BlueRibbon Coalition

06/03/2020

These are the times that try men's souls...

Be careful this weekend, or you may be coming home alone

06/02/2020

National Forests in North Carolina News Release

Pisgah National Forest will open several campgrounds and recreation sites today, June 1. Some sites remain closed and facilities and services remain limited.

Popular recreation areas that will reopen include, but are not limited to:

All concession-operated campgrounds on the Pisgah Ranger District including Davidson River, North Mills River, and Lake Powhatan
Mount Mitchell Trail and Buncombe Horse Trail
Hardtimes, South Toe River, and Buncombe Horse Trailheads

Dispersed camping on the Pisgah Ranger District is now allowed but campsites must be further than 1,000 feet from the nearest road. Dispersed camping is also allowed on the Appalachian and Grandfather Ranger Districts. Permits are required to camp within the Linville Gorge Wilderness on weekends and holidays and are issued by the Grandfather Ranger District office.

For a complete list of trails, roads, and recreation areas that are reopening, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD746276. The few roads that remain closed, are only closed to motorized vehicles, non-motorized use is allowed.

The Forest Service is reopening sites in phases using a site-by-site approach, including assessment of facility cleanliness, maintenance status, and health and safety. The agency is committed to maximizing public access while ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, partners, and volunteers. We are working closely with our state and local partners to determine the best path forward to safely reopening sites.

Responsible recreation will help expand access. Avoid crowded areas, be careful with campfires and wildlife, and bring extra food, water, and clothing in case of emergency. Trash services and restrooms are not available in many areas so be prepared to take your waste home with you.

Visitors are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with local health and safety guidance. For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus, go to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.

For more information, contact us using the information at www.fs.usda.gov/main/nfsnc/about-forest/districts.

06/01/2020

Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico

Comment period for Farmington Mancos-Gallup Draft RMP Amendment extended until September 25, 2020.

In Case You Missed It: The comment period for Farmington Mancos-Gallup Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment has been extended 120 Days. The public will now have until September 25, 2020, to provide comments.https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/BLM%20and%20BIA%20extend%20comment%20period%20for%20Farmington%20Mancos.pdf

06/01/2020

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee...

To places far away.

05/29/2020

Camping in the West? Like Everything These Days, It’s Complicated

"Campers might consider creating spreadsheets to keep track of these reopening dates. Zion National Park in Utah reopened, but only one of its three campgrounds is operating. Colorado’s state-park campsites are open, at half capacity and requiring advance reservations, while its Rocky Mountain National Park plans to phase in its Moraine Park and Glacier Basin campgrounds in early June. Montana’s state parks are open for camping, but the Montana side of Yellowstone National Park remains completely closed. (The Wyoming side, including Old Faithful and other landmarks, is open, but not for camping.) In California, the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest, home of Mount Baldy, Mount Wilson and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, is scheduled to reopen its campgrounds over the next few weeks, but state camping remains prohibited."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/28/travel/camping-west-coast.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR1rg04t2yGW-tUB7M2vS1kXtGEEcekGvScwpVytCg80NwoyhMUQvR-R46o

“Every state is different. In some states, every municipality is different.”

05/28/2020

SEMA Action Network

Racers and fans in Utah, reach out! The “Restore Bonneville” program needs your help—thank your Utah state lawmakers for their efforts to Save the Salt at Bonneville Salt Flats: http://www.semasan.com/legislative-alerts/utah/urgent-thank-utah-state-lawmakers-their-efforts-save-bonneville-salt-flats Express your appreciation using the link to reach legislators. Ask your contacts to follow suit.

05/27/2020

The past 3 months have been extraordinarily difficult for all of us.

It was just reported that the 40 millionth American filed or received their first unemployment, while a slew of bankruptcies affects millions.

70% of Americans are worried about their jobs over the next 90 days.

A study by the Kem Gardner institute at the University of Utah shows how disproportionately the off road vehicle market is affected during a crisis.

We believe in you! We support you! While a dirt trail doesnt necessarily solve all our problems, it gives us hope...

In the coming weeks we will be preparing a plan to help our members and OHV community businesses survive.

We need you to rise and survive!

