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The US - DOI Announces Formal Public Comment Period for Antiquities Act Monuments

Shared from our friends and partners at Share Trails / BRC
https://sharetrails.org/alert/national-doi-announces-formal-public-comment-period-for-antiquities-act-monuments/

Releases List of Monuments Under Review

The Department of the Interior has announced the first ever formal public comment period for members of the public to officially weigh in on monument designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906, and the Department released a list of monuments under review under the President’s Executive Order 13792, issued April 26, 2017. A public comment period is not required for monument designations under the Antiquities Act; however, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and President Trump both strongly believe that local input is a critical component of federal land management.

Comments may be submitted online after May 12 at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001 or at http://www.regulations.gov by entering “DOI-2017-0002” in the Search bar and clicking “Search,” or by mail to Monument Review, MS-1530, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.

The Department published a notice in the Federal Register officially opening the public comment period on May 11, 2017. Written comments relating to the Bears Ears National Monument must be submitted within 15 days of publication of that notice. Written comments relating to all other designations subject to Executive Order 13792 must be submitted within 60 days of that date.

For a complete list of National Monuments being reviewed and to read the Department of the Interior press release go here. To read the Federal Register Notice go here.

Thanks in advance and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext. 2

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50% Off Unlimited Off Road Expo Admission for all SFWDA Members! June 2-3, Louisville, KY

Here's one more benefit of
SFWDA Membership!  

 Unlimited Off Road Expo,
June 2-3 in Louisville Kentucky

50% Off Admission
for all
SFWDA Members! 

 

(100% Off for Premium SFWDA Members Promo Code delivered to your email)

For your Promo Code and How To Redeem click below or, go directly to your Membership Rewards page and select UORExpo ;  https://www.sfwda.org/memberdiscounts#action=Listing&value=201&searchID=32010&cid=1044&id=2701 

This is approximately a $20 value and just one more benefit of supporting your Association!

All SFWDA Club and Individual Members
receive 50% Off any UOR Expo Tickets! 

 
 

Premium SFWDA Member earn 100% Off,
and you can take advantage of this additional offer for a limited time by upgrading your individual membership.
Upgrade Now 
https://www.sfwda.org/join

* Promotional Code / Discount only Valid Online

Also, SFWDA will have a booth at the event and we are looking for volunteers. If you would like to represent our Association and help tell our story, please sign up today online at http://signup.com/go/EGLSjSQ

 
Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on SignUp.com

Free weekend admission and an SFWDA Polo shirt will be provided to ALL volunteers.

Sign Up Today....
http://signup.com/go/EGLSjSQ 

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Premium Trail Ride Returns! Trailfest 2017 add's exclusive gathering for Premium SFWDA Members

Friday, May 5th at Trailfest 3 - 6 PM

  Our beloved Premium Trail Ride which was first conceived by a couple of our top sponsoring brands was so well received we just had to bring it back. Luckily the folks at WARN, BFGoodRich Tires, and Clemson 4 Wheel Center, were grateful enough to support the concept at Dixie Run, and now Trailfest too. Let's hope we can make this an annual tradition.

  In case you're not familiar this is a basically a win your way in trail ride exclusively for Premium SFWDA Members. Now, since we're approaching almost 300 Premium individuals we have to narrow that group down for the ride. That's where it gets fun and allows everyone to join in to WIN your chance to be on this ride.

 Why is it so special you may ask. For starters you will be among fellow advocates which strongly believe in the core mission of SFWDA but better yet you can ride with top industry representatives who also firmly believe in this same core mission.  Expect to see some cool rigs, and hang with some cool folks. After the ride our sponsors have some special prizes in store which you could win. Dinner will also be served and it's all taken care of for you. Oh, wait, did I forget to mention there is a set of BFG - KO2's up to 37", a WARN VR-8,000 Synthetic Winch, custom shirts, and more all being raffled away. 

Premium Ride Group 2016 - Dixie Run

 Ok, so you may be asking yourself, how do I join? 

Step 1. Be an active Premium SFWDA Member. (Join or Upgrade Here

Step 2. Mark yourself as "Going" to the SFWDA Trailfest event and then Share the event on your personal Facebook page.            (https://www.facebook.com/events/1758767251063906

Step 3. Post on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram) a photo of your rig which must include in the same post each of the following Hashtags; #BFGoodrich #areyoudriverenough #Warn #Clemson4Wheel #SPIDERWEBSHADE #Traifest2017 #SFWDA

Step 4. Share your post on as many pages, and groups that your a part of to get the most likes

Step 5. Meet all the requirements above and you will qualify for a raffle selection of 15 lucky winners. 

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OHV community submits joint letter to our Department of the Interior, Secretary Zinke

  With cooperation from ORBA and the SEMA group among other OHV organizations we have been working on a draft letter to be submitted out our newly appointed Secretary for the Department of the Interior, Honorable Ryan Zinke.  

 The goal here being that with so many newly appointed representatives within our government we may have greater success in expressing our concerns within our OHV communities. 

