September 10, 2019

California Legislative Alert

AB 1086 (Bauer-Kahan) Off-highway vehicular recreation: Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area:  Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area

(As Amended September 6, 2019)

AB 1086 is in the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee – This is a gut-and-amend bill and is very similar to SB 767 (Glazer) which was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 30 and became a 2-year bill. 

In addition to the policy objections to the measure, we are distressed that such an underhanded process is being attempted with this bill with one week to go in the Legislature.  It is disenfranchising to the many stakeholders that would be impacted by such actions and is not representative governance.

The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of several statewide or regional organizations of OHV enthusiasts.  Our coalition has reviewed AB 1086 and strongly opposes this bill that would deny opportunities for local Bay Area residents, including the elderly and disabled and motorized recreation enthusiasts.

• The land in question was purchased using funds from the Off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, with agreement as to the future purpose of the land signed by adjacent landowners.  Subsequent to the purchase of the land by the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of State Parks, extensive work was begun to correct 20 years of previous neglect, including disregard of cultural and natural resources, and to bring the property up to the high environmental standards mandated by State Parks.
• California’s environmental justice statute promotes the fair treatment of all people, regardless of economic advantage. State Parks takes adherence to these principles very seriously and therefore has proposed a plan for the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area that enhances opportunities for all California residents – AB 1086 ignores this inclusiveness.
• AB 1086 proposes the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area should be under the control of the privileged instead of the proven stewardship of State Parks which would also serve to eliminate the security of state law insuring inclusiveness and access for all Californians.
• Two years ago, the legislature widely supported and passed SB 249 (Allen, Chapter 459, Statutes of 2017), which created a series of environmental responsibilities including monitoring and review for all land overseen by State Parks and managed by the Off Highway Motorized Recreation Division. The environmental responsibilities in SB 249 go far beyond what any local county, city or non-profit is mandated to do or can afford to provide.  Thus, this Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area should be left in the control of State Parks and thereby benefit from its expertise.
• AB 1086 would set a dangerous precedent by encouraging local landowners who object to the location of any state park, preserve or beach to push legislation to privatize that specific location.
• This action would support privatization of public land and hurt many Californians looking forward to enjoying experiences the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area will have to offer upon completion.
• State parks should remain for the benefit of all Californians, not just a select few.

Please CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!

This is the last week of the legislative session, ending this Friday, September 13, and bills can move very quickly.  It is important that you contact the following IMMEDIATELY and urge them to vote “NO” on AB 1086:

1. Your State Senator
2. Your State Assemblymember
3. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon

• 4)     Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins

Don’t know who your state senator and assemblymember are? 

2)     Enter your address, city and zip code.  Click on “Locate.”  Your Senator and Assemblymember will appear to the right of the map along with his/her contact information.

Also, in addition to contacting your Senator and Assemblymember, please contact Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate Pro Tempore President Toni Atkins.

Your action in opposing AB 1086 is CRITICAL.  Please ACT NOW to oppose this bill.

California Legislative Alert

SB 767 (Glazer) Off-highway vehicular recreation: Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area:  Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area  (As Amended June 27, 2019) 

SB 767 (Glazer) is in the Assembly Appropriations Committee – It will have a final vote in this committee by August 30th 

The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of several statewide or regional organizations of OHV enthusiasts.  Our coalition has reviewed SB 767 and strongly opposes this bill that would deny opportunities for local Bay Area residents, including the elderly and disabled and motorized recreation enthusiasts.

• The land in question was purchased using funds from the Off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, with agreement as to the future purpose of the land signed by adjacent landowners.  Subsequent to the purchase of the land by the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of State Parks, extensive work was begun to correct 20 years of previous neglect, including disregard of cultural and natural resources, and to bring the property up to the high environmental standards mandated by State Parks.
• California’s environmental justice statute promotes the fair treatment of all people, regardless of economic advantage. State Parks takes adherence to these principles very seriously and therefore has proposed a plan for the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area that enhances opportunities for all California residents – SB 767 ignores this inclusiveness.
• SB 767 proposes the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area should be under the control of the privileged instead of the proven stewardship of State Parks which would also serve to eliminate the security of state law insuring inclusiveness and access for all Californians.
• Two years ago, the legislature widely supported and passed SB 249 (Allen, Chapter 459, Statutes of 2017), which created a series of environmental responsibilities including monitoring and review for all land overseen by State Parks and managed by the Off Highway Motorized Recreation Division. The environmental responsibilities in SB 249 go far beyond what any local county, city or non-profit is mandated to do or can afford to provide.  Thus, this Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area should be left in the control of State Parks and thereby benefit from its expertise.
• SB 767 would set a dangerous precedent by encouraging local landowners who object to the location of any state park, preserve or beach to push legislation to privatize that specific location.
• This action would support privatization of public land and hurt many Californians looking forward to enjoying experiences the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area will have to offer upon completion.
• State parks should remain for the benefit of all Californians, not just a select few.