05/26/2020

🚨CORVA Comments Project Workshop

Please join us on Tuesday, May 26 for a comments writing workshop to learn how to write substantive comments for the Oceano Dunes District Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). For those wanting to get more involved and have your voices heard, this is a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of writing letters and submitting comments for OHV projects. Please join us by emailing [email protected] to reserve your spot and using the ZOOM link and login info below.
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Time: ‪May 26, 2020 07:00 PM‬
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Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83074002369?pwd=QWQySC81S0JuSzFhRkxkNUpVU0ZnQT09
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Meeting ID: 830 7400 2369
Password: 108885

05/26/2020

Coronavirus shutdown shows dust on the Nipomo Mesa science is flawed

We asked the APCD to review the federal plan on the Oregon Dunes that used OHV to keep down dust months ago.

We see similar trends now...

"Excessive dust days have more than doubled since RVs and off-road vehicles were barred from the Oceano Dunes, data from two Nipomo Mesa air quality monitoring sites show. California State Parks closed the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area to all off-road and recreational vehicles on March 28 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The air quality data called into question the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District’s theory, disputed by California state scientists, that off-road riding activities cause high dust levels detected on the Nipomo Mesa. This theory generally ignores that Oceano Dunes lies within a larger complex of coastal sand dunes created by wind blowing sand up from the shoreline.

For years, the APCD and Nipomo Mesa residents have clashed with state parks and off-road vehicle riders over the cause of dust in the air at the Nipomo Mesa. Strong westerly winds blowing over the sand dunes transports dust to the Nipomo Mesa.

In 2018, California State Parks entered into a stipulated order of abatement with the APCD. The agreement mandates that the state reduce wind-blown dust, specifically dust particles that are 10 microns or less in diameter, on the Nipomo Mesa by 50 percent. Despite agreeing to the various terms in the agreement, state parks still denies that off-roading is causing the dust on the mesa."

https://calcoastnews.com/2020/05/coronavirus-shutdown-shows-dust-on-the-nipomo-mesa-science-is-flawed/

By KAREN VELIE Excessive dust days have more than doubled since RVs and off-road vehicles were barred from the Oceano Dunes, data from two Nipomo Mesa air quality monitoring sites show. California …

05/25/2020

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—

Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg

05/23/2020

San Pitch Mountains

We love the folks at At Your Leisure...

This is a great pitch for some of the roads leas traveled in Utah...

Get out and explore!

Kevin and Gina are breaking out the AYL Jeep to take on the San Pitch Mountains which stretch into Juab and San Pete Counties. The trail is breathtaking, the...

05/21/2020

For the Love of Patrick & Susie Koether organized by Culver 85 Friends

From Upshift Online:

Our good friend "PK" Patrick Koether and his wife Susie are fighting a serious battle and could use a helping hand. Many of you may know PK from his many years working for Rekluse Motorsports and pouring more than a little passion back into the motorsports community. If you are in a position to do so, please consider following the link below and helping them focus on the task at hand. Thank you in advance to our amazing community!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-for-pk-and-susie?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Patrick and Susie Koether are two of our favorite people and if you don't kn… Culver 85 Friends needs your support for For the Love of Patrick & Susie Koether

05/21/2020

Enduro Life

In case you missed the last of winter and early spring due to COVID-19...

What about racing in full of snow? King of the Hill was like this in 2018
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#hardenduro #hillclimb #enduro #endurolife #motocross

05/21/2020

Sand Hollow State Park

One of Utahs most popular destinations... this is a reminder can EXPANDING riding areas helps control overuse, not exacerbate overuse

During this holiday weekend, please remember that during the Covid-19 pandemic has drawn more people to enjoy their State Parks around them. This has put a huge strain on all the state park resources.

We wish we had the capacity for everyone to enjoy Sand Hollow, however, we do not. Due to the Governor orders of 6' of social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are expecting closures every day starting Friday - Monday. The earlier people get here in the morning could cause an earlier closure due to capacity.

We ask that you do not sneak in violating the park rules, through fencing, or even through the highway construction area. We are sorry, for any inconvenience. We have limited resources and are doing the best we can with the number of visitors we are experiencing daily.

We suggest visiting other outdoor resources during our unusual time we are finding ourselves in during this pandemic.

05/21/2020

Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery | The White House

This is promising.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 ("the virus") was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, causing an

05/21/2020

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest; Montana; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest; Montana; Revision of the Land Management Plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

The Forest Service is revising the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest's 1986 Land and Resource Management Plans. The Forest Service has prepared a final environmental impact statement (final EIS) for the revised land management plan, and a draft record of decision (ROD). This notice is to...