  The letter in whole is attached below (click to view).  In essence the letters intent is to bring to light the huge economic impact stimulated from the out doors recreation community, and more importantly the motorized recreation component we're very familiar with. "As our nation’s largest landlord of federal lands, you have a unique opportunity to make these lands available to the American public in ways never done before in our country’s history." It was noted in our draft that in A 2012 study on outdoor recreation found that it contributed more than $646 billion to the national economy.  Forty percent of that amount, more than $258 billion is directly attributable to motorized recreation. 

View Document Draft in it's entirety here. 

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1st Quarter SFWDA Leadership Meeting Minutes to review

 

SFWDA 2017 LEADERSHIP
AND BOD WORK SESSION

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2017

 Attendees:  

  • Ray Stanley, President
  • Al Sweney, Vice President
  • Aimee Darnell, Recording Secretary
  • Doyle Punches, Treasurer
  • Lucas Weidner, Director of Membership
  • Flint Holbrook, Director of Conservation and Land Management
  • Andy Warren, Director of Conservation and Land Management
  • Jon Plaza, Director of Public Relations
  • Pete Mier, Director of Public Relations
  • Walter Shafer, Web Administrator and Public Relations
  • Aaron Roddy, Ohio River Four Wheel Drive Club
  • Joseph Lambert, Stones River Jeep Club
  • Roger Theurer, STLC Association
  • Denver Isaacs, Scenic City 4WD Club
  • Jim Berliner, Trick N’ Traction
  • Jeff Dodgen, Foothills Jeep Club
  • Rio Risner, Stones River Jeep Club
  • Jay Bird, Georgia Bounty Runners
  • Dirk Deyoung, NAXJA
  • Neal Raval, Central North Carolina 4x4 (CNC 4x4)
  • Joe Kling, Ohio River Four Wheel Drive Club
  • Brian Staley, East TN 4WED Club
  • Tony Wilson, Rock Corp 4x4
  • Bob Yarbrough, Rock Solid Jeep Club
  • Scott Pope, Mule Town Jeepers
  • Joe Cortner
  • Jake White 

 

MEETING  MINUTES

SFWDA 2017 Approved Budget at Annual meeting in December

  • Ray covered items listed within the budget

SFWDA 2017 Bylaw Review (Last update was in 2006.)

Updates needed to cover:

  • Reflect current operational and technology strategies
  • Formalize leadership council and processes
  • Engage emerging communications platforms
  • Al covered what covered in the March 2017 meeting to review a draft and develop a strategy
  • Draft should be ready for submission to Leadership Council June 2017 with presentation for Membership for approval at the 2017 Annual Meeting.

Trailfest 14- May 4-7, 2017 Adventure Off Road Park, South Pittsburg, TN

  • Walter provided updates with vendors and registration.
  • Volunteer spots are approximately 85% filled.
  • Additional trails options have been added this year.

2017 Calendar

                Ray covered the events on the approved 2017 Calendar.

  •  Jay promoted the GBR 14th Annual Mud 4 Blood event on April 22, 2017
  •  Roger promoted the STLCA GSMTR event on May 15-21, 2017
  •  Walter confirmed same format for the Unlimited Off Road Expo in Louisville KY in June
  •  Spring 2017 Highlights
  •  St Jude’s 4 Wheeling for a Cure Event:  $40,028.42 
  •  Crawling for Reid: approximately $120,000
  •  Mud 4 Blood: Event scheduled for April 22

 SFWDA 2017 Grant Updates

  • SFWDA continuing support with:  TreadLightly, UFWDA, BlueRibbon Coalition Sharetrails, & ORBA
  •  Al shared success with The 2nd Trick N’ Traction Tread Lightly Educational Event held Feb 25
  •  2017 Educational Video Series:   first video has been outlined
  •  Big Creek Access Improvements
    •  Feb 14-15Total project costs $5175Grant award $2000
    •  CTB Matching funds and support by NC OHV community
    •  Project Complete           
    •  Big Creek Educational Shelter:  Delayed until late June 2017

                 

SFWDA Land Use Updates

  • Ray provided quick summary for Uwharrie National Forest-complete new set of officers
  • Aaron and Joe provided status on Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway.
  • Jay discussed Beasley Knob OHV:  grant project was completed on time and under budget
  • Roger updated on Coalmont TN RTP project: close to getting land
  • Region 8 RRAC meeting scheduled for May 9-10, 2017
  • SEMA & ORBA:  drafted a letter to Secretary of Interior, SFWDA agreed to sign the letter

                                               

SFWDA Event Coordination Committee

  •                 Build a format for future events in 2018 and beyond

 

SFWDA Membership Update

                Active club members 1793                           Individual members 337

                Premium members 277                                 Business member 65

2407 total collective members            

  

Meeting adjourned 9:25pm

Aimee Darnell
SFWDA Recording Secretary

 

 

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Duane Taylor Named Executive Director of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council 9 (NOHVCC)

Press Release              
For Immediate Release

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)

Duane Taylor Named Executive Director of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

            GREAT FALLS, MT, April 14, 2017 -- The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) today announced the appointment of Duane Taylor as its executive director, effective June 1. Taylor replaces Russ Ehnes, who is retiring from that position after nearly two decades. 

