NYSORVA News for 6/26/00
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This e-mail
newsletter is distributed by:
New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Assn., Inc.
PO Box 305
Ravena, NY 12143-0305
Please copy and
distribute to all interested parties. Your participation affects the quality of
this newsletter: Please submit your pertinent material for inclusion in
subsequent issues.
- Editor: Alex
Ernst, Alex@nysorva.org
- Our Official Homepage is located at http://www.nysorva.org
- An index of past newsletter issues is available at http://www.nysorva.org/news/newslist.htm
To request an
addition to (or removal from) the list, e-mail Alex@nysorva.org
listing name and e-mail address.
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SUBJECTS FOR THIS
NEWSLETTER ARE:
1. Editor’s Notes
2.
Volunteers Needed to Assist NYSORVA
3.
NEW YORK NEWS
-- ATV Trails in Treaty Line:
ATV Enthusiasts Speak up Boldly, A Lesson Learned
-- Trail Fund Bills:
Progress in the Senate but the Assembly Remains the Chief Stumbling
Block
4.
FEDERAL OHV WATCH
-- The Clinton/Gore Roadless Initiative: Its Potential Impact and
How You Can Help
-- Federal Bureau of Land Management to Develop a National OHV
Strategy
-- Ban on Snowmobiles in National Parks
-- ARRA Formed to Educate Americans About Threat of Administration
Plans to Limit Use of Public Lands
5.
NYSORVA ATV Raffle Announced
6.
AMA District #3 Political Action Committee (PAC) – Donations Needed
7. July
29th Dual Sport Ride in Hancock NY
8.
ATV Trail and Camp Facility Under Development in Western New York
9.
ATV Makers Promote Safety With Interactive CD-ROM “ATV Rally”
1) EDITOR’S NOTES
This
issue represents the first comprehensive, multi-subject newsletter since the
January 2000 issue (see http://www.nysorva.org/news/newslist.htm.)
Since then we have only been able to release single-subject “alerts” once or
twice per week. For the benefit of those of you who have only been on the list
for a short time, I will be working to catalog some of these Alerts on the News
List page. Stay tuned.
It’s
a long, informative issue that I encourage you to read in full even if it takes
you a week reading one article at a time. It covers a lot of ground while only
scratching the surface of the extraordinary amount of activity since the
beginning of the year. Frankly, to me it feels more like a whole year has
elapsed rather than six months.
I
have projects coordinator Len Howard to thank for writing and compiling the
great bulk of this issue. Without his help in this matter, as with the many
recent projects in which he has lent his professionalism, we could not have
produced such a fine-quality publication (if I may be so bold to say).
Please
note that my e-mail address has changed: Please submit material for inclusion
in subsequent newsletters, any comments, or requests for addition to the E-news
list to Alex@nysorva.org.
I will no longer be able to use my address aernst@albany.net for NYSORVA business moving forward.
2) VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED TO ASSIST NYSORVA
NYSORVA
is proud of the progress we’ve made toward improving opportunities for all who
wish to enjoy our sport. As an
all-volunteer organization, we are wholly reliant on the efforts of individuals
who step forward and try to improve our sport by applying their unique skills
and abilities. As you will see below,
much is happening at the state and national level, and our resources are
stretched thin. If you can contribute
toward organization building, membership development, project coordination, or
other efforts aimed at improving our sport and making us more effective, we ask
that you become involved and help give direction to our efforts. If a specific project or initiative
interests you, you can take ownership of it and we PROMISE we won’t let mission
creep consume more time than you care to contribute.
In addition to the above areas, a discussion
board has been offered to us in order to facilitate the free flow of ideas and
comments. Before we can utilize this
resource, we have particular need for someone who could serve as moderator. To
become involved with the discussion board, our Internet site, or in any of the
other areas mentioned above, please contact alex@nysorva.org. Please do your part to help make New York a
better place for ATV/OHM enthusiasts!
