- Location
- Desert Beach So Cal
Rubicon Volunteer Appreciation Day (Sept 12, 2004)
It was AWESOME -- our Volunteer Appreciation Day turned out great.
We also dedicated the law enforcement plaque to the widow and family
of Lt. Bill Brown, and it was very touching. Nice.
I had figured about 60 folks with the sign ups I had. Ice House
Resort made us lunches (hot) for 80 (just in case). We fed over a
100!!!! And it worked out fine.
Jeepers Jamboree (Richie Mainwaring) bought lunch for everyone! Very
generous and a great contribution to our efforts.
Several folks gave rides to visitors, first timers, and VIP's. Bill
Brown's family (Kendra and the kids) got rides over the trail he
loved and helped us with. They had a ball.
Richie Mainwaring got the plaque made up and it was beautiful. We're
going to put a bronze replica by the kiosk and sink it into a big
rock. Another fun project.
The kiosk looked amazing. WOW. What a great job that crew did in
revamping the kiosk. Nick Collin brought us our newly built ramp for
the front door. We didn't get it installed, so there's another
project.
Oh, and speaking of the kiosk, our USFS partner, Rich Platt,
suggested we think about adding a deck (yes, a deck) the kiosk side
(where the signs are) so the kiosk staff has a place to sit, give out
handouts, etc., as well as give us a way to add a shade awning over
the deck that would also serve as a fold down sign protector in the
winter. Another project.
The Boonie Bouncers were there in force doing the Dana Holland
Rubicon Patrol job --- handing out Oil Spill Kits and FOTR brochures.
They are a fun club and a great bunch of folks. They helped give
rides too. Every body pitched in. Awesome!
Jack Sweeney, Eldo County Board of Supervisors was our MC and he did
a marvelous job. We also had Ted Gaines, Board of Supervisors from
Placer County present. Placer wants to be more involved in what
we're doing with the trail. Jack is making this all happen for us.
I'll have a report up on the web site soon to show you all the clubs
and inviduals who were recognized by the county for their work on the
trail. I think there must have been 50 certificates given out. WOW.
All in all it was a hugely successful day. The turnout amazed me.
Wonderful, folks. We showed em again!!!!
I put up a short photo essay on the Rubicon Volunteer Appreciation
Day here: http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/appreciation_day.htm
Thanks to all,
Del Albright
Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR)
Moderator, FOTR Email List
BlueRibbon Ambassador and Life Member
State Environmental Affairs Coordinator, CA4WDC
************************************
USDA News Release
Julie Quick (202) 720-4623
Heidi Valetkevitch (202) 205-1089
USDA WAIVES FEES TO ENCOURAGE AMERICANS TO GET ACTIVE IN THE
OUTDOORS, CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
All recreation fees waived on national forests and grasslands Sept. 18
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman today announced that all recreation fees on national forests
and grasslands would be waived in conjunction with the annual
celebration of National Public Lands Day. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture joins other federal agencies to waive day-use fees at its
recreation sites nationwide on Sept. 18, 2004.
"National forests provide a healthful, outdoor recreation
experience for millions of Americans. The President's HealthierUS
Initiative encourages physical activity to promote health, and
increased outdoor recreation will help meet that goal," Veneman said.
"I encourage all Americans to get out and enjoy their national
forests and grasslands."
The USDA's Forest Service this weekend also will host more than
50 events on national forest system lands to help celebrate National
Public Lands Day. From the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, to
the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie near Chicago, to the Chugach National
Forest in Alaska, volunteers will plant trees, clean up streams and
waterways, clear away brush, debris and invasive species, perform
trail maintenance work, enhance visitor campground areas, and sow
seeds on national forests and grasslands. Volunteers pitching in on
National Public Lands Day will be rewarded with a free entry day
during the next year at any public land site.
