NATIONAL ADVOCATETHE

Spring 2015 | Equal Access Quarterly

• 4 WHEELING AND THE ESA.• CAL 4 WHEEL NAME CHANGE• CALIFORNIA OHV LOBBY DAYS.• MAKING A CASE FOR MOTORIZED RECREATION• A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR YOUR OHV CLUB• THE SALT LICK ADVOCATE

Published By Carrera Performance Group, LLC and made possible by volunteer contributors:Jeff Knoll, Angie Knoll, Scott Jones, Alexis Nelson, Fred Wiley, Jerry Smith, Tom Edmonds, Jeffrey Dozier,Stuart Gosswein, Corey Osborne, Steve Egbert, Shots by TBars, Ed Rigsbee, Off Road Business Association, Bower Motor-sporst Media, Rockcrawler.com, UTV Weekly, Mad Media, UTV Underground.com, RaceDesert.com, AMA D36, AMA D37, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs American Sand Association, California Nevada Snow Mobile Association, Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Association,SEMA, RallyVenture, KLIM, United 4WD Associatons, Trail Preservation Alliance, NOHVCC, MOPAR, Fiat, Jeep, BFGoodrich and Tread Lightly. Send future contributions to Jeff@CarreraPerformanceGroup.com

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MISSION STATEMENTThe National Advocate is a nondenominational free quarterly newsletter dedicated to the unifi ed effort to maintain motorized access to public lands. The National Advocate does not sell advertising in an effort to promote distribution through multiple channels and broadcast information from regional and national OHV associations. The Off Road Business Association makes funding for the National Advocate possible.

NATIONAL ADVOCATETHE

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A COMMON THREAD

ARE YOU A CONTRIBUTOR?

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I recently had a friend in the industry make a profound statement concerning motorized recreation advocacy. He stated, “ We don’t need volunteers, we need contributors.”

For years, I have seen the same handful of volunteers working tirelessly for the OHV community. Be it hosting a club event, attending meetings, or leading a trail ride, they volunteer their time and energy. I have also heard that we don’t have enough skilled volunteers to advocate for public land access. What I think we are really lacking, thanks to the statement my friend made, is contributors.

Are You Contributing to Motorized Recreation? Contributors to the National Advocate are taking the time to educate others on items of importance by writing articles. Contributors to a campaign are pooling resources with like-minded individuals to develop a stronger voice, and contributors to an event are offering unique skill sets that drive the engine, so that when the volunteers show up, they have a task. I am not knocking volunteers, but what I am saying is that we have to reconsider if volunteer is the right term for the people we need to maintain our lifestyle.

Over 20 years ago, I was the president of a Jeep club. Our club had a rule that each member was required to host a club event. This way, our monthly club runs would not be a burden on a small group. One mem-ber, who was financially comfortable but worked long hours, suggested a compromise when it came to his duties. Rather than spend the time organizing a club run, he would stroke a check each year for a healthy amount so that the club would never lack funds to accomplish its goals. He was unable to perform his du-ties as a member, but could contribute in another way. The compromise became the foundation for a long relationship that worked well.

I have always wondered how our culture can spend upwards of $200,000 on RVs, trailers and OHVs but when asked for a $20.00 land use donation at the King of the Hammers event, they decline, or say it’s too much. Your contribution to land use advocacy groups is a small investment in keeping your public land ac-cess. We all have different ways we can contribute. I invite you to consider how you can help keep our trails open for all to enjoy.

vol·un·teernoun: volunteer; plural noun: volunteers a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

con·trib·u·tor noun a person or thing that contributes something, in particular. a person who writes articles for a magazine or newspaper.noun: contributor; plural noun: contributors a person who donates money to a cause.synonyms: donor, benefactor, subscriber, supporter, backer, patron, sponsor “campaign contributors”

4-Wheeling and The Endangered Species Act

By Jerry SmithDirector of Environmental Affairs

United Four Wheel Drive Associations

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Most of you engaged in the sport of 4-wheeling will have heard of, or have some first hand knowledge of, the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As leaders of the 4-wheel-ing community, it is likely that your opinion of the ESA is mostly negative.

I hope to alter your opinion(s) if I may.

The ESA has often been used against the 4-wheeling com-munity to close areas, roads, and trails to protect “endan-gered” or “threatened” species.These closures are often a direct threat to our sport. In reality, little or nothing but the closure is ever done to further protect the species.

Up until now, there have been few, if any, successful ways to combat these closures that I am aware of. The Grand Mesa Jeep Club (GMJC) leadership may have solved this issue to some extent. Would you like to hear about it?

Not far from the City of Grand Junction is an extreme trail that has national recognition as a quite difficult trail. Some of you may have seen articles on it in national mag-azines. The Jeeping community knows it as “21 Road”.

The Grand Mesa Jeep Club has attempted to “adopt” this trail unsuccessfully for years. The BLM is under great pressure from preservationist groups to close this trail to motorized uses, formally name the area a “Land with Wilderness Characteristics”, and thereby manage it as if it were a Wilderness Study Area (WSA).

The Grand Junction Field Office of the BLM has been re-vising their Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Travel Management Plan (TMP) for the last few years. Fears of losing motorized access to 21 Road were one of many reasons for the GMJC to get very involved in the RMP/TMP process from the very beginning.

During our research into 21 Road, we found out that, going back to 2001, the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad was put on the “Threatened” list of the ESA. The Great Basin Spadefoot Toad is suspected of inhabiting 21 Road. BLM biologists have not actually seen one of these evasive little guys there, but the habitat is ripe for them in 2 or 3 small areas. In the 14 years since the “threatened” listing, absolutely NOTHING has been done to protect the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad or its suspected habitat.

The logical and likely next step would be for the BLM to close the trail and/or area to motorized use.

Because we (the Grand Mesa Jeep Club) have been unable to adopt the road/trail, the GMJC became desperate to find a way to protect our motorized access to the 21 Road trail. Drum roll please…

If you can’t adopt the road, why not adopt the toad? It’s the “take a lemon and make lemonade” technique.

By adopting the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad, the “21 Road Toad”, the GMJC has committed to protecting the Toad habitat in the areas that require protection while, at the same time, showing that members of the Off-Highway user group do indeed have “conservation” and species protection at heart. They can all go hand-in-hand.

It is planned that we will eventually begin an educational program that will inform the public of the 21 Road Toad and their listing. Further, we hope to mark the habitat as “OFF LIMITS” to vehicle travel and reroute traffic away from the small areas of concern. The reception of this concept by the BLM personnel has been overwhelmingly positive

For those of us who use the land, the lesson in this is clear. Go out and find an endangered or threatened spe-cies on or around a trail you frequent. Do some research on the species. Determine if there is something your organization can do to further protect it, and then follow through with a plan. Plants or animals could be used as “the species”. Something as simple as rerouting a trail away from an ESA species of concern may open many doors. In most cases, even though the species has been listed for years, nothing of direct value to the species has ever been done. Find a trail that has been closed to pro-tect an ESA species. See if there is something your club might DO to mitigate the need for the closure. Work as a partner to the land managers. You may find that volun-teering services may be the key to the closed door.

Working WITH the land managers rather than against them is an excellent way to develop a better working relationship. It’s also a perfect way to prove that we are the true “conservationists”, not the “terrorists” of the land that some perceive us to be.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

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GREENVILLE, S.C., April 2, 2015 – BFGoodrich® Tires builds tires for any adventure, including those that take drivers off their daily roadways. Through its Outstanding Trails program that promotes sustainable and responsible off-road driving, BFGoodrich Tires will once again award grants of $4,000 each to three qualified and passionate off-road clubs in North America. These clubs will use their grants to continue their efforts that preserve and protect their hometown trails.