3) NEW YORK NEWS
We have some very
good news regarding the opening of trails and roads to public ATV access on
Northern Adirondack private forestlands for which the state has purchased a
recreational easement for public use. For about a year now we have known of the
potential for access to be authorized on this land, and now it appears it will
be a reality.
In a letter from
DEC Region 5 dated June 14, 2000 addressed to ATV Ruffriders Club, Inc. of
Dickinson, NY (the club chiefly responsible for DEC's cooperation with the OHV
community in developing potential ATV access to the lands), Ray Brook Regional
Forester Thomas D. Martin writes:
"As of July 1,
2000, the Department of Environmental Conservation will begin making available
to the general public use of selected roads and trails on the easement portion
of the former Champion International lands. Under the Terms and Conditions
agreed to by the owner, Heartwood Forestland Fund III and this Department, all
roads and trails open to the public must meet predetermined specifications to
ensure user safety."
This is our first
confirmation of DEC's intentions in this matter, and we are awaiting a direct
communication. The letter does not make any reference to when and how
information will be disseminated such as length of trails, trail maps, access
points, camping, rules of use, or whether off-highway or dual-sport motorcycles
will be authorized for use on the routes. As soon as we know of such details,
we will pass what we learn along.
The letter does
discuss some of the specifications of access for organized events such as poker
runs including permit and insurance requirements. The full text of the letter
can be faxed or e-mailed upon request to Alex@nysorva.org.
To follow the history
of this story, see http://www.nysorva.org/news/news01252000.htm
for the last article on the subject. Additional articles dating back through
1999 yield further background: See the NYSORVA News index at http://www.nysorva.org/news/newslist.htm.
Also see DEC's site at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/press/index.html
for comprehensive information about the land, including an FAQ document and
tract overview maps (no trails marked).
We want to extend
our thanks to staff and members of the ATV Ruffriders Club, Inc. for their
diligence in working with DEC to keep our interests in the spotlight. It would
have been easy for DEC and Heartwood to pass on fulfilling OHV access goals of
the recreational easement if riders did not participate in the process. Thanks
also to everyone else who helped by writing letters to various officials when
prompted in previous newsletters. Because of everyone's efforts, the State
apparently is now responding to the wheeled-OHV community's access requests in
a tangible way with this initiative. Good news for a change!
Many of you
participated in the public input phase of DEC’s proposal to build up to 100
miles of ATV trails in Treaty Line State Forests, northeast of Binghamton. NYSORVA was actively involved in this
process and we were energized by the vast number of people who offered their
support and provided comments in favor of the trails.
As you may know,
the Unit Management Plan is the procedure by which the DEC establishes
appropriate uses for state lands, including recreational use. The process is fairly lengthy, and provides
several opportunities for public input.
These include a so-called scoping session prior to producing a Draft UMP
and, following release of the Draft UMP, a Public Meeting and a written comment
period. All three phases have now been
completed for Treaty Line with the written comment period closing on
June 2, 2000. The DEC will
now evaluate the public’s input in the context of policy priorities and
incorporate comments into the final UMP, perhaps within six months, but maybe
longer due to the highly political nature of the ATV trails proposal. A review under the State Environmental
Quality Review Act will also be required.
The ATV community
had a strong showing thus far in the Treaty Line UMP process. Four years ago during the scoping session
ATV enthusiasts turned out in force to express their desire for ATV
trails. In part due to this strong
turnout, the Draft UMP contained a proposal to build up to 100 miles of ATV
trails. At the May 2nd
public meeting in Deposit, the ATV community once again attended in large
numbers to speak in favor of the proposed ATV trails. Based on our observations, the number of trail supporters
exceeded those opposed by a substantial margin. We also have reason to believe that a large number of written
comments in favor of the trails were submitted. Thanks to each of you who contributed to the process -- your
support and participation is vital to our success!
