Access Army & Recreation Nation Newsletter for April 2014

Keep our Public Lands OPEN! April 2014 Volume 1, Issue 5 BRC is smack-dab in the middle of the first official fund-raiser under my watch as the new Director of Operations, and now is a chance for you to make a difference with me. If you didn’t receive a BRC letter, and still want to help keep trails open nationwide, and make sure we have a solid future in motorized recreation, you can donate here (every little bit helps): https://www.sharetrails.org/su pport/join-or-contribute Working for a non-profit like BRC is hard on me because I don’t like to ask for money…but without your partnership and support, the gates will continue to go up. BRC is about responsible recreation for all, all seasons, all sports and all trails….and it’s one huge job that takes funds to make it work. I hope if you’ve not already done so, you can spare some support. We partner with a lot of other groups in this fight for access, but BRC is also expected to take a leadership

Welcome to the Silver State 4WD & UTV Jamboree Northern Nevada's Week Long Off Road Recreation Destination From the co-creator of Ultra4 Racing and King of The Hammers the largest off road race in the United States comes a completely new Off Road festival. You can find interactive

role in many of the battles, and we just can’t do it without you.

You can even ear-mark your donation if you want – BRC General Fund; or BRC Legal Fund; or BRC Sage Grouse Action Fund; or Other…and you can get even more specific if you want – El Dorado Lawsuit; Yellowstone snowmobiling….whatever. We’ll put your support where you want it. If in doubt, the easiest thing to do is just to donate it to BRC General Fund and BRC will use it where we can make the best use of your help.

I’ve been at this landuse stuff a long time, but this is the first time that my hands are actually on the steering wheel – in charge to where I can make a difference. I have been involved and listened to input from dozens of internet forums like this one for over 12 years, and I am ready to make changes in how we do landuse

discussions on Pirate4x4 and UTV Underground Trail Rides, River Floats, OffRoad Racing, Trade Show, Nevada Style Gaming and so Much More.

This OHV event has nightlife!

We start off the week with an OHV Access Summit, and finish with a 500 horsepower melee at the Wild West Motorsports Park.

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and trail-saving. I just need your support to do it.

Thanks, tell them Del sent you!

Del Del Albright Director of Operations, BlueRibbon Coalition www.BlueRibbonCoalition.Or g Founding Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon www.rubiconfriends.com Environmental Affairs, CA4WDC www.cal4wheel.com www.sharetrails.org

Enjoy the nearly unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities that Northern Nevada has to offer during this week long festival dedicated to motorized recreation. UTV’s, Jeeps, Rockbuggies, Toyota pickups and more are invited to experience Northern Nevada.

Rugged Ridge Trail Grants Clean Snowmobile Challenge 10 Axioms of Four Wheeling Oceano Dunes

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BRC Membership Application H.R. 1459 Passed.

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Wet Weather Soil Study AA Links

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UFWDA High Lights

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UFWDA Membership application Unlimited Off-Road Expo Events & Staff

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Special points of interest: The new BRC Blog is up and running.

Content is being posted by our Director of Operations, Del Albright. http://blog.sha retrails.org/

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The grant funds need to be spent or returned within one calendar year from the award date.

Grant funds must be used on recreational dirt trails on public land that are designated for full-size 4WD vehicle use.

The grant applicant must be a 501(C) non-profit organization. Please include a copy of the IRS document recognizing your organization’s 501(C) status.

BlueRibbon Coalitions new Alert System To keep abreast of what's happening in the area where you live and/or recreate, sign up below for any of our lists. We will notify you of pending legislation, national forest planning and other issues of interest to you. NOTE: National alerts will be sent to all Action Alert subscribers, even if you have selected to only receive alerts for your state.

Please remember to add noreply@sharetrails.o rg to any safe lists or white lists for antispam software you may have.

To subscribe, to here: https://www.sharetrails.org/sec ure/lists/?p=subscribe&id=2

Only 1 grant will be awarded to any given organization per year. The maximum grant will be $5,000 per organization.