As Outstanding Trails enters its 10th year, BFGoodrich has selected 4 Wheel Parts as presenting sponsor of this year’s program. 4 Wheel Parts will promote the program and provide a critical outreach extension to four-wheel-drive clubs across North America. The program also is conducted in collaboration with United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA), Blue Ribbon Coalition and the Off Road Business Association.

To date, Outstanding Trails has awarded grants to 36 off-road trails nominated by 35 local clubs throughout North America. The program has provided more than $140,000 in grants in support of these trail conser-vation efforts.

Nominations will be accepted beginning April 3 through July 10, 2015, on the BFGoodrich Tires website at www.bfgoodrichtires.com. The competition invites off-road clubs from around North America to nominate lo-cal trails that merit grants for maintenance or refurbishing. Trails are selected based on uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast support.

“Off-road communities and clubs that promote and preserve this activity are true driving enthusiasts,” said Duane Thomas, brand communications manager for BFGoodrich Tires. “Outstanding Trails allows BFGo-odrich Tires and our sponsors to join these clubs in maintaining a robust and responsible off-road culture.”

BFGoodrich has assembled a panel of judges comprised of four-wheel industry veterans to evaluate Out-standing Trails grant submissions. This group selects three winning trails, which will be announced at Off Road Expo in October.

About BFGoodrich Tires With more than 100 years of heritage, BFGoodrich® Tires is dedicated to providing high performance tires for those who have a passion for driving in virtually any environment. Combining technical expertise with 40 years of motorsports experience, BFGoodrich Tires delivers tires for a full range of driving experiences from ultra-high performance street to off-road terrain with one common theme – extreme performance. Come upgrade your performance with BFGoodrich and see where our tires can take you at www.BFGoodrichTires.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BFGoodrichTires or on Twitter at @BFGoodrichTires.

About 4 Wheel Parts 4 Wheel Parts is the global leader in off-road truck, Jeep and aftermarket performance products. With 69 locations across the U.S. and Canada and growing, 4 Wheel Parts Service Centers install all the prod-ucts they sell. Maintaining the nation’s largest inventory of off-road tires, wheels, lift kits, and accessories, 4 Wheel Parts serves customers across the country and around the globe. Life is Better Off-Road™. Visit them at 4wheelparts.com or call toll-free 877-474-4821.

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Off Road Business Association BOD Chairman, Greg Adler president/CEO of Transamerica Auto Parts, and Fred Wiley, President/CEO of the Off-Road Business Association, recently met with the U.S. House of Rep-resentative Speaker John Boehner and local House member David Valadao (21st district CA) to discuss the Off-Highway Vehicle community and public lands access.

“It’s not often that the opportunity presents itself when you can have the attention of congressional leader-ship where you can put a face on who we are and what we do. Just finding common ground in a friendly and positive way can go a long way towards building a relationship,” said Wiley when asked about the meeting.

Speaker Boehner talked about the difficulties of moving legislation in a manner that makes good sense. In addition, he shared insight about the 24-hour news cycle, the difference between the reporting agencies and how facts don’t always seem important. Boehner also spoke about the challenges of leading, when facts need to be considered, due to national security. The time spent with the Speaker helped bring some clarity as to why simple legislation is so difficult to move in Congress.

Congressman David Valadao of the 21st District is proud to show you a picture of his ATV. He is an advocate for motorized recreation and has supported issues to help maintain Pismo and Oceano Dunes riding areas. He is currently co-sponsoring a bill in the House to reopen the Clear Creek Recreation Area that was closed by the BLM and EPA. Bill number H.R. 1838 is titled the Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conser-vation Act. ORBA, along with other national OHV organizations, supports H.R. 1838.

The meeting represented a continuing effort by the Off Road Business Association to share our passion for motorized recreation and look towards policy as the frontline in maintaining motorized access on our public lands.

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ORBA Meets With Congressional Leadership.

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By Steve EgbertChange can be good and we have made one; in February, at our annual meeting, we decide to change our name from the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc. to the California Four Wheel Drive As-sociation, Inc. This is the third time we have adjusted our name to reflect changing times. Originally, we were known as the California Association of Jeeps Clubs. We still have a solid base of clubs with well over 50% of our members in clubs but the clubs did recognize that we needed to appeal to potential members that are not interested in being in a traditional club. We also are known by our nick name, Cal4Wheel, and that remains the same as does our mission of protecting the opportunities of ALL people to have access to our public lands for the purpose of ALL forms of outdoor recreation and educating about responsible land use. We strive to serve the offroad community to: Protect motorized access to public lands, Provide organized events, trail rides and education and Promote safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation.

Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit our legislators in Washington, DC twice a year. I re-cently made one of these visits. I have built relationships with some legislators and their staff. We have two Natural Recourses Consultants that work for the Association. The work they do with local land managers is very valuable but many decisions are made in Washington, DC and working with legislators and building relationships is very important. I support efforts to increase the presence of the four wheel drive community in Washington, DC and look forward to working with our partners to move this goal forward.We work hard on land use issues every day and we must never forget why we work so hard on land use is-sues in the first place, so we can have fun with family and friends. Always remember, all we do is about fun, so attend a club or association event and have fun.

California Association of 4 WD Clubs Name Change

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One Voice is about to shift into a new gear. The focus will be on developing the structure for the Advisory Committee, which is not an easy feat. During the 2014 SEMA Show, supporters of the One Voice plan decided the next step in the process is to create the platform for the Advisory Committee. This is a critical component of the operation and success of One Voice. It begins with identifying the stakeholders across the country; in certain areas this is already established and working successfully. Specifically, the stakeholders encompass the user groups of the 4WD, Jeep and OHV community. These are the grassroots organiza-tions that could be the combination of local clubs, associations, regional, and state entities.

How the Advisory Committee is setup to function is quite simple in concept; we establish the regions across the country, for example, this could translate to the West Coast, Rocky Mountain, Mid-West, Southern and Eastern seaboard regions (this is a hypothetical scenario). Once the regions are determined, the organiza-tional structure will work from ground up and each region will identify how they will choose their representa-tive/representation. They may be joined together by location, specific issues that need to be addressed or shared common themes, activities, and objectives. Regional representation may work within their specified areas of concern and location or tasked with addressing and mitigating in other areas around the country.

The objective of the Advisory Committee is to provide representation from the specified regions of the grassroots organizations and identify key issues and concerns for the One Voice Community to address and tackle. Once these items are identified, the Advisory Committee will present their recommendation(s) to the One Voice Board of Directors. The Board will recommend a course of action, and task the Advisory Commit-tee with an assigned plan. The process will be outlined in greater detail as we delve into the current ground work of establishing the committee.

Outreach will be the largest undertaking for this stage in developing the foundation of the Advisory Commit-tee.

#ONEVOICEBy Alexis Nelson

Making a Case for Motorized Recreation: The Value of Economic

Impact StudiesBy Alexis Nelson

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Making a case for motorized recreation: The Value of Economic Impact Studies

OHV enthusiasts are exceptionally proud to be in-volved in their chosen mode of motorized recreation. From navigating off the beaten path to accessing the remote areas of our beloved National Forests, motorized recreation spans the breadth of socio economic, cultural, and many generations across the country. It also plays a critical role in the economy, culture and quality of life for many Americans.

Like any sport and recreational activity, there is a price tag to play. From purchasing the latest and greatest technologically advanced equipment, to pur-chasing the truck, trailer, and fuel to haul your gear to the trailhead, the financial impact is significantly beyond conventional thinking. The focus here is not on the actual cost to play, it’s on the positive and significant impact we have when we are recreating. Sure, there’s the initial investment in the equipment and the aftermarket parts, gear and clothing, the registration or vehicle pass for compliance, mem-bership dues – it’s all part of the direct costs. How about the indirect costs? Stopping along the trip to grab sandwiches for a trailside lunch or taking into consideration the local restaurant needs to hire addi-tional staff to accommodate and prepare for a large event. Small businesses are an excellent example of the huge impact OHV enthusiasts have on the economy.

