I just got back. Here is a summary of the items discussed in the meeting.
Adopt a Trail Meeting July 16, 208
• Welcome!
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Roll call
• Forest road closure (HOW LONG?!?)
1N34 to Joe Elliott should be open soon, maybe September. 2N06 will be closed for 2 years. 3N17 (White Mountain) is now open all the way through.
I guess it was closed for a short period of time. Pontiac Sluice (east Big Bear) could become a wilderness area. It was never designated as a road because it ran through private property. It's mapped by USGS, but not by SBNF. If it becomes a wilderness area, it will NO LONGER BE ACCESSIBLE.
• Forest Thinning Projects
• What road challenges are ahead?
• Cal4WD report
Johnson Valley:
1. Marine Corp Expansion-nothing official yet. There are 2 organization working together, Friend ofJohnson Valley (FOJV), representing all OHV groups and Partnership for Johnson Valley (PFJV) representing OHV and all other users of the area. These groups are proposing to the Marines to expand to the EAST and not affect the OHV area to the West.
2. West Fry Mtns.-Alternative Energy Proposal-Florida Power and Light has a proposed plan that could affect this section of Johnson Valley. OHV user groups are taking a stand to poopse this project. Most locals property owners are also opposed to this project.
OHMVR Bills:
AB 616:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0601-0650/ab_616_cfa_20070413_154448_asm_comm.html. Smog check: annual inspection: repair assitance program
Position: NO
Status: 8/30/07-In committee: Set, first hearing. Held under submission
AB 838:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0801-0850/ab_838_cfa_20070423_114525_asm_comm.html
Position: NO
Status: 8/30/07-In committee: Set, first hearing. Held under submission
SB 1431:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1401-1450/ab_1431_cfa_20070416_101332_asm_comm.html. Parks and recreation: easements
Position: NO
Status: Enrolled. To Governor at 3p.m.
SB 1228:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1201-1250/sb_1228_cfa_20080320_150130_sen_comm.html. This is the one pertaining to ATV training for kids.
Position: NO
These regulations are just adding more restrictions and fees to off road recreation.
• Possible road use permits system?
This will greatly impede casual traffic into the national forest. If it goes into effect we'll be forced to apply for a permit before we can go on the trail of our choice. Ranger feels it's not likely to happen in the near future, but in 5 year, who knows?
• 2009 AAT Volunteer Agreements
I just renewed it. A new agreement is needed every fiscal year which is 10/1.
• New logos, shirts, hats, magnetic placards
New ones will arrive in October. If you have the in car placards, you won't need the Adventure Pass.
• New AAT projects (1N34, 1W17, and 2N06X (tree planting project 640 acres)
In the Spring of 2009, SBNF will need volunteers to help carry people and trees into 2N06. This is a black diamond trail that was almost bull dozed because they have no other way to get people in there. They will need a lot of volunteers for transport duty.
• Fire Closure tour Sunday, July 27th.
Ranger can accept application for tour of a max of 30 vehicles. Contact Greg Hoffman to RSVP. This will include a lot of black diamond trails! These trails are all currently closed.
• Johnson Valley closure
• Sponsor a trail update
• Club donations to the AAT (through SBNFA)
• Other agenda items?
• THANK YOU for attending!
Next meeting November 19, 2008
There's a BBQ on 10/25/08 at the Coyote Shelter in Glen Helen (regional park?). There will be a BBQ cook off, photo contest, custom contest, and award recognition. They will also pass out the new hats, logos, shirts, etc.
Greg came up to me and told me about Horse Thief Trail. It's a black diamond trail and is available for adoption. Maybe we should check this one out too on 8/9/08.
There's quite a bit of work involved in getting this going so naturally it can be trying. During the course of the meeting you meet a lot of other like minded people and it's a great feeling. There's a good sense of comaraderie. I hope more people will make time to attend. Coming to the meetings will open your eyes to the issues at hand and give you a new appreciation for some of the things we take for granted. Oh, and I can really use a hand! ;D
If I remember any more, I'll add to this thread.