Please CONTACT YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER NOW!

Your action in opposing SB 767 is CRITICAL AND  THE TIME IS NOW.

Off-Roaders Must Comment on Red Rock Canyon State Park General Plan Revision!

CORVA prepared the attached comments for the Red Rock Canyon State Park General Plan Revision analysis. Comments are due by August 1st, by 11:59pm to the following:

California Department of Parks and Recreation
Attn: Katie Metraux, Planning Manager
1725 23rd Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95816

Email:  info@RedRockGP.com

State Parks hasn't heard from enough off-roaders to make a difference! Support the submitted CORVA comments, copy any part of the CORVA comments, or personalize your own comments. But send something in ASAP!

View Document

Important! Oppose SB 767 (Carnegie Bill) in the Assembly!

The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of several statewide or regional organizations of OHV enthusiasts.  Our coalition has reviewed SB 767 and strongly opposes this bill that would deny opportunities for local Bay Area residents, including the elderly and disabled and motorized recreation enthusiasts[...] 

View Document

7447 Salizar Street San Diego, CA 92111 Telephone: 858-822-8274

California Legislative Alert

SB 767 (Glazer) Off-highway vehicular recreation: Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area: Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area
(As Introduced February 22, 2019)

SB 767 (Glazer) will be heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on Tuesday, April 23, 9:30 a.m., at the Capitol, Room 4203.

The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of several statewide or regional organizations of OHV enthusiasts.

Our coalition has reviewed SB 767 and strongly opposes this bill that would deny opportunities for local Bay Area residents, including the elderly and disabled and motorized recreation enthusiasts. The land in question was purchased using funds from the Off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, with agreement as to the future purpose of the land signed by adjacent landowners. Additionally, no other serious bidders entered into negotiations to purchase the land referred to in SB 767 as the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area at that time. Subsequent to the purchase of the land by the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of State Parks, extensive work was begun to correct 20 years of previous neglect, including disregard of cultural and natural resources, and to bring the property up to the high environmental standards mandated by State Parks.

California’s environmental justice statute promotes the fair treatment of all people, regardless of economic advantage. State Parks takes adherence to these principles outlined in Government Code Section 65040.12 very seriously and therefore has proposed a plan for the Alameda -Tesla Expansion Area that enhances opportunities for all California residents. SB 767 ignores the inclusiveness outlined in the general plan for the expansion property that illustrates a multiple use park, including trails of varying difficulty, remote camping access, picnic areas, and also significant environmental buffer zone designations. The proposed layout for the park showcases family opportunities and allows access for individuals with physical limitations.

SB 767 proposes the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area should be under the control of the privileged instead of the proven stewardship of State Parks. The transfer of the land from State Parks to some sort of public/private partnership would also serve to eliminate the security of state law insuring inclusiveness and access for all Californians.

State Parks is tasked with managing natural and cultural resources for all 280+ state parks in California. The Department has repeatedly demonstrated proficiency at this task. State Parks owns the parcel known as the Carnegie Expansion area. Logic and fiscal accountability point to State Parks being the appropriate and the best steward for this land.

Two years ago, the legislature widely supported and passed SB 249 (Allen, Chapter 459, Statutes of 2017), which created a series of environmental responsibilities including monitoring and review for all land overseen by State Parks and managed by the Off Highway Motorized Recreation Division. The environmental responsibilities in SB 249 go far beyond what any local county, city or non-profit is mandated or can afford to provide. For conservation reasons alone, the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area should be left in the control of State Parks and thereby benefit from the funding, manpower, knowledge, and experience only the state can bring to this site.

SB 767 would set a dangerous precedent by encouraging local landowners who object to the location of any state park, preserve or beach to push legislation to privatize that specific location. As prices for real estate have increased in areas surrounding the Bay Area, adjacent landowners have realized they would profit more from the eventual sale of their holdings should they be successful in removing this existing state park. This action would support privatization of public land, and hurt many Californians looking forward to enjoying experiences the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area will have to offer upon completion.
State parks should remain for the benefit of all Californians, not just a select few.