Taking part in National Public Lands Day volunteer activities
also supports Take Pride in America, part of the President's USA
Freedom Corps volunteer service initiative. Take Pride in America
is a national partnership established by the U.S. Department of the
Interior to empower volunteers from every corner of America to
improve our parks, refuges, recreation areas and cultural and
historical sites. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester
Jack Blackwell was recently named one of five recipients of the 2004
National Take Pride in America Federal Land Manager Award for his
innovative and creative approach to using volunteers.
The Forest Service manages 155 national forests and 20
grasslands, forestry research, and cooperates with managers of state
and private forestlands. It also offers a variety of outdoor
recreational opportunities and special areas on 191 million acres of
national forests and grasslands. Approximately 18 percent of national
forestland is wilderness, providing opportunities for primitive
recreation experiences.
Now in its 11th year, National Public Lands Day is the largest
annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind, providing
more than $8 million in time, labor, materials and services.
Nationally, more than 80,000 volunteers get together each year to
refurbish and restore federal public lands.
For more information on events in your area, visit
http://www.npld.com/ or contact your local Forest Service office.
************************************
Take Pride In America (from Don and Carol Jensen)
The Pacific Northwest 4 Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) is very
proud to have been selected as one of the finalists for Take Pride in
America. We will be sending our Washington State Director to
Washington DC to accept the award. We won in the Non-profit
category. Nice to be recognized for our efforts.
And the winners are..............
http://www.takepride.gov/winners_04.html
Club Recognition for Volunteer Projects.....
Learn how your club can get recognition for volunteer projects. Your
OHV clubs may already be contributing thousands of volunteer hours to
improving our public lands and recreation areas. Now simply by
keeping track of your hours and registering them here, you can gain
recognition for those efforts from the Industry as well as from the
U.S. Department of Interior.
For details and more information
http://www.arra-access.com/arra/home.html or http://www.takepride.gov
Congratulations for your volunteer efforts!!!!!!
************************************
ASA - Safe Dunning
The ASA in cooperation with four business sponsors has prepared a 24
page "Safe-Duning" brochure. The Safety Bug is featured throughout
the brochure as safety tips are offered to enhance your family duning
experience.
http://www.glamisonline.org/SafeDuning.shtml
The brochure will be available at the September 17-19 Sand Sports
Super Show in Costa Mesa, CA.
************************************
California - Inyo National Forest
Re: Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Route Inventory Designation Public
Field Review Days
Dear Interested Party,
The Inyo National Forest has begun its OHV Route Designation (RD)
Project. This effort is being undertaken by all National Forests in
the Pacific Southwest Region 5, at the direction of Regional Forester
Jack Blackwell. The process will be completed by the year 2008 and
has the support of the California State Parks Off Highway Motor
Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and Commission, through a
Memorandum of Intent. We would like to bring members of the
community together and familiarize the public with the Inyo National
Forest process for reviewing the route inventory. To make this
project a success, we need your help and participation.
We will be holding two route inventory public field review days. The
first review will focus on the area between Deadman Creek Road and
the Mammoth Scenic Loop Road, meeting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October
2, 2004 at the Mammoth Lakes Ranger District, 2500 Main St., Mammoth
Lakes, CA. The second field day will focus on the Coyote Flat area,
meeting at 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at the Forest Service
Supervisor's Office, 351 Pacu La., Bishop, CA. Please bring a lunch,
adequate sun protection, water, field gear, and be prepared to
carpool from the meeting place to the review location. We plan a 3:00
PM return time. These field days will be the first opportunities for
the public to assist in the route inventory review process. As a
user of the Inyo National Forest you are encouraged to attend and
participate in the next steps, and learn how you can be involved.
Following these field days, the route inventory will be released for
public review. Hard copies of maps will be made available at Inyo
National Forest administrative offices. CDs with quad maps will be
available upon request. If you cannot make the field review days
mentioned above, you will still have the opportunity to participate
in the public review. A second informational letter will be
forthcoming announcing the release of the inventory.