05/20/2020

Those in Oregon and Washington... check and see where and when areas are being opened.

Release: BLM begins to restore access to certain developed recreation facilities in Oregon 🆕⤵
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, the Bureau of Land Management is increasing recreational access to campgrounds, day-use facilities and restrooms.
The BLM is working with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and using a phased approach to increase access on a case-by-case basis.
Visitors should expect differing levels of services and available facilities across Oregon.
Read the full release, see a BLM district map and get contact info ➡ https://on.doi.gov/3bFEGZr

The BLM encourages all visitors to incorporate the following outdoor recreation practices for safety and to avoid placing unnecessary strain on local communities and America’s public lands:
✅ If you are sick, stay home.
✅ Practice physical distancing and good hygiene. Follow CDC guidance on social distancing, maintaining at least six feet between you and those outside your immediate household. Avoid touching high-traffic surfaces.
✅ Stay close to home. The state is still discouraging non-essential travel; this is not the time to travel long distances to recreate. Be sure to bring enough food, water, sunscreen, etc., for the entire day so you can avoid unnecessary stops.
✅ Plan ahead to avoid crowds. Consider planning day trips during off-peak visitation times, such as early in the morning or on weekdays. Avoid crowding by not spending extra time in parking lots, at trailheads, or at boat launches. Launch one boat at a time to give others enough space to launch safely. Leave at least one parking space between your vehicle and the vehicle next to you.
✅ Come prepared. Visitors will likely find reduced or limited access to restrooms as the BLM begins restoring access at individual recreation sites and should bring their own soap/water/hand sanitizer and toilet paper.
✅ Leave no trace. Many BLM recreation sites are also likely to have reduced or suspended trash collection services at developed recreation sites. All visitors are expected to follow Leave No Trace practices, including packing out all items they packed in, such as toilet paper, disposable gloves and masks, and food refuse.
✅ Avoid unnecessary risks. Health care workers and first responders are working hard to keep us all safe. Visitors should avoid high-risk activities that could potentially put a strain on local first responders, medical providers, and/or search and rescue teams.
Prevent wildfires. As the region enters the spring and summer months, the BLM asks visitors to use fire prevention practices and reminds visitors that the use of fireworks, target shooting with exploding targets, and fire tracer or incendiary devices is prohibited on BLM-administered public lands in Oregon.
✅Be kind to others. The BLM is proud to play a role in restoring access to some of America’s backyard treasures and provide nearby communities with the opportunity to enjoy their public lands during these stressful times. We are all in this together, so please be considerate of and welcoming to other visitors from appropriate physical distances. Please be particularly kind to park staff during these challenging times and help them do their jobs by doing your part to take care of each other and our beloved outdoors.

#COVID19 #PNW #Oregon #Washington #publiclands #covid

05/20/2020

Jeep Jamboree

Take a look... Jeep Jamboree is getting to return!

Stay safe, stay healthy and we will see you all soon!

We’re finally back! #jeepjamboreeusa

05/18/2020

Throw back Monday...

We just got a call from Rick Guidice, who shared this pic with us...

We made a commitment to return to our original principles. We are so grateful to the membership. We are in a tremendously positive position as an organization.

We are in a position to expand and we owe that to you!

05/18/2020

The best time to create memories with your friends and family is today... don't wait

05/16/2020

Hollister SVRA is opening... slowly but surely

Hollister Hills is opening for limited day use from 8am-8pm.

As California State Parks begins working with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

What is open now?
Hollister Hills SVRA is open to vehicular traffic and parking is very limited at the following areas:
Upper Ranch
Mudstone Ranch
Lower Ranch
The park will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Visitors ae asked to bring exact Day Use Fee of $5 or ATM/Credit Card.

Please bring your patience as there could be a line.

There are minimal large parking spaces for trailers – if possible, bring a single vehicle or small trailer.

When park reaches full capacity, the main gain will be closed. Do not park on Cienega Road to wait for availability.

What’s closed:
Campgrounds and Showers
Hudner Ranch
GP Track Special Use Area
Faultline Powersports Store
Area 5 Special Use Area
Campgrounds
Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice

Are there any new visitor guidelines?

Yes, please see below:
Stay Local: Stay close to home. Parking is very limited. Do not take road trips to parks or to neighboring states.
Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
Stay Covered: If your county health orders require it, please be sure to wear face coverings when you can