What off-road issues are at the forefront in your state?

[Kzoocruiser]

I'm going to hold back here in describing the unique history (as I see it) in my great state of Michigan and ask if there is any interest in forming strategy concerning local, regional or national political issues through our shared interest in these vehicles (The TLCA and BRC come to mind simply because TLCA's former president is now evidently head of the BRC and from what I've gathered a decent and reasonable individual).

I've pretty much came to the conclusion over the years that I could never be an officer in anything remotely politically related; yet I can guarantee the equal time put in on the sidelines if our focus was to approach these intermingled issues one heck of a lot differently than we have been to date. (getting user groups together with no b.s. excuses from any of them regarding "your impact over mine" or "we'll just go out and do this on our own to tie this up for ourselves").

I believe that there are a lot of issues out there that national orv groups have either just been to busy to tackle or honestly just to darn afraid to....and I'd like to see a group put together that somewhat forces us to stand up for what's right.(there is no way in heck you can make headway on issues or be respected by the rest of the world, including the greenies, if we allow the lowest common denominators among us to bog us down at every turn with re-hashed problems).
Wouldn't it be great to put many of these doggedly simple issues to rest with: "We solved that in '06; we don't argue what's ridiculous anymore and either you're 'with us or agin' us on our legacy driven goals" (?).

I also happen to believe that there are a lot of solutions out there to our problems in the form of community members simply needing a place to discuss them (with obviously the will to do so).

[Angry Andy]

Not many people in California know, but all trails are currently being mapped and analized.

In the interum, you are ONLY allowed to park within 50' (that means 25' from CENTER of trail line) of the designated trail.

Many of the "spur" trails that used to lead to AWESOME campsites are now "out of bounds".

Doesn't mean you CANT camp there, just means you cant DRIVE there, or park there.....so imagine a campsite on the lake that is 150' from the trail. If your found with a rig parked next to camp, your in violation.

On the Rubicon, I saw 2 sheriff's on foot patrol. Their sole job is to enforce these rules, along with the rest of the 'assumed' rules that go with camping/wheeling within their assigned boundries.

I also warned many of my TTORA members who had obviously driven more then 25' from the center of trail. I didn't want to come off like an a$$, but I felt that a warning of what COULD happen makes us ALL aware of the rules. Those people thanked me, and moved thier rigs to designated areas. I told them I could care less if they get a ticket, but that ticket reflects upon the group as a whole unit, and thats why I mentioned it in the first place.

I dont know if this forum has a "land use issues" folder, but I HIGHLY recommend one. TTORA does have this folder...and here is a link.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...splay.php?f=27
IMO, its folders and posts like these, that make end-users like YOU and ME aware of upcoming/pending issues.

[Kzoocruiser]

Thanks AA for one of the most simple and effective posts I've witnessed to date.
How many posts like this does it take to get people educated as to what the pressing issues actually are in each state with even a few involved guys and gals like AA?
For gosh sakes list 'em folks and please get over the fact that you'll never necessarily care for me to boot....(this is much more important).

[FJ Guga]

My biggest issue, Florida is danm FLAT

[Kzoocruiser]

I'll throw one out that I know few from the vast Appalchian region feel comfortable tackling....why is it that in the 'west' we witness people like AA simply re-explaining the rules....while in many parts of the mountainous east; there is evidently some un-written god-given right to go 'wherever we darn well please' inevitably followed by "and just what in the heck are you going to do about it?"

Again, this is why you can't get one national off-road organization in this country to go down to places like Windrock In Tennessee and set up a booth at the entrance pointing out the two doubled up kids riding straight up the mountainside out of the parking lot sans a helmet or any protective gear.

Sorry, but it's pretty hard for the mega-organization AMA to worry about kids and safety when somebody's pouring money into backing their parents fighting every helmet law in the country as a 'role-model' issue.

[Kzoocruiser]

Sorry, double post.

[Kzoocruiser]

"Wow" ....one guy complaining about how flat Florida is and only one other appearing to exhbit not only any intelligence on the matter...but any inkling as to