.

 

Nick

 

 

 

 

The following letter was drafted in response to the way the Forest Service has been implementing the Travel Management Rule here in California Region 5.  There is some hope that our elected officials will do the right thing and stand up for what the public has deemed a fleecing of our National Public Lands and that the Forest Service will do the right thing and keep our PUBLIC LANDS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC, NOT FROM THE PUBLIC.

 

Congress of the United States

Washington DC 20515

 

May 1, 2009

 

 

Gail Kimbell

Chief, USDA Forest Service

1400 Independence Ave, SW

Washington, DC 20250

 

Dear Chief Kimbell:

 

We are writing today to request your review and response to concerns that have been communicated to us by our constituents regarding travel management planning on national forests throughout California.  As you are aware, the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is currently conducting this process in response to the agency's 2005 Travel Management Rule regarding motor vehicle use on the National Forest System (NFS). We all share a mutual goal to provide an appropriate balance of public access with environmental stewardship of our national forests. As such, we believe that the final travel management plans should not greatly restrict reasonable and prudent vehicle access on existing NFS roads and trails.

 

During the travel management planning, the Forest Service has maintained that the California Vehicle Code (CVC) prohibits the use of off-highway legal vehicles (OHVs) on NFS passenger car roads with a maintenance level (ML) of 3, 4, or 5, despite the California Highway Patrol's clarification that motorized mixed-use is acceptable on unpaved NFS roads. While the Forest Service has indicated that OHV use will still be allowed on ML 2 roads, these are generally short, dead-end spurs that will fail to provide contiguous travel loops desired for quality OHV use. We ask that the Forest Service preserve its national direction for analyzing mixed motor vehicle-use on NFS unpaved passenger car roads. Also, local counties maintain many miles of unpaved roads throughout the NFS that even link with Forest Service maintained roads. Several of these counties already allow or will be designating their roads for mixed motorized vehicle-use at the same time the Forest Service is prohibiting such. It is our understanding that many of these county boards have reached out to the agency regarding this issue but have failed to receive a response from the Regional Office.

 

In addition, there has been great concern that public collaboration has been lacking in the course of the planning process. During the unauthorized route inventory - which found over 10,000 miles of such routes - members of the OHV community submitted many miles to be proposed for designation. To date, several national forests in northeastern California are proposing to close 75-97% of them without sufficient rationale as to why they are being removed from consideration. It does not appear as if closing the large majority of these routes reflects a Proper balance between public access and resource protection.

 

Finally, in spite of national Forest Service policy that allows vehicles to park within 30 feet of a designated road, national forests within Region 5 are proposing to limit this distance to one vehicle length as well as restrict vehicle use for dispersed camping or big game retrieval which national agency policy also allows for. Such a policy would present considerable inconvenience to the many taxpayers that recreate in and enjoy their national forests, particularly when such policy is contrary to national directive.

 

We would appreciate your timely consideration and response to these concerns as well as any initiative that the agency has or will be implementing to address them. Thank you in advance for your attention and assistance on this issue.

 

Sincerely,

 

Wally Herger

Member of Congress

 

Tom McClintock

Member of Congress

 

Dan Lungren

Member of Congress

 

George Radanovich

Member of Congress

 

cc: The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary, USDA

 

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest

 

 

Well it’s finally spring, the snow is melting fast and everyone is ramping up to get out and enjoy the great weather and all of their favorite past times in the Sierra National Forest.  The streams and lakes are cold and running fast, the fish are hungry; the hunters are ready to start looking for this years hunting camps and the best spots to bag a deer or bear.  The bicycle guys and OHV people have been getting their bikes and rigs ready all winter to come out and have some spring time fun. The rock climbers and trail hikers have been itching to get back on some of the most awesome granites faces and trails in the world. The wood cutters are ready to go out and find those choice snags that were brought down by Mother Nature this past winter.  The horse people have their trailers and trucks ready, and the horses are itching to go out and explore the back country after Mother Nature painted her winter picture on the Forest.

