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February 19, 2014 |
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| The Trails Preservation Alliance Board of Directors (BoD) is pleased to describe the projects in which the TPA was involved in 2013. A majority of these projects are long-term efforts and are ongoing throughout 2014 and into 2015.
In 2013 we began to see some “light at the end of the tunnel” as relates to OHV recreation on public lands. New management from the Forest Service (FS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other Federal land managers have, at times, shown a willingness to stand up to radical environmental groups that want to shut-out all public recreation. We applaud them for their actions in showing support for public recreation. On the other hand, we continue to see a number of elected Federal officials attempting to place their names on Federal land monuments, or wilderness areas. In conjunction with these activities they try and sell the idea that there is an associated economic boom to those local communities. In reality, proven results show exactly the opposite. We also see Wilderness Study areas being managed as wilderness areas while that is not the case in the eyes of the law. In addition, it seems that more public lands are being closed to public recreation utilizing administrative closures. The bottom line is that TPA is engaged in a never-ending battle to protect our right for public recreation on public property. 2013 Colorado Projects TPA funded the initial “SAVE OUR SPORT” project for COHVCO. This project was started as a fundraiser and awareness issue for all OHV recreation in Colorado. COHVCO has taken over the project and is making it known throughout Colorado. Throughout 2013, TPA formally responded to many FS and BLM travel management plans. This allows TPA to develop a working relationship with Federal land managers as they finalize their plans. All of these formal responses are listed on the TPA web page, news section. The most important of these response activities comes in the form of our response to the Grand Junction BLM’s draft Resources Management Plan. We expect this Plan to be released in 2014. This vast area of public lands represents a crucial point for future OHV recreation. This BLM area has sufficient recreation areas for all forms of recreation however it remains to be seen how the BLM adheres to our OHV comments. TPA expects this to be major project for 2014. The TPA formed a strategic alliance with COHVCO this year. This alliance will provide assets and expertise needed to address a myriad of issues that are adversely impacting our sport. Exact wording and details on this alliance are shown on the TPA web page, in the news section. Legal Issues In 2013, the TPA was involved in three separate legal actions: 1. Bear Creek/Green Back Trout Each action was a lawsuit filed by various organizations trying to eliminate OHV recreation. In one case an endangered species was even used as an excuse. In all cases the TPA filed for and was granted intervening status by the courts. This provides TPA with limited access to any pre court settlements. On advice of legal counsel we are instructed not to discuss in-process cases. As the issues are settled, outcomes are posted on the TPA web page. Because of the activity defending our rights in these issues, 2013 legal costs were very high and we predict a similar or higher amount of activity and expenditure in 2014. 4th Annual Trails Awareness Symposium The TPA conducted our 4th annual Trails Awareness Symposium (Colorado 600). The event was a great success in educating the riders from many states, on what is going on in Colorado, and how they can help protect the sport in their area. A detailed write-up on the event is featured in the February 2014 issue of Dirt Rider, and is also posted on the TPA web page, new section. As result of TAS morning meetings, the TPA has started its own Facebook page. It was discussed that using current social media helps TPA contact a much larger audience. The TPA continued its mission of providing resources/donations to new and existing clubs and organizations to help ensure continuing OHV recreation in their specific areas. These include: • Alpine Loop Trail Ranger Program • AMA Government Relations Division • Boot Hill Motorcycle club • COHVCO • Exit Tours Motorcycle Club • Gunnison/Crested Butte Trail Riders (GOATS) • Mineral County Fire Department • Motorized Trail Riders Association, Grand Junction • New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Coalition • Public Access Preservation Association (PAPA) • Ride with Respect (Moab, Utah) • Rio Grande National Forest • Rocky Mountain Sport Riders • San Juan County • San Juan Trail Riders • St Anthony Hospital • Summit County Off road riders. Local OHC Organizations & Positive Impacts Two motorcycle clubs deserve special mention in this report. The Summit County Off Road Riders (SCORR) and the Rocky Mountain Sport Riders (RMSR) both had a successful year in working with their Forest Service land managers. Each of these clubs are formed by local riders wanting to work formally within the FS system for OHV recreation. In the case of SCORR, their work in developing a local riding area near a major land file was a success. They have also succeeded in having the FS endorse their proposed 26-mile single track trail riding area. Approval is under final review. RMSR worked closely with their FS Land Manager to further develop riding areas in the Eagle/Vail area. Both clubs were started by local riders with assistance from TPA. To-date TPA has helped form 10 OHV recreation organizations. Formation of local organizations that actively work with local land managers is the key to sustaining and building new recreation areas. Thank You! The TPA has received tremendous backing this year. The TPA BoD especially recognizes two organizations that hold annual motorcycle events and provide important contributions to the TPA. The RMAR/CAM 1000 and the Gold Rush Ride are both great supporters of our off-road sport. Both of these Colorado events actively contribute to the TPA mission and we deeply appreciate their support. The BoD also recognizes and is thankful for the continuing support of our private donors and motorcycle industry partner companies. Without their dedication and commitment we would not be able to do this important work. During the Trails Awareness Symposium, one rider asked a very pertinent question, “Who is going to carry our cause into the next years?” Every motorcycle rider that wants to ensure the future of public access and motorized recreation needs to answer this question. If we don’t protect the future, then who will? This question needs to be answered by each one of us. Please take the time to pass on the work of the TPA, COHVCO and the local motorcycle and OHV clubs in Colorado. It takes a concerted from all of us to ensure future generations enjoy the privilege of OHV recreation on public lands. Please take time to bring new members into our sport – our future depends on it. The TPA thanks all of our supporters, and solicits comments and suggestions to help in our work.
