Written by Gene Carmickle
September 25 2009
da_prez
PREZ SEZ
Get Involved!! 2009 is a banner year for activity regarding Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) issues.I'll briefly highlight a few things that you need to know about and you can read the details at the end of the Prez Sez Column.

Arizona has a New OHV Sticker Law (no tolerance) for 2009. You must display an Arizona RV or MC license plate with an OHV sticker on your ATV, motorcycle or UTV to play off-road (on the trails). New OHV plates may be issued in 2010.

Money saving highlights of this OHV sticker are:
1) you can now pass through State Trust Land (without a State permit)-not park or recreate on
2) AZ OHV sticker is accepted in place of California's Green sticker at the dune's
3) you can street legalize your OHV for ~$3 instead of the value of your OHV
4) now the police will have accurate information to recover stolen OHV's.

More Information about this new OHV sticker is located at this link:

http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/ohvFAQ.shtml

These licensing fees will be used to sign and maintain trails, educate riders and give law enforcement the funds to enforce existing/ new OHV laws. It gives the OHV community a sense of stewardship in promoting safe, sustainable and environmentally sound OHV usage. We support this legislation because of the

reasons stated and because it takes a common sense approach to managing increased OHV and ATV popularity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), because of dust pollution concerns, has forced certain AZ County Governments to implement new Dust Regulations that effect when and where ATV's can ride. Check our website Sections on "PM10" and "Stop the Dust" for details on dust control and how it effects you. Last but not least, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service are in the process of revising their Travel Management Plans in areas all across the state. This year they will have a public comment period on what they plan to implement. Do you know what is happening in the areas that you recreate in?

The reason that I bring these items up is to keep you aware of issues that will affect our club and members but to also encourage you to get involved in the process that has an impact on you. Only working together can we voice our concerns in the numbers that our Legislators and Public Land Managers understand. I'll continue to do my best to keep you informed but you also need to help in writing letters, voicing concerns via e-mail, calling and by attending public meetings when possible. Come join the Dirty SOBS, if you are not in a Club now, attend the meetings and be aware of the fast changing changes in areas that you like to ride in. Thanks for your support and if you have not been involved in the past...get involved now. Public lands are your lands too.

Some things you can do today to keep our areas open:
*Stay on existing trails
*Self police areas you ride in. (boneheads tearing up area- subtly take picture, plate, turn-in)
*Get involved in area trash clean up.
*Be an example in OHV stewardship

Glamis Dunes - 2009.

Remember how the agencies, controlling the dunes, gave some slack with offenders of some laws of the dunes? HELLO 2009 - NO TOLERANCE!!! Duners are getting cited for fireworks, glass, litter (anything hitting the sand), OHV stickers, orange OHV flags, camping permits, noise, speeding, DUI's, guns and about anything else on the books. My advice is to know the laws and abide by them. Lay low because Big Brother is watching!!


Later in the year I'll be asking you to comment on the PMV delisting decision for the dunes.

The battle will never end if we want our future generations to enjoy motorized trail access throughout our state.

If you are not a part of the DirtySOBS, please consider joining today. I hope to see all of you real soon! And questions email me.


Safe driving and riding,

Gene (a.k.a. Prez)