What does this agreement mean to enthusiasts?
1. State Parks will create a Public Works Plan that will dictate new restrictions on motorized travel and camping.
2. They will implement actions intended to reduce particulate emissions including planting vegetation to serve as a natural barrier for particulate matter (PM10), educating members of the riding public how they can be part of the solution, dispersed riding, eliminating camping in the foredunes, looking at creating a southern entrance.
3. It's unclear how much responsibility State Parks actually accepted ad a result of this agreement because of conflicting statements. This statement is one the most disconcerting:
LeGrande tract, where most of the camping and a large portion of the riding activity occurs, contains some of the most emissive areas in ODSVRA and is a significant contributor to the particulate matter emissions impacting downwind residents
Later in the document it states that the respondent (State Parks) denies the allegations. But, it also says that all parties agree that the best resolution for this issue is the adoption of this stipulated order.
4. This will cost Parks a lot of money.
5. Enthusiasts didn't really have a say! As stated in the document, the complaints lodged against the park had a great deal of influence, whether or not they were valid complaints. The more people who wanted to get rid of the park called to complain, the closer they got to the achieving their goal just because they lodged the complaint. It did not have to be based in fact.
On the other hand, the people who will be most affected by the agreement had no valid arguments that were seriously notes by the APCD. Their loss of opportunity, time with their families, etc. was considered negligible and/or frivolous. While the agreement was also careful not go blame enthusiasts, the undercurrent is there.
Because of that fact alone, this may be the only path State Parks felt they had open to continue riding at Oceano Dunes, but it's really bad for the rest of us.
Read the Stipulated Order of Abatement here
April 28, 2018 9:00 AM | Jawbone Canyon OHV Area
CELEBRATING THE POWERFUL HISTORY OF ORANGE ~ Since 1969 ~
Plans are coming along for our CORVA Annual Meeting on April 28th at the Jawbone Station. We would like you to encourage any and all clubs, friends and families to attend. We will be holding our meeting during the 22nd Annual Moose Anderson Day Cleanup. Ed Waldheim's Friends of Jawbone volunteers will be making all the arrangements for the Moose Anderson event, including breakfast at 7:30AM, followed by the clean up. Then they will return and we will all enjoy a fabulous hamburger lunch sponsored by CORVA. After lunch we will invite everyone to join us for the announcing of the winners of our Annual Awards; our statewide and Southern board elections and some surprise special guests. You won't want to miss this meeting.
WEAR YOUR ORANGE CORVA SHIRT.
(We will have shirts and all the CORVA Store at the meeting for purchase.)
Show your support and let's bring in as many people as we can for this special event.
POTLUCK DINNER: After the Saturday meeting and elections, there will be a CORVA potluck near the Jawbone Station in a campsite with a nice CORVA firepit. Arrangements are still in the works, but we will circle the wagons and set-up like we do at other CORVA events. The menu will include a BBQ of some type along with traditional potluck dishes you are encouraged to provide. Again, please invite everyone to this special event. Let's show our support for this great organization!!
Business Administration Regional Reports Financial Reports CORVA Awards Voting (winners announced after lunch)
Sponsored by CORVA Greetings / Special Guests Special Awards
Voting for Board of Directors Voting for Southern Board Positions Annual Planning
CORVA Potluck & Firepit
Thank you and looking forward to your support of the CORVA Annual Meeting!
Your CORVA Volunteer Board
The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) has the power to order the state to stop operating Oceano Dunes SVRA. The retiring APCD Officer proposed his agency issue a 'Nuisance and Abatement Order' just prior to his departure. This requires a hearing, which will take place this Wednesday, March 21st, to determine what actions the APCD will take. This could include an order that would close completely the SVRA.
Rather than face almost certain closure of the SVRA on terms set by the APCD rather than Parks, SVRA administration opted for an agreement that would allow OHV use to continue, with serious restrictions. Although the hearing board could still issue an order to close the facility at their meeting, this is far less likely with the settlement agreement in place
We strongly believe Oceano Dunes SVRA must remain open to OHV recreation and oppose severe restrictions that will limit access to the dunes. After the hearing we must all work together to investigate legal options available. We will do whatever we can to protect our park.
Learn More
Media Contact Amy Granat, Managing Director California Off-Road Vehicle Association Amy.Granat@CORVA.com (916) 710-1950
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2018
Ocotillo Wells OHV Trails Remain Open to Users Thanks to Actions of California Off-Road Vehicle Association
Court Rules in Favor of California Department of Parks and Recreation
Sacramento, Calif. – A lawsuit had been brought against the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Division of Motor Vehicle Recreation by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility in 2013. PEER claimed that the state was not protecting cultural and archeological resources within Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, 85,000 acres located near Borrego Springs, Calif.
The lawsuit lasted several years and sought to limit travel in the park to only routes shown on the official park map, a small percentage of the routes actually in the park. The California Off-Road Vehicle Association led the fight against the closures and played a pivotal role in fighting this lawsuit on behalf of the State. Additional organizations, EcoLogic Partners and Tierra Del Sol 4 Wheel Drive Club, later joined in the legal battle under the direction of CORVA's attorney Jesse Barton.
On Jan. 2, 2018, the Superior Court of California ruled in favor of the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the Division of Motor Vehicle Recreation. Off-roaders can still enjoy full use of the recreation area, while park management can continue to manage the park without fighting a lawsuit.
“With the recent passage of Senate Bill 249, which renewed the California Off-Highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation Division, and the win of this lawsuit, a strong foundation of responsible use guidelines for off-road vehicle opportunities has been established in California,” said CORVA Managing Director Amy Granat. “While these successes should be celebrated, it’s critical for off-road enthusiasts to continue to advocate for their rights. CORVA will continue to monitor legislation and engage its members to protect off-road opportunities.”
