Ouachita National Forest Receives Extension on Travel Management Decision
Route Designations to Take Effect in Spring 2009

HOT SPRINGS, AR -- The Ouachita National Forest has received an extension for implementing travel management proposals in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The request was submitted in March of this year. A number of other national forests across the country have also received extensions for a variety of reasons.
According to Ouachita National Forest Supervisor Norm Wagoner, the extension will allow forest managers more time to evaluate the more than 800 comments received during the official comment period. A decision is anticipated by December 2008 and publication of the motor vehicle use maps is anticipated by April 2009. The published maps will display where motor vehicle uses will be allowed on public land managed by the Forest Service.
“It became clear to us that the original proposed timeline would not allow us to conduct an adequate analysis of the public comments,” he said. “We felt it was important to do this right the first time, whether we were able to meet our initial deadline or not.”
The travel management proposal recommends approximately 3,300 miles of forest roads be open for motorized use. The proposed action also includes corridors that would allow motorized access to dispersed camping sites or for retrieving large game during hunting seasons.
“One of the most important things the extension will allow us to do is to continue our dialogue with the public,” said Wagoner. “We want people who travel in the Ouachita National Forest to understand why motor vehicle use must be managed. The additional time the extension affords us will allow more opportunities to cultivate that two-way conversation.”

Wagoner added that the extension also allows contact with hunters through one more deer season before the new designations take effect. “Hunters and recreational riders have worked with us throughout this entire process. I sincerely appreciate their participation and active involvement, as well as that of our elected officials.”
For more information on travel management proposals in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma, contact the nearest Ranger District office, the Supervisor’s Office at (501) 321-5202 or log on to www.aokforests.com.

March 15, 2008

The Ninth annual Razorback Ramble returns to Superlift Off-Road Park in Hot springs. If you have never been to Superlift Park, check out the photos from previous events. The park sits just outside Hot Springs National Park, and within a short drive of Lakes Catherine, Hamilton and Ouachita. Superlift is privately owned, and the folks there have worked extremely hard to make it one of the premiere wheeling spots in the state, with MILES of well marked and well maintained trails for the novice and hardcore alike.

The fee for entering the park is normally $25.00 per day. However, when you register for the Razorback Ramble you get two and a half days of access, several organized runs of your choice, a Ramble T-shirt, one driver's raffle ticket for the Grand Prize drawing, and one meal ticket for Saturday dinner... all for only $80.00 per vehicle!

But wait!! There's more! Your Razorback Ramble entry fee also includes a one year Premiere Membership to Superlift Park! That means that you can return to the park for just $10 a day for a year. There is normally a one time fee of $48 for Premiere Memberships, but Superlift Park is waiving the fee for all registered Ramble participants.

The Razorback Ramble is a TLCA Sanctioned Toyota-only event and will be limited to a maximum of 75 vehicles. Registration info will be available here soon, or look for an applicaiton in upcoming Issues of TLCA's Toyota Trails magazine. Sign up on-line today!

Check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6st, and will continue throughout the weekend at Superlift Park. A variety of guided runs will be held on Friday, but you are also welcome to explore the park on your own. We'll spend all day Saturday hitting the trails, and after we've had our fill of great food the raffle will commence around a nice, cozy campfire (you must be present to win). If conditions permit, we will make a night run to view the city lights of Hot Springs from atop the hills. Those of us who just have to have some last-minute wheeling will be welcome to stay for half a day Sunday, but there will not be any organized runs and additional time beyond noon Sunday will require paying Superlift the normal use fee ($10).

If you have never been to Hot Springs, you should definitley try to stay long enough to take in some of the great scenery, shops and attractions. Superlift Park is only a few minurtes from historic downtown and the famous Bath House Row. Hot Springs is surrounded by beautiful lakes, clear winding streams and sweeping vistas.

Limited primitive camping is available at Superlift Park, and the nearby KOA Kampground offers even more great campsites and cabins.

Safety is extremely important. All trucks must meet minimum equipment guidelines and comply with TLCA and Superlift Park rules and regulations. Each truck will be inspected before hitting the trails. Note: Any RLC officer or appointed trail guide can disqualify a vehicle as a result of the the driver's behavior or vehicle's inability to complete the trail. No alcohol will be permitted on the trail. All vehicles must have a roll bar or hard top, seat belts, tow strap, and must be licensed and insured. A CB or GMRS/FRS radio and Hi-Lift jack are recommended.

Feb. 5, 2008

Hot Springs, AR — Members of the public will have an opportunity to meet with District personnel and discuss the Ouachita National Forest’s proposals for designated routes for motorized vehicle use, including use by off-highway vehicles at Extended Hours Sessions scheduled at District offices in Arkansas over the next two weeks.

Maps of the proposed routes on the Districts will be available at that time for inspection and comment. Additionally District personnel will be available to discuss conditions under which motorized vehicles could be used to retrieve large game or access dispersed camping sites. Open House sessions were held in Oklahoma earlier this year.

Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Travel Management Rule, a system of roads and trails for public use of motorized vehicles, including Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) will be designated and motorized vehicles will be limited to those designated roads and trails. Motor vehicle use off designated routes and outside designated areas will be prohibited after a Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) is published. The anticipated publication date of the MVUM is October 2008.