The recipients of a Rugged Ridge Trail Access grant will be asked to issue a receipt for the grant. We may ask for photos of the project, press

releases, etc. as appropriate.

We may ask that a Rugged Ridge banner or other materials be displayed during a project, if applicable.

Grants Awarded To Date: ORBA BlueRibbon Coalition

will help support the BRC mission to protect trail access on public lands nationwide.

POCATELLO, ID (November 19, 2013) -- OmixADA/Rugged Ridge, a worldwide aftermarket manufacturer of Jeep parts has awarded a generous grant of $5000 to the BlueRibbon Coalition in support of responsible off-road related public land management practices and programs. The Rugged Ridge Trail Access Grant Program

The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is an annual snowmobile event where teams build and modify existing snowmobiles and compete in multiple events based on improvements in design, emissions, noise, fuel economy, cold start ability, acceleration, handling, and overall performance.

As a Judge at the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge at Michigan Tech, the day begins at 5:30 am, picked up at 7:00am, with a Judges Meeting at 7:30am, and then the fun begins. It was below zero for the first 4 days. The Challenge started Monday with the Teams checking in and performing final checks on their snowmobiles to make sure they meet all competition rules.

Sixteen Universities sent both electrical and mechanical engineering students from across the US and Canada (University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin- Platteville, University of Idaho, Ecole de Technologie Superieure, Michigan Tech, SUNY-Buffalo, University of Waterloo, Northern Illinois University, North Dakota State University, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Kettering

University, McGill University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and University of Alaska Fairbanks-Bristol Bay).

There were 181 students, 85 on-site Judges/Volunteers, and an additional 106 Judges that score the students presentation papers online. The fuel used was 16% bio-isobutanol mixed with high octane gasoline. This is known as isobutanol 16, similar to E10 (10% ethanol in gasoline).

There were 4 Electric sleds along with 2 Diesels, and the rest were Internal Combustion 2-stroke and 4-stroke sleds. Of the 11 that started on Tuesday morning, 9 of them made the 100 mile run to Copper Harbor, which broke a previous record of six.

Wednesday and Thursday were spent listening to Student Presentations of their Designs and MSRP. Wednesday evening was a "Snowmobile Public Display" at the Copper County Mall in Houghton. It is a time to network with Industry, Supporters and 2

Students. Friday allows for some free time and completion of testing.

Saturday is kicked off by a "Cold Start" of the snowmobiles that are in the Competition. And, it was barely above Zero! Then the teams moved to the Polaris Acceleration Event and the Polaris Objective Handling Event. The day ends with the Awards Banquet where the winners receive a variety of 31 Plaques, Trophies and Money.

Check out these Websites: http://www.mtukrc.org/csc2 014pix/index.html http://www.mtukrc.org/sno wmobile.htm http://www.facebook.com/S AECleanSnowmobileChalleng e

Written by Tom Severin.

Four wheeling, like any other activity, has its rules and principles. During my 40-plus years in this sport, I have seen and experienced a lot.

The following axioms flow from all the wisdom I have picked up from others I respect. My list is actually longer, but I trimmed it to some of the better ones.

Your instincts are wrong off-road, and you have to learn the correct ways. For example, if you’re going down the hill and the vehicle is sliding, the natural tendency is to step on the brakes. That just locks ‘em up and you slide more. If it’s wet and muddy, you will slide in the direction of offcamber. If you’re driving on a shelf road, you’ll go right off the edge. Learn the proper steps to take, and commit those to memory.

Clearance and traction are basic tenets for dirt and rocks. You can get these by applying the

correct driving technique and by mechanical means.

The Technique comes from your driving skills, as well as your ability to read lines and chart the proper course. Mechanical means includes bigger tires and suspension to lift the body up. Traction is gained through better tires, lockers in the axels, and by airing down. Learn to drive without upgrading the vehicle with mechanical aids. You will develop better technical skills and improve your ability to pick lines.