Motorized recreation plays a critical role in fuel-ing the economic engine that drives sales, growth and prospering businesses, from patronizing local businesses and trail construction/maintenance to creating and sustaining jobs for management, manu-facturing and growth. The motorized community has established an effective foundation and successful model for trail management, organization and advo-cacy; now how about taking that next step in captur-ing our financial footprint on the economy. Gathering financial data, tracking spending habits and patterns will help share the important story of the unique bal-ance between recreation, lifestyle and contribution to the economic engine that drives commerce, jobs, planning and the catalyst that helps shapes policy.

Gathering and collecting economic data is impera-tive in business planning, identifying revenue streams for both the private and public sector, and assisting organizations in strategic and marketing planning. Quantitative and qualitative economic information is needed as a whole system where any and all of the organizations may convey to a member, a business owner, a landowner, and state and federal entities, that motorized recreation is a $(fill the blank) indus-try in your respective state or region. This presence creates connectivity between communities, citizens, municipalities and the government through planning, policy, coordination and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.

The value of an economic study makes a compelling case to support trail infrastructure and a return on the initial investment and maintenance opera-tions identified in management and strategic plans. Collecting financial trends and data may result in identifying and addressing issues creating an op-portunity for enhancement and growth. It supports the need for emerging and current business par-ticipation and the breadth of services as recreation opportunities continue to expand and enhance their business niche in the community. Unique business opportunities exist and economic studies provide a vehicle to stimulate growth and create a platform for enhanced business development. From contracting with engineering firms for bridge design, to hiring local equipment operators in constructing trails, to supporting local equipment dealers in purchasing parts, gear and clothing, to buying a sandwich at a trail stop at a general store, businesses rely heavily on recreational tourism. Impact studies highlight and convey the importance of recreation and its im-pact to the economy, creation of jobs and presence in rural towns. Small and emerging business owners may utilize the statistical & financial data to assist in formulating business plans and confirming the need for service-based provisions. Current business own-ers may use the study as a marketing and planning tool for expansion and identifying areas where there may be the need to hire additional staffing (for exam-ple, during events or seasonally). Furthermore, this study will convey the significance and vitality that trail based recreation has in communities and positive im-pacts on creating a healthy environment for families, employees and visitors alike.

May 14 Jeep Jamboree, Palo Duro, Amarillo, TX

May 14 Jeep Jamboree, Land Between the Lakes, Marshall County, KY

May 14-16 NW Raptor Rally, Winchester Bay, OR

May 15-16 Spring 4-Wheel Jamboree, Lima, OH

May 16 Dirt Riot Southwest #2 Tucson, AZ

May 16 4Wheel Parts Truckfest, TX

May 16 Overland Expo West, Flagstaff, AZ

May 23 Vorra Desert Race Hawthorne, NV

May 23 Southern Rock Racing - South #2

May 23 WORCS Round 6 Cedar City, UT

May 23 Hi-Desert Round-Up Barstow, CA

MAY 28-30 Jeep Jamboree Badlands, Attica, IN

May 29-30 Speed Energy Formula Offroad #6 Detroit, MI

May 30 Dirt Riot Central Series #2 Marble Falls, TX

May 30 LOORS Round #5&6 Lake Elsinore, CA

May 30 SNORE Race Fuel Energy 250

June 4-6 SCORE Baja 500

June 5-6 Unlimited Off-Road Show, KY

June 7 Speed Energy Formula Offroad X-Games Austin, TX

June 11-13 Jeep Jamboree Tillamook, OR

June 12-14 Speed Energy Formula Offroad Toronto, Canada

June 12-14 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival Butler, PA

June 13-14 WERock Western #2 Rangely, CO

June 13 4Wheel Parts Truck Fest, CA

June 18-20 Jeep Jamboree Drummond Island, MI

June 18-20 Jeep Jamboree Penn’s Woods, Bradford, PA

June 18-20 TORC Racing Series #5&6 Chicago, IL

June 20 Dirt Riot Mountain Series #2 Colorado Springs, CO

June 20 Southern Rock Racing - North #2

June 20 LOORS Series #7&8 Toole, UT

June 25-27 Jeep Jamboree Silver Valley Mullan, ID

June 26-27 Ultra4 at Badlands Attica, IN

June 26-27 TORC Racing Series #7&8 Crandon, WI

June 27 WERock Eastern #2 Attica, IN

June 27 MOOR Series #2

June 28 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, CO

July 8-11 2nd Annual RallyVenture Reno, NV

July 10-11 TORC Racing Series #9&10 Charlotte, NC

July 11 Ultra4 4Wheel Parts Grand Prix Glen Helen, CA

July 16-18 Jeep Jamboree Killngton, Killington, VT

July 16-18 Jeep Jamboree Northwoods Mole Lake, WI

July 17-18 All Breeds Jeep Show

July 17-18 LOORS Round 9&10 Glen Helen, CA

July 18-19 Dirt Riot MidStates & Southeast #3 Sturgis, KY

July 18 PURE 150 California City, CA

July 23-26 Jeepers Jamboree, Georgetown, CA

July 25 4Wheel Parts Truck Fest, CO

July 30-Aug1 Jeep Jamboree Roof of the Rockies Snow-mass Village, CO

July 30-Aug1 Jeep Jamboree Coal Mountain Coal Town-ship, PA

July 31-Aug1 Sturgis Offroad Blowout Sturgis, KY

Aug 1-2 WERock Western #3 Goldendale, WA

Aug 1-2 LOORS Rounds 11&12 Estero Beach, BC, MX

S U M M E R E V E N T C A L E N D A R

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Aug 2-8 All 4 Fun Chaffee County, CO