We hope that you will be able to attend the inventory public field
review days, participate in the process, and provide feedback to our
staff. For more information, please contact Sandy Hogan, Special
Project Coordinator, Inyo National Forest at [email protected] (760)
924-5505. If you would like to continue to receive mailings on this
project please contact Jan Cutts at [email protected] or at 351 Pacu
Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA 93514.
************************************
Utah
USA-ALL Appeal Reverses Uinta National Forest Motorized Restrictions
A planning decision that closed numerous motorized trails in the
Uinta National Forest (UNV) has been reversed as a result of an
appeal by Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL)
On September 1 the Forest Service's administrative appeal office
ruled that UNF managers unlawfully adopted a Semi-Primitive
Non-Motorized Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (SPNM ROS) standard in
their 2003 revision of the UNF forest management plan. Since UNF
managers relied on the unlawful standard to close dozens of miles of
motorcycle routes in Tibble Fork and other areas, the closed routes
should now be re-opened to motorized use - at least until
"project-level" travel planning with full public participation can be
completed.
The appeal office ruled that UNF managers improperly used more
general revision-level planning to implement "project-level" closures
that require more extensive environmental analysis and public
participation.
"This is big," said Rainer Huck, USA-ALL president. "Federal
agencies are increasingly attempting to push through closures without
following regulations. This sends an important message."
When the Forest Service revised its forest plan, the Forest Service
refused to accept USA-ALL=s comments regarding proposed SPNM ROS
areas that would eliminate motorized use of existing trails. The
Forest Service said USA-ALL could comment later when a project-level
travel plan would be considered. However, after refusing to consider
USA-ALL=s criticisms of SPNM ROS the Forest Service in August 2003
closed about 20 miles of trails in the Tibble Fork area to motorized
use because, the Forest Service contended, the SPNM ROS required such
immediate action even before a project-level travel plan would be
considered.
USA-ALL filed its administrative appeal and twice asked the Forest
Service to stay its action to no avail. USA-ALL then filed a lawsuit
in Utah Federal District Court. In the lawsuit USA-ALL and the
Forest Service entered into a settlement that provided that Routes
039 and 181 would open for the summer 2004 riding season and
thereafter until the Forest Service completes a project level travel
plan. The Forest Service agreed to attach errata sheets to its
printed maps to show that the routes are open to motorized use.
Significantly, the settlement also provided that USA-ALL's
administrative appeal challenging the SPNM ROS scheme would remain
viable. That appeal has now overturned the Forest Service's entire
SPNM ROS scheme.
"We expect all trails in the new SPNM ROS areas to be reopened to
motorized use," said Paul W. Mortensen, the attorney who handled
USA-ALL's lawsuit and administrative appeal. "But we are waiting to
see how the Forest Service responds."
The administrative appeal and lawsuit emphasize USA-ALL=s on-going
commitment to make federal agencies follow public participation
requirements before closing trails to motorized use. According to
Mortensen, the Forest Service could yet determine to close specific
trails in new SPNM ROS areas, but not before engaging in
project-level planning that allows comment by USA-ALL members and the
public and that seriously considers environmental effects of
displacing motorized uses to other areas.
The administrative appeal ruling is available at
<http://www.fs.us/forum/nepa/lrmpdecisions.html>http://www.fs.us/forum/nepa/lrmpdecisions.html.
The federal court litigation was Case No. 2:04-CV-00023PGC, United
States District Court of Utah.
Utah Shared Access Alliance is Utah's largest motorized access
advocacy organization.
************************************
Forest Service - Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended
The comment period for the current "Special Areas; State Petitions
for Inventoried Roadless Area Management" process
has been extended to 15 November 2004. The comment period was 14
September 2004, as announced in the Federal Register
16 July 2004.
For today's Federal Register announcement, see:
<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-20370.htm>
The Forest Service Website for the Roadless Area mystery rule is:
<http://roadless.fs.fed.us/>
It was AWESOME -- our Volunteer Appreciation Day turned out great.