 

BUT WAIT, suppose you drive out to the Forest to your favorite spot only to find a newly erected fence and a gate with a sign posted on it that says you can no longer recreate on your PUBLIC LAND here.  DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A BAD DREAM OR WHAT?  Well you had better wake up and take notice as this is about to happen to you and the future of access to your PUBLIC LANDS.

 

The long awaited and way over due release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement is slated for May 1, 2009 and you can bet that everyone who use’s the Sierra National Forest will be affected by its release.  This will be the most important, and the last chance you will have to help shape the future of your PUBLIC LANDS and the Sierra National Forest as we now enjoy it.  If you would like your kids and their kids to be able to enjoy what you have had in your lifetime, the time to speak up is now, for if you don’t then you must be content to settle for what they give you.

 

Please take this time to stand up for what you believe in.  Please go to the events section and get all of the information and meeting dates and times so you can help save our PUBLIC LANDS from those who wish to keep us out.  

 

DEIS Press Release

Dear Interested Parties:

On May 1, 2009, the Sierra National Forest will release for public review and comment the Motorized Travel Management Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Motorized Travel Management Project is part of a national effort to designate transportation systems on each national forest in the country. The goal is to develop a sustainable network of roads and trails that provide opportunities for access and recreation while protecting natural and cultural resources.

Beginning the week of April 27, the Sierra National Forest will begin mailing out copies of the document to those who requested them back in December.  If you did not notify us of your interest, we will have copies available at the public workshops, on the Forest Service website and at Sierra National Forest offices beginning May 1st, 2009.  

We will also be glad to send you a copy, please contact us at: sierra.route@fs.fed.us and specify in the Subject Line: Document Request.  The document can be requested on a CD or Printed Copy (limited amounts available).  Please make sure to include a mailing address where you want the document sent.

Below is the schedule of public workshops the Sierra National Forest will be hosting.  We will also be glad to meet with your club, group or organization to provide an overview of the document.  Please send request to:  sierra.route@fs.fed.us and specify in the Subject Line: Meeting Request

We look forward to meeting with you and your continued interest in Motorized Travel Management on the Sierra National Forest.


/s/Edward C. Cole
Forest Supervisor

 

**********************02/25/2009 19:12**********************

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest - Public Comment On Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Applications

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest, as a division of the non-profit California Trail Users Coalition, are soliciting public input specific to the 2009 grant application proposal for Cooperative Agreements with the State of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division.  In 2009, $27.1 million of your green sticker fees will be available state-wide for distribution among four funding categories:

Education and Safety:  $1,300,000
Law Enforcement:  $5,200,000
Operations and Maintenance:  $13,000,000
Restoration: $7,600,000

Current State regulations require annual public participation in this fund allocation process.  The agreements support OHV management activities on public lands such as the Sierra National Forest, including operations and maintenance, restoration, law enforcement, education and safety.  The "operations and maintenance" category is divided into four project types; acquisition, development, ground operations, and planning, with the emphasis on projects that sustain existing OHV recreation on national forests lands.

 

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest will be submitting two grants to support sustainable OHV recreation and provide OHV education & awareness specific to the Sierra National Forest:

 

·                      Operations & Maintenance – Ground Operations

·                      Education & Safety

This year the State will be using an "On-Line Grant Application” process.   A two step application process is being used to allow public comment and feedback before the final submittal.  To review the CTUC/SotSNF applications, please visit the California State OHV Grants and Cooperative Agreements website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. Applications will be posted March 3^rd which begins the 30-day public review and comment period.   Public comments on the proposals will be posted to the website and forwarded to the SotSNF.  Final applications will be submitted on May 4th.  

 

We appreciate your input!

**********************02/03/2009 01:10**********************

DEIS – coming to a forest near you!

Howdy folks!  As we all know & expected, the Sierra National Forest has been working on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or ‘DEIS’, for OHV Travel Management in our local public national forest.  This document will continue the route designation process by present a list of ‘alternatives’ to the Proposed Action that was communicated during the public meetings in 07’.