Four-wheeling is a game of inches. Four wheeling by design involves driving over difficult trails.

That’s part of the fun. Even so, we try to minimize the hazards. As you view the trail ahead, pick a route that is most likely to afford traction for all four wheels. A lot of times moving just a few inches in one direction makes all the difference of keeping traction on all wheels.

Momentum and floatation are the basic tenets for soft surfaces like sand and mud. Use steady momentum to carry you through soft surfaces. Too often drivers hit the gas too hard or at the wrong time, and they end up stuck. Airing down produces

a larger footprint for each tire. This spreads the weight over a larger area so you have less weight per square inch. Combined with the proper momentum and driving techniques, this provides the “floatation” we need for soft surfaces.

It’s a game of pounds (PSI) too. We air down considerably to drive off road. When you’re in the 10 -12 psi range, being off by 1 psi can make all the difference when you’re going through soft surfaces like sand, mud and snow. Make sure your pressure is just right.

Spinning wheels get you in trouble. If you no longer have forward progress and you start to spin your wheels, several things can happen.

For the rest of the article, go here: http://www.4x4training.com/Articles/DrivingSk ills/10Axioms.html

Dune denouement (Final Outcome)?: After a lengthy impasse, a lawsuit and dust control measures aim to end the Oceano Dunes status quo Sand dunes are complicated, unstable, constantly shifting, and abrasive—a delight to some, and a nuisance to others.

Fittingly, all of those adjectives are equally suitable for describing the years-long dispute over the regulation of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA).

At the heart of the debate is a coarse, airborne dust called PM10 (particulate matter with a mean aerodynamic diameter of 10 microns or less). Studies have shown that levels of PM10 on the Nipomo Mesa, a residential area downwind of the ODSVRA, are dangerously high, with the potential to adversely affect the health of residents.

While no one disputes the high levels of PM10, there’s tremendous disagreement about the source of the air pollution. After numerous studies, lawsuits, and highly public tiffs, stakeholders across the spectrum have, essentially, fought to an impasse.

In the past few weeks, however, an aggressive lawsuit from a group of concerned Mesa residents and emergency dust control measures approved for implementation by California State Parks have busted

through the status quo, from opposite ends of the spectrum.

Though air quality advocates feel that the State Parks measures aren’t good enough, and OHV advocates feel that the lawsuit will be unsuccessful, both are steps in the direction of change.

“Controlling dust from the [ODSVRA] should just be a simple, regulatory matter, but it’s turned into an ugly political, litigious mess,” said San Luis Obispo County 3rd District Supervisor Adam Hill.

The matter of mitigating (or not mitigating) dust in the dunes has involved several key stakeholders: SLO County government (both the Board of Supervisors and the county Air Pollution Control District [APCD]), State Parks, citizens living on the Nipomo Mesa, and offhighway vehicle (OHV) advocates like the Friends of Oceano Dunes and Kevin P. Rice.

According to Arlene Versaw, co-founder of the Mesa Community Alliance, a nonprofit activist group dedicated to “represent [the] common interests” of Mesa residents, the dust issue is very simple.

“There is a serious air quality problem here on the Mesa, the preponderance of evidence shows that the OHV

area is a major cause of that problem, and we need to address the significant health threat,” Versaw told New Times.

After growing frustrated with the unresponsiveness of State Parks and the county regarding the air quality issue, the Mesa Community Alliance filed suit against those two bodies on Feb. 27 in SLO Superior Court.

For the whole article, go here: http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/10742/dunedenouement-after-a-lengthy-impasse-a-lawsuit-anddust-control-measures-aim-to-end-the-oceanodunes-status-quo/ Editors note: Denouement means final outcome.

