As some of you know, there are use restrictions at the Ocotillo Wells SVRA due to the potential endangered species listing for the flat-tailed horned lizard.  A meeting of the Calif. Fish and Game Commission is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2016 to discuss the approval of the Department's request for a six month extension to complete the petition to list the flat-tailed horned lizard as an endangered species.  The meeting starts at 8:00am and the discussion is the 3rd item on the agenda and live streamed at www.cal-span.org.

All members welcome for the CORVA Board of Directors meeting

Monday, January 25th from 7:00 - 9:00pm

Phone Number: (857) 232-0158 • Access Code: #104206

Governors 2016 Proposed Budget Summary

http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/FullBudgetSummary.pdf

pages 111, 112

Significant Adjustments:

• Off‑Highway Vehicle Loan Repayment and Fuel Tax Transfer — A repayment of

$112 million of General Fund loans made from the Off‑Highway Vehicle (OHV)

Trust Fund and a one‑time transfer of $31 million of existing fuel tax revenues,

currently deposited into the OHV Fund, to the State Parks and Recreation Fund.

This proposal supports the Administration’s commitment to pay down debt while

maintaining existing service levels across the entire state parks system, including the OHV Program. The transformation team will continue to identify improvements for the Department’s long‑term fiscal viability.

(The detailed proposed budget shows the $31M coming from the Motor Vehicle Fuel Account, not the OHV Trust Fund).

 

The OHMVR Commission will use this public meeting to more fully consider the Carnegie SVRA General Plan Proposed Final Environmental Impact Report.

 The Commission will receive a full report on the Carnegie SVRA General Plan Proposed Final Environmental Impact Report. The public will have an opportunity to provide comment at the meeting and the OHMVR Commission can provide feedback to the OHMVR Division.

 A follow-up OHMVR Commission Meeting is expected to be scheduled for spring 2016 to consider approval of the Carnegie General Plan/Environmental Impact Report. That hearing will have its own thirty day public notice and the Draft General Plan/Final Environmental Impact Report will be available for review 30 days prior to the hearing date.

During the OHMVR Commission meeting on February 5, 2016, the Commission will:

1. Hold a public hearing on the Carnegie SVRA General Plan Proposed Final Environmental Impact Report; and
2. Consider and may take action on the proposed OHMVR Program Triennial Report Project Schedule.

1725 23rd Street, Suite 200 • Sacramento, CA • 916-324-4442 • ohvinfo.ohv@parks.ca.gov

Information on agenda items will be available for review at www.ohv.parks.ca.gov. If individuals are unable to obtain information through this source, please contact the OHMVR Division at (916) 324-4442. Referenced materials may undergo modification and will be available to the public as changes are made.

 The Stanislaus National Forest (STF) is hosting two public workshops regarding proposed changes on Over-Snow Vehicle Use Designation on Jan. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Feb. 18 (time to be determined) at the Best Western Plus, Sonora Oaks Hotel & Conference Center.

 These facilitated workshops will provide an opportunity for dialogue, discussion and the exchange of ideas between winter recreationists of all kinds and STF staff, all of which share an interest in the outcome of this project.

 The Forest, along with four additional forests in the Pacific Southwestern Region, is undertaking this analysis to improve management of OSV use and to designate a system of OSV trails, including groomed trails, and to meet the required terms of a settlement agreement between the Forest Service and Snowlands Network, Winter Wildlands Alliance and the Center for Biological Diversity.

In reviewing the DRAFT Proposed Action for OSV Designation, please consider the following questions: Have we missed any major areas or routes that historically have been used by snowmobiles? If so, where and how are they being used?; Is the DRAFT Proposed Action clearly stated and mapped?  If not, how can it be improved?

For any questions or comments, please contact Phyllis Ashmead, project coordinator at 209-532-3671 ext. 322 or email at pashmead@fs.fed.us. For further Forest information, call: the Stanislaus NF Supervisor’s Office at:  209-532-3671; Calaveras Ranger District (RD) at 209-795-1381; Groveland RD 209-962-7825; Mi-Wok RD at 209-586-3234 or Summit RD at 209-965-3434.

The Forest Service has been evaluating information related to Forest Plan Revisions for the Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra National Forests for years. As the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement comes closer to release, it is more important that the public engage with their favorite forests. 

CORVA has engaged with the Forest Service repeatedly during the last few years, and now is the time for all forest user to work with their local forests. Post any questions here about Forest Plan Revisions, and we will post the answers on our dedicated Forest Plan Revisions web page. 

BLM Issues Temporary Restricted Access for 2016 King of the Hammers Race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will temporarily restrict access to

selected public lands in the Johnson Valley OHV area within San Bernardino County from Jan. 29 to Feb. 6 during the 2016 King of the Hammers Ultra Race. Temporary public land restrictions are implemented to ensure public safety, protect the environment and safely facilitate the event.
The public is reminded to respect regulatory signs and to cooperate with race officials and local law enforcement officers in order to help spectators stay safe and ensure the success of the off-road race. The areas will be reopened to the public as soon as they are cleared of all race-related materials.

For detailed temporary restricted access information please contact the Barstow Field Office at (760)

252-6000.

There are many that actively oppose OSV access on public land. If you support all forms of access, please attend the upcoming meeting at the Stanislaus National Forest.

The Stanislaus National Forest will be hosting a public workshop regarding Over-Snow Vehicle Use (OSV) Designation on Monday, January 25, 2016

As the Forest advances with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, they expect to consider a range of alternatives and continue to dialogue with interested stakeholders. At this point in the process, no decision has been made regarding OSV use designation on the Stanislaus National Forest.

The meeting will be held at Best Western Plus Sonora Oaks Hotel and Conference Center located at 19551 Hess Road, Sonora, California 95370. Meeting time is yet to be determined.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to the OSV ID Team Leader, Phyllis Ashmead at 209-532-3671 ext. 322.

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Representatives from the Marine Corps and the Bureau of Land Management will host a Resource Management Group meeting about land use in the Johnson Valley area at the Lucerne Valley Community Center, April 2 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to communicate the Marine Corps' plans to conduct a large-scale exercise 1-30 August 2016 that will include training in the congressionally established Shared Use Area. Information concerning temporary land closures in the Johnson Valley and public safety information will be discussed with attendees. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

For additional information go to  http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff/G5CommunityPlansPAO/JohnsonValley.aspx or contact the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Public Affairs Office at 760-830-6213 or SMBPLMSWEBPAO@usmc.mil.

The next OHMVR Commission Meeting has been announced for February 4th & 5th, 2016. 

On Thursday, February 4th there will be a tour of Carnegie SVRA for the commissioners, with the public invited to join (4WD vehicle is required). On Friday, February 5th a public meeting will be held at Tracy City Hall starting at Tracy City Hall, City Council Chambers, 333 Civic Center Plaza, Tracy, CA.

We need all supporters of Carnegie SVRA and the expansion to attend BOTH the tour and the meeting! Contact us for further information: info@corva.org