CORVA Field Representative Doug Varner:
PCT Survey Report (Release Edition)(11-2-16)
On Friday November 4, 2016 I attended a California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation commission meeting in Holtville, Ca. On the agenda for this meeting was a report by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office on the Pacific Crest Trail. Sergeant Fred Wheeler and Sergeant Steve Williams representing the Kern Sheriff’s Department presented their report on the Pacific Crest Trail to the OHV Commission and the public in attendance. The Sheriffs gave a very detailed report on their OHV trespass Investigation and Hiker Survey. Attached is a copy of their 15 page report. In short, the investigation shows “motorized trespass on the Pacific Crest Trial in Kern County in negligible”. Some of the reports of trespass on the Pacific Crest Trail were false. The conclusion of the Sheriff’s Survey of Pacific Crest Trail hikers found that “hikers and off-highway vehicle recreation can coexist harmoniously and peacefully”.
The eight members of the OHV commission then made made their comments to the public. All eight members made positive comments on the Kern Sheriff’s report. Commissioner Ed Patrovsky stated that he had taken a tour of the area a few years ago with main complainer of OHV activity in this area of the Pacific Crest Trail. He admitted that he was “taken in” by the reported “freeway like conditions of OHV activity on the Pacific Crest Trail.” He now realizes from the Sheriff’s report and our work that the initial reports of trespass were exaggerated. Commissioner’s Slavic and Lemmon both felt some type of action should be taken against the individuals making false claims of OHV use on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Finally Commission Chairman Ted Cabral stated that the agenda of this public meeting had been made public for sometime. The agenda had been emailed to all of the interested parties in the topic of trespass on the Pacific Crest Trail. Commissioner said he found it telling that parties that were so eager to report “freeway” like conditions of Off-Road vehicles on the Pacific Crest Trail would not appear for a public hearing and comment on the report by the Kern County Sheriff’s Department.
We must continue to tell our off-road friends and guests to avoid the Pacific Crest Trail. Kern Sheriff’s, BLM Rangers, US Forestry Rangers, and California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Police will continue to patrol the Pacific Crest Trail.
Hello from the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division!
It’s that time again – time to prepare for the 2016/17 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (Grants Program) grant cycle. Workshops for the upcoming grant cycle are scheduled for the week of January 09, 2017.
The two-day workshop, one held in Southern California and one held in Northern California, will be two full-day sessions. Please see the attached agenda for information on the workshops.
Applicants may attend one or both days of the OHV Grants Program workshop. Although attendance is not required to participate in the OHV Grants Program, the OHMVR Division highly encourages applicants to attend, as the workshops provide valuable information.
The schedule for the workshop is as follows:
SOUTH
Date: Monday, January 09, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Where: Doubletree Hotel
222 North Vineyard Avenue
Ontario, CA 91764-4431 Phone (909) 937-0900
Note: See attached schedule for agenda information. Individuals attending the first day of the workshop should bring a laptop as the session will include “hands-on” instructions for navigating OLGA.
OHMVR Division staff does not make hotel reservations for workshop attendees. Please contact the hotel directly if you would like hotel accommodations.
NORTH
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
Where: Lions Gate Hotel
3410 Westover Street
North Highlands, CA 95652
Phone (866) 258-5651
Please RSVP your workshop attendance via email to ohvinfo@parks.ca.gov. Please include the following information in your email:
Please submit your RSVP by close of business Wednesday, January 4, 2017.
Updates regarding the workshops will be provided as necessary on the OHMVR Division’s website at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov.
On Oct. 21st, the OHMVR Commission will hold a meeting to consider approval of the Carnegie SVRA Draft General Plan and certification of the Environmental Impact Report. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments on the approval of the General Plan at the hearing. For more details, please refer to the attached meeting notice. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the OHMVR Commission meeting. The meeting is in Sacramento.
Notice of meeting:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/Notice_2016_Comm_Meeting-Carnegie%20SVRA%20GP-102116.pdf
Current Agenda of meeting:
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1140/files/Agenda-OHMVR-CommissionMtg-Oct-21-2016-Carnegie.pdf
The public is invited to participate in Community Conversations about the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Management Plan.
Your interests and concerns are important. These conversations are an opportunity to express what you value in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
Workshops will be from 5:30 to 7:00pm
Wednesday, Sept 14, at the Grange Community Center, 9355 Government St, Upper Lake, CA
Wednesday, Sept 28, at the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave, Winters, CA
Wednesday, Oct 5, at the Holiday Inn Express, 545 N. Humboldt. Ave, Willows, CA
The last step available to the public in the BLM appeals process concerning the reopening of the Clear Creek Management Area to motorized recreation was denied. The Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) denied the appeals mainly on the grounds of:
An appellant has the burden of demonstrating by a preponderance of the evidence that BLM committed a material error in its factual analysis, that BLM failed to give due consideration to all relevant factors, or that no rational connection exists between the facts found and the choices made.
and
the appellant has failed to carry its burden to demonstrate, with objective proof, that BLM did not adequately consider the likely effects on the health of recreational users and other aspects of the human environment.