 

Make no mistake: our OHV opportunities will be affected!  It is important that we all come out of hibernation and get involved once this document is released.  Current estimate is that the DEIS will be released for public comment late March.  We will keep all our members updated on changes & happenings related to this very important document.

 

Other news:  Stewards of the Sierra National Forest attended the CA OHV grants meeting in Sacramento last month.  We hope to work closely with the Sierra NF to help identify routes & areas that need attention and qualify for OHV grants.  These grants will provide green sticker OHV money to help maintain our trails and national forest.

**********************07/18/2008 19:39**********************

Bald Mountain Trail Appreciation Day

Bald Mountain Trail Appreciation Day

Urgent Action Needed

 

Come and be a part of history in the making as Hummer releases the newest member to its line, the new H3 Truck.  Hummer and its new “Hummer Recreation Rescue Program” have chosen a heavily eroded section of the Bald Mountain Trail as their premier restoration project in the Sierra National Forest.  There will be plenty of press on hand and the opportunity to show the public how the OHV community gives back to the Public Lands we use for our recreation. 

 

The Bald Mountain project entails the improvement and stabilization of an existing four-wheel drive trail.  A half-mile section of this trail receives very heavy run-off during storm events, leading to trail erosion.  This section is located where some stream bank restoration is also necessary.  Several “cheater routes” that have been created will also be restored, and a new bypass around this section installed.  Finally a brochure and map of the trail will be created to guide the public along this restored and designated route to the top of Bald Mountain and the old fire lookout.   

 

Volunteers will be needed to move some rocks, do some shovel work, and also help in some "armoring" of the creek-- which means laying flat rock down on the stream bed to prevent severe erosion from happening.  This is the perfect opportunity for the OHV community to give back to the Sierra National Forest.  Please R.V.S.P. to www.info@sotsnf.org ASAP if you can help out at this very important event.  This way we will know how much food will be needed.

 

DATE: 

 Friday, August 1, 2008

TIME:  

8:00 a.m.

FOOD: 

Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided

MEETING PLACE:

Bald Mountain Base Camp – Click here for a map to base camp

 

VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT: All volunteers must sign an agreement with the US Forest service.  Download the volunteer agreement here.  Then, fax it back to Greg Marks at the Sierra National Forest at (559-855-5355). If you don’t have a fax machine, bring your signed form with you to the project site and let us know that you are bringing it. 

 

WHAT TO BRING: Work gloves, safety glasses, hat, sun block, bug spray, a light rain jacket or poncho, work shirt, work pants, work boots or foot wear, a day or belt pack, hand sanitizer, and a shovel. Also, be sure to wear boots of some type, preferably a hiking boot, while working on the trail.   

 

SOME SUPPORTERS OF THIS PROJECT: The volunteer day is part of a larger Bald Mountain project funded by HUMMER. Some great clubs and organizations are stepping up to the plate, including: Clovis Independent Four Wheelers, Mountain Toppers Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno, California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc, California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Safety and Education Foundation, Inc., 4x4 Him Christian Wheelers, Californians for Public Access, Inc, (Cal Access), Lock and Low Four Wheel Drive Club of Visalia, and Stewards of the Sierra National Forest.

**********************06/23/2008 17:11**********************

CPR AND CHAINSAW CLASS CANCELED

6-23-08

THE FOREST SERVICE HAS HAD TO CANCEL THE CPR AND CHAINSAW CLASS THAT WAS TO BE HELD ON 6-24-27-08 DUE TO THE RECENT LIGHTING STRIKE FIRES IN THE SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR A NEW CLASS DATE

MIKE

**********************05/27/2008 23:37**********************

Miami Trails Cleanup Day

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest and Racers under the Son are newly formed off-highway vehicle clubs in Fresno that have organized to work with the Forest Service to help maintain roads and trails in our National Forest.  

The two organizations recently partnered with the Sierra National Forest Bass Lake Ranger District to clean up the forest around the Bass Lake district. More than two dozen volunteers spent the morning and hot afternoon picking up trash and debris that had accumulated along the roads and trails.

