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Call to Action * The House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Lands will be hearing H.R. 3668

Call to Action* Please reach out to your local congressman and help get this important bill to benefit the OHV community through its first hurdle.

From Fred Wiley of ORBA - The Off Road Business Association.

NR-comittee logo
The House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Lands will be hearing H.R. 3668, the California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act, on December 9th at 2:00 P.M.
Let's share this among all of our friends in the off-road community so everyone knows about the hearing and encourage them to weigh in and express their support to committee members.

Congressmember  \  District  \  Office Phone

Republicans

Tom McClintock Chairman  CA-04  (202) 225-2511

Don Young  AK-At Large  (202) 225-5765

Louie Gohmert  TX-01  (202) 225-3035

Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson  PA-05  (202) 225-5121

Cynthia Lummis  WY-At Large  (202) 225-2311

Raul Labrador  ID-01 (202) 225-6611

Doug LaMalfa  CA-01   (202) 225-3076

Bruce Westerman  AR-04  (202) 225-3772

Dan Newhouse  WA-04  (202) 225-5816

Ryan Zinke  MT-At Large  (202) 225-3211

Jody Hice  GA-10  (202) 225-4101

Tom MacArthur  NJ-03  (202) 225-4765

Cresent Hardy  NV-04  (202) 225-9894

Darin LaHood  IL-18  (202) 225-6201

Rob Bishop  ex officio  UT-01  (202) 225-0453

Democrats

Niki Tsongas  Ranking Member  MA-03  (202) 225-3411

Matt Cartwright  PA-17  (202) 225-5546

Don Beyer  VA-08  (202) 225-4376

Pedro Pierluisi  Puerto Rico  (202) 225-2615

Jared Huffman  CA-02  (202) 225-5161

Alan Lowenthal  CA-47  (202) 225-7924

Debbie Dingell  MI-12  (202) 225-4071

Lois Capps  CA-24  (202) 225-3601

Jared Polis  CO-02  (202) 225-2161  

Raul Grijalva  ex officio  AZ-03  (202) 225-2435

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Coppenger Cove Cleanup

While it may have rained all day and weather conditions were less than desirable a few very dedicated and passionate SFWDA members made their way through the gorgeous Cove trails and helped do way more than expected. The group met up early at the Trials Training Center and after a quick meeting they hit the trail. After a full day working together this small group managed to bring out a mound of trash. Just check out all the bags they filled up. Plans are now in development to improve strategies and infrastructure to do all we can at keeping this amazing area open to the public. 

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OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS GRANT UPDATE

The OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS off-road club, based in Cincinnati, OH performed trail repairs to a severe washout on Old Fincastle Road, part of the Daniel Boone Back Country Byway, on Saturday August 8th. 

The team assembled at 7:30 a.m. just south of Cincinnati, OH and caravan down to the Natural Bridge area of Red River Gorge. We were on location at the work-site by 10:00. After reviewing the damaged area with the team we broke up into smaller groups to begin preparation of materials and the area to be repaired.

Concrete and pressure treated lumber were prepared a week before to act as foundation piers for a retaining wall. The retaining wall allowed us to fill the washout with locally collected rocks to act as a water break which would diffuse the rush of water into this area, yet allow it to drain through. We attached horizontal lumber ties to the vertical lumber piers with galvanized bolts. These allowed us to tie the retaining wall into the surrounding hillside for support.

Approximately 8-10 tons of local field stone was collected and dropped into the washout behind our fabricated retaining wall. 

We built a water bar across the trail at approximately 60 degrees from parallel, and then a second water bar in parallel with the trail into a natural drainage channel that empties out behind our retaining wall. We felt these modifications would divert water from the damaged area and work naturally with the path water tends to take in this section.   

In a couple of years time the pressure treated lumber will gray down and take on a natural look with its surroundings. The ties off the piers have been anchored into the surrounding hillside with 4 foot long pieces of ½” re-bar. 

The loose field-stone acts as a break to rushing water, which will allow it to pass through the retaining wall without building so much pressure as to challenge the integrity of the retaining wall. We expect silt from water runoff to fill in some of the gaps in our field-stone and settle our water bars into place.

We feel this is a sustainable repair and should last for many years.

Three months later 

* Update - After three months trail repair is still in good shape and it looks like the water is running in the direction that it was directed toward. Water bars have settle in good into the ground.

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Bob Yarbrough appointed to the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee for the State of Tennessee

Bob Yarbrough

Appointed to the
Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee for the State of Tennessee

Bob speaking to our representatives at the NOHVCC day on Tennessee's Capital Hill

Bob speaking to our representatives at the NOHVCC day on Tennessee's Capital Hill

Congratulations to Bob Yarbrough, SFWDA past president, long time SFWDA member with the Rock Solid Jeep Club, and local Jeep Jamboree organizer for recently being appointed to the Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee for the State of Tennessee. Bob also serves our OHV community on the Commissioner's Council for Greenways and Trails for the state of Tennessee. Bob will also be leading excursion rides at Dixie Run 29 again this year so if you see him be sure to say "Thanks" for all your effort. Volunteers like Bob are what the OHV community need to sustain and preserve our trail access. 

Thanks for all your support through the many many years Bob!