BLUERIBBON COALITION APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP www.sharetrails.org 1-800-BLUERIB Name $29 ☐ Individual Membership Mailing Address $500 ☐ Individual Lifetime Membership City State Zip $100 ☐ Organizational Membership Phone: $100 ☐ Business Membership Email Address: Contributions ☐ $25 ☐$100 ☐$500 ☐Other$ ☐$50 ☐$250 ☐$1,000 *the BlueRibbon Coalition is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization; all contributions beyond membership are tax deductible Payment Method ☒ Master Card ☐ Visa ☐ Discoverer ☐ American Express ☐ Check Enclosed (payable to BlueRibbon Coalition) Card Number Expiration Date Organization/Business Name Contact Person Form provided by Access Army Times Mail to: BlueRibbon Coalition, 4555 Burley Drive, Suite A, Pocatello, ID 83202 3

H.R. 1459 Covering National Monument designations passed

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1459, the “Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act.” Introduced by Rep. Rob Bishop (RUT) and supported by SEMA, the bill would require a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study for any national monument designations more than 5,000 acres.

Currently, the president of the United States has the authority to declare a parcel of public land with “historic or scientific interest” to be a national

monument. Such a designation can lead to road closures for motorized recreation, among other impacts.

H.R. 1459 would place limits on that authority. The president could declare a monument less than 5,000 acres, but that declaration would need congressional approval within three years. A larger parcel of land would require a NEPA environmental study along with a congressional study estimating longterm costs to manage the land. The president would also be limited to one declaration per state during any presidential term unless there was congressional approval.

SEMA has worked closely with Chairman Bishop to support this important legislation to allow for more transparency and feedback from local enthusiasts and businesses during the monument designation process. H.R. 1459 will now be considered by the United States Senate.

Wet Weather Soil Study - A New Trail Management Tool? *QWR’s, Don Amador, recently helped the FS’s wet weather management study lead, Roger Poff, with field research on the Mendocino National Forest. QWR thanks Mr. Poff, a leading soil scientist, for sharing his overview of this important project with our readers.

Forest Service Wet Weather Management Studies – R. Poff OHV traffic on trails under wet conditions can damage treads and drainage structures. Determining when to open or close OHV trails has been a challenge for trail managers. Some have used seasonal closures; others have used rainfall. Both of these approaches have limitations.

The USFS is conducting field studies to develop an evidence-based method for opening trails based on direct measurements of trail condition. Four pilot studies are underway, in the Pozo area on the Los Padres NF, the Stonyford and Upper Lake areas of the Mendocino NF, and the Sugar Pine area on the Tahoe NF. The field studies involve measuring soil strength and soil moisture, and correlating these measurements with observed levels of trail damage. This information is used to predict the risk of trail damage at different levels of soil strength and soil moisture.

This prediction of risk can then be used to develop threshold values to determine when to open or close trails.

This method will not be a “magic bullet” to solve all the issues related to opening and

closing trails under wet conditions.

However, it will be an important tool in the trail manager’s toolbox for managing trails under wet conditions.

The field studies will be completed by October 2014. http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/20 14/03/wet-weather-soil-study-newtrail.html

Access Army Links www.accessarmy.com www.delalbright.com www.rltc.biz www.off-road.com www.sema.org www.muirnet.net www.4x4wire.com www.quietwarriorracing.com www.racelinewheels.com www.tntcustoms.com www.poisonspyder.com www.forbiddenjeeps.com

www.pirate4x4.com/landuse www.ih8mud.com www.tlca.org www.cal4wheel.com http://www.glfwda.org/ http://nea4wd.org/ www.ufwda.org www.nohvcc.org www.sharetrails.org www.treadlightly.org www.arra-access.com www.goldprospectors.org 4

www.ama-cycle.org www.atvaonline.com www.btlrovers.com www.fmdac.org www.americansandassociation.org www.orba.biz

Highlights of UFWDA Leadership Role on Significant National

The BFGoodrich® Tires Outstanding Trails program was established in 2006 to raise awareness for responsible use and preservation of off-road trails while providing support in the trails’ conservation efforts.