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Archive | February, 2014
Tenderfoot Mountain Motorcycle Trails System Project Decision Notice
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February 13, 2014 |
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| Attached PDF is a Letter from Scott G. Fitzwilliams, Forest Supervisor regarding the decision notice that was signed to implement the Tenderfoot Mountain Motorcycle Trails System Project, located on the Dillon Ranger District, Summit County, Colorado.
This decision authorizes the construction or reconstruction of 21 miles of single-track trail and rehabilitation and closure of 22 miles of user-created, non-system trails in the area. The proposed trail system will be managed for all non-motorized uses as well as for single-track motorized uses.
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TPA COHVCO response to the closing of left hand canyon
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Arapahoe Roosevelt National Forest RE: Lefthand Canyon OHV area Dear Mr. Casamasa; The Trail Preservation Alliance (“TPA”) is a 100 percent volunteer organization whose intention is to be a viable partner, working with the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to preserve the sport of trail riding. The TPA acts as an advocate of the sport and takes the necessary action to insure that the USFS and BLM allocate to trail riding a fair and equitable percentage of access to public lands. As your office is intimately aware of, restoration of the damage from the unprecedented flooding that impacted the much of the northern front range and many of the recreational opportunities that are provided by the Arapahoe/Roosevelt National Forest is a daunting task without taking into account the several large burn areas that have also impacted the Arapahoe/Roosevelt over the last several years. Establishing a prioritized response and plan for this issue is a daunting task that will include make many difficult decisions, prior to ever putting a shovel on the ground. The OHV community stands ready to assist in the restoration efforts, both with grants from the Colorado State Parks OHV grant program and volunteer support which could range from directly assisting in repairing trails, mobilizing resources, coordinating efforts of volunteers and in any other way that may arise as restoration efforts move forward. The Organizations are aware that a preliminary priority list has been developed for the Forest based on aerial surveys and limited site analysis and that the Forest is currently developing a more complete prioritization and restoration plan once more information on impacted sites has been obtained. The Organizations anticipate that many of the more dispersed recreational opportunity areas on the Arapahoe/Roosevelt will fall lower on the restoration priority list than more intensively developed sites that have been impacted by the flooding and fires. The Organizations believe this is good management but that these decisions should not be made entirely based on levels of development of recreational resources that might be present, as there are highly valued opportunities that could be overlooked. One such area would be the Lefthand Canyon OHV area outside Boulder Colorado on the Boulder Ranger district. The Organizations are contacting you to let you know the high value that our members place on access to this area. The Lefthand Canyon OHV area is identified as an OHV area but truly provides multiple use recreational opportunities to a wide range of recreational users including hikes, bikers, hunter, and recreational shooters. The opportunities provided by the Lefthand Canyon OHV area are unique given their proximity to population centers, as many recreationalists are able to use this area after work or on their lunch break and directly improve these users quality of life. These recreational activities are made even more unique as local municipal parks and green spaces are not able to provide any opportunity for these user groups on their facilities. The loss of the Lefthand Canyon area for a prolonged period of time would directly impact these users a great deal. It is our understanding that the prioritization of restoration of the Lefthand Canyon OHV area would be warranted on a cost/benefit analysis comparison as well. While many of the more developed recreational areas on the Arapahoe/Roosevelt have been almost destroyed by the flooding, the Lefthand Canyon OHV area has sustained minimal impacts as only a short portion of the access road has been damaged. The Lefthand Canyon area also was not significantly impacted by wildfires, as many other sites have been on the Arapahoe/Roosevelt simplifying any restoration efforts that may need to be undertaken. While the true impacts to the area are not fully known due to the complete closure of the area, there are several access points that could be used for the public in order to avoid any unsafe or heavily impacted areas. While many of the other routes and trails in the area have been slightly impacted by the flooding, repair of these impacts would generally not be necessary as these conditions provide for a more challenging recreational opportunity for trails users. That would be welcomed by our members. Lefthand Canyon also has had extensive planning and upgrading recently, which has directly contributed to the minimal impacts that the area has experienced. This planning has also streamlined any changes that might need to be made to address site specific issues and this planning has been implemented on a large scale in the Lefthand Canyon area. This implementation has included the significant expenditures of grant moneys on the trails, which should be taken into account when prioritizing the restoration of the area. The final factor we would like to bring to your attention is the strong support that management of this area has received from several local clubs, including the Boulder County Trail Riders and Trail Ridge Runners OHV club. These clubs are aware of the unique opportunity provided by the Lefthand Canyon area and have prolonged commitments to assisting in this area and the rest of the motorized routes on the Boulder Ranger district. These are partner organizations stand ready willing and able to assist in the restoration of the Lefthand Canyon area with a minimal amount of notice. These clubs have demonstrated a strong commitment to partnering for this area and with the impacts of the flooding this commitment is stronger now than ever. Many facilities with far higher levels of facility development to not have the ongoing public support that these clubs have provided to the Boulder Ranger district for an extended period of time. Loss of these partner organizations would directly impact both the Lefthand Canyon area but also volunteer efforts on many other routes in the Boulder Ranger district. Such a risk could be avoided with a heightened priority placed on restoration of the Lefthand Canyon OHV area. The Lefthand Canyon OHV area is also one of the few areas on the Arapahoe/Roosevelt National Forest where more intensive multiple use recreation is permitted under the Forest Plan. With the consistently expanding demand for multiple use recreational activity, management areas such as these are important to resource for land managers and should not be overlooked. The Organizations believe this factor alone warrants a priority restoration of the Lefthand Canyon area. The Organizations appreciate the scope of the efforts from your office in addressing the impacts of the recent flooding. We hope that this correspondence assists you in making the best decisions possible. Sincerely, Scott Jones, Esq. Don Riggle John F. Lane
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