We also dedicated the law enforcement plaque to the widow and family
of Lt. Bill Brown, and it was very touching. Nice.
I had figured about 60 folks with the sign ups I had. Ice House
Resort made us lunches (hot) for 80 (just in case). We fed over a
100!!!! And it worked out fine.
Jeepers Jamboree (Richie Mainwaring) bought lunch for everyone! Very
generous and a great contribution to our efforts.
Several folks gave rides to visitors, first timers, and VIP's. Bill
Brown's family (Kendra and the kids) got rides over the trail he
loved and helped us with. They had a ball.
Richie Mainwaring got the plaque made up and it was beautiful. We're
going to put a bronze replica by the kiosk and sink it into a big
rock. Another fun project.
The kiosk looked amazing. WOW. What a great job that crew did in
revamping the kiosk. Nick Collin brought us our newly built ramp for
the front door. We didn't get it installed, so there's another
project.
Oh, and speaking of the kiosk, our USFS partner, Rich Platt,
suggested we think about adding a deck (yes, a deck) the kiosk side
(where the signs are) so the kiosk staff has a place to sit, give out
handouts, etc., as well as give us a way to add a shade awning over
the deck that would also serve as a fold down sign protector in the
winter. Another project.
The Boonie Bouncers were there in force doing the Dana Holland
Rubicon Patrol job --- handing out Oil Spill Kits and FOTR brochures.
They are a fun club and a great bunch of folks. They helped give
rides too. Every body pitched in. Awesome!
Jack Sweeney, Eldo County Board of Supervisors was our MC and he did
a marvelous job. We also had Ted Gaines, Board of Supervisors from
Placer County present. Placer wants to be more involved in what
we're doing with the trail. Jack is making this all happen for us.
I'll have a report up on the web site soon to show you all the clubs
and inviduals who were recognized by the county for their work on the
trail. I think there must have been 50 certificates given out. WOW.
All in all it was a hugely successful day. The turnout amazed me.
Wonderful, folks. We showed em again!!!!
I put up a short photo essay on the Rubicon Volunteer Appreciation
Day here: http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/appreciation_day.htm
Thanks to all,
Del Albright
Trail Boss, Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR)
Moderator, FOTR Email List
BlueRibbon Ambassador and Life Member
State Environmental Affairs Coordinator, CA4WDC
************************************
USDA News Release
Julie Quick (202) 720-4623
Heidi Valetkevitch (202) 205-1089
USDA WAIVES FEES TO ENCOURAGE AMERICANS TO GET ACTIVE IN THE
OUTDOORS, CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
All recreation fees waived on national forests and grasslands Sept. 18
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2004 - Agriculture Secretary Ann M.
Veneman today announced that all recreation fees on national forests
and grasslands would be waived in conjunction with the annual
celebration of National Public Lands Day. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture joins other federal agencies to waive day-use fees at its
recreation sites nationwide on Sept. 18, 2004.
"National forests provide a healthful, outdoor recreation
experience for millions of Americans. The President's HealthierUS
Initiative encourages physical activity to promote health, and
increased outdoor recreation will help meet that goal," Veneman said.
"I encourage all Americans to get out and enjoy their national
forests and grasslands."
The USDA's Forest Service this weekend also will host more than
50 events on national forest system lands to help celebrate National
Public Lands Day. From the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, to
the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie near Chicago, to the Chugach National
Forest in Alaska, volunteers will plant trees, clean up streams and
waterways, clear away brush, debris and invasive species, perform
trail maintenance work, enhance visitor campground areas, and sow
seeds on national forests and grasslands. Volunteers pitching in on
National Public Lands Day will be rewarded with a free entry day
during the next year at any public land site.
Taking part in National Public Lands Day volunteer activities
also supports Take Pride in America, part of the President's USA
Freedom Corps volunteer service initiative. Take Pride in America
is a national partnership established by the U.S. Department of the
Interior to empower volunteers from every corner of America to
improve our parks, refuges, recreation areas and cultural and
historical sites. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester
Jack Blackwell was recently named one of five recipients of the 2004
National Take Pride in America Federal Land Manager Award for his
innovative and creative approach to using volunteers.