Two truck loads of trash were collected and removed, including half of a car body, a 15'x 12' roll of carpet, old car engine parts and discarded tires. Although it was a hot weekend, everyone pushed through the heat and worked as a team. Volunteers enjoyed hot dogs and drinks provided by RUTS and SOTSNF. The combined cleanup efforts paid off and a noticeable improvement was made to our public lands.

Both organizations are looking forward to the next opportunity to help with keeping their beloved trails clean.

For more information visit our website, SOTSNF.org

Stewards of the Sierra National Forest  (SOTSNF)
Racers Under The Son   (RUTS)

**********************05/22/2008 21:39**********************

Gates to Close More Forest Roads

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

California Roadless Suit Means More Gates Installed on Forest Service OHV Routes
Click image to enlarge.

SACRAMENTO, CA (May 21) — The California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs led a coalition of recreational access groups seeking to enter the latest lawsuit challenging motorized recreation in California. The lawsuit was filed by the California Attorney General's Office on behalf of the California Resources Agency, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the People of the State of California. It was filed against the U.S. Forest Service's "forest plans" for the Angeles, Los Padres, Cleveland and San Bernardino National Forests in southern California.

The State contends the Forest Plans fail both to comply with various federal laws and to properly "harmonize" the State's input on "roadless area" management with the long-range federal planning vision.

The Recreation Groups filed a motion to intervene on May 15th in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. C 08-1185-MHP). The groups petitioning the court include the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, American Motorcyclist Association District 36, California Enduro Riders Association, and the BlueRibbon Coalition,.

"Once again, the motorized recreation community have little choice but to respond to attempts to close treasured access to historical roads in these 'roadless' areas," said Don Spuhler, Cal4 President. "Apparently high levels of State leadership are dissatisfied by the prospect that these routes continue in use despite the Clinton Roadless Rule and unprecedented Forest Service travel management efforts. We believe it essential to defend this access and proper understanding of the forest planning process," Spuhler concluded.

The Motion to Intervene is presently scheduled to be heard on June 30, 2008.

# # #

The California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs is a California nonprofit organization actively promoting conservation and responsible vehicle-oriented recreation. The Association represents over 8,000 members and 160 member clubs. 1-800-4x4-FUNN. www.cal4wheel.com

The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

**********************05/13/2008 13:38**********************

Trail Appreciation Day

Trail Appreciation Day

Miami Creek

Kamook Staging Area

Sunday May 18, 2008

 

Please come join Stewards of the Sierra National Forest and the Bass Lake Ranger District for a fun day of riding and trail appreciation support at the Miami Creek Riding Area located off of Hiway 41 just above Oakhurst Ca.  We will meet at the Kamook Staging area at 10:00 a.m. and will split into groups from there.  Our mission for the day is to have some fun riding around the area and at the same time help remove some of the unsightly waste left lying around.  There will be sodas and bottled water available, and the Forest Service will provide all of the needed supplies to accomplish this great task.  So bring your lunch and your favorite OHV and come out and have some fun and make a difference in our forest.  Lets show the Forest Service how much we care about our Sierra National Forest and how working together we can keep it open for everybody to enjoy.

 

**********************05/03/2008 12:05**********************

Our Goverment Stealing from the Public Again

United States Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Managment

Hollister Field Office

20 Hamilton Court

Hollister Ca. 95023

831-630-5000-Office

831-630-5055-Fax

www.blm.gov/ca/hollister

 

EMERGENCY CLOSURE EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2008 OF 31,000 ACRES WITHIN THE

CLEAR CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA

INFORMATION FACT SHEET

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began conducting a study in 2004 on asbestos exposures experienced by CCMA users during typical recreational activities. The study was conducted to provide BLM with information to manage and minimize human health risks at the CCMA and to update a similar study conducted by the BLM in 1992.

