Kit Palmer | March 2, 2017
California OHV Program Action Alert SB 249 – The following release was sent to Cycle News from Don Amador, Western Representative BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org, regarding SB 249 that could drastically change the way the California OHV program will be run, and it’s not good. Here’s why:
According to Amador, SB 249 does the following:
· Sets up “Science Committee” which is a new super commission that has veto power over the entire program and OHV commission
· Would basically ensure that there are only two “ohv friendly” commissioners on the 9 member OHV commission
· Would support redirects of OHV funds to non-OHV program projects
· Would not require repayment of any OHV funds taken by the legislature and other agencies
· Prohibits any new state OHV parks
· Since it would be a “new” program, there would be a 1 year pause in grants.. so no OHV grants to FS/BLM/county sheriffs, etc.
· Those are just some of the key points… it is a “Kill the Program” bill written by extreme eco groups.
California OHV Program Action Alert SB 249
BRC Release:
CALIFORNIA – CODE RED ACTION ALERT – SAVE CA OHV PROGRAM
Dear BRC members and Action Alert Subscriber,
BRC believes one of the most critical access issues in 2017 is for CA OHV recreationists to engage in the battle to reauthorize the current OHV program (SB742). This is a very complex legislative process. The fight will occur in stages over the next few months. Anti-access groups are hard at work to gut the current program via introduction of SB 249.
Between now and Monday, please write your own letter on your personal, club, or business logo and mail it in ASAP. If you would like to see a copy of your letter hand delivered to the committee before the March 14 hearing, please send it via email to – brdon@sharetrails.org
Your letter does not have to be long. Be respectful and concise. Explain what the OHV program means to you. You will be asking the Committee Chairman and Committee Members to OPPOSE SB 249 (Allen).
Some of the issues to consider include the OHV program’s economic impact on rural areas. This national “Gold Standard” of OHV management, has an annual $20B economic impact, protects natural and cultural resources, serves approximately 6 million OHV recreationists and partners with county sheriffs/resource conservation districts/conservation groups. Since 80% of OHV recreation occurs on federal lands it also partners with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, etc.
Again, make your letter short! No more than one page.
For reference on this issue, BRC has attached the 2007 OHV Coalition Letter of Support for SB742 and
our BRC March 1, 2017, Letter of Opposition to SB 249.
California OHV Program Action Alert SB 249
Mail your letter to:
Honorable Robert M. Hertzberg, Chair
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee
California State Capitol, Room 4038
Sacramento, CA 95814
Thanks for your attention to this matter!
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org