Aug 4-5 TORC Racing Series Sturgis, SD

Aug 6-9 Jeep Jamboree Rubicon Trail, CA

Aug 8-9 Southern Rock Racing South #3 Oliver Springs, TN

Aug 8-14 SCTA Bonneville Speedweek Bonneville Salt Flats, UT

Aug 13-15 BITD Vegas to Reno Las Vegas, NV

Aug 15-16 WEROCK Eastern #3 Troy, OK

Aug 15-16 FORE Racing Poker Run

Aug 15-16 TORC Racing Series Barl River, MI

Aug 16 Dirt Riot Central Series Troy, OK

Aug 20-23 Jeep Jamboree Big Horn Dayton, WY

Aug 22 Dirt Riot Mountain & Southwest #3 Cortez, CO

Aug 22-23 4Wheel Parts Truckfest, FL

Aug 22-23 LOORS Rounds 13&14 Sparks, NV

Aug 29-30 VORRA Desert Race Fallon, NV

Aug 29 Ultra4 Toole, UT

Sept 3-6 Jeep Jamboree Ouray Ouray, CO

Sept 4-5 TORC Racing Series Crandon, WI

Sept 5-6 Southern Rock Racing North #3

Sept 5-7 Cantina for the Con Rubicon Trail, CA

Sept 12 WERock Grand Nationals Mason, TX

Sept 12 AZ Lucas Oil Regional

Sept 12 Ultra4 Superlift Park

Sept 17-20 Jeep Jamboree Castskill Mountains Monticello, NY

Sept 18-20 Sand Sports Super Show, Orange, CA

Sept 18-19 SNORE Midnight Race

Sept 19 All Breeds Jeep Show Iowa

Sept 19 Fall 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals

Sept 24-26 SCORE Imperial Valley 250

Sept 24-26 Jeep Jamboree Black Hills Deadwood, SD

Sept 25 Route 66 Mother Road Festival San Bernardino, CA

Sept 26 Dirt Riot National Rampage Bridgeport, TX

Sept 26-27 WORCS Round 8 Glen Helen, CA

Sept 28-Oct 2 Baja Rally 3.0

Sept 29-Oct 2 SCTA Bonneville World Finals

Oct 1-4 Jeep Jamboree Maine Mountains Bethel, ME

Oct 1-4 Jeep Jamboree Ozark Adventure Ozark, AR

Oct 3-4 Off-Road Expo Pomona, CA

Oct 3-4 Southern Rock Racing Nationals

Oct 3 VORRA Short Course Sparks, NV

Oct 8 Jeep Jamboree Uwharrie Troy, NC

Oct 10-11 BITD Bluewater

Oct 15-18 Jeep Jamboree Ouachita Hot Springs, AR

Oct 17 Ultra4 National Championship

Oct 17-18 WORCS Round 9 Primm, NV

Oct 22-24 Jeeb Jamboree Moab Moab, UT

Oct 22-24 Jeep Jamboree Gateway to the Cumberlands Wil-liamsburg, KY

Oct 24-25 LOORS Lake Elsinore, CA

Oct 24-25 VORRA Short Course Prairie City, CA

Oct 24-25 SNORE 250

Oct 30-Nov 1 Jeep Jamboree Cullman Cullman, AL

S U M M E R E V E N T C A L E N D A R

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2014 Success Stories--The Tenderfoot Trail Project was approved in theWhite River NF and created twenty-two miles of newsingle track motorized trails outside Dillon, Colorado.The Hermosa Watershed Legislation was approved,which creates a 70,000 acre special managementarea for motorized recreation, protecting riding areasthat had long been within recommended Wildernessareas and released a Wilderness Study Area formotorized usage.--The Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the WhiteRiver NF reopened almost 150 miles of motorizedroutes to OHV usage.--The Uncompahgre BLM Field Office determined thatmotorized and non-motorized usage should bebalanced in a trail project in the Burn Canyon areathat was originally to be exclusively non-motorizedtrails.--New management documents were issued forwolverine and lynx clearly stating that motorizedrecreation is not an issue on millions of acres ofhabitat. Previously, this issue was classified asunresolved and resulted in overly cautiousmanagement decisions.--A more noticeable proactive involvement style byFederal Land Managers is apparent as it relates to awide range of OHV issues impacting recreation onpublic lands continues to yield some positive results.

Legislation Issues--In 2014, TPA addressed four key legislation initia-tives:--We are building on the successful release of theWest Needles Wilderness Study area in 2014 andare working to gain release of the North SandHills Wilderness Study area outside WaldenColorado due to the long history of motorizedusage in the area.

Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA)2014 End of Year Report 16 Feb 2015

Colorado Springs, Colorado --We are exploring landscape level tools for therelease of Wilderness Study areas that havenever been found suitable for designation.--TPA has strategically positioned itself to workmore closely and effectively with Colorado’selected officials in the US Senate and House.--TPA and our partners published a consolidatedresearch paper noting a wide range of impactsfor expanded Wilderness designations, includingnegative economic impacts to communities, lowlevels of utilizations of current opportunities andnegative impacts to the overall health of publiclands from wilderness management restrictions.This paper was written to give everyone inColorado a better understanding of what theannouncement of a Wilderness designation doesto a local area.

public lands continues to yield some positive results.

Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) 2014 End of Year ReportThe Tenderfoot

Legal Issues--Bear Creek/Green Back Trout (PPSI. Pikes PeakDistrict). Motorcycle use in this area continues tobe denied. Land ownership is still in question(City of Colorado Springs). The FS is in the processof completing a NEPA of the entire area. Thefollow-on TMP is said to include a motorizedbypass route of the endangered trout area. Untilownership of the land is settled and anagreement is in-place between the FS andlandowner, motorized recreation in the area ison hold.--Pike San Isabel Filed in January 2011, this casechallenges Forest Service management of vehicleaccess to six Ranger Districts in the Pike and SanIsabel National Forest. Plaintiffs filed an openingbrief on the merits in August 2013. The ForestService and Plaintiffs began settlementdiscussions, which continue. TPA-leadinterveners are allowed to participate indirectlyin this effort, and to mitigate adverse impacts onhistorical access. No restrictions have beenimposed as a result of this lawsuit.--Rico West Dolores. This case was brought by theColorado Chapter, Backcountry Hunters andAnglers, and seeks to close fourteen primemotorcycle trails in the Rico West Dolores areaof the San Juan National Forest. TPA andCOHVCO, San Juan Trail Riders, Public AccessPreservation Association and Blue-RibbonCoalition intervened as co-defendants alongsidethe Forest Service. The district court deniedCBHA’s motion for a preliminary injunction, andruled in favor of the Forest Service and pro-accessinterveners on the merits. CBHA appealedto the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the TenthCircuit, which heard oral argument on November21, 2014. The appeal remains under advisement.The TPA stays actively involved in all ongoing legalissues.

Current OHV Tourism Projects

The TPA has accepted responsibility for an OHVtourism awareness project. This special project wasdeveloped to show the positive aspects of OHVtourism for towns and counties in Western Colo-rado.The Economic Contribution study (funded by the TPA in 2009) was a first step in this initiative. A special TPA staff person is assigned to work with localcommunities in Colorado. This work is funded by TPA donations and a special grant from Polaris.

OHV tourism has proved to create a positive eco-nomic impact for our State and communities. A recent study showed that over $100.00 per day is spent per OHV use in local towns.

A new extensive economic study is approved forfunding by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife OHVTrails Preservation Alliance (TPA). This study will be much more in-depth than the 2009 study and is scheduled for completion in late 2015.

TPA works closely with the town of Meeker and theRio Blanco County to promote OHV tourism. Today, the Wagon Wheel Trail System is fully operational and providing an outstanding network of trails, right out of the town of Meeker. The TPA is also working with the following towns and counties helping them establish their own OHV tourism plans:

*Clear Creek County* Hinsdale County* Lake County * San Juan County* Teller County

These counties understand the positive impact of OHV recreation. TPA is rallying rural Colorado as a ‘force multiplier” in the battle to keep public lands open for OHV recreation. To see the exact action on going in each of the above areas, please see the news section of the TPA web page.

Trails Preservation Alliance (TPA) 2014 End of Year Report

The Tenderfoot Continued from page 13

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By Tom Edmonds

On March 22nd, Sunday afternoon, we arrived in Sacramento from various locations after dining together on the scenic Sacramento River. We met with some later arriving members at the Holiday Inn near Old Town for training new attendees and to prepare our messages to be provided the legislators that we were to meet with. At 9 AM On Monday, March 23rd, we met at the Capitol to team up and conduct brief, but effective meetings with nineteen legislators that we had appointments with. We also delivered pamphlets and pack-aged selected points of interest to the targeted legislators and to others that we did not have appointments with .The last appointments were at 4 p.m., at which time we went to the Sutter Club to host a very nice reception for the legislators which was very successful. Some members attended who had been unavailable at the appointed time when our members met with staff . The reception provided a much less formal set-ting for longer conversations. A short view of our talking points were asking the listener to be aware of past money movements from our green sticker fund (off-road license tag) and our share of gasoline taxes. We wanted this secured (lock box). We complimented the State Parks management of off-road recreation parks; they have been doing very good under the present management. We asked legislators to be protective of our interests if bills or questions arise regarding motorized recreation. Furthermore, we requested that they be to be alert for Vehicle Code laws that effect our various vehicles in a negative manner and, if this arises, to seek our input for possible remedies. We also mentioned to them how many motorized recreational partici-pants there are (voters): dirt bike riders, snow mobile riders, Jeepers, 4WD trucks, and SUVs. Present were the Off Road Business Association ( ORBA ), District37 of the American Motorcyclist Association, 4Wheel Drive Association and the American Sand Association. These are all in various recreation groups that band together to work toward the goal of open lands to enjoy our activities on.