Through 2013, the Outstanding Trails program has recognized over 33 off-road trails and clubs across North America. The program has provided more than $132,000 in grants in support of the various trails conservation efforts.

Trails are nominated for uniqueness, terrain type and enthusiast following. To enter the contest go to the BFGoodrich Tires Outstanding Trails 2014 Group

Adopt-a-Road Project: Created project including standardized agreement form with US Forest Service (USFS), listing of all USFS districts in US, project formation kit, press kit.

Goal is to adopt 1 road in every district in every national forest and accumulate 100,000 volunteer hours nationally each year. Secondary goal is to adopt as many roads as possible to ensure inclusion into OHV route designation.

BLM Route Designation Project: Worked with 9 other organizations by drafting one of five pillar documents for submission to Kathleen Clarke for the Bureau of Land Management Director’s National Recreation Forum.

Compiled Recreation Statutes by State: Compiled recreation statutes in hard copy form and electronically saved information for each state. This is a catalogue of statutes pertaining to liability of land owners when property used for recreation.

Recreation Trails Program (RTP) funding letters and alert: The RTP program is a federally funded state managed grant program for recreation.

The federal program was voted upon for reauthorization by Congress in May and June of 2005. The Senate version maintained the prior 5-year funding levels while the House version increased the funding. Wrote letter to House and Senate Committee members urging them to reconcile the two bills using the House-version of funding. Also created alert and form letter for membership requesting their Senators push for House funding level.

The Wilderness Society (TWS) BLM Project: This in an on-going response to the BLM regarding route inventory and designation in response to a position paper created by TWS regarding OHV use on BLM-managed

lands. My goal is to be the principal author of a similar paper from recreation organizations and to gain full support of our request from all national recreation groups. US Legislation: Provided House Resources committee with alternative language to proposed Fee Program legislation. The final legislation included some of our recommendations.

US Forest Service OHV Route designation rulemaking: This rulemaking, not yet finalized as of July 2005, proposes to create a process by which all districts or forests will designate an OHV route system. Once the system is designated no use off of forest service roads and trails will be allowed. Each designation system will also evaluate whether to allow crosscountry travel in certain areas. This is the single-largest OHV rule to affect our sport in the last century.

HIGHLIGHTS OF UFWDA LEADERSHIP ROLE ON SIGNIFICANT STATE ISSUES  Submitted written comments to the Coconino National Forest pertaining to its notice of intent to prepare an Outfitter-Guide Management Plan for the Red Rock Ranger District in Arizona.  Fought bumper height legislation introduced to prohibit any vehicle suspension alterations above manufacturer’s standards.  Wrote legal opinion letter for member association concerning effect of state recreation statute on private land owners opening land for 4×4 use and obtained a

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favorable opinion letter by state attorney general regarding same.

Fighting closures to OHV use in park unit by participating and seeking leadership role in National Park Service’s Negotiated Rulemaking.

Advised multiple member clubs about their specific Special Use Requirements for club rides on both state and federally managed lands.

Advised numerous clubs on process for incorporation and liability protection for club officers.

Advised several member clubs about sufficiency of liability waivers for 4×4 events.

Advised member association on writing Freedom of Information Request for public information pertaining to US Forest Service closures to overturn such closures or prepare for future litigation.

Provided legal advice and formal comments pertaining to numerous forest plan revisions to protect 4×4 access, preserve record on appeal, and maintain standing to sue in federal court  http://www.ufwda.org/ 4x4-land-use-accessefforts/

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UFWDA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ☐$35 - Individual Member—as an individual member you will receive all of the great benefits plus a free hat or tote ☐$500—Life Member—as a life member you ☐$1,000– Ambassador Member—as an Ambassador Member you will receive all will receive a UFWDA Life Member patch, of the benefits that you receive as a Life Member plus special recognition at the UFWDA Life Member Jacket and Decal UFWDA Annual Meeting and a copy of the Annual Report and meeting minutes. ☐$20 - Direct Member

Name City Email Address: Phone: Credit Card Information Card Number Address City Expiration Date

State

Address

Zip

☐ Master Card ☐ Visa ☐ Discoverer ☐ American Express

State

Zip

Form provided by Access Army Times Mail to: UFWDA, P.O. Box 316, Swartz Creek, Michigan 48473 5

The UNLIMITED OFF-ROAD American Show & Expo – Connect. Ignite. Entertain.