The Forest Service manages 155 national forests and 20
grasslands, forestry research, and cooperates with managers of state
and private forestlands. It also offers a variety of outdoor
recreational opportunities and special areas on 191 million acres of
national forests and grasslands. Approximately 18 percent of national
forestland is wilderness, providing opportunities for primitive
recreation experiences.
Now in its 11th year, National Public Lands Day is the largest
annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind, providing
more than $8 million in time, labor, materials and services.
Nationally, more than 80,000 volunteers get together each year to
refurbish and restore federal public lands.
For more information on events in your area, visit
http://www.npld.com/ or contact your local Forest Service office.
************************************
Take Pride In America (from Don and Carol Jensen)
The Pacific Northwest 4 Wheel Drive Association (PNW4WDA) is very
proud to have been selected as one of the finalists for Take Pride in
America. We will be sending our Washington State Director to
Washington DC to accept the award. We won in the Non-profit
category. Nice to be recognized for our efforts.
And the winners are..............
http://www.takepride.gov/winners_04.html
Club Recognition for Volunteer Projects.....
Learn how your club can get recognition for volunteer projects. Your
OHV clubs may already be contributing thousands of volunteer hours to
improving our public lands and recreation areas. Now simply by
keeping track of your hours and registering them here, you can gain
recognition for those efforts from the Industry as well as from the
U.S. Department of Interior.
For details and more information
http://www.arra-access.com/arra/home.html or http://www.takepride.gov
Congratulations for your volunteer efforts!!!!!!
************************************
ASA - Safe Dunning
The ASA in cooperation with four business sponsors has prepared a 24
page "Safe-Duning" brochure. The Safety Bug is featured throughout
the brochure as safety tips are offered to enhance your family duning
experience.
http://www.glamisonline.org/SafeDuning.shtml
The brochure will be available at the September 17-19 Sand Sports
Super Show in Costa Mesa, CA.
************************************
California - Inyo National Forest
Re: Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Route Inventory Designation Public
Field Review Days
Dear Interested Party,
The Inyo National Forest has begun its OHV Route Designation (RD)
Project. This effort is being undertaken by all National Forests in
the Pacific Southwest Region 5, at the direction of Regional Forester
Jack Blackwell. The process will be completed by the year 2008 and
has the support of the California State Parks Off Highway Motor
Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and Commission, through a
Memorandum of Intent. We would like to bring members of the
community together and familiarize the public with the Inyo National
Forest process for reviewing the route inventory. To make this
project a success, we need your help and participation.
We will be holding two route inventory public field review days. The
first review will focus on the area between Deadman Creek Road and
the Mammoth Scenic Loop Road, meeting at 9:00 AM on Saturday, October
2, 2004 at the Mammoth Lakes Ranger District, 2500 Main St., Mammoth
Lakes, CA. The second field day will focus on the Coyote Flat area,
meeting at 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at the Forest Service
Supervisor's Office, 351 Pacu La., Bishop, CA. Please bring a lunch,
adequate sun protection, water, field gear, and be prepared to
carpool from the meeting place to the review location. We plan a 3:00
PM return time. These field days will be the first opportunities for
the public to assist in the route inventory review process. As a
user of the Inyo National Forest you are encouraged to attend and
participate in the next steps, and learn how you can be involved.
Following these field days, the route inventory will be released for
public review. Hard copies of maps will be made available at Inyo
National Forest administrative offices. CDs with quad maps will be
available upon request. If you cannot make the field review days
mentioned above, you will still have the opportunity to participate
in the public review. A second informational letter will be
forthcoming announcing the release of the inventory.