Tom Edmonds 10003 Huntington Downs AvenueBakersfield, CA 93312-6135(661) 587-7994 Edmonds12@aol.com District 37 AMA Legislative LiaisonMember of SoCalMc 39 year Desert RacerPage 15

Overview of the 2015 California Motorized Recreation Council

State Capitol Lobby Day

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Top 10 Ways Your Club Can Create A Positive Future For OHV Recreationby Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer

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Top 10 Ways Your Club Can “Create A Positive Future For OHV Recreation”by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer

“NOVAK? What’s NOVAK?”Have you heard that before? When you meet riders out on the trail in your riding area and mention NOH-VCC, what percentage of them know what it stands for, both as an acronym and as a national organization? 100%? 50%? 1%?

It wasn’t until I started an OHV club and joined my state’s ATV association that I learned about the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council. I discovered that across the country, the “boots on the ground” that are building new trails, maintaining existing trails, and promoting safe, responsible OHV recreation, are worn by members of OHV clubs and state associations. And, in every way imaginable, when it comes to providing the “tools” they need, NOHVCC has their back.

It’s part of the NOHVCC mission: “NOHVCC, as a national body of OHV recreation enthusiasts, develops and provides a wide spectrum of programs, materials and information, or “tools”, to individuals, clubs, associations, and agencies in order to further a positive future for responsible OHV recreation.”

For 25 years, NOHVCC has helped people start OHV clubs and associations across the U.S. and Canada. Here’s what the New Mexico OHV Alliance -- which celebrated its 10th Anniversary in 2014 -- recently posted on the NOHVCC Facebook page: “NMOHVA would not be where we are today if it wasn’t for assis-tance from NOHVCC as our organization was forming.”

NOHVCC and its broad network of OHV trail-building, network-creating and partnership-forming experts have all the tools you need. All you have to do is pick them up.

Here are the Top 10 ways you can create a positive future for OHV recreation in your riding area, with NOH-VCC’s help:

Number 10 - Get on the NOHVCC email list to receive our free monthly e-newsletter, and encourage all your club members to do the same. Each month, it presents valuable information and OHV success stories from across the country. Get on the NOHVCC email list by clicking on the box in the upper right corner of the NO-HVCC home page at www.nohvcc.org.

Number 9 - Reprint NOHVCC newsletter articles in your club’s newsletter, or mention them on your club website with a link to the NOHVCC newsletter website: http://www.nohvcc.org/Materials/Newsletter.aspx. And consider submitting articles that cover OHV issues in your state to local newspapers.

Number 8 - Find out who your NOHVCC state partners are, contact them, get to know them and use them as a resource to build your club and promote OHV recreation in your area, positively and professionally. Con-sider applying to become a NOHVCC state partner or associate state partner, especially if your state has none. They are the key to NOHVCC’s success, acting as a liaison between NOHVCC and the OHV communi-ties in their states. See the state-by-state list of NOHVCC partners at http://www.nohvcc.org/Contacts/PartnerContact.aspx(continued on page 19)

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Number 7 - Order copies of the free NOHVCC “Public Land Advocacy Workshops Series DVD.” It’s free and it’s designed to be used by clubs, OHV associations and agency land managers, so everyone is work-ing together to build sustainable trails. Introduced in 2009, it has 14 chapters, ranging in length from 7 to 33 minutes each. Show a chapter or two at your club meetings. Topics include: understanding the agency designation process, how to get involved and save trails, and how to plan, design, manage and maintain trail systems. The chapter titled “Success Stories” highlights four of the country’s best OHV trail systems -- the Paiute ATV Trail in Utah, the Rock Run Recreation Area in Pennsylvania, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia, and the Highwood Mountains Trail System in Montana. All four were designed, planned, constructed and maintained using the management techniques from NOHVCC workshops. To order copies of the new DVD for yourself, your club or agency trail planners in your area, send an email to trailhead@nohvcc.org or call 800-348-6487.

Number 6 - Attend the annual NOHVCC conference. Each fall, the best of the best OHV advocates gather for 4 or 5 days. They have fun attending a mobile workshop (i.e. trail ride with field demonstrations), tackling important OHV issues, and watching outstanding presentations from OHV leaders, and agency profession-als. Look over the presentations from last year’s conference to get an idea of what it’s all about at this link: http://www.nohvcc.org/Education/Conference/2014-presentations.

Number 5 - Attend a NOHVCC OHV Workshop when one is held in your area. Or consider contacting NOH-VCC to help you organize one. These 2 or 3-day events are outstanding, bringing together riders, and folks from local, state and federal agencies to learn how to advance responsible OHV recreation in their areas. NOHVCC is also able to do webinars on trail building that are customized for individual OHV clubs.

Number 4 - Check out the NOHVCC web site at nohvcc.org, especially the headings “Resources,” “Education,” and “Materials,” where you’ll find an OHV resource library, club start-up kit, trail-building information, “Adven-ture Trail” coloring books and crayons you can order free (just pay shipping) to promote safe, responsible riding to area youth, and much more. Put a link to NOHVCC’s website on your local and state club’s and as-sociation’s sites.

Number 3 - See the list of OHV clubs and state associations for your state on the NOHVCC website. Add your club if it’s not listed, or update the contact information for your OHV club or state association if it’s changed, by sending an email to trailhead@nohvcc.org.

Number 2 - Learn more about the five hard-working NOHVCC Teams and what they do: the Clubs and Asso-ciations Team, Network Development Team, Private Lands Team, Public Lands Team, and Youth and Educa-tion Team. Get the details at this link: http://www.nohvcc.org/About/Teams.aspx. Better yet, join one of these teams at the annual conference, and put your expertise to work to the betterment of OHV recreation.

And the Number 1 way you can create a positive future for OHV recreation in your area - get involved, stay informed, ride with us and work with us to spread the NOHVCC Mission, and have fun in the process.

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2015 CAL4 WHEEL EVENT SCHEDULE

Sierra TrekMeadow Lake, Tahoe National Forest near Truckee CaliforniaAugust 6-9, 2015

High Sierra Poker RunHigh Sierra Ranger District, Sierra National Forest near Shaver Lake CaliforniaSeptember 4-7, 2015

Operation Desert FunOcotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation AreaOctober 16-17, 2015

Panamint Valley DaysNear Trona and Ballarat, CaliforniaNovember 13-15, 2015

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ORBA General Membership meeting held March 24, 2015Each year, on the third Tuesday in March, ORBA holds its annual membership meeting when the business of the association takes place. A part of that meeting is the election of officers and board members. The individ-ual board members serve alternating three year terms. These positions are nominated and elected by ORBA members in good standing.

All three nominees that were nominated were elected to new terms. We want to welcome back Lindsay Hub-ley (Family Events/The Promotion Company), Kurt Miller (The Enthusiast Network), and Brad Franklin (Ya-maha Motor Corporation). We thank the Board for their individual dedication and commitment to the needs and goals of ORBA and its members.

The Board Officers are:

Greg Adler Chairman (President/CEO Transamerica Auto Parts TAP)Mark Turner Treasure (CEO Daystar)Lindsay Hubley Secretary (Family Events/The Promotion Company)Kurt Miller (TEN)Stuart Gosswein (SEMA)Jim Chick (Bestop)Mike Webster (Marketplace/Events-AIMEXPO)Brad Franklin (Yamaha Motor Corp.)

CA4WDC ConventionLamp Liter Inn, Visalia, CAFebruary 20-22, 2015Win-a-Jeep giveaway Feb 21, 2015

Molina Ghost RunHollister Hills State Vehicle Recreation Area, Hollis-ter, CAMay 8-10, 2015

Hi Desert Round-UpSlash X Cafe and Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle AreaMay 22-25, 2015

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The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and ORBA have worked closely for over 10 years to advance the off-road interests. This seamless connection has achieved clear results and is the product of a shared commitment to crafting public policy that benefits the motorized off-road enthusiast community. In 2013, this partnership, in coordination with other off-road groups, resulted in the creation of the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in Southern California, which provides federal protection to over 96,000 acres.