  Since 2005, Taylor has worked in the powersports industry as director of federal affairs for the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA), and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). His responsibilities in that position were broad in scope. They included managing federal lobbying activities for the associations; developing and communicating industry policy positions to the U.S. Congress, federal agencies and partners; researching and commenting on legislation and regulatory actions that impact the powersports industry; and, creating and facilitating relationships with public and private sector partners that serve to advance industry goals.

Duane Taylor of the NOHVCC 

“I am excited about this new opportunity,” said Taylor. “I have worked extensively with NOHVCC over the past 12 years while representing the powersports industry, and I have a great deal of passion for its mission. I am prepared to build on its successes, and continue its key initiatives, while working to expand its reach, scope and effectiveness.”
— http://www.nohvcc.org/Resources/news/2017/04/14/duane-taylor-named-executive-director
 

Prior to that position, Taylor was director of natural resource policy with the Texas Office of State/Federal Regulations, in Washington, DC. He is a life-long motorcyclist and is certified as an ATV Safety Institute (ASI) RiderCourse Instructor, and ROHVA DriverCoach. Taylor will be based in metropolitan Washington, DC.

“While Duane’s departure will leave a hard-to-fill void, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity that this new position provides to Duane and importantly that it provides to NOHVCC to expand its footprint in Washington, DC with land management agencies and other DC-based partners,” said Kathy Van Kleeck, senior vice president, government relations for MIC, ROHVA and SVIA. “The associations have shown their commitment to NOHVCC by providing major grant funding for many years and we look forward to continuing and expanding that commitment in the coming years to support NOHVCC’s critical mission to promote OHV recreation.”

Taylor takes over the position held by Russ Ehnes for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, Ehnes announced his intent to leave his position as executive director, effective June 1. Ehnes will be shifting gears to other opportunities in off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, including managing the Bull Run Guest Ranch, near Great Falls, Montana. 

NOHVCC is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes the safe and responsible use of OHVs, including ATVs, ROVs, dirt bikes and 4WD trucks. Using a network of State Partners, it develops and provides a wide spectrum of programs, materials and information, or “tools,” to OHV clubs, associations, agencies and individuals across the U.S. and Canada. It also works in partnership with the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association (INOHVAA), an organization of officials at all levels of government who manage OHV recreation in their areas, which holds its annual conference jointly with NOHVCC.

NOHVCC and its State Partners work hard to meet its mission to “Create a Positive Future for OHV Recreation.” For more information, visit www.nohvcc.org. To contact NOHVCC about its many “tools” and educational materials available to OHV clubs, agencies and schools, send an email to trailhead@nohvcc.org or call 800-348-6487.

 

For more information, contact:

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)
427 Central Ave West, Great Falls, MT, 59404
Website: www.nohvcc.org
Email: trailhead@nohvcc.org
Phone: 800-348-6487
Fax: 406-454-9142

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ORCA Coolers joins SFWDA as new business partner in 2017. Join us at Trailfest for a chance to win one yourself!

Our co-branded ORCA products coming soon for SFWDA Members. 

It's Official, I'm proud to announce that ORCA and SFWDA have joined forces to help bring a great product to the OHV community and most importantly our valued members. ORCA is a quality local USA made (Tennessee) manufacturer of coolers and accessories. We fully believe in their products and are very proud of this new partnership. In the future we will be offering these custom branded coolers for sale online.

Be sure to check out the amazing collection of coolers on display and donated for our Trailfest raffle.

You just might get to take home one of these for yourself! #ORCA #SFWDA #Trailfest2017

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Our Trailfest Excursion Rides have some amazing new destinations routed for 2017!

Guided Excursion Rides are included with admission to the event. 

  How about a visit on top of a rare Natural Bridge, or drive through a very historic institution they call “The University of the South”, or maybe better yet a cave so cool it's a true National Monument and where artifacts have been found dating back to some of the earliest human occurrences in North America. That's just the half of it! We also have a spectacular "Waterfalls Tour" route too!

Thanks our new SFWDA Vice President Kevin Woods for mapping this route out in advance for us. Full details coming soon but here is a sneak peek at what you can expect. The goal was to highlight some of the beauty and charm this great area has to offer for folks attending Trailfest. Let us show you around a few highlights of the area.

These guided SFWDA Excursion Rides are intended for folks with street legal rigs and/or daily drivers who still love the experience of the comradery, getting outdoors, and enjoying nature, but don't need to hit the black diamond trails to have a good time. Whether it's in the dirt, or on the parkway, its all about getting out exploring and enjoying nature.

Be sure to register online now so your ready to book your guided ride when the slots open up. This is going to be beautiful! https://www.sfwda.org/trailfest/

Edited 3/30 - Sign Up's are now open. Go to the Guided Rides Sign Up Page to join us before all spots are filled. 

 #SFWDA #Trailfest2017

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