View PEER Ruling
About CORVA
Working for off-road interests at all levels of government since 1970, the California Off-Road Vehicle Association is based in Sacramento, Calif. CORVA is solely supported by members, donations and sponsors. The organization’s primary focus includes working with federal and state agencies to promote off-road recreation and prevent trail closures, while protecting motorized access in California for the people, not from the people. CORVA ensures that the voices of off-road recreationaists are heard and that off-road trail users retain the right to enjoy public land. For more information, visit CORVA.org.
ExtremeTerrain strongly advocates for the responsible recreational use of off-road trails and is happy to launch the Clean Trail Grant Program.
This program will provide eligible groups the opportunity to apply for a grant to fund their next trail improvement related project which could range from trail clean-up, trail restoration, trail expansion, to name a few. Various Wrangler and 4x4 groups and organizations as well as publicly and privately owned off-road trails are all invited to apply for the grant.
Along with the grant, ExtremeTerrain will provide industrial strength trash bags for collection of any debris.
In order to be considered, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
* Only Clubs in the US are eligible
* Clubs are eligible for grant once
Media Contact Amy Granat, Managing Director California Off-Road Vehicle Association Amy.Granat@CORVA.com (916) 710-1950 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2017
California Off-Road Vehicle Association Receives Donation from Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame
$2,500 Presented at Induction and Awards Ceremony
Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame Board Member Bob Ham (center), also a CORVA board member, presents checks to former CORVA president Ed Waldheim (far left) and San Diego Off-Road Coalition President and CORVA Board Member Ed Stovin (right). Also included in photo are event hosts and off-road racers Ricky Johnson (left) and Sara Price (far right).
Sacramento, Calif. – The 2017 Induction and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame took place Oct. 30 in Las Vegas. Four individuals, who each have at least 15 years involvement in off-road motorsports, were inducted into the Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees included Dave Ekins, Cliff Flannery, Bob Gordon and Bill Savage.
In addition to the yearly induction ceremony, the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame contributes to an activist organization to maintain continued protection of off-road access on public lands.
This year, the Hall of Fame made a $2,500 donation to the California Off-Road Vehicle Association and a $2,500 donation to the San Diego Off-Road Coalition.
“CORVA appreciates this generous donation that will support efforts to preserve the future of off-roading on our public lands,” said CORVA Managing Director Amy Granat. “We will continue to advocate for off-road interests at all levels of government, as we have since 1970.”
Granat said the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame’s main role is to honor the icons and organizations who have paved the way for the off-road industry, but they are also dedicated to preserving the sport's future.
“That’s something to be admired,” Granat said. “Not only is the Hall of Fame recognizing significant achievements made by individuals in the industry, the organization is passionate about ensuring that off-roading can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Here are the notice and agenda for the Public Works Plan Listening Session for Oceano Dunes SVRA and Pismo State Beach. This is an opportunity for people to listen, comment and/or ask questions regarding a new public works plan being considered for Oceano Dunes SVRA. The plan itself will not be discussed, because it has not yet been developed.
The Air Pollution Control District for the county has determined that changes need to be made to traffic patterns in the park to minimize the release of particulate matter into the air. It has not yet been determined whether the public works plan would reduce access to the dunes, but it is a fair assumption. The one thing we do know is that something will change to motorized access, but we will still be able to keep Oceano Dunes SVRA open.
It is critical that off-roaders who know the park best attend and ask pertinent questions.
The public can email pwpinfo@parks.ca.gov for questions and comments about the meeting.
Please send a letter encouraging your Senators to support H.R. 1913.
Mitch and company are working on making 600 burritos to take up to the shelter early next week. Please donate burrito fixings. The idea is that these can be wrapped-up and are easy to transport.
The fires are still burning so things will be changing quickly, this will be an ongoing effort. Please stay tuned for further details as they develop.
The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition (Coalition) is proud to announce that we have engaged the services of Kathy Lynch of Lynch and Associates to provide legislative advocacy services for the Coalition. The Coalition member organizations were impressed with the way Ms. Lynch worked tirelessly this year in efforts towards passage of the bill to make PERMANENT the Off-Highway Motorized Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVR). Kathy Lynch was initially engaged by the San Diego Off Road Coalition to represent their interests in conjunction with allied off road groups during the extensive legislative negotiation process as the bill to renew the California OHMVR program worked its way through the legislature.
Ms Lynch worked in close coordination with other lobbyists who represent off road enthusiast and business organizations, as well as the unified off road vehicle community in California. Having a permanent OHMVR program within the California Department of Parks and Recreation will ensure that OHV recreation will always have a place in the state. OHMVR is responsible for managing nine State Vehicular Recreation Areas that offer motorized recreation for children and families, and is also tasked with working with federal and local agencies to provide quality off-road experiences throughout California. Ms. Lynch will now represent the Coalition when the legislature reconvenes for the second year of the current session.
The Off-Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of the American Sand Association, California Off-Road Vehicle Association and San Diego Off Road Coalition. Each of these organizations has an impressive history of successfully engaging with government agencies at all levels to promote and defend the rights of off-road recreationists. The goals of the organizations include adequate access to areas that are capable of sustaining use by off road vehicles and educating these agencies on the important economic contributions that OHV enthusiasts add to communities that support off-highway opportunities, especially in rural areas throughout the state. With the very experienced and capable help of Kathy Lynch, the Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition looks forward to continuing strong representation in Sacramento protecting motorized vehicle access to our public lands.
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