Despite an
excellent showing from the pro-trails community, we can’t be lulled into a
false sense of security. The process is
far from over – now we have entered the more political phase where Governor
Pataki and Commissioner Cahill will have a substantial impact on the final
outcome. The opposition is well
organized, motivated, and the mainstream anti-OHV groups are bringing their
substantial financial and political muscle to bear against the trails.
That’s why we urge
you to send your comments to the Governor, Commissioner Cahill, and your State
Senator and Assemblyman. This is particularly important for those of
you who live in the immediate Treaty Line area. Please ask your Senator and Assemblyperson to contact the
Governor and express his/her support for the ATV trails. Your representatives will be returning to
their districts after the Legislature adjourns in mid-June, and this is an
excellent opportunity for you to provide them with comments, and to receive a
more personalized response from them.
For our part,
NYSORVA continues to press for retaining the trails in the final UMP. NYSORVA, along with top representatives from
the American Motorcyclist Association, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the NYS
Snowmobile Association, and the NYS Trails Council met with senior DEC
officials in Albany to argue in favor of the trails and present them with
documentation that supported the trails.
We are also continuing to promote organizational development,
mobilization and outreach that we firmly believe are vital to enhancing our
sport. We are pleased that so many of you have stepped forward and responded to
our call to action.
A final note on
Treaty Line for this newsletter. We
have learned much from this effort but the overriding lesson is that the
ATV/OHM community can be effective in achieving our goals if we make a good
faith effort. Participating in the
process, leadership at the grass roots and state level, and drawing on all
available resources (including our good friends in the snowmobile, highway
motorcycle and trail recreation communities) can achieve much. Going forward, the DEC is making a major
effort to complete UMPs for all tracts of state land. We should view each of these UMPs as an opportunity to become
involved and promote our sport, and above all me must speak up and let the
state know that excluding a quarter-million ATV/OHM owners and many more
operators from public lands is simply bad policy!
For more information on this matter, see the
Treaty Line web page at http://www.nysorva.org/documents/treaty_line.htm.
Trail Fund
Bills -- Progress in the Senate but the
Assembly remains the chief obstacle
As the State
Legislature winds down its 1999-2000 session, we regret to report that it
appears our Trail Fund Bills will not pass this session, despite the
much-appreciated efforts many of you made to get the bills passed. In the Senate, we were successful in
amending the draft bill to correct some technical deficiencies (S. 632-C is the
latest version) and the amended bill was then reported out of the
Transportation Committee, a significant accomplishment. The next important hurdle for the Senate
Bill was the Finance Committee where progress was more limited and the rush of
other legislative priorities at session-end preempted further progress.
In the Assembly,
however, the ATV opposition groups used their influence to stall all progress
on the Trail Fund Bill (A.1060). This
Bill, which is deeply flawed, must be amended or “unified” with S. 632-C as a
first step in moving it through the Assembly.
Unfortunately, those who control the legislative process in the Assembly
have not allowed the Bill to be amended unless and until the concerns of
opposition groups have been addressed.
In many ways we
view this procedural gridlock in the Assembly as an illustration of the issues
that were central to Majority Leader Bragman’s challenge to Speaker
Silver. Assemblyman Bragman (who
sponsored the Trail Fund Bill) along with substantial support from other
Assembly members was concerned that Chairpersons and Members have too little
influence over legislative matters, while undue Legislative control was
exercised by the Speaker’s office. We
are hopeful that current efforts to address these concerns will improve the
Assembly’s procedures and its ability to serve major constituencies, with
positive implications for the Trail Fund Bill in the 2001- 2002 session.
President Clinton
has proposed a sweeping change to national forest rules that could effectively
shut down almost 60 million acres of land (nearly equal in size to Wyoming!) to
off-highway vehicle use. The American
Motorcyclist Assn. (AMA) has dubbed the Roadless Initiative "Wilderness
Lite" because it could impose many of the same restrictions on forest use
as under a congressionally mandated Wilderness designation -- including a ban
on motor vehicle access -- but without a congressional debate and vote.