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Way to go Ohio River Four Wheelers! - SFWDA Grant award in full effect

Thanks to a grant from Southern Four Wheel Drive Association and hard work from Ohio River Four Wheelers, a washout on old Fincastle Road in Lee County was repaired yesterday.

Both groups support Friends Of Boone and the ‪#‎DBBB‬. Southern Four Wheel Drive Association is your regional association of off road enthusiasts. SFWDA includes individuals, clubs, member businesses, and offers national representation on Land Use and trail development as well as family events. Ohio River Four Wheelers is a great group of knowledgeable off road enthusiasts based in Cincinnati. Their strong backs and keen ideas led to this repair of beautiful Old Fincastle Rd.

This is where the rubber meets the road in sustainable multiple use recreation folks. Get involved! #DBBB!


For more info on how your group can utilize our Grant program and to apply today check out our Grant Info page on our SFWDA website.
http://www.sfwda.org/grants/

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TWRA Implements New Permit Fee Structure for North Cumberland OHV Users

 
 

Important Update for all OHV operators in the North Cumberland, TN OHV Area.  


For the first time in a decade, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a license fee structure adjustment for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The increase was one of five rule amendments made by the TFWC at its January meeting,  in Union City. Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expire on Feb. 28, but the changes go into effect  July 1.  Now all OHV users in this are will need to purchase this High Impact Permit. 

Special Use Permits
High Impact Habitat Conservation Permits

These permits must be purchased for horseback riding, bicycling, and ORV use. Youths under age 13 and persons holding a valid annual or permanent hunting license with a valid permit to hunt on these areas are exempt. At least one occupant of an enclosed vehicle must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on certain roads/trails as designated.

Here is an overview of the new fee structure and enforced regions. 

Region I: Wolf River WMA
Region 2: Laurel Hill, Yanahli, Cheatham, Williamsport, Bear Hollow
Region 3: Bridgestone Firestone – Big Bottom Unit, Catoosa, Keyes-Harrison , Luper Mountain, Mt. Roosevelt, North Chickamauga Creek – Patton Unit, Pea Ridge , Skinner Mountain
Region 4: Forks of the River,NOTE: All interior trails closed to bicyclists. Will Skelton Greenway and Whaley Trail (formerly known as Bluff Trail) to the Burnett Creek Parking Area open to bicyclists. No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit required for use of the Will Skelton Greenway/Whaley Trail.
North Cumberland, NOTE: No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit required on Peabody Road from its junction of US Highway 25W to the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower. No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit shall be required on US Highways and/or County maintained roads that traverse North Cumberland WMA.

Type Description Cost
035 Resident Annual Permit $74.00
036 Resident Daily Permit $15.50
037 Non-Resident Annual Permit $233.00
038 Non-Resident Daily Permit $37.50

- More info on permits at> http://www.tn.gov/twra/article/special-use-permits-j1

- See even more at: http://www.tn.gov/twra/article/special-use-permits-j1#sthash.opr1bip9.dpuf


For the insider scoop direct from one of our OHV4TN Representatives here is an article she published in the Examier.com 

"A chat with TWRA's Chris Richardson"

 

I recently caught up with Chris Richardson, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's (TWRA) Special Assistant to the Director for Policy and Legislation. Many in the off-road community have wondered what the new "High Impact" permit will mean to their use of TWRA land, so I thought I would ask Chris a few questions that I have culled from the group. TWRA will be coming out with a FAQ public information sheet on the new changes in the very near future...but until then...here we go.

With the new July 1 fee increases and additions, what do you see as the biggest changes? The biggest change will be that additional user groups (horseback riders and mountain bikers) will be asked to contribute for the use and benefit of Tennessee’s Wildlife Management Areas.

Can you explain the new "high impact" user fees? The new High Impact WMA Permit will be required of those individuals riding horses, OHV’s, and mountain bikes on designated WMA’s in TN. The High Impact Permit is modeled after and will replace the North Cumberland Permit, while applying to other activities on additional lands. It is not required for those individuals who are properly licensed and permitted to hunt or fish our WMA’s.

Will these apply to all TWRA public land holdings? No. The new permit will only apply on specified areas. Those areas will be limited to lands owned by TWRA where these activities are currently permitted. It will not apply on lands that TWRA leases from other agencies.

Will these "high impact" user fees be categorized? I am not sure that I understand this question. Of those individuals purchasing the permit, I do not believe that we will be able to track the specific activity they engage in.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for "high impact" user groups in the future? For OHV riders, the legislation passed last year creating a study committee is exciting and TWRA looks forward to being part of that process. The TWRA will continue to manage and improve the North Cumberland WMA. Additionally, the TWRA is committed to continuing to find and provide more opportunities for all Tennesseans to enjoy the outdoor recreation that Tennessee has to offer.

Source - http://www.examiner.com/article/a-chat-with-twra-s-chris-richardson

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NOHVCC - Tennessee hosted it's second annual TN OHV Day on the Hill

NOHVCC - Tennessee hosted it's second annual TN OHV Day on the Hill where representatives of various motorized recreation groups (off-roading) came to the capitol to enjoy the end of session legislative fun, meet with state elected officials and gathered in the awe-inspiring senate chambers for updates and discussion on several significant projects across the state.

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