From: garyb@pdx015 (Gary Brown)
Subject: How Oregon Forestry is working with ORV Clubs
Organization: Intel Corp., Hillsboro, Oregon
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 06:15:08 GMT


This is kind of long but may be useful for those in other states who are
trying to get a better working relationship with their state forestry
departments to keep the trails open.  

I attended a meeting the other night at the Oregon Dept. of Forestry building
in Forest Grove (20 miles west of Portland).  They had invited representatives
from local dirt bike clubs to come hear the latest version of a proposal 
for recreation management in the Tillimook Forest.  They've been working with
all the various interest groups (us, mountain bikers, hikers, loggers, etc.)
over the past year to come up with a plan to suit as many of us as possible.
This session was yet another to get feedback on their studies/plans to date.

I was impressed that these rangers were seriously interested in meeting our 
needs.  You might tell your own rangers to take notice.  I'll include names to
contact at the end.

Here's the plan they presented:

Goals
-----
    1.  Provide high quality trails for the range of motorized/non-motorized
	vehicles
    2.  Reduce conflict between user groups 
    3.  Be objective about what user group they cater to

The Process (1.5 years)
-----------
    1. Organization/preparation  (8/91 to 1/92)
    2. Information collection (10/91 to 3/92)
    3. Identification of issues and important constraints (3/92 to 7/92)
    4. Presentations of alternatives (6/92 to 9/92)
    5. Preliminary plan (8/92 to 11/92)
    6. Plan refined (9/92 to 12/92)

Three levels of the plan
------------------------
    Level 1: Basic Needs 
    ----------------------
    1. Want to impose zoning based on:
      - existing use patterns
      - quality of fish and wildlife, sensitive resources
      - land constraints: steep terrain, highly erodible, etc.
      - minimize impact on private land owners
      - use rivers/valleys/natural landmarks to establish boundaries
	(so it's easy to tell if you're in an okay place for what you're
	doing.)
      - want both motorized and non-motorized zones along main highway (6) so
	all interest groups have decent access.
      "Virtually every recreation management agency we have talked to
      regarding conflicting uses has recommended some system of zoning which
      allows users to choose between specific use areas and other areas where
      trails are shared.  This approach has received very strong support."
      (from "The Lookout" - Tillimook State Forest Rec. Planning Newletter)
    2. Improve enforcement of laws (registration, seasonal)
    3. Establish designated trails
    4. Upgrade trail heads and staging areas
    5. Improve event management (permits, bonds)
    6. Appoint ORV coordinator to specialize in projects, events, and
       volunteer work.

    Level 2: Enhance Existing
    --------------------------
    1. Create more and better places to camp/stage

    Level 3: New Opportunities
    ---------------------------
    1. Develop motocross track on or adjacent to forest land


Some general note taking from the meeting:

* Surveys are being conducted by four Oregon State University students in 
  forest recreation management.  (I know they're out there because I was asked
  to fill one out as I arrived back at camp after a ride.)

* Surveys are saying that the biggest problems in forest are:
    Conflicts between interest groups.  They say the worst conflict is rowdy
    partiers versus all other groups.    The hikers would like their own
    places away from motorized vehicles too.
    
    Vandalism of signs, restrooms, etc. is rampant.  Long-time campers say 
    their families are afraid of camping there anymore because of "teen-agers".
    (Now that's stereo-typing!  I'm just stating what the surveys are saying.)
    By the way, the rangers were clear to point out that they didn't believe
    these were dirt-bikers, just rowdy people.

    Shooting guns in campsites, trail areas.

    Pit-racing near campsites  (squids!).

    Erosion of sensitive trails/areas.

* They are looking for a full-time ranger (experienced dirt-biker) who will 
  patrol the areas to:
    Sell off-road stickers (to help pay for his salary)

    Check for spark arresters

    Help during emergencies, accidents, etc.

    Lead volunteer work to clear trails, blaze new ones..

    Education, safety

    (They don't want a hard-nosed policeman writing a zillion tickets, but 
     someone who is there to be a friend and to educate.. give warnings 
     first, etc..  They hope his presence will scare the rowdies away and 
     give the area back to the less destructive user groups, like us! :-))

 * They presented a proposed map of the new zones.  It seemed reasonable to
   me, however some club members were concerned about some zone boundaries and
   the rangers took down good notes to take back to their committee.  I felt
   they were listening.  They said the zones weren't fixed yet and feedback
   from this meeting was real important to them as they make final adjustments.
   They also said that they would be flexible to open some semi-closed areas 
   for ocassional events (enduros, etc.).

 There were a few concerns raised but other dirt-bikers usually spoke up and
 defended what the rangers were doing.  This was my first meeting attendence
 and I could tell that several of the dirt-bike clubs have been involved in
 this from the start.  Since they felt like part-owners in the process, they
 were bought into the solutions.   I thought it was great.
 
 If you feel that your state could benefit from a mutual working relationship
 between the ORV and Forestry groups you might send these guys a letter, tell
 them you like what they're doing and ask them to share it with you (and your
 state).  I'm sure they'd be flattered and would be happy to share their
 success.  You could ask for a copy of "The Lookout" newsletter.

 Oregon Department of Forestry
 Forest Grove District
 801 Gales Creek Road
 Forest Grove, Oregon  97116-1199
     Attn:  Ric Balfour and Lora Price


 If we don't work with the Forestry Departments, they'll just make the rules
 to solve their problems without us.

 Gary Brown


Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.dirt