Although most of
the affected forests are designated “roadless,” these lands contain the vast
majority of motorized recreation opportunities in the national forests,
particularly in Western states. Under
the “roadless” designation, any route less than 50 inches wide and
"travelways resulting from off-road vehicle use," are not
considered roads. This includes nearly all of the trails used by off-highway
motorcyclists and ATV riders.
ATV and off-highway
motorcycle enthusiasts are urged to let the Forest Service know that they
oppose the President's Roadless Initiative because it could eliminate
recreational opportunities and cut off public access to public lands. Send your
letters to:
USDA Forest
Service-CAET
Attn: Roadless
P.O. Box 221090
Salt Lake City, UT
84122
Or send e-mail to roadlessdeis@fs.fed.us and/or fax your
comments to (877) 703-2494. The Forest Service is accepting comments on the
Roadless Initiative until July 17, 2000.
For more
information point your Internet browser to the AMA’s Internet site at http://www.ama-cycle.org and click on
“protecting your right to ride”. The Forest Service also has an Internet site
on its Roadless Initiative, see http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us
.
Federal Bureau of Land Management to Develop
National OHV Strategy
In an
apparent effort to head off more lawsuits by environmentalists, the federal
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it will develop a national strategy
to manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on BLM land, the American Motorcyclist
Association (AMA) reports.
Creating
a national OHV strategy will involve working with motorized recreation groups,
environmental organizations and state and local governments to develop an OHV strategy that recognizes the interests
of OHV users while protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Public comments
are being collected through August 30, 2000 and will be analyzed and used to
help create BLM guidance by November 30, 2000. This guidance will become final
in November and go into effect immediately, meaning now is the ONLY chance you
will have to send your comments.
"This
is a major policy initiative that has a significant impact on OHV use on BLM
land," said Sean Maher, AMA legislative affairs specialist. "It's
critical that motorcyclists [and ATV enthusiasts] are involved in forming this
strategy, and we've contacted the BLM to ensure that the AMA is at the table to
represent motorcyclists' interests."
The plan will
also enable BLM to spend scarce funding resources on managing OHV use rather
than on OHV-related litigation, protests, appeals, and Freedom of Information
Act requests. In October 1999, a
coalition of environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit seeking to ban OHVs
from 10 million acres of land controlled by BLM in Utah. The coalition alleged
the federal agency failed to protect the Utah land from OHV use. If opponents of recreation are successful in
Utah, millions of additional BLM acres could be shut down throughout the West
through similar lawsuits. The BLM manages 264 million acres, more than any
other federal agency, with most of that land in 12 Western states, including
Alaska.
While
this may sound like a western states issue, don’t be misled: As go the Western
States on such issues, often go the Eastern States (i.e. California emissions
equipment on your NY-spec automobile). Many of us have dreams of riding out
West someday, and those of us that have had the opportunity know that access to
BLM lands is one of the most enjoyable experiences any OHV enthusiast can
have. For more information and to
submit electronic comments point your browser to http://www.blm.gov/ohv/ohvstrategy.htm.
Also, an OHV comment
mailer will be sent to people who contact the Bureau of Land Management at 1849
C Street N.W., LSB 406-C, Washington, D.C. 20240, Attn: Comment Manager.
Ban on Snowmobiles in National Parks
[From the Blue
Ribbon Coalition] On April 27, the National Park Service announced the closure
of all national parks to snowmobiling. This unprecedented attack on
snowmobiling by the Clinton-Gore regime is a giant step toward unilaterally
locking the public out of national parks and public lands. The news release distributed by the
Department of the Interior stated that "Under the Service's new snowmobile
enforcement program, snowmobiling for general recreational purposes will be
prohibited throughout the Park System, with a limited number of narrow
exceptions [Voyageurs and Denali]."
The news release erroneously omitted a discussion on Yellowstone
National Park, which is undergoing a winter recreation planning process.
Yellowstone managers have already announced that they are leaning toward a
decision to ban recreational snowmobiles, allowing visitation only by snow
coach.