While SEMA and ORBA’s efforts have been successful in advancing the cause, it is crucial that we continue to expand the number of individuals and groups who share our philosophy and passion. Accordingly, both groups are focused on keeping off-road vehicle enthusiasts informed of the policies that are being crafted in Washington and states around the country that affect access to public lands. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) plays a crucial role in helping achieve this goal and it is FREE. We encourage everyone interested in protecting the rights of off-roaders to join at www.semasan.com/join.

ORBA and SEMA: Working To Protect Your Right to Ride

According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s Report that was released in 2013, outdoor recreation is an economic powerhouse in the US, generating each year $646 billion in consumer spending and 6.1 mil-lion direct jobs. The Outdoor Industry Association also has a comprehensive report on economic indicators and statistical spending data categorized by each state. It’s useful and significant information in building a case for developing a study for your particular endeavor. We need to continue to do our due diligence in tell-ing our story by emphasizing our impact to local communities, businesses, and policy makers. An Economic Impact Study is a powerful tool that can be used to accomplish this objective in a succinct and influential way.There are numerous avenues in exploring ways to conduct an Economic Impact Study; if you and/or your or-ganization are interested in discussing options in developing the framework for an Economic Impact Study, contact the ORBA staff and we are happy to help.

Making a case for motorized recreation: The Value of Economic Impact Studiescontinued from page 10

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There have been several recent changes in the wide ranging and ongoing Sage Grouse issues that are important to the multiple use community. Some of these changes have been good news and some of them have not been as good, and much of it has remained the same, as this discussion is anything but a single is-sue. Understanding the wide ranging nature of this issue is important, as it directly impacts how the multiple use recreational community is involved in the process. There are easily two dozen distinct facets to this discussion, as Sage Grouse planning efforts range from directly amending BLM field office level Resource Management Plans, to efforts targeting landscape level plan amendments of BLM, to USFS and other land management areas and several of the states are developing plans at the state level. This is in addition to the various listing efforts that are moving forward with the Fish and Wildlife Service for distinct population segments. Multiple-use advocates must be involved and remain in all facets of these discussions moving forward.

The good news in these discussions is the Bi-State Distinct population segment on the boundary of Califor-nia and Nevada was recently found to be ineligible for listing as an endangered species. The bad news in these discussions is that the Gunnison Sage Grouse in Colorado, a species closely related to the Greater Sage Grouse, was recently found eligible for listing on the Endangered Species list. Even with a finding that a distinct population is not warranted, the multiple-use community must remain engaged in discussions mov-ing forward. The exact nature of any portion of the Sage Grouse discussion is far from over as the Courts are just starting to get involved, as evidenced by the lawsuit almost immediately filed on the Gunnison Sage Grouse by the state of Colorado. While a particular Sage Grouse population segment or related species may not be managed as an Endangered Species, this does not mean that management will not occur. Any ex-pectation the grouse would not be addressed as a sensitive species in the management discussions moving forward would be misplaced. The multiple-use community simply needs to stay involved in these discussions moving forward.

Sage Grouse UpdateBy Scott Jones, Esq

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ORBA continues to work diligently for its members and the entire OHV community, and the National Advo-cate’s Spring Issue highlights several key initiatives being pursued. One item of particular interest is an invita-tion from the Winter Wildlands Alliance (WWA) to ORBA CEO/President Fred Wiley, Scott Jones, President of Colorado State Snowmobile Association, and Sandra Mitchell from the Idaho State Snowmobile Associa-tion to speak as part of a panel discussion on travel management. It will specifically address snowmobile use and winter travel planning. This is a remarkable opportunity to participate in an open and frank discussion about a controversial topic that addresses backcountry access. Rather than referring to the WWA as being the ‘opposition’ or adversaries, ORBA welcomes this outreach as a giant leap forward in the development of a working-relationship where decisions can be made through compromises that maintain the core principles for each entity. This level of participation takes an alternative and creative approach in ensuring that motor-ized and non-motorized uses are sustainable and manageable.

This is an innovative example of collaborating with organizational representatives on what many advocates refer to as the ‘other side.’ Bringing groups that represent divergent interests to the table, opening the discussion, and keeping the conversation focused and positive is how business gets accomplished and how policy is made. ORBA’s forward thinking and proactive approach places the organization in a unique position where staff and members engage in dialogue long before any actions have been implemented. In this pow-erful position, there is less time expended on fighting battles and working in an endless circle of inefficiency. Energy and efforts are put to work in identifying solutions and continuously developing and maintaining im-portant connections with all sides of the matter. The simple fact that WWA reached out to ORBA and the professionals in the snowmobile community speaks volumes in seeking a collaborative approach to address some of these hard-to-answer and difficult discussions. It also echoes what Representatives Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) are trying to accomplish through the Utah Public Lands Initiative.

ORBA is striving to break the gridlock and change the current paradigm that has had a polarizing effect on how we address internal and external issues. After all, shouldn’t we be applying the same methodology within the realm of the motorized and non-motorized community? Working towards a common objective through creative compromise, perspective, listening, collaborating, and setting aside preferential differences is how ORBA addresses and overcomes challenges. We will continue to thrive in this working environment and apply these principles in everyday business practice and in the development of One Voice.

Achieving Backcountry Success Through Collaboration

Utah Public Lands Initiative

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For decades, Utah has been ground zero in land-use battles between local communities, environmental-ists, off-road groups, energy interests and a variety of other groups. To start, the federal government owns nearly 57% of Utah lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service or National Park Service. Land-use designations and management plans determine threshold issues such as OHV activity.

At issue are unsettled land-use designations such as “wilderness study areas” (WSAs), undeveloped land set aside by Congress years ago because the land had potential wilderness characteristics. The BLM currently administers 86 WSAs in Utah totaling nearly 3.2 million acres. Congress did not intend for the land to be permanently labeled WSA. Local, state and national representatives were to decide what land area was truly wilderness (roadless with no motorized/mechanized recreation) and then release the rest for other land-use activities.

Until now, the vested interests have battled for decades and the land remained in limbo. Many of these groups are now working together on the “Utah Public Lands Initiative,” which covers all eight of Utah’s east-ern counties. Under the initiative, San Juan, Daggett, Uintah, Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Grand and Summit are tasked with putting forward plans to finalize land designations, including protections for motorized recre-ation along with wilderness and the dedication of areas for drilling, mineral extraction and other uses.

The progress that’s been made is no accident. The initiative was first pursued by Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, who represents Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, and Uintah counties. U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) has played a leading role in the effort, representing Car-bon, Emery, Grand, San Juan counties. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT), who represents the most rural counties of the Utah Delegation, has also been helpful in advancing the initiative. The Congressmen and their staffs have worked tirelessly for the past three years to bring the various interests to the table on the initiative, which is based on three principles: collaboration, compromise and creativity.

Knowing that finding consensus was always an uphill battle, Congressmen Bishop and Chaffetz kicked off the effort by garnering input and requesting land management proposals from county officials. By starting at the county level, they figured it offered the best chance for compromise and, at a minimum, would help to fend off National Monument designations from the President. The game plan is to bundle the county agreements into a single federal bill to be enacted into law. Reps. Bishop and Chaffetz will have a chance to tweak the federal bill to make sure certain roads are cherry-stemmed or other protections have been addressed.

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After reaching out to the counties, Reps. Bishop and Chaffetz brought in stakeholder groups in early 2013, including motorized recreation. The initial results were less than encouraging, with groups showing little appetite for compromise and one county even walking away from the initiative. Some headway was even short-lived. Daggett County was the first county to submit a land use agreement when its compromise was announced last October. However, less than a month later, the county commissioners who drafted the plan were voted out-of-office and their newly elected replacements voided the previous compromise. The news is not all bad.