The hearing for the Carnegie SVRA expansion area is set for April 9th; attached is a letter, information on the committee members, and the text of the bill for people to read. If anyone has a representative in that committee, it is really important they contact their representative and voice their support for Carnegie.  Anyone can use any part of our letter, or use it as inspiration for their own letter.

CORVA Sb767 | SB 767 Senate Bill | NR & W Senate List

---

March 15, 2019

Re:  SB 767 (Glazer) Off-highway vehicular recreation: Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area: Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area. (As Introduced February 22, 2019)

Dear Senator Glazer:

The Off Road Vehicle Legislative Coalition is comprised of several statewide or regional organizations of OHV enthusiasts.

Our coalition has reviewed SB 767 and strongly opposes this bill that would deny opportunities for local Bay Area residents including the elderly and disabled, and motorized recreation enthusiasts. The land in question was purchased using funds from the Off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, with agreement as to the future purpose of the land signed by adjacent landowners. Additionally, no other serious bidders entered into negotiations to purchase the land referred to in SB 767 as the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area, at that time. Subsequent to the purchase of the land by the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of State Parks, extensive work was begun to correct 20 years of previous neglect, including disregard of cultural and natural resources, and to bring the property up to the high environmental standards mandated by State Parks.

California’s environmental justice statute promotes the fair treatment of all peoples, regardless of economic advantage. State Parks takes adherence to these principles outlined in Government Code Section 65040.12 very seriously and therefore has proposed a plan for the Alameda -Tesla Expansion Area that enhances opportunities for all California residents. SB 767 ignores the inclusiveness outlined in the general plan for the expansion property that illustrates a multiple use park including trails of varying difficulty, remote camping access, picnic areas, and also includes significant environmental buffer zone designations. The proposed layout for the park showcases family opportunities and allows access for individuals with physical limitations.

SB 767 proposes the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area should be under control of the privileged instead of the proven stewardship of State Parks.  The transfer of the land from State Parks to some sort of public/private partnership would also serve to eliminate the security of state law insuring inclusiveness and access for all Californians.

State Parks is tasked with managing natural and cultural resources for all 280+ state parks in California. The Department has repeatedly demonstrated proficiency at this task. State Parks owns the parcel known as the Carnegie Expansion area. Logic and fiscal accountability point to State Parks being the appropriate and the best steward for this land

Two years ago, the legislature widely supported and passed SB 249, which created a series of environmental responsibilities including monitoring and review for all land overseen by State Parks and managed by the Off Highway Motorized Recreation Division. The environmental responsibilities in SB 249 go far beyond what any local county, city or non-profit is mandated or can afford to provide. For conservation reasons alone, the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area should be left in the control of State Parks and thereby benefit from the funding, manpower, knowledge and experience only the state can bring to this site.

SB 767 would set a dangerous precedent by encouraging local landowners who object to the location of any state park, preserve or beach to push legislation to privatize that specific location. As prices for real estate have increased in areas surrounding the Bay Area, adjacent landowners have realized they would profit more from the eventual sale of their holdings should they be successful in removing this existing state park. This action would support privatization of public land, and hurt many Californians looking forward to enjoying experiences the Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area will have to offer upon completion.

State parks should remain for the benefit of all Californians, not just a select few.

Media Contact Amy Granat, Managing Director California Off-Road Vehicle Association Amy.Granat@CORVA.org (916) 710-1950 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 13, 2018 

California Off-Road Vehicle Association Petitions Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service to Rescind or Revise 2005 Travel Management Rule

Sacramento, Calif. – On Dec. 12, the Texas Public Policy Foundation filed a petition on behalf of approximately 22,497 individuals represented by organizations in six states to ask the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service to rescind or revise the 2005 Travel Management Rule. The California Off-Road Vehicle Association along with 18 partners played a key role as petitioners.

On Nov. 9, 2005, the Forest Service published the Travel Management Rule that “requires designation of those roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicle use” and “prohibit[s] the use of motor vehicles off the designated system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that is not consistent with the designations.”

Before the rule, motorized access in national forests was permitted unless specifically prohibited due to evidence that restricting motorized use was necessary to avoid significant damage to the environment.

“The 2005 rule essentially flipped the previous standard and now only permits motorized use on designated routes,” said Managing Director of CORVA Amy Granat. “In some national forests, as much as 90 percent of traditional motorized access routes were eliminated.”

In the Plumas National Forest, the application of the 2005 Travel Management Rule resulted in the closure of over 3,000 routes, comprising approximately 94 percent of the historically available motorized access routes in the forest.

