Editor’s Note: The BlueRibbon Coalition sent out a note regarding the current battle over OHV access in California. See the details and notes on what you can do to help below.

BRC believes one of the most critical access issues in 2017 is for CA OHV recreationists to engage in the battle to reauthorize the current OHV program (SB742). This is a very complex legislative process. The fight will occur in stages over the next few months.  Anti-access groups are hard at work to gut the current program via introduction of SB 249. (Thanks for sending in your “oppose” SB 249 letters in Phase One!!!)

Now we are in PHASE TWO where OHV stakeholders must FAX in a letter ASAP (by March 24) in support of AB 1077 to the following Assembly committee leads.

The Honorable Eduardo Garcia, Chair
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee
Legislative Office Building
1020 N Street, Room 160
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916 319 2156

The Honorable James Gallagher, Vice Chair
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee
Legislative Office Building
1020 N Street, Room 160
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916 319 2103

Between now and Friday (March 24), please write your own letter on your personal, club or business logo and FAX it in ASAP. If you would like to see a copy of your letter hand delivered to the committee before the April 4 hearing, please send it via email to – brdon@sharetrails.org

Your letter does not have to be long.  Be respectful and concise.  Explain what the OHV program means to you. You will be asking the Committee Chairman and Committee Members to SUPPORT AB 1077 (O’Donnell).

LINK TO MARCH 22, 2017 BRC AB 1077 SUPPORT LETTER

Some of the issues to consider include the OHV program’s economic impact to on rural areas. This national “Gold Standard” of OHV management has an annual $20B economic impact, protects natural and cultural resources, serves approximately 6 million OHV recreationists, and partners with county sheriffs/resource conservation districts/conservation groups. Since 80% of OHV recreation occurs on federal lands, it also partners with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, etc.

Again, make your letter short!  No more than one page.
Thanks for your attention to this matter!

Don Amador
Western Representative
Sharetrails.org/BlueRibbon Coalition