Post by Wyldcomfort on Feb 2, 2008 7:45:42 GMT -5
Hello all, Here is our latest update... I need to do some serious email house-keeping so please let me know if I have accidently added you to our ATV/Motorcycle/jeeps etc. mailing list or if you no longer want to get updates.
On Tuesday we had a Parks and Rec. meeting regarding the SB101 mandates. Parks is doing a great job on rider fit guidelines and will be having public hearings on them soon. I don't anticipate many changes as a lot of thought has gone into writing these and it really passes the common sense test.
With regard to training they have hired OSU and Steve Garets (Team Oregon - highway MC training program) to put together the initial online portion to be completed this fall. He will also be working on a database. This program will focus on adult training initially and will include age appropriate levels at a later date. SB101 mandates all children have a safety training certificate by 1-1-09. Hands on is mandatory for all youth under 16. Understandably with close to 40,000 youth operators it would be impossible to have them all trained with hands-on by 1-1-09 so I anticipate a phase in or multi-step process. Parks is working very hard and involving the OHV, law enforcement, trainers, etc. in this process and I expect within the next few months they will have a better idea of how this will work. Parks has assured me of their commitment to training our youth and I am confident we will be pleased with the outcome. As you are all aware Parks will need our support in implementing the hands on portion in the field. We will need trainers, volunteers, and clubs to train our kids once Parks can give us direction. Several folks have already completed ASI training and we all thank you!!
On Wednesday night several of us attended the Siuslaw Forest Service public meeting. It is very easy to be angry about the closures we are facing but we also must remember this is a Federal mandate and our local Forest Service folks are understaffed and overworked. This is a mandate for them and they are caught between a rock and hard place. I believe their intentions are good but the overall plan concerns me. Many of the roads that will remain open to OHV use are short stubby routes that don't connect. Essentially they will be of little use for recreation. We have asked them to consider leaving longer connected routes that offer at least a two to three hour ride. The Federal Director back in Washington, basically wants to deal with what he considers unmanaged recreation because they see this sport growing so quickly. Rather than managing this recreation they have chosen to close as much as possible. I believe the Siuslaw folks want to work with the OHV community and actually manage rather than simply close off areas. Time, money, and resources are limited. If you ride in the forested areas in the Siuslaw, please contact them with your riding areas and ideas. The Oregon Dunes Recreational area is also in the Siuslaw but will not be effected by this mandate as they have chosen to use their 1996 plan. My concerns with this plan is much of the upland trails will be closed. Those are my families favorite areas to ride and we have fondly referred to them as the "hidden forest". Hopefully they will take a long hard look and involve our families in these decisions.
At some point in the future Parks and Rec. will need to contact folks with updates and I have welcomed them to use our contact list to keep you all informed. If you have any questions or concerns about all these changes please feel free to contact me.... Please encourage your club members to stay involved. It is vitally important to participate in your local Forest service public meetings, tell your hunting and fishing buddies of these changes too. If you need contact info please let me know and I will get it for you - and as always, please pass this on to your friends and fellow OHVers. Thanks again - Lindy
On Tuesday we had a Parks and Rec. meeting regarding the SB101 mandates. Parks is doing a great job on rider fit guidelines and will be having public hearings on them soon. I don't anticipate many changes as a lot of thought has gone into writing these and it really passes the common sense test.
With regard to training they have hired OSU and Steve Garets (Team Oregon - highway MC training program) to put together the initial online portion to be completed this fall. He will also be working on a database. This program will focus on adult training initially and will include age appropriate levels at a later date. SB101 mandates all children have a safety training certificate by 1-1-09. Hands on is mandatory for all youth under 16. Understandably with close to 40,000 youth operators it would be impossible to have them all trained with hands-on by 1-1-09 so I anticipate a phase in or multi-step process. Parks is working very hard and involving the OHV, law enforcement, trainers, etc. in this process and I expect within the next few months they will have a better idea of how this will work. Parks has assured me of their commitment to training our youth and I am confident we will be pleased with the outcome. As you are all aware Parks will need our support in implementing the hands on portion in the field. We will need trainers, volunteers, and clubs to train our kids once Parks can give us direction. Several folks have already completed ASI training and we all thank you!!
On Wednesday night several of us attended the Siuslaw Forest Service public meeting. It is very easy to be angry about the closures we are facing but we also must remember this is a Federal mandate and our local Forest Service folks are understaffed and overworked. This is a mandate for them and they are caught between a rock and hard place. I believe their intentions are good but the overall plan concerns me. Many of the roads that will remain open to OHV use are short stubby routes that don't connect. Essentially they will be of little use for recreation. We have asked them to consider leaving longer connected routes that offer at least a two to three hour ride. The Federal Director back in Washington, basically wants to deal with what he considers unmanaged recreation because they see this sport growing so quickly. Rather than managing this recreation they have chosen to close as much as possible. I believe the Siuslaw folks want to work with the OHV community and actually manage rather than simply close off areas. Time, money, and resources are limited. If you ride in the forested areas in the Siuslaw, please contact them with your riding areas and ideas. The Oregon Dunes Recreational area is also in the Siuslaw but will not be effected by this mandate as they have chosen to use their 1996 plan. My concerns with this plan is much of the upland trails will be closed. Those are my families favorite areas to ride and we have fondly referred to them as the "hidden forest". Hopefully they will take a long hard look and involve our families in these decisions.
At some point in the future Parks and Rec. will need to contact folks with updates and I have welcomed them to use our contact list to keep you all informed. If you have any questions or concerns about all these changes please feel free to contact me.... Please encourage your club members to stay involved. It is vitally important to participate in your local Forest service public meetings, tell your hunting and fishing buddies of these changes too. If you need contact info please let me know and I will get it for you - and as always, please pass this on to your friends and fellow OHVers. Thanks again - Lindy