trail conservation

[gittinit]

http://www.arkansasohv.org/Photos.htm

I was looking around and found these pics. I'm thinking I need to be more involved in saving our trails. After just a short 100 yard jount down a main trail at Gilmer, with Stacy Bruff I was discusted at the conditions, and the amount of trash on those trails, and those are state lands. I'm a bit to confrontational for going to some of the meetings held around the state,and I think I might wind up doing more harm than good. I would like to be one of the fellas behind the scenes cleaning up, and tryin to spend time helping keep our trails open.

So what is there for a guy like me to do? Are there any active groups in Arkansas I can join that stay active in keeping trails open in more than just a political aspect?

[Arky Tacoma]

Check with Stacey, I think he is in an Arkansas group. He mentioned when he came over for the RLC meeting, that he had one of their meetings too.

[domino]

We've had one or two cleanups as a club since we started, but it's been a while. We could discuss having an annual or semi-annual cleanup. There's quite a few people on here who I think would love to get involved.

[domino]

I believe this is the group that has been having meetings here in Arkansas. To be honest, the best way for us to protect trails is to get involved publicly and politically. Most of the people who want to close access will never know or care about us spending time repairing damage from all users.

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer
http://www.arkansasohv.org/

[79coyotefrg]

Originally Posted by domino

I believe this is the group that has been having meetings here in Arkansas. To be honest, the best way for us to protect trails is to get involved publicly and politically. Most of the people who want to close access will never know or care about us spending time repairing damage from all users.

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer
http://www.arkansasohv.org/

i joined the mailing lists, and a member of ARRA, lots of good things there.

I have also forwarded Josh a copy of the emails for the past meeting Stacey went to.

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by domino

I believe this is the group that has been having meetings here in Arkansas. To be honest, the best way for us to protect trails is to get involved publicly and politically. Most of the people who want to close access will never know or care about us spending time repairing damage from all users.

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer
http://www.arkansasohv.org/

Its the pollitical part I feel I need to avoid. I'm a bit confrontational sometimes, if you hadnt noticed, and I'm afraid I would do more harm than good.

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by Arky Tacoma

Check with Stacey, I think he is in an Arkansas group. He mentioned when he came over for the RLC meeting, that he had one of their meetings too.

Thats is what partially promped this. We had a brief conversation about his feelings and the meeting, but we didn't go into to much detail.

[79coyotefrg]

Originally Posted by gittinit

Thats is what partially promped this. We had a brief conversation about his feelings and the meeting, but we didn't go into to much detail.

i think Stacey needs to hop on in here and spill the beans for all of us

[YotaJosh]

Originally Posted by 79coyotefrg

I have also forwarded Josh a copy of the emails for the past meeting Stacey went to.

Yeah, mostly a "are you going?" email between the included parties. No real info there it seemed.

Originally Posted by 79coyotefrg

i think Stacey needs to hop on in here and spill the beans for all of us

That'd be a good idea. He's sent me some emails regarding this stuff, and honestly I've been (er, was) to busy to process it at the time.

I think it'd be a good idea as a club to find the niche we will best serve in, and attack it full force. Whether it be trail clean ups, attending meetings, advocating to others, whatever.

[domino]

Originally Posted by gittinit

Its the pollitical part I feel I need to avoid. I'm a bit confrontational sometimes, if you hadnt noticed, and I'm afraid I would do more harm than good.

I know what you're saying. I can get the same way when I think my way is best. (Which is most of the time ) Sometimes we have to overcome those bad traits to get the job done though..

Originally Posted by YotaJosh

I think it'd be a good idea as a club to find the niche we will best serve in, and attack it full force. Whether it be trail clean ups, attending meetings, advocating to others, whatever.

I agree 100%. We've been organized long enough now that we should focus on becoming more than just a club who wheels together a few times a year. Plus, it's easier to find one day to clean a trail or go to a meeting than it is to get a whole weekend off to go wheeling.

As a club, the best way for us to contribute would probably to talk to some rangers/officials and pick an area (or two) to start maintaining. Meanwhile, those of us that can should make an individual effort to attend these meetings and relay information back to the club.

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by domino

I agree 100%. We've been organized long enough now that we should focus on becoming more than just a club who wheels together a few times a year. Plus, it's easier to find one day to clean a trail or go to a meeting than it is to get a whole weekend off to go wheeling.

As a club, the best way for us to contribute would probably to talk to some rangers/officials and pick an area (or two) to start maintaining. Meanwhile, those of us that can should make an individual effort to attend these meetings and relay information back to the club.

The best way to get people out for a trail cleanup is gonna be a 2 part kinda deal, where we could possibly wheel for a day then spend a day doing cleanup. During the wheeling day we could be scouting for trash and debris, possibly even erosion issues, all of which are grounds for trail closures. Another issue is the logistics of it....picking a place (public/govt land) gathering volunteers ect. We could do something like this in the fall as a kind of replacement for our fall event.

[OldTruck]

Sorry it took me so long to jump in here.