               

On May 1, 2008 the EPA released the report, "CCMA Asbestos Exposure and Human Health Risk Assessment."  The report stated the exposures measured by EPA for many recreational activities at CCMA are "above the EPA acceptable risk range of lifetime cancers."  It also notes that children "have greater risk than adults due to higher exposure measurements [and] are of special concern because their exposures occur earlier in their lives.

 

Based on the findings in the report, BLM simultaneously enacted an immediate temporary closure on May 1, 2008 of 31,000 acres of the area to all public access/entry upon release of the EPA report while a Resource Management Plan (RMP) to determine the long-term management of the area is underway.  The BLM's number one priority is to protect the public's health and safety.

 

Over the next two years, BLM will be preparing a Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement to guide the long-term management of public lands within the CCMA. EPA and BLM will host a public meeting to discuss the results of the EPA Human Health Risk Assessment and BLM will discuss the need for the temporary emergency closure on May 8, 2008.

 

The Fee Program has been suspended and partial refunds will be issued to all persons who purchased a Season Pass.

 

Public Meetings

 

May 8, Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, EPA and BLM,   open house from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, meeting from 6:00 – 9:00 pm

 

May 19, Veteran's Memorial Hall, 649 San Benito St., Hollister, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

 

May 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Library Room 225, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

 

For More Information

 

Contact the Hollister Field Office at (831) 630-5000 or visit our website at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/hollister/clear_creek_management_area.

**********************03/26/2008 09:45**********************

It’s Club Nite at Yamaha 99.

It’s Club Nite at Yamaha 99.

 

28615 Green Ct.

Madera Ca. 93637

559-645-4545

 

We have been asked to include all the local OHV clubs in our monthly party nite.

 

Sounds great to us at Yamaha 99!

We love off roading just as much as the next guy or gal!

 

So please come by and enjoy the festivities Saturday April 5^th from 4:00 to 10:00 pm.

 

Bring out your rigs and show them off.

 

We will have several bands that night, a great BBQ, prizes, show and shine, Big Love Boxing and some other fun stuff.  It’s a time for socializing and sharing experiences.

 

To all our OHV friends it can be a time to connect and talk about the proposed closures in our National Forests and elsewhere in the state, and develop stronger ways to network and work as a team to keep open the trails we love.

 

Please join us the evening of April 5^th from 4:00 to 10:00 pm for lots of fun and fellowship.

 

Thanks,

Jim Riley

Owner- Yamaha 99

**********************01/17/2008 01:12**********************

OHV Hard Work Starting to Pay Off

YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK
Ruling allows wilderness trails to stay open
'There are implications not only in California, but also nationwide'

---

Posted: January 16, 2008
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com

Trail riders enjoying California's back-country

A federal government decision that will allow back-country trails for Jeeps and other off-highway vehicles to remain open in a national forest in northern California is being seen as a precedent that could have implications for other such disputes now developing, a trail advocate says.

The recent decision came from Smith River National Recreation Area Road Management and Route Designation Project on the Six Rivers National Forest, according to Don Amador, the western representative for the Blue Ribbon Coalition.

The organization is a national recreation group that champions responsible use of public and private lands, and "encourages individual environmental stewardship." It represents more than 10,000 individual members and another 1,200 groups that act on behalf of a total of 600,000 people nationwide.

The BRC had joined with Del Norte County in an appeal of the decision that would have closed more than 14 miles of historic off-highway vehicle motorized trails in the Six Rivers National Forest.

The appeal deciding officer now has reversed the proposed closure, Amador said.

"This decision clearly supports BRC's continuing legal viewpoint that the 2001 Clinton Roadless Rule allows for motorized trails to be designated in roadless areas," he said. "As the route designation process continues on other forests it will be important for local user groups to highlight important OHV routes that already exist in roadless areas so they may be included as meaningful options in the travel management plan."

The forest opinion earlier had proposed a ban on the use of those motorized vehicle trails in the Six Rivers Forest.

"Currently, the 19 national forests in California are in various stages of route designation as required by the nationwide Forest Service Travel Management Rule," the organization said. "The NRA's process was one of the first projects completed where a final decision notice had been issued."