Forest managers considered previous public comments and additional information obtained from time spent on the ground to develop the current proposal. This will be the third set of public forums within 12 months during which the public has had a chance to voice their comments to forest managers.

The Extended Hours Sessions will allow participants to review the latest proposal and discuss issues with Forest personnel. Participants will also gain information on how to submit written comments on the detailed proposed action to designate routes and corridors for motor vehicle use once the official comment period begins later in February 2008.
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The Extended Hours Sessions will run from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in a “come and go” format at the following locations:

Tuesday, February 12th                      Jessieville, AR             Jessieville Ranger District Office
                                                                                                8607 Hwy. 7 North
                                                                                                Jessieville, AR
(501) 984-5313

Wednesday, February 13th                 Danville, AR               Fourche Ranger District Office
                                                                                                Hwy. 10 East
                                                                                                Danville, AR
                                                                                                (479) 495-2844

Wednesday, February 13th                  Mt. Ida, AR                Womble Ranger District Office
                                                                                                1523 Hwy. 270 East
                                                                                                Mt. Ida, AR
                                                                                                (870) 867-2101

Thursday, February 14th                      Waldron, AR              Poteau Ranger District Office
                                                                                                Jct. of Hwy. 71 & 248
                                                                                                Waldron, AR
                                                                                                (479) 637-4174

Tuesday, February 19th                       Mena, AR*                 Mena Ranger District Office
                                                                                                1603 Hwy. 71 North
                                                                                                Mena, AR
                                                                                                (479) 394-2382
*The Mena Office will be open until 7:30 p.m.

Additional information can be obtained at www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita or by contacting the district offices.

Dec 13, 2007

Aftermarket Company Teams Up With Central Coast Motorcycle Club To Protect Access

COALINGA, CA—Billet Racing Products (BRP) and the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club (SRMC) hosted the "1st Annual BRP Save Clear Creek Fun Ride" on December 7-9, 2007. Over 250 riders from northern and southern California, many from AMA Districts 36 and 37 member clubs, attended the event to help raise funds to protect OHV access to the Clear Creek Management Area via the BlueRibbon Coalition's Legal Defense Fund.

The charity ride was the brainchild of BRP president, Jim Rios, and SRMC's Frank Rogers and Manuel Datan. The event was held on the club's 320 acre facility which is also the home base for the Picacho Creek Challenge National Hare Scrambles in February 2008. A donation of $6,000 was presented to the BlueRibbon Coalition's Legal Defense Fund at a special ceremony on December 9.

Jim Rios, president of BRP, stated, "This event was a true grassroots success. It not only raised funds for legal efforts to protect riding at Clear Creek but it also helped educate the participants about the need to be advocates for our sport."

"BRP is proud to have been given the opportunity to team up with SRMC at this first ever Fun Ride. It was made possible by the club's hard work and also support from numerous sponsors and affiliated organizations. A special thanks as well to the trail guides from the TimeKeepers Motorcycle Club. I know we are all looking forward to making this an annual event," Rios concluded.

Dec 7, 2007

Bill targets off-road vehicles

TRENTON - The 300,000 New Jerseyans who drive off-road vehicles would face harsh penalties for riding them in state parks under a bill pushed forward yesterday by Assembly legislators.

The proposal was endorsed by environmentalists, who say the vehicles are destroying pristine areas and endangering park staff and visitors.

Gylla MacGregor of the New Jersey Audobon Society said: "I've seen ATVs ride right through habitats, pulling up timbers that we put in place and riding right over where the snakes are."

Off-road vehicle users say they are being targeted for the shoddy actions of a few. They also say the state should provide more areas where they can ride legally.

The bill would amend a 1973 law that imposes a maximum fine of $200 for taking off-road vehicles onto state land. The new law would allow authorities to impound the vehicle for at least 48 hours and to charge owners $500, plus towing and storage.

It also would permit authorities to impose a two-year driver's license suspension on anyone who operates an off-road vehicle in a state park.

source - http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071207_Bill_targets_off-road_vehicles.html

November 15, 2007

Recreation Management degree lets you combine your work and your passion

Off-highway vehicle recreation has finally gained some legitimacy in the academic world.

How is that? Well, at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, students can graduate with a degree in OHV Recreation Management. These are specific college-level courses for the folks who will be making a career (or who may already be engaged in one) of implementing and managing the hundreds of OHV public trail systems throughout the country. Previously, many of land managers in those positions did not have any experience at all with off-highway recreation and were taking on the task blindly.

The Park and Recreational Resources program at Marshal University offers a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in parks and conservation and you can now major in OHV Recreation Management.

"This is a great new opportunity for anyone who is considering a career in parks or recreation and who also happens to be an OHV enthusiast," says National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Communications Director Steve Casper. "It is a dream of most of us to be able join our work and play in some capacity, and having a college degree in OHV Recreation Management can do just that. With that on a resume, you will be looked up to as an expert in that field and will likely get the position you really want."

Students and land managers throughout the country can now take the OHV recreation management course curricula via the Internet. No campus visits are required to complete the distance-learning courses.

Complete admission and enrollment information for online courses is available at the Marshall University website. You can also get more information by contacting Professor Raymond L. Busbee, Park and Recreation Resources, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, or call (304) 696-2922.

June 6th, 2008