An update from the WOHVA annual convention, from Alex Bub - [Lengthy, yet interesting and informative]
Dave
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WOHMA Board, OHM clubs, and OHM enthusiasts;
I attended the annual WOHVA convention at the Wabeno Indian casino this past weekend and would like to give the OHM riders a summary of activities. Some of you will undoubtedly hear from your own club contacts as we had a few OHM club representatives also attend some of the proceedings.
First, we had the pleasure of attending Terry Lee Cooks (AMA Grass Roots Manager) “Riding into Political Action” workshop. Thank you to those who could get off on a Friday to attend, the time was well spent. The audience consisted of both 4X4 and OHM enthusiasts, about 2 dozen total. From the OHM side we had John Newton (President, Wisconsin Dual-Sport Riders) and Tom Chase (President, WisConservation Trail Riders) plus me and a few others who ride on 2 wheels and represented other clubs. All of the OHM riders there are very involved in fighting for more single track trails for all of you. Thanks for attending, guys.
Terry gave an inspired presentation and left us all with more knowledge on how to make a difference when dealing with government agencies plus those interests and groups that oppose our views. A lot of time was spent on how to address the issues, how to build up relationships with legislators and their staff, how bills are written and how they go the approval process, how to get involved in the political process, how party politics really work, helping with the campaigns of friendly legislators, dealing with officials, personal meetings with them, how to deliver your message properly, attending public meetings and giving testimony, using the press to your advantage, and other important issues and solutions.
Just a note: This September WOHMA has asked NOHVCC to come to Wisconsin on a Saturday to hold their “Starting a State Association Workshop”; all of the OHM clubs in the state will be invited to attend and help get WOHMA officially off the ground. Terry Lee has offered to come back and give the AMA’s seminar on political action to a wider OHM audience. You will be receiving more information shortly after we pin down the actual workshop date.
Saturday we had a presentation by Dale Simon, DNR Wetlands biologist, who gave an update on what activities are allowed and what are not regarding wetlands. Dale is a past MX rider and trail rider. While he now keeps his OHV use to 4x4’s he does understand the desires of the OHV users for a bit of fun in the mud. For those who want to cross a stream on a trail system he mentioned there is a “Ford” permit available for $50 per year from the DNR. They do prefer rock bases at stream crossings if trail designers don’t want to go to the expense of using bridges. This type of permit is necessary if you are crossing any sort of navigable water. His definition is its navigable if in a 12 foot canoe (which draws 2 inches of water) he can navigate the stream at least once a year. This applies to public waters, if you have a dug out private pond its exempt. Check further with the DNR if you have any questions. His big concern was to not have any OHV destroying stream beds, river banks, or wetlands.
His main issue was with mud bogs in wetlands. He showed an aerial view of someone who ran a “public invited” mud bog and literally destroyed the area for many years to come. There were heavy fines in this case; the promoter was caught because he advertised heavily in public papers about the event and drew the attention of concerned citizens plus the DNR. Dale did discuss how to properly build a mud bog area that was acceptable and did not pollute the streams; one recommendation for a public mud bog was to build it on higher ground and away from any running water; then invite the local fire department to come in and fill it from their water truck.
John Schnorr (CEO WOHVA) gave an update on AB600. It was approved by vote in the House committee and sent to the Senate. The legislative session ran out before it could be approved. It will be resubmitted Jan 2008 when the new legislative session starts. These things take time, be patient.
Joan Marburger is the USFS TMR (Travel Management Rule) Project Coordinator for the Chequamegon / Nicolet National Forest. A quick note; The USFS at the Chequamegon / Nicolet National Forest defines an ATV to include off-road motorcycles as well. Therefore any trail open to ATVs in the National Forest in Wisconsin is open to dirt bikes, both street and non-street legal. This does not carry over to State Forests or County Forests, their definition of an ATV means 4 wheels.
The environmental assessment of the TMR for the Chequamegon / Nicolet is due to be completed around April 2008. The study will be released to the public and public comment meetings scheduled for spring 2008. Public comments and concerns will be taken and a decision notice by the USFS will be published summer of 2008.
The MVUM (Motor Vehicle User Map) that shows all the approved rails will be published by winter of 2009.
How many miles of trails there are in the Chequamegon / Nicolet National Forest is a disputed point. Depending on what you include the number is anywhere between 16,000 and 7000. Most roads being closed are either 2-track natural roads that require high clearance vehicles or some old logging roads. No ATV (& OHM) trails are being closed. If my notes are correct there are 300 miles of existing ATV trails and all of them are well marked.
There are three options currently under discussion in the TMR
No action, 4600 miles of trails will remain open (this is highly unlikely, the USFS is not staffed to support this number of miles)
Keep open 2073 miles of trails (current proposal by the USFS)
Keep open 2138 miles of trails in response to past public comments received
These are the three options being considered at this time, more public comments will be solicited in the spring 2008 public meetings. Please attend one of them or else comment by e-mail when the meetings are announced.
A few more notes. Back when the original TMR public meetings were held around 2003-4, the USFS only received a total of 17 public comments. They included WOHVA, WATVA, and some non-motorized groups and activists. Not one OHM rider or organization commented, so the USFS assumed our needs were being met or we were not interested in single track trails. This is a great real world example of what happens when we do not get involved and expect the other guy to do it. This is one of the reason WOHMA is being started and why we are working close with WOHVA and WATVA, who have both been active on the issues.
I did ask Joan if there is a possibility to gain single track OHM trail in the future and the answer was yes. We can work with the USFS and request to put in single track in areas they consider appropriate. The process is very detailed but it can be done. There is an annual update process and we will be approaching the USFS to work together on new single track OHM trails.
New trails could be added every year IF we request and work with the USFS to get them approved. Again, the process is detailed and will take time.
To receive copies of the TMR on CD please write to:
USDA Forest Service
Attn: TMR EA
1170 4th Ave South
Park Falls, WI 54552
Or call or e-mail:
Joan Marburger
715-762-5178
jmarburger@fs.fed.usTo request a CD
Go to this web address for information on the TMR
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/index.html On Sunday I gave a presentation on building sustainable trails, after which we had a trail building exercise using props WOHVA now has. Three teams built a trail system on their separate tables and were then critiqued by myself and Jim Maze, WOHVA Trail Coordinator for the Mole Lake Reservation project. A great way to practice what they had just learned.
Other items;
John Schnorr has joined the newly formed BRC National Land Use Advisory Council. As things develop with this council he will keep us informed.
The video “Our Trails in Trouble” was shown to the audience.
The Saturday lunch was with our legislators; Representative Jeff Mursau and a representative from Congressman Steve Kagen’s office joined us and were given plaques in appreciation of the work they and others did in introducing and supporting bill AB600.
The WOHVA 2009 Convention date is April 17-19 and will be at the Mole Lake Indian Casino, near the new trails system we are working on. We had a number of OHM clubs participate this year and work side by side with the 4x4 clubs. We would like to see more clubs from both activities join in next year. ATV riders are also welcome; Mole Lake will have trails for you as well. An FYI, WATVA is copied on these correspondences and we are committed to working hand in hand with them on issues of mutual interest.
Alex Bub
WOHMA President
WOHVA Education Chairman
NOHVCC Wisconsin State Representative
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