The decision angered conservationists who were pleased that road claims and OHV access issues were finally being resolved in exchange for wilderness designations. So we do anticipate the County will eventually find an amicable accord.

As of April 1, Grand and Summit Counties have passed proposals and submitted them to the Congres-sional delegation. Grand County’s proposal was especially significant given that the county, which includes Moab, has been at the center of public lands controversies for many years. Underscoring that this initiative is a delicate balance, the Grand County Council narrowly approved its plan on March 31st by a margin of 4-3. The agreement designates two OHV zones totaling over 195,000 acres, creates 477,000 acres of wilderness, expands Arches National Park and creates a 154,000 acre conservation area. While the plan includes some road closures in wilderness areas, it includes a no net loss clause, which requires comparable roads and trails to be opened in exchange for those that are closed and to allow cherry-stemming of signifi-cant roads/trails.

At present, Uintah, Carbon, Duchesne, San Juan, Daggett and Emery counties are working on their propos-als, which are expected to be completed by summer. Upon receiving each of the county plans, Congressmen Bishop and Chaffetz will introduce legislation finalizing the agreements, which impact more than 20 million acres of land.

While the initiative still has a long way to go, real progress is being made. To date, the Congressman and their staffs have consulted with over 120 groups and attended over 1,000 meetings. President Obama has noted the progress as well. He has agreed not to create a “Greater Canyonlands National Monument” while the parties seek to implement the Utah Public Lands Initiative.

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By Corey Osborne

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How Fortunate We Are

One of the greatest benefits of being involved in the Jeep industry is the ability to interact with all of the awesome people that are a part of it, and by this, I mean the folks that organize your local Jeep club meetings, the local shops that help you build your dream, and the all the guys and gals that we meet on and off the trail that we share the passion of the outdoors with. How many other industries do you know of where the community is large enough to support multiple large events all across the country, maintain literally hundreds of forums and online resources, all while allow-ing us to interact with each other, even one on one, when we need help or have a question? This community of people all share a common interest and, for the most part, it’s about enjoying life with family and friends . . . it also happens to contain some of the best people I have ever known. We are truly fortunate. Having just returned from a 4300 mile road trip from Colorado to Daytona Beach, Florida, over 15 days and stopping for 9 events at local clubs and shops, I continue to be blown away by each and every per-son I meet along the way. At every shop, every club and each event, I get to learn something about that area, its people, what they enjoy and how they enjoy it. This community of people is willing to share, help and involve themselves in whatever way they can to help create an even better community. It’s amazing. The outdoor enthusiasts’ main goal remains unchanged from coast to coast, and that is to enjoy activities in nature and wilderness areas. . . it does not matter if the “nature” is on a beach or in the mountains. As long as we all continue to respect and take care of “nature”, we get to continue to enjoy being enthusiasts. I made this latest road trip to Florida and back alone, yet not once was I concerned that I was too far from support should I need it. Things can and do go wrong, even with the best maintenance and planning. Lucky? Maybe, but I feel I was fortunate. The trip was completed without any mechanical failures or issues and in each location where I was setting up for an event, the local folks made sure to offer anything that I might need. From New Mexico to Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, the people I met are awesome and we just need to remember how fortunate we are.

GET OUTSIDE | ROAD TRIP

Archeological evidence tells us that, for thousands of years, humans travelled a narrow corridor along a san-dy pine covered ridge top in the forests of eastern Kentucky. In the early part of the 20th century, this cor-ridor officially became Sand Lick Road of Powell County, Kentucky, road #1057. As documented, the road is 4.7 miles of eroded sandstone bedrock that narrows into the spectacular natural phenomenon known as White’s Branch Arch. Yes indeed, the road goes directly over top of a wind blown water carved geologic wonder of an arch. It then turns abruptly, descending down Goat Hill tight to the the rocky cliff line allowing passage into what is known as Sand Lick and locally as Boyd’s Holler. This historic unimproved county road provided the most convenient route for the local people of this mountainous eastern Kentucky region. Until the late spring of 2006, it was a national attraction that drew thousands of people each year.

In my college years at the University of Kentucky, my anthropologist buddies and I developed a passion for Toyota Land Cruisers, the four-wheel drive vehicles of global overland fame and prestige. One close friend and I travelled to and from his archeological work in South America in his 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ-60 four-wheel drive station wagon. We took it on many journeys into the foothills of eastern Kentucky as well, frequently enjoying Sand Lick Road. With anguish, my dear friend passed early in life suddenly while working in the field in California. His dad and brother decided to drive the Land Cruiser cross-country and unfortu-nately it threw a rod through the engine block, ruining the engine. His family was thoughtful and generous and offered me the chance to own his Land Cruiser and put it back on the road. I did so with a feverish pitch and once I had it road worthy, I took his dad and brother on a ride from Lexington, Kentucky to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. My dear friend and I learned overland travel and technical driving in this won-derful area before his passing, so a trip to the backcountry with his survivors was in order. We drove Sand Lick Road, bounced our stock Land Cruiser over White’s Branch Arch, also known historically as “the big narrows” or just “the narrows”. They could not believe how steep the cliff walls dropped on both sides with a carpet of deep green, forested hills overlapping the horizon. Our solo excursion across Sand Lick Road was among the last vehicles to pass due to the abhorrent events bestowed upon these ancient passages by the United States Forest Service (USFS), Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund (KHLCF), the Sierra Club, Natural Bridge State Park, and others. So why would these groups damage and block a county road?

Somewhere along the line, around 2004, the USFS implemented a new travel management rule that sought to reduce “cross country travel”, meaning stop any travel off designated routes. In the Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) of eastern Kentucky, this meant each ranger district was supposed to update the Motor Vehicle Use Map “MVUM” to reflect county and USFS roads and trails and manage the public’s multiple use recreation. Tragically, this did not happen for many of the county roads of the area. The honorable Rec-reational Supervisor USFS Ranger Don Fig touted the Daniel Boone National Forest to his superiors as an “outstanding recreation area” but that was not enough to ensure the county’s transportation system was accurately overlaid upon the USFS’s MVUM’s, resulting in inaccuracies and subsequent misdirected actions on the historic county roads of the region. The USFS gated off many roads in the area but took great excep-tion to Sand Lick Road and Sterling Road, as evidenced by their attempted obliteration of both. Apparently, multiple use recreation of the motorized type was to be wiped off the recreation spectrum according to the USFS.

The Salt LickAdvocateBy Jeffrey Dozier

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2006 saw the United States Forest Service lead a coalition of special interest groups in an action that dam-aged and blocked Sand Lick Road and Wolfe County Kentucky’s Sterling Road simultaneously causing more environmental damage than vehicular travel could ever do. They used federal taxpayer money and state funds from the KHLCF to dig tank traps and drop live timber across the roads to block the multiple use rec-reation without county consent. They did this aggressively and succinctly with heavy equipment. One USFS leader told me, “It’s cheaper to close a road with a track hoe than maintain it,” in reference to this action. They dug dozens of trenches down to bedrock, laid live hemlocks and hardwoods over the road, and placed boulders on top of tall piles and piles of dirt in order to meet their objective of making these historic roads impassable. I knew something had to be done to correct this wrongdoing and preserve the remaining county roads at risk of the same fate as Sand Lick Road and Sterling Road.

I began researching the state laws and documentation with the local counties. The records available in the old county courthouses were hand written on onion peel paper but provided insurance that none of the county roads were removed from the county road inventory by statutory process while the county surveyor provided historic maps from the State Highway Department and Federal Works Agency. These maps showed the roads and listed the road inventory by name and number for each county. It was these maps that lead me to an early Congressional Report found in the archives at the University of Kentucky’s Reserve Library. This official report was the end result of a roads survey that sought to document the county trans-portation system for future Kentuckians. Fortunately, Sterling Road and Sand Lick Road are depicted on the county road maps and listed in the road inventories. This documentation provided me with the resources to begin to preserve other county roads and fight for Sterling Road and Sand Lick Road. The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway was born.

