Development in Lark Canyon OHV area

BLM issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Eastern San Diego County Resource Management Plan (ESDCRMP). In response to concerns raised by the public that the plan placed overly-stringent restrictions on wind energy development in an area of  high wind energy potential, the BLM chose to allow for additional acreage to be available for wind energy development.

EcoLogic understands the need for and supports the development of renewable energy resources. At times, these resources are found in the same area where OHV recreation occurs, as is the case in the Lark Canyon OHV Area. We are hopeful that wind energy development in this area will result in a no net loss to the existing trails and possibly add to the trail system. “In most cases, OHV use and wind energy production can peacefully co-exist,” said EcoLogic’s land use attorney, David Hubbard.  “It just requires that people be creative and understand that public lands must serve a variety of interests, including recreational interests.”  We at EcoLogic look forward to working with BLM and the energy companies as they refine their plans for wind development in the Lark Canyon area.

Lark Canyon OHV Area is located approximately 70 miles east of San Diego. It is a year round facility with 15 developed campsites. There are approximately 31 miles of trails and they are open to OHVs 40 inches or less. The area is designed specifically for motorcycles and ATVs might have difficulty using some of the more narrow trails. The area is popular with the local trials riders because of the rocky terrain.

Popularity: 6% [?]

A NEW forum and informational site for UTV’s and Side X Side’s was introduced last week.  UTVUnderground.Com was designed to be a 1 stop informational site for all UTV enthusiasts with a focus on UTV Customization, Fabrication, and Racing. It’s open forum allows for enthusiasts to discuss all topics relating to the UTV and SXS hobby and industry.  From open discussion relating to engine and chassis modification, pictures of their UTV’s, and links and maps to your favorite local riding spots.  UTVUnderground.Com has it all.

You will notice that UTVUnderground has also created some important topic sections such as the one titled “Fight For Your Rights”.  This is a place that UTVUnderground.Com can keep its members informed as to what’s going on with the legal side of the off road industry, involving land use and vehicle laws as well as regulations. Another one of UTVUnderground.Com’s special sections is brought to you by UTVGuide.Net and will include industry updates, News, and Reviews.  You will also notice a section dedicated to racer’s and the different racing associations and events being held in and around the USA.  There is a Private Racers Only section where racer’s and their teams can access and discuss different topics pertaining to their vehicles and anything else race related.

UTVUnderground.com sponsors are:
UTVGuide.Net
Magnum Off Road www.magnumoffroad.com
Black Rhino Performance www.blackrhinoperformance.com
Baja Designs / Soltek Lighting Systems www.bajadesigns.com
Rugged Radios www.ruggedradios.com

We hope you will check us out and enjoy the site.

WWW.UTVUnderground.Com

Popularity: 5% [?]

Motorcyclists and other off-highway-vehicle users are encouraged that their voices will be more clearly heard in the on-going development of a U.S. Forest Service plan that outlines the future use of the Mississippi National Forest.

In response to an administrative appeal filed by various groups, including the Memphis Motorcycle Club (MMC) and the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), with the support of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the Forest Service has withdrawn a Travel Management Plan for the Mississippi National Forest. In a statement, the Forest Service said the move would allow the “consideration of additional analysis to be documented in the project record.”

“This is what we asked for in our appeals, and we hope to be able to seize the opportunity of a new process to defend our historical access to previously undesignated trails in these forests,” stated Mark Story with the MMC. “We appreciate the difficulty of the Forests’ task and the effort they put forth, but felt that it was important that at least some of these routes be considered in a viable decision option. As the rule itself states, a few of these routes provide valuable recreation opportunities while enhancing the agency’s ability to create a well-designed and manageable network of sustainable trails that will minimize potential adverse effects to the environment.”

The Forest Service sought to implement the direction of the national 2005 Travel Management Rule, which requires units of the National Forest System to transition to a managed system of vehicle use on designated roads, trails and areas. The September 2008 Mississippi Forests travel plan decision designated approximately 127 miles of roads for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, as well as approximately 144 miles of motorized trails, but refused to even consider for official designation the hundreds of miles of trails that have previously been created and traveled under prior “open” forest management but never included in the forests’ formal transportation system.

Added BRC Public Lands Policy Director Brian Hawthorne, “The OHV community supports limiting motorized vehicles to designated routes and areas. We understand that not every route open today will remain open. But what we do not support is the Forest Service refusing to even consider designating the existing routes that are so popular with Forest visitors.”

AMA Government Affairs Manager Royce Wood added, “AMA clubs are committed to helping the Forest Service designate travel networks that can be actively and effectively managed to provide for diverse recreational opportunities while conserving the physical environment. We hope the Forest Service will consider us a resource to effectively manage this popular activity.”

The Mississippi units include the Bienville, De Soto, Homochitto, Delta, Holly Springs and Tombigee National Forests. Collectively, they compose 1.2 million acres of public land and include the state’s most beautiful landscapes and opportunities for recreational activities, such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, driving for pleasure and simply enjoying the outdoors.

Popularity: 3% [?]