If you’re also a
snowmobiler, the parks closure affects you so please call or e-mail your
Congressman and Senator and voice your opposition. Call the Capitol Switchboard at: 202-224-3121 to reach your congressman. To e-mail your congressman/senator use this
easy Internet site: http://government.aol.com/mygov/ .
You can write your senator/representative at:
United States
Senate;
Washington, DC 20510
House of
Representatives;
Washington, DC 20515.
[Reprinted from NOHVCC News, June 23, 2000.]
Wednesday June 21, 4:03 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Recreation Leaders Unite to Form Americans
for Responsible Recreational Access Group to Educate Americans About the
Potential Threat From Administration Plans to Limit Use of Public Lands
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2000--
Leaders of national recreational organizations and trade associations today
announced the formation of Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
(ARRA). The alliance has been formed to ensure that Americans are not
arbitrarily denied the right to use and enjoy the public lands that belong to
all citizens. The broad-based membership of ARRA has joined together in
response to unprecedented efforts by exclusionary activist groups and the
current Administration to bypass established federal law and procedures for
land designation and regulation.
ARRA's education program will focus on the
potential impact of the numerous Administration proposals to limit access to
public lands.
“Every member of this alliance wants to
protect our public lands. We are committed to responsible use, not abuse,” said
Tom Crimmins, spokesman for ARRA. “But the American public needs to know that
its natural desire to enjoy outdoor recreation may be thwarted if these
initiatives are implemented. These rulemakings are being railroaded,
circumventing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the public input
process, because the Administration knows the American public won't stand for
having its desire for responsible access to public lands denied.”
ARRA supports responsible and open
consideration of multiple-use of public lands based upon environmentally sound
principles, and opposes efforts to short-circuit the established procedures for
land use designation, usage and preservation.
“Everyone wants to protect the environment,”
said Crimmins. “But what many people don't understand is that the rulemakings
could limit access not only to truly pristine areas, but also to areas that
have been commonly used for multiple-use recreation for decades. Not only could
they result in locking out a variety of popular recreational activities, but in
denying any access at all to many senior citizens and disabled Americans, who
can't access the beauty of our national lands on foot.”
ARRA members agree that no individual or
group has a right to exclusive, unregulated use of our national heritage. But
the alliance opposes closure, or extreme regulation, that denies responsible
access to public lands appropriate for recreation.
Denying outdoor enthusiasts access to public
lands runs counter to the very mission of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management, which are both charged with managing for multiple-use programs.
Many local and state experts who have asked for “cooperating agency status”
have been denied participation in the rulemaking process. Although the policy
states that local authorities will have final say in land closures, during
implementation, many of the determining factors will be mandated at the Federal
level, pre-empting any local input.
“ARRA wants open dialogue and cooperation,
not confrontation,” said Crimmins. Environmentalism begins with instilling
values that reinforce responsible use of our public lands. Banning land usage
will only deny Americans the ability to enjoy the great outdoors. And that
could reduce the revenues coming to the U.S. forest and park system from park
entrance and user fees, further depleting the budget to maintain public lands.”
Founding members of ARRA are the American
Horse Council, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, the American
Motorcyclist Association, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the National Marine
Manufacturers Association, the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, and
the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.
Contact:
ARRA by Edelman Public Relations
Chris Wanner or Kim Hale,
202/371-0200
5) ATV RAFFLE
NYSORVA is pleased to announce its
fundraising raffle for 2000 of a Polaris Magnum 325 4x4 that was donated in
full by Polaris Industries. Again, this year NYSORVA member clubs may co-opt
into the program. The drawing will be held November 1, 2000, and the ticket
price is $5 each.
Participating clubs retain 50% of
the ticket sales, with half the other half benefiting NYSORVA. Clubs will be responsible for the cost of
tickets and any marketing materials they wish to utilize. At the end of the
program, NYSORVA will award the club selling the winning ticket $250, and the
club will award the member selling the ticket $100 out of their prize.