Connecting all off-road markets, building a stronger Industry and pumping some serious adrenalin – professionals, enthusiasts and all friends of wheeling visit Louisville, KY June 20-22, 2014.

Where do east coast off-road businesses have the opportunity to meet? Where does the east and west coast industry connect to spark up new alliances? Where can offroad enthusiasts of any category see it all at the same show – desert racers, rock racers, crawlers, mud trucks, show trucks, UTV’s or all the awesome builds on the daily driver?

Great custom Rigs, Parts, Accessories, Performance, Equipment, Lifestyle and Race Series! This is what The UNLIMITED OFF-ROAD American Show & Expo is all about! The UOR is dedicated to help expand businesses and also fire up top retail deals for thousands of passionate consumers. This is where OHVs, UTVs ATVs, and all kinds of Buggies get into gear to attract everybody who loves 4×4 sports – from mild to extreme.

“Connect. Ignite. Entertain”. The off-road world has a lot to offer, and The UNLIMITED OFF-ROAD is excited to proudly present a great live show and full-size expo out east, for all Americans, at the Louisville Exposition Center in Kentucky.

Hosting a new industry gathering of this magnitude and attractiveness puts The UNLIMITED OFF-ROAD American Show & Expo on the map all along the east, able to attract a population of more than 61% of all Americans – 189 million people. Within a 2-3 hours drive to Louisville, there are 61 million people making this area the highest populated one in the entire USA. Off-roaders earn here an average income of $71k annually and are often self-employed. The targeted core spectator age varies from 24 – 58 years. 22% of them are active female off-road drivers. 110k + off-road magazine subscribers live directly in the bigger metro areas around Louisville. Within 72 miles there are 22 Jeep Dealerships located. http://unlimitedoffroadexpo.com/#ebene-about

Metal Cloak Skillz Day PA Jeeps Jeepers Jamboree 62nd All 4 Fun Moonlight Madness Unlimited Off-Road Expo Big Bear Forest Fest

June 21 July 19 - 20 July 24 - 27 July 28 – Aug 5 June 21 - 22 June 20 - 22 June 13 - 15

Sierra Trek High Sierra Poker Run SFWDA Trail Fest Silver State Jamboree

Aug 7 - 10 Aug 29 – Sep 1 May 2 - 4 July 14 - 19

NAME

SCREENAME

MAIN ORGANIZATION

TAA TITLE

NOTES

Kurt Schneider

kurtuleas

OV Rocksports; Pirate4x4

Warrior

Pirate Board

Don Amador

cuttenkid

BlueRibbon Coalition; ThumperTalk

Warrior King

Western States

Todd Ockert

Navy-Jeepster

Access Army, FOTR, Cal4, BRC

Air Warrior

Access Army Times Editor

Brian Richardson

sincity

Sin City; JustGoodTrails.com

Pending

CO

Del Albright

jeepndel

BlueRibbon Coalition; Cal4

Grand Poobah

Founder

Dale Robins

fermentor

Rubicon Rockheads

Surgeon General

Dispenser of Elixirs

Jacquelyne Theisen

Bebe

Friends of the Rubicon

Grand Poobette

Hummer

Stacie Albright

LadyRed

Various; Social Networks

Warrior Queen

MWIC

Kevin Carey

Uget-it

Land Use Pirate4x4; FOTR

Warrior King

VLLS Graduate

John Stewart

kf6zpl

Muirnet.net; CA4WDC; TDS

Warrior King

www.4x4wire.com

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