Amador said the vehicle trails "should not be arbitrarily and summarily excluded."

"Some of the most highly valued and scenic motorized trails in our national forests exist in roadless areas," he said.

"We just feel there needs to be some balance in the decision-making process between motorized and non-motorized access," Amador told WND. "We felt the Six Rivers decision [was] restrictive, and that's why we're glad to see the decision remanded and a balance struck.

"If the decisions are too closure-oriented, we feel the public right to access federal lands will be impacted. It's not necessary and it's something we're certainly going to keep working on," he said.

"We all have a place in the environment, but having reasonable access to these trails in remote places certainly is legitimate," he said.

**********************11/02/2007 10:42**********************

Madera County Board Adopts Resolution

For Immediate Release

Contact: Maria Miranda

559.662.6050

 

October 30, 2007

 

Madera County Adopts Resolution Opposing Sierra National Forest Action

 

MADERA, Calif. — On October 9, 2007, the Madera County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution opposing the United States Forest Service Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that would analyze off-highway vehicle use and suggest restrictions or closure of many OHV trails within the forest.

 

The Board strongly opposed this action as many of the trails are within Madera County. These OHV trails are major tourist draws and a prime source of revenue for both the County and businesses neighboring the Sierra Forest. The Board felt there was not adequate time to review the proposal and thereby protect the interests of the County and its residents.

 

Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler was instrumental in bringing the action to the attention of the Board and many of his District 5 constituents.

 

“Closing off-highway vehicle trails in the forest could have detrimental effects on the County and nearby dependent communities,” said Supervisor Wheeler, whose district includes the Sierra National Forest. “I want to make sure that everyone impacted by this action has a chance to comment and that their input is duly noted by the Forest Service.”

 

The Board of Supervisors also opted to write a letter to the Forest Service requesting that it seek to extend the project completion date to November 2009—the nationwide deadline for final implementation of the motorized travel management rule for OHV use in the National Forest System. Currently, the Forest Service is following a State of California deadline of September 2008, which was mandated under a 2003 agreement that helped finance the mapping and designation of OHV routes in California forests.

 

Madera County will continue to monitor the progress of the Forest Service and strive to protect tourism and the revenue it provides. As hundreds of miles of OHV forest trails within Madera County would be closed or restricted under the Forest Service’s proposal, the County has a significant stake in the outcome of this action.

 

 

**********************10/27/2007 00:17**********************

OHV COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED

Contact: Sue Exline
(559) 297-0706 ext. 4804

October 27, 2007

 

OHV Comment Period Extended Until December 3, 2007

Additional "Drop-in" Workshops Planned

 

The Sierra National Forest announced today that it will extend the public comment period for the Proposed Action to designate a system of roads and trails for OHV use through December 3, 2007.  The Proposed Action, which was released September 14, is just the starting point of a year long process to designate a system of roads and trails for OHV use. 

"We recognize this is a very important project to the public and additional time is needed to provide the Forest with comments", stated Ed Cole, Forest Supervisor.  "I'm very pleased with the dialogue and comments we have received to date and I'm committed to working closely with those who would like to have additional time provide us input", added Cole.

The Forest has completed two all day public input workshops and we will host three additional  "Drop-In" workshops were individuals can stop in at a Forest Service Office to review maps and provide input on roads, trails and dispersed camping or parking areas that they would like to see included in the environmental analysis.  The Drop-In schedule is:

North Fork Ranger Station, North Fork – Tuesday, November 27, 5pm–8pm

High Sierra Ranger Station, Prather – Wednesday, November 28, 5pm-8pm

Sierra National Forest Headquarters – Thursday, November 29, 5pm-8pm

For more information about the effort the Sierra National Forest is taking to designate a system of Roads and Trails for OHV use, please visit our website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/projects/ohv/index.shtml  or contact Gayne Sears at (559) 877-2218 ext. 3182 for a CD of proposed maps and information.

 

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