Clubs wishing to participate must
have remitted a supporting-club donation to NYSORVA for calendar year 2000.
NYSORVA will supply the tickets in packs of 100, 250 or 500, and clubs are
encouraged to take only as many tickets as can be sold to reduce their upfront
costs and to avoid having tickets tied up that could be sold elsewhere. Contact
the raffle program coordinator, Al MacKenzie, Chainsaw@nysorva.org, or by phone- 5-10
PM at 716-366-6146, if your club wishes to receive tickets or if you need more
information.
The drawing will be
held on November 1st at a location to be specified, and participants
need not be present to win. All
participants must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
6) AMA DISTRICT
#3 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (PAC)
Yes, that’s right,
AMA District #3 (Eastern half of New York) established a PAC late last year,
the first of its kind on a local level for the AMA, anywhere in the
country. D3 President Larry Schwartz,
who lobbies in Albany on a weekly basis, says the PAC is the mechanism by which
motorcyclists can give tangible support for candidates and legislators who
support our positions by making contributions to their election campaigns. The AMA is equally committed to both on- and
off-road issues, and as such, the ATV community has much in common with the
AMA.
New York is well
known for its cumbersome political and legislative processes, as the need for
the PAC suggests. If you or your club
want to help win the political battles that have ham-strung the ATV community
for so many years (trail fund bills, access to public land, change in the
General Obligations Law) then consider making a contribution. Please send donations, made payable to “AMA
PAC” to:
Alex Ernst, PAC
Treasurer
P.O. Box 305
Ravena, NY 12143-0305
Our New Jersey
neighbor Ross Smith, who helped out on Treaty Line, advises us that his Ridge
Riders motorcycle club is sponsoring a dual-sport ride (street plate required)
on July 29th and 30th.
The “Quarry Run” begins in Hancock, NY (east of Binghamton on Route 17)
and the entry fee is $35. For
additional details see http://www.ridgeriders.org/
For a list of dual sport rides in and around New York see http://www.nysorva.org/documents/dsrides2000.htm.
Submitted by Al
“Chainsaw” MacKenzie, NYSORVA Pres.
An ATV trail and
camp facility is being developed in Sinclairville just off Route 60 near the
Village of Cassadaga. It is located at the half point of Jamestown exit from
Route 17 and Thruway Exit 59 in Dunkirk.
Owner/operator Mike
Allenbrand has 1000 acres of land on which 20 miles of ATV trails already exist
with more to come. Primitive camping with outhouse facilities is currently
available while construction on a pavilion and hand washing stations continues.
By 2001 there will be 100 campsites. Call Mike at 716-962-2227 for more
information.
This project is
being designed and constructed in cooperation with the New York Trail Riders
Organization, Inc., New York’s largest and fastest growing ATV and dirt bike
club. NYTRO members will receive discounted rates on camping and trail
facilities. For more information on NYTRO call Al MacKenzie, NYTRO President,
evenings @ 716-366-6146 or email nytroatv@netsync.net.
[Reprinted from Minnesota Off-Road, Spring
2000 issue, provided by way of NOHVCC.]
Ride red rocks of the desert, the high
outcroppings of the Tetons, or the wooded trails of Wisconsin while learning
safe ATV operating techniques. That's the goal of ATV manufacturers American
Suzuki Motor Corporation, Arctic Cat, Inc., Kawasaki Motors Corp., Polaris Industries,
and Yamaha Motor Corp., partnering to create ATV Rally, a youth-oriented
educational computer game.
Over the next three years, the five
manufacturers will provide ATV Rally to everyone who purchases a new ATV, to
help familiarize enthusiasts with the safe operation of ATVs, including
pre-ride checks, quizzes, a review of ATV skills, and finally, trail rides on a
variety of terrain trying to earn multiple trail badges. In addition, educational materials will also
be delivered to schools during the same time frame.
To learn more about the program, or for a
copy of ATV Rally, contact the ATV Information and Education Group at
877-806-7813 or visit their website at http://www.atvsafety.org.
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