The State Highway Department maps showed me how I could link these roads into a network of aesthetic routes that would once again attract adventure tourism similar to the days before the damage and block-ing of Sterling Road and Sand Lick Road, the days when the Jeep Jamboree and other such events toured the roads along with other patrons year round. These events were held for well over ten years on these two roads and others with USFS awareness but were stopped abruptly when the heavy equipment arrived in 2006. I took the State Highway Department Maps and my GPS device and verified each route that I chose for the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB). Once I verified them physically, I visited each counties fiscal court. In court, I asked the court to reaffirm the county roads and grant me permission to promote them for the DBBB. This process continued until I connected over a hundred miles of roads effectively creating a loop around the Natural Bridge State Park. This effort to put these important old roads into an organized system has proven very popular with users but what good is an attractive county road system if it isn’t sustainable for future generations? Ah yes, Friends Of Boone is born.

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I formed a voluntary group called Friends Of Boone in order to organize support for the Daniel Boone Back-country Byway. Historically, there were many groups locally active in support of some of these roads but providing an umbrella group to bring clubs, organizations, and individuals together to sustain these valuable roads proved to be the right move. I chose to use the Facebook platform for the group to save overhead costs and to make use of its speedy transfer of information on the social media waves. In a year and half, we’ve gained over 1100 likes and many posts reach 10K people through sharing and reposting. The Friends Of Boone page on Facebook allows me to successfully organize community rides of the DBBB, update thou-sands of people on current developments, and improve trail etiquette by partnering with TreadLightly!, Leav-eNoTrace, and other resources for sustainable multiple use recreation.

In losing access and seeing major damage inflicted on a favorite road with sentimental value, an advocate was born. From inspiration to save other roads from the same fate, a county byway system was born and from there, a supporting umbrella group to get boots to the ground was born. What was once a lost adven-ture tourism industry has morphed into a solid tourism initiative now backed by five counties, national and regional organizations, local and regional clubs, US Senators and Congressman and many individuals. What was once a form of recreation on the brink of extinction has now regained traction and is inching closer to a long-term sustainable byway system that will serve enthusiasts for years to come.

Presently, the counties and I are partnering with the USFS and others to find common ground to gain agency wide support. Less than 10% of the DBBB is on public land managed by the USFS but there lies the rub. It is holding up the completion of the entire DBBB. The USFS continues to refuse to acknowledge the county road system through the Sand Lick Area, presumably because acknowledging the county road means ac-knowledging they are responsible for the immense damage to Sand Lick Road and Sterling Road. It is quite a rub.

Begrudgingly, the USFS recognizes the importance of the economic input of the counties’ roads. Collabora-tion does not happen easily but in the name of progress, the past has been set to the side for now and the future is on the table as a result of the DBBB. Although the actions of 2006 that resulted in tragic damage to county property is unforgivable, the promise of helping the rural impoverished counties regain their tour-ism economy has proved a worthy cause. Through persistent advocacy, thorough research, and face-to-face communication with local counties and agencies, a bright future for multiple use recreation exists in the Dan-iel Boone National Forest. The actions of 2006 may end up in court but the counties now have something positive to show for their efforts to preserve their transportation system. Deep gratitude goes to Powell County Judge Executive James Anderson Jr., Wolfe County Judge Executive Dennis Brooks, Lee County Judge Executive Steve Mays, Estill County Judge Executive Wallace Taylor, and the late Menifee County Judge Executive James Trimble. Early in the saga, the Blue Ribbon Coalition (sharetrails.org) and Southern Four Wheel Drive Association (sfwda.org) came to the aid of this cause, offering advice and resources that were critical to success. The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway ensures future generations have an opportu-nity to enjoy a nostalgic backcountry experience like so many people have over time on these rustic passages through the forests of eastern Kentucky.

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KLIM ‘COW-TAG’ OFF-ROAD CHALLENGE ANNOUNCEDHelp KLIM support Off-Road Trail Advocacy Groups. Ride a fun, one-of-a-kind event in KLIM’s Test Lab—the pristine single-track of Idaho—and have a chance at winning awesome prizes including Cody Webb’s MAXXIS SuperEnduro World Championship KTM Race Bike!

Rigby, Idaho (April 10, 2015) – KLIM unveiled today the details of a unique, single-day off-road motorcycle event sure to challenge individual off-road riders’ skills and strategy. The KLIM Cow-Tag Off-Road Ride will be held June 27, 2015 in KLIM’s backyard testing lab—the Big Hole Mountain Trail System of the Caribou Targhee National Forest in Southeast Idaho. A low entry fee, provided maps and GPS files of great trails, breakfast and dinner, chances to win awesome prizes and all proceeds going directly to support off-road trail advocacy groups make this a must-do event! Entries are open now; register today to save your spot! http://www.klim.com/Cow-Tag-Off-Road-Ride-Event.html

How it works:The exciting new off-road ride puts route planning strategy and riding skills above all-out speed. The goal? Collect as many Cow Tag identification numbers as possible, posted at various locations in the local riding area (hand-picked by KLIM’s employees-who-ride). These locations will be shown on the provided Trail Map and available as GPS files. Cow Tags’ values vary by distance and difficulty of the location from Basecamp. Each rider collects the tag IDs, snaps a photo of them at the Cow Tag location and moves on to the next. When they return to basecamp and their tags are verified, riders receive the corresponding amount of raffle tickets to invest in drawings for great prizes.

What’s up for grabs?Headlining the prizes available is Cody Webb’s 2015 KTM 300 XC FMF/KTM/RPM Team Maxxis SuperEn-duro Championship race bike—the bike Webb actually raced in Europe this spring (don’t worry, it’s getting de-tailed!). Your entry fee comes with two tickets for this raffle (more are available for purchase online, as well). This race bike is part of a nationwide fund-raising raffle effort from KLIM to support and fund local and na-tional off-road trail advocacy groups. Raffle tickets earned on the ride by collecting Cow Tags will be entered into the pool for the evening drawings. Great partner brands have stepped up with KLIM to provide awesome prizes including: FMF, Motorex, Trail Tech, IMS, Zborz Racing, Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, Ckick-fil-A, RPM Rac-ing Team, Maxxis Tires, Pro Moto Billet, Rekluse, Rexburg Motorsports, Guns N Gears, Stillwell Performance, Kate’s Real Food, Kolby Offroad, Action Motor Sports

What else do I need to know?You need to mark your calendar and plan for a great ride! That’s about it. Basecamp for this event is Kelly Canyon Ski Resort outside Ririe, Idaho (see REGISTRATION page for more details). Plenty of area camping and accommodations are available. Riders will be expected to ride responsibly (we’re promoting off-road trail advocacy, after all) and bikes will need to comply with U.S Forest Service spark arrestor rules. Also, bikes will need to pass a 96 dB sound test and display off-road registration (Idaho accepts other state’s registration as valid). This is a motorcycle only event, ATV and UTVs will not be able to participate due to the nature of the trails.

About KLIM:KLIM TECHNICAL RIDING GEAR IS THE GLOBAL LEADER IN DESIGNING, DEVELOPING AND MANUFACTURING THE MOST ADVANCED MOTOR SPORTS APPAREL FOR THE SNOWMOBILE AND MOTORCYCLE RIDER. UTILIZING THE WORLD’S HIGHEST TECHNOLOGIES IN WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE, DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE MATERIALS, KLIM BUILDS GEAR FOR THE MOST DEMANDING RIDERS.

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Spring 2015 | Equal Access Quarterly