NOHVCC February NEWSLETTER

By Russ Ehnes

In last month's NOHVCC Newsletter I wrote an article describing the history of the lead ban that has severely limited the availability of youth size ATVs and motorcycles. I told you that the time was coming soon when we would need to mobilize our grassroots networks and take action to end the senseless ban on kids' OHVs, which rather than protecting our kids, has put them at greater risk of riding OHVs that are adult size. Our time to act is now!……………...Read more

GAO Report on OHV Use on Federal Lands
By Karen Umphress

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was directed by Congress to evaluate the use of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation on federal lands. The agency looked at the use of OHVs on US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service lands. They also interviewed various stake holders and traveled to several locations to view the areas. Their report was released at the end of July and the results are surprisingly positive. The report was released at the end of July 2009 and is report GAO-09-509……….Read more

Positive Economic Impact of OHV Recreation
By Jack Terrell

The Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO) has released a new study of the positive economic impact of off-highway vehicle recreation in Colorado. The study, entitled "Economic Contribution of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in Colorado", was conducted by the Louis Berger Group, Inc., an independent global environmental engineering and planning firm. The study provides detailed analysis of direct gross sales (jobs, labor income, other property income, and business taxes), additional economic activity, and total contribution of motorized recreation to Colorado's economy……. Read more

Prevent Trail Funding from Being Slashed in Budget
Submitted by American Motorcyclist Association

President's Budget Proposal Would Slash Trail Funding Write your Senators and Representatives Today!
On February 1, President Obama submitted his proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2011 to Congress. One proposed cut could be disastrous for motorized trail users.
Buried in the nearly 200-page document is one paragraph dealing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Capital Improvement and Maintenance (CIM) program. The CIM program funds improvements, maintenance and the operation of U.S. Forest Service roads, trails and recreation infrastructure.………… Read more

Training Resources with a Click
Submitted by Royce Wood, AMA

The National Trails Training Partnership (NTTP) is "an alliance of Federal agencies, training providers, nationwide supporters, professional contractors, and providers of products and services". Of course, all of these are trails related.
NTTP was created to address challenges shared by all trails advocates: the need for well-trained, effective volunteers and staff. Some trail groups have relied on experienced trail builders from the federal agencies, but the old-timers are fast retiring and new people with trails skills aren't necessarily being hired. In the same way, volunteers don't always stick around for years, and training new people is hard work in itself.….……. Read more

Rubicon Trail Updates
Submitted by Friends of the Rubicon and the Rubicon Trail Foundation

Placerville, CA January 26, 2010: El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted to formalize the alignment of the world-famous Rubicon Trail. This decision includes a handful of important bypasses around some of the more difficult sections of trail, providing trail users the option of taking a less difficult route around the toughest segments of trail. In a meeting which lasted well into the night, the Board of Supervisors heard arguments from county residents, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, environmental activists, the U.S. Forest Service, and the State Parks OHV Division about how to best define the trail which winds through the scenic Sierra Nevada west of Lake Tahoe.….……. Read more