This leaves H.R. 1838 by Sam Farr as the current remaining chance to reopen Clear Creek to motorized recreation.
A preliminary air/asbestos report initiated by the OHMVR Division has been released. The findings by an independent scientific group shows MUCH less potential for health problems associated with motorized recreation in the CCMA. When the final report is released, it should contain sufficient data to initiate a new look at the CCMA closure by the BLM.
From: Becker CIV Kristina L <kristina.becker@usmc.mil
****Status Update**** The Marine Corps returned the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area to the Bureau of Land Management on August 20th - open for public use. The Combat Center is committed to maintaining positive relationships with our community and thanks community members for supporting its efforts in achieving current and progressive service-level training requirements. The next planned use of the Shared Use Area for military training in August 1-30, 2017. Please see the attached flyer for your use - to post or share with friends or family. As with August 2016 training, the closure period will include the time required to ensure the Shared Use Area is clear of recreation activity prior to training and to confirm the land is clear of hazards prior to reopening for public access. The adjacent Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area will remain open to the public during Shared Use Area closure. For additional information including a map of the area, please visit http://www.29palms.marines. mil/Staff/G5-Government-and- External-Affairs/Johnson- Valley <http://www.29palms.marines. mil/Staff/G5-Government-and- External-Affairs/Johnson- Valley> . Please contact 760-830-3737 or respond to this email with any additional questions or concerns.
News ReleaseCalifornia Desert District, California
22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
For Immediate Release August, 15 2016 CDD-16-35
Contact: Stephen Razo, (951) 697-5217, srazo@blm.gov
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Needles Field Office, is inviting people to share what they value most within the newly designated Mojave Trails National Monument for the BLM to consider as the monument planning process begins.
A series of envisioning sessions will enable the public to provide comments on specific interests and concerns that will assist the BLM in the development of the Mojave Trails National Monument Management Plan. These sessions are in advance of public scoping meetings which will begin in the fall.
The Envisioning Sessions are scheduled for:
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 (5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Hampton Inn, 2710 Lenwood Rd, Barstow, CA 92311
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 (5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Yucca Valley Community Center, 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Thursday, September 1, 2016 (5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
El Garces Hotel, 950 Front St., Needles, CA 92363
“We want the public to helps us determine how their public lands should be managed,” states Mike Ahrens, Needles Field Office Manager. “Public input helps the BLM develop a lasting framework for land use and resource management decisions.”
The BLM will work collaboratively with the public, cooperating agencies, and partners to begin identifying the vision for the planning area and key management priorities to be addressed in the upcoming draft monument management plan.
The sessions will be open house format with the same kind of information provided at each location.
For further information contact: Stephen Razo, External Affairs, California Desert District: srazo@blm.gov
IMPORTANT ALERT: A new website has been started to give YOU a voice in the changes pending at California State Parks that will affect our off-road programs, options and opportunities: www.savecaliforniaohv.com. It is critical that the off-road recreation community be heard in this process, and through this website every enthusiast can communicate your ideas to State Parks. Remember the state is here to represent all Californians, including off-road enthusiasts, but they MUST hear from you!
Off-road enthusiasts are also encouraged to attend an open house to learn about State Parks' proposals. You will get to comment in person, and hear directly from the State Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation about her plans for changes to the Off Highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation Division.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Resources Building Auditorium 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
CORVA encourages everyone to make your voice heard either by attending the meeting or commenting through the website.
July 19, 2016: The public is invited to an open house to learn about the effort to review the department’s organization structure. Through the Organizational Structure Opportunities project, the Department seeks to identify opportunities to elevate and strengthen all of its programs, including the OHMVR program and the services it provides. Please see the attached Notice and Agenda for details.
OHV Open House Agenda
OHV_Open_House_Opportunities
California Desert District, California
For Immediate Release: July 5, 2016 CDD-16-31
BLM Desert Advisory Council Announces Special Recreation Permit Subgroup Members
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District Advisory Council, has selected members to its Special Recreation Permit (SRP) Subgroup.
Representatives on the subgroup are Jim Woods (California Off-Road Vehicle Association - Southern Region), Jerry Grabow (American Motorcyclist Association - District 37), Linda Koch (Equestrian Interests), Robert Koch (Off-Road and Equestrian Interests) and Randy Banis (Desert Advisory Council Representative).
The SRP Subgroup is tasked with identifying operational issues in the application of required recreation permits, providing comments about current or proposed actions by BLM, and aiding in accurately communicating recreation permit procedures to interested parties. The subgroup reports its findings to the full Desert Advisory Council (DAC), which ultimately advises the Secretary of the Interior through the BLM’s California Desert District Manager.
All members of the DAC SRP subgroup serve an unpaid two-year appointment. Subgroups meet at least four times per year. SRP subgroup members are selected and appointed by the DAC and a designated federal official.
All meetings of the DAC and subgroups are open to the public. Future meetings of the SRP Subgroup will be announced to the public at least 15 days in advance.
For further information contact: Stephen Razo, BLM Desert District External Affairs, at: srazo@blm.gov.
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