In that case, the Forest Service inventoried 1,107 non-system, unclassified, historically used and lawful miles of trails, which comprise 3,236 individual routes. Only 410 of the unclassified miles (or 200 routes) received any on-site environmental impacts review, while 697 miles (or 3,036 routes) were summarily rejected from inclusion in the Plumas National Forest Travel Management Plan based upon decisions made in the office by Forest Service employees without the site-specific information required by the 2005 Travel Management Rule and the Route Designation Handbook.

The national parks and forests are designed to be accessed by the public. For many disabled and handicapped individuals, motorized access is the only way that those areas can be accessed and enjoyed.

And while national land also serves the purpose of conservation, this purpose is equal to, not greater than access rights.

The petitioners requested that the administration return to a general presumption that user-created routes and trails for access to national forests are open for motorized use, while providing a mechanism by which the Forest Service or members of the public could take action to have specific routes or trails closed for conservation purposes.

The full petition may be viewed at http://bit.ly/2LgX9Ql. The letter accompanying it can be read at http://bit.ly/2EtVHts.

Those interested in helping contribute to CORVA’s efforts may donate at corva.org/donate.

The Petitioners
The petitioners include Amy Granat, Corky Lazzarino, Houston Gem and Mineral Society, American Lands Access Association, Great Western Trail–Wyoming Council, New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance, San Diego Mineral and Gem Society, Friend of Independence Lake, Inc., Butte Meadows Hillsliders, Magic Valley ATV Riders, Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo’s, Stewards of the Sequoia, Recreation Outdoors Coalition, Bucks Lake Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club, High Mountain Riders Equestrians, Sierra Access Coalition, California Off-Road Vehicle Association, La Porte Service and Repair, and Lazzarino Machine Works.

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 recreationalists are heard and that off-road trail users retain the right to enjoy public land. For more information, visit CORVA.org.

View full Proposal

CORVA Membership Fee Increase Effective August 1, 2018
By Ken Clarke,
President of California Off-Road Vehicle Association

I am proud of the dedication everyone associated with CORVA exhibits as we advocate for all forms of off-road recreation and motorized access. CORVA is increasingly influential and working to protect the rights of our members to enjoy public land. As President of CORVA, I have been tasked with informing our members and the public that the CORVA Board of Directors voted to raise our membership fee to $40.00 per year, effective August 1, 2018. This increase will help us engage more widely politically and keep our promise to our members to stay at the forefront of all issues facing off-road access. CORVA will remain the leader in the battle to keep public land open for the people.

It has been about 15 years since CORVA last raised our membership fee. As the years have gone by, our costs have significantly risen, including insurance, printing and postage. CORVA is also getting increasingly involved in legal issues (using the best legal talent we can find) and this year has employed a very effective lobbyist in Sacramento.

CORVA is always working on new strategies to protect motorized recreation on public land. We are now looking at how we can influence Congress to help our forests in California maintain our roads and trails and prevent the occurrence of catastrophic wildfire. As always, we continue to focus our work in California but we also need to be heard in Washington as land use policies evolve. And even though we are on the forefront of off-road advocacy, we will always use our Members funds in the most effective manner possible.  

Thank you for continuing your support for CORVA and our dedication to promoting, protecting and preserving off-road opportunities in California.

Ken Clarke
President CORVA

PURPOSE:

• To examine how Forest Service policies affect access to public lands, as well as the impacts of road closures on nearby communities.

BACKGROUND:

• The Forest Service manages nearly 200 million acres of land across the United states, most of which is located in the West.
• Congress directed the Forest Service to manage the land it administers for multiple use, including “recreation, livestock grazing, and wildlife and fish habitat.” Unfortunately, the Forest Service has closed roads and restricted access to public lands that should be open to the public.
• The trend towards road closures and restricting access to Forest Service lands impacts local governments, small-town economies, and the way of life for many Americans who live near Forest Service land.

Witnesses and testimonies

Source: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/access-to-public-lands-the-effects-of-forest-service-road-closures/

We need your help! The Mendocino Coast Park and Recreation District is in the process of determining the feasibility of developing an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) park to be located in Mendocino County. The proposed park is approximately 480 acres and could facilitate a range of off-road opportunities. As a member of CORVA, and with the support of the CORVA Board of Directors we would like to ask you your opinions and perceptions about the potential elements of the park that should be considered.  There are also a few questions about CORVA, and how we are meeting your needs and expectations. 

This survey is not a sales or solicitation, and your responses are anonymous and remain confidential. When you submit your completed survey, and if you opt in by providing your e-mail address we will enter you in a random drawing to win a $200.  Thank you very much for your participation. To start the survey click on the link below. 

CORVA