Yes, I am interested in policy making on our public lands and public trail access. The pictures Michael (gittinit) posted is from the Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council's website http://www.arkansasohv.org/ . This group is mulit-discipline, but most really active members are "motor-bike" folks. I renewed my membership just the other day ($10). This group is an active chapter of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council http://www.nohvcc.org/ . The Treasurer is a guy named David Wilson and he's very good about keeping information sent out in email form. I suggest each of us that GAS should join and I recommend we sign up our club ($25). This club needs more 4x4 input.

I'm not sure how active many of the other 4x4 clubs in Arkansas are in trail policy, but this is an important issue. We are very lucky to have so many private locations that we may actually take the public lands and trails for granted. Does anybody know of other 4x4 clubs that are active in trail / public access conservation? What about the Arkansas Crawlers? Might be that we could join forces with other clubs . . .

There's probably 5 or 6 more organizations that are out there trying to influence public land / trail conservation to our benefit. And I'm sure all of you are aware of the TLCA / BRC / 4WheelParts opportunity, right? R ya'll living under a rock? https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/tlca/ This is a $40 membership that equals $84 value. 1 year membership in TLCA ($28/yr and many times required for TLCA events plus Toyota Trails magazine is worth it), 1 year membership BlueRibbon Coalition ($29/yr perks here too), AND $25 gift card from 4WheelParts. Yep, got me some of this too ! ! ! If you are already TLCA &/or BRC member, it just extends your membership by one year.

So the meeting I went to was the Arkansas Trails Council http://www.arkansastrailscouncil.com/ . This is a multi-discipline group that appeared to be heavy in hikers and horses w/ some bicycling influence. There was a good group of ATV folks that attended this meeting, but there was a reason. The meeting was mostly about some officer elections & other housekeeping (Ark. Trail Day date & location). The significant part for the motorized off-road public was the new "guidelines" on Wolf Pen Gap recreation area. Read guidelines as restrictions. A bunch of crap here, but call it closed except for summer weekends or special events.

I challenge each of you to spend some bucks on some kinda trail protecting / conservation group, AOCA, BRC and I suggest that our club join AOCA. Finally, yea, let's do some work, but let's put the work into something constructive. Yes, pickup the bottles n cans you see on trails, but if we want to get better organized, let's do a group work session working through one of the organizations that have contact w/ the Forestry Service &/or Ark Park Service. That way, we positively affect a local trail and the opinion of our local Forestry Service personnel.

And lastly, send your Senator & Representative a letter. I know I'm on the NSA's radar w/ as many emails I've sent to Blanche http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/ , Marion http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml, n Mark http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/ .
Get'er done or get'outa' the way & don't complain if the gate's closed.

[gittinit]

Wow Stacy I have nothing to add. Yo said it, and now I definately feel the need to do more, as if I wasnt already feeling that way.

Have yall, any Ideas how we as a club can generate the revenue for the $25 fee to join, and maintain a membership, or if we would be interested in doing so?




I Highly recommed sending in emails, but watch how you word your frases, they are politicians afterall and tend to miss out on the details. Rember, if you pay your taxes they work for you!

And lastly, send your Senator & Representative a letter. I know I'm on the NSA's radar w/ as many emails I've sent to Blanche http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/ , Marion http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml, n Mark http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/ .
Get'er done or get'outa' the way & don't complain if the gate's closed

[OldTruck]

uh oh
looks like I overloaded the circuits.
well, at least ya'll were exposed to the truth.
sab

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by OldTruck

uh oh
looks like I overloaded the circuits.
well, at least ya'll were exposed to the truth.
sab

you scarred everybody away with your awesomeness.

[OldTruck]

My awesomeness ? ? I guess it's a good thing I left my clothes on ! ! !

Back on task, I think I could see our group putting a day together to assist a Forest Station w/ a clean-up or stream crossing or trail/road signage. The AR-TTORA club is has the talent, youth, and strength to put volunteering on the agenda.

Basically, it's all in how you view the issue. If a day wheeling means you are going to a private park every time, then public land access doesn't (usually) rank high on the radar. If you like letting your 11 yr old son drive down some deserted gravel road while you and he are on a camping trip, then pulic land access can be important . . . again, a perspective issue.

Me? I hate when the government 'dictates' what I can and can't do on public land (obviously w/in reason). If I'm not killing the land or cooking one-pot crap, I should be able cruise around enjoying the greater outdoors.

So, decide what's important and act upon that decision.
sab

[79coyotefrg]

i have some contact info on one of the FS Rangers in the Womble district, thats in the Ouachita NF, now what we need to do is split the state up so we arent driving 250 miles one way.

we have the Ouachita National Forest, Ozark National forest,(of which has several "sections") and many Wildlife Management area's theres also the Ross Foundation

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by 79coyotefrg

i have some contact info on one of the FS Rangers in the Womble district, thats in the Ouachita NF, now what we need to do is split the state up so we arent driving 250 miles one way.

we have the Ouachita National Forest, Ozark National forest,(of which has several "sections") and many Wildlife Management area's theres also the Ross Foundation

Glen please explain the ross foundation for me. Is this publick land? I rember you trying to get a cleanup there before but don't rember anything panning out.

