OHV Issues

With both the House and the Senate in the throes of reauthorizing our federal transportation programs, the Recreational Trails Program remains our #1 priority. ARRA members have been very effective in reaching out to their elected federal officials with the message that RTP must be preserved. That message is getting through and for that, we thank you. I am devoting this month’s entire newsletter to RTP because we are at a critical stage in the legislative process. What follows is a discussion of the parliamentary situation in both the...

Read more »

On 02/17/2012 at 10:45 PM, in the Dumont Dunes off road vehicle area in rural Baker, Nicholas Sean Blanchette, a 24 year-old male resident of Riverside was riding an ATV late at night on the “Competition Hill” and struck a sand rail broadside at about 40 MPH. The ATV rider was ejected from his vehicle. Paramedics that were stationed in the area responded to the location and transported the driver to their first-aid station and then pronounced him dead at 11:25 PM. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision....

Read more »

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP), arguably the most important government program ever created to benefit motorized recreation (as well as non-motorized recreation) faces a big hurdle in transportation reauthorization legislation!  As you know the RTP funds the development and maintenance of thousands of miles of motorized and non-motorized trails, but without your action the RTP may be eliminated. Transportation reauthorization legislation, known as MAP-21, that passed the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee late last year is being brought up for a vote soon, possibly as early as this...

Read more »

The 2nd Appellate Court threw out the Sierra Club's appeal today that sought to close riding on the 584 acre La Grande Tract within Oceano Dunes. Sierra Club told, "Artful pleading does not save the day." "The judgment (order sustaining demurrer) is affirmed. Sierra Club is ordered to pay costs on appeal."

Read more »

California State Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) is working to keep  Daphne Green in her job as Deputy Director of the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle  Recreation Division (OHMVRD) at California State Parks.  Senator Fuller has asked interested people (like us) to contact Deputy  Appointments Secretary Veronica Ortiz-Torres and other important Democratic  legislators to let them know that Ms. Greene is a problem-solver and has had  a positive impact on responsible OHV recreation in California. Since Governor Brown must appoint someone to the position by year end,  Senator Fuller recommends calling, faxing or emailing Ms. Ortiz-Torres.  See  her email...

Read more »

On 12-30-11 at 11:55 PM, Thomas Victor Adams a 61 year old resident of Rialto was driving a dune buggy in the off-road area of Dumont Dunes when he climbed a steep embankment, went airborn and then collided with the ground. Emergency personnel responded and pronounced him dead at the scene. When next of kin has been notified, his name will be released. CHP is investigating the collision.

Read more »