We hope that you will be able to attend the inventory public field
review days, participate in the process, and provide feedback to our
staff. For more information, please contact Sandy Hogan, Special
Project Coordinator, Inyo National Forest at [email protected] (760)
924-5505. If you would like to continue to receive mailings on this
project please contact Jan Cutts at [email protected] or at 351 Pacu
Lane, Suite 200, Bishop, CA 93514.
************************************
Utah
USA-ALL Appeal Reverses Uinta National Forest Motorized Restrictions
A planning decision that closed numerous motorized trails in the
Uinta National Forest (UNV) has been reversed as a result of an
appeal by Utah Shared Access Alliance (USA-ALL)
On September 1 the Forest Service's administrative appeal office
ruled that UNF managers unlawfully adopted a Semi-Primitive
Non-Motorized Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (SPNM ROS) standard in
their 2003 revision of the UNF forest management plan. Since UNF
managers relied on the unlawful standard to close dozens of miles of
motorcycle routes in Tibble Fork and other areas, the closed routes
should now be re-opened to motorized use - at least until
"project-level" travel planning with full public participation can be
completed.
The appeal office ruled that UNF managers improperly used more
general revision-level planning to implement "project-level" closures
that require more extensive environmental analysis and public
participation.
"This is big," said Rainer Huck, USA-ALL president. "Federal
agencies are increasingly attempting to push through closures without
following regulations. This sends an important message."
When the Forest Service revised its forest plan, the Forest Service
refused to accept USA-ALL=s comments regarding proposed SPNM ROS
areas that would eliminate motorized use of existing trails. The
Forest Service said USA-ALL could comment later when a project-level
travel plan would be considered. However, after refusing to consider
USA-ALL=s criticisms of SPNM ROS the Forest Service in August 2003
closed about 20 miles of trails in the Tibble Fork area to motorized
use because, the Forest Service contended, the SPNM ROS required such
immediate action even before a project-level travel plan would be
considered.
USA-ALL filed its administrative appeal and twice asked the Forest
Service to stay its action to no avail. USA-ALL then filed a lawsuit
in Utah Federal District Court. In the lawsuit USA-ALL and the
Forest Service entered into a settlement that provided that Routes
039 and 181 would open for the summer 2004 riding season and
thereafter until the Forest Service completes a project level travel
plan. The Forest Service agreed to attach errata sheets to its
printed maps to show that the routes are open to motorized use.
Significantly, the settlement also provided that USA-ALL's
administrative appeal challenging the SPNM ROS scheme would remain
viable. That appeal has now overturned the Forest Service's entire
SPNM ROS scheme.
"We expect all trails in the new SPNM ROS areas to be reopened to
motorized use," said Paul W. Mortensen, the attorney who handled
USA-ALL's lawsuit and administrative appeal. "But we are waiting to
see how the Forest Service responds."
The administrative appeal and lawsuit emphasize USA-ALL=s on-going
commitment to make federal agencies follow public participation
requirements before closing trails to motorized use. According to
Mortensen, the Forest Service could yet determine to close specific
trails in new SPNM ROS areas, but not before engaging in
project-level planning that allows comment by USA-ALL members and the
public and that seriously considers environmental effects of
displacing motorized uses to other areas.
The administrative appeal ruling is available at
<http://www.fs.us/forum/nepa/lrmpdecisions.html>http://www.fs.us/forum/nepa/lrmpdecisions.html.
The federal court litigation was Case No. 2:04-CV-00023PGC, United
States District Court of Utah.
Utah Shared Access Alliance is Utah's largest motorized access
advocacy organization.
************************************
Forest Service - Roadless Rule Comment Period Extended
The comment period for the current "Special Areas; State Petitions
for Inventoried Roadless Area Management" process
has been extended to 15 November 2004. The comment period was 14
September 2004, as announced in the Federal Register
16 July 2004.
For today's Federal Register announcement, see:
<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-20370.htm>
The Forest Service Website for the Roadless Area mystery rule is:
<http://roadless.fs.fed.us/>