[79coyotefrg]

Originally Posted by gittinit

Glen please explain the ross foundation for me. Is this publick land? I rember you trying to get a cleanup there before but don't rember anything panning out.

Its i think 16,000 acres of land just north of Bismark AR, in fact anyone that drives hwy 7 north from I30 to HotSprings drives thru it. its all open to the public and desperately needs attention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Ross

[79coyotefrg]

ive got maps that show all the roads and most fire roads

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by 79coyotefrg

ive got maps that show all the roads and most fire roads

I want to know what kind of land it is. Is it privately owned, govt funded, or possibly govt land? What reason other than its close proximity to you and other members is there for concetrating our efforts on this chunk of land.

How do I locate lands in my part of the state that are accessable, public lands. I'm shure their are fewer areas on the east, or north east side, but it would certainly be easiest to maintain something local.

[OldTruck]

Smile, here's a (small) victory that we can send a "positive" communication to the elected people in our state. For those of us that were emailing the 'establishment', this is a great feeling. Although the Forest Service land use plan was not completely thrown out or anything, the your elected officials have asked the US Dept. of Ag. to halt the implemintation of the spring scheduled plan. Wolf Pen Gap is on the radar. As off-roaders, this is the moment we should say thanks. Politicans love getting praise!

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkans...se_in_for.aspx

http://menaarkansas.us/


Mark Pryor (D) Senator
http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/[/url]
Mike Ross (D) House of Rep's
http://ross.house.gov/index.cfm?sect...tiontree=76,77
Blanche Lincoln (D) Senator
http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/[/url] , Marion [url]

Marion Berry House of Rep's (tell'em to get involved)
http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml

I know we all love , , just so we can go wheeling, but there is an important homework assignment for tonight. Take the time and send a thank you message ! !

Get'er done or get'outa' the way & don't complain if the gate's closed

[YotaJosh]

Good to hear!

Now, who wants to come up with a plan of action for our group? I think a once-a-quarter or once-every-6-months activity is probably a good start.

[79coyotefrg]

Originally Posted by OldTruck

Smile, here's a (small) victory that we can send a "positive" communication to the elected people in our state. For those of us that were emailing the 'establishment', this is a great feeling. Although the Forest Service land use plan was not completely thrown out or anything, the your elected officials have asked the US Dept. of Ag. to halt the implemintation of the spring scheduled plan. Wolf Pen Gap is on the radar. As off-roaders, this is the moment we should say thanks. Politicans love getting praise!

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkans...se_in_for.aspx

http://menaarkansas.us/


Mark Pryor (D) Senator
http://pryor.senate.gov/contact/[/url]
Mike Ross (D) House of Rep's
http://ross.house.gov/index.cfm?sect...tiontree=76,77
Blanche Lincoln (D) Senator
http://lincoln.senate.gov/contact/[/url] , Marion [url]

Marion Berry House of Rep's (tell'em to get involved)
http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml

I know we all love , , just so we can go wheeling, but there is an important homework assignment for tonight. Take the time and send a thank you message ! !

Get'er done or get'outa' the way & don't complain if the gate's closed

yep, i finally read the email i recieved from the ARRA

Arkansas Members Upset with Travel Management Rule

Senator Mark Pryor and Rep. Mike Ross, Democrats representing Arkansas in Congress, have written to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack demanding that he suspend implementation of the Travel Management Rule for the Ouachita National Forest pending further review. Pryor and Ross cited concerns about the economic impact the rule would have those communities adjacent to the Ouachita National Forest. In rather strong language, they expressed their "disappointment, frustration, and serious concern over the recently released... plan." The two congressional members said that Forest Service officials should "engage with local officials and key stakeholders in the area in order to find a more common sense solution that maintains ATV ridership while sustaining the natural beauty and environmental health of our national forest."

As the Travel Management process comes to a conclusion, we think more communities will soon realize that limiting OHV recreation is also going to have a serious impact on their local economies. This will be especially hard on those communities already suffering because of the collapse of the timber industry. For some rural communities, everything seems to be crashing down around them and we aren't just talking about trees.
Looking Forward

Busy times are ahead. The list of items of concern is growing everyday: FY2011 budget; numerous wilderness bills; congressional oversight hearings of the federal land agencies; the new Forest Service planning process; the evolving political environment. In other words, we hope you will keep in touch with ARRA for what appears to be a very interesting year ahead of us.
Sincerely,

Larry E. Smith
Executive Director
Americans for Responsible Recreational Access

[Dustinpierre]

Im in for some clean up action. Just let me know.

[gittinit]

Originally Posted by Dustinpierre

Im in for some clean up action. Just let me know.

Suggest a place and time and we could possibly set something up.

[OldTruck]

I just got an email this evening telling me there is a cleanup planned for "this weekend" at the Ross Foundation. this was organized by the Ark OHV listed above.

Talk about poor communication or bad timing, take your pick. Oh, I blame myself, even though I have NO IDEA this was being planned. I'm working on better communications.

[79coyotefrg]

HOLY CRAP, your kidding me.

[79coyotefrg]

ive added some to your email Stacey, and cc it to Darrin, David, Judy and Jim.

ive added them to my address book under the caption "Friends of the Ross Foundation"