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State OffRoad Vehicle Parks to Close Dec. 2017 - S.B. 249

I am sending this:

Please support A.B. 1077. This will reauthorize the OHMVR Division and has been introduced and sponsored by Patrick O'Donnell (D - Long Beach).
Please do not support S.B. 249. It is sponsored by political forces that are trying to functionally eliminate the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) which includes OHV-related grant funding to the Forest Service, BLM, counties, local sheriffs’ departments, non-profit trail and conservation groups and other partners.

Allowing individuals who have a dislike for our sport to deny us access to our riding areas is wrong. It is a disservice to a significant portion of the California population, benefits no one and is actually destructive in that there is insufficient resources allotted to serving this demand. Please help the OHV community and reauthorize the California State Parks, Motor Vehicle Recreation Division.

This is an emotional issue for some. I think California State Parks can serve us all.
Key issues for our OHV and California resident communities are:

1. Executed responsibly, OHV activity is harmonious with nature, even mote compatible that grazing, golf, development or many other humans activities. OHV areas preserve habitat for threatened species.
2. Reduced available riding areas has made it necessary to truck or trailer our OHV’s to increasingly distant areas to ride. Prairie City in Sacramento, Carnegie outside Livermore, Motorcycle Park (Metcalf) in South San Jose and Hollister Hills near Hollister are the closest areas to legally ride on public land in the bay area.
3. OHV activity is a wholesome, healthy activity that helps people get outdoors and get exercise. This is especially important for some young people that use computers increasingly for their entertainment.
4. OHV is largely a family activity that creates stronger bonds for our future citizens and leaders.
5. The OHV Program provides managed legal areas for individuals who might otherwise ride destructively.
6. OHV activity is attractive to many “at risk” youth that can divert them from more destructive endeavors.
7. OHV motorcycle riding provides a safe area to learn these skills before riding on public roads with traffic. People in the bay area are increasingly turning to motorcycles to commute in our heavy traffic.
8. The OHV program brings substantial economic benefit to areas where enthusiasts recreate.
9. The current funding stream for OHV, Boating and was set up many years ago, is brilliant, and should not be dismantled. This is a fair and just way to fund these important sectors of our society. Without proper funding, they may ultimately cost even more due to mis management.
 
Thank you Butch,
I mailed out letters for a total of 5 people who took me up on my offer.

Thinking today folks need to email. They don't hear us if we don't speak up. If ever there was a time for our voices to be raised it is now.
 
Thanks for continuing to drive this issue.

Sent a version of Butch's letter to my Assemblyman and Senator.
 
This site http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB249, says S.B. 249. passed:
"05/25/17 From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (May 25)."
It seems to me until the legislation is being voted on by the Assembly and Senate the best constitauants can do is ask their representatives to support A.B. 1077 and not S.B. 249. More to follow.

But in the interim, if you guys could get to know your representatives it would be really good. There is usually staff that will talk to you. Some really like to hear from voters.
 
Hey Butch, did you read the amended SB-249 text? It sure looks a lot better from what I've read so far. No more permanently closing areas for one.
 
Last edited:
I sent a note to my assemblyman; here is the response:

Hi Gus,
Thank you for sharing this information. I entered in your stance on the bill and comment to share with the Assemblymember Kalra. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.
Have a great day.
Erika Salazar
Field Representative
Office of Assembly Member Ash Kalra | 27th Assembly District
 
CODE RED ACTION ALERT TO SAVE CA OHV PROGRAM - Action Required today!!!!

Vote expected in less than one hour…
Please act NOW.

Thanks,
D


If you ride OHV in CA and love the CA OHV Program, you must stop what you are doing and take
one minute to ask your CA state senator to VOTE NO on SB 249 – the anti-OHV legislation that
was created to kill the current OHV program. This is not a joke!

The senate is expected to VOTE on SB 249 today and you need to tell them to vote NO.

Here is link to the Recreation HQ Alert with link to contact your senator, etc.

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2017/06/code-red-alert-stop-sb-249-in-senate.html

Please fwd to your rider network.

Thanks for your help with this and for your past, current, and future support of the sport.

Don Amador
 
Done
called and emailed.
:mad
 
Use this link for quick and easy action

Link
 
Jeeze. Why are these things so last minute? I am not tethered to this electronic shit. I am going to call Senator Beall's office as soon as I can.
 
Not sure what happened... looked for the webcast and it is not working.
 
Hey Butch, did you read the amended SB-249 text? It sure looks a lot better from what I've read so far. No more permanently closing areas for one.

Do you have a link to the submitted bill?
Beall voted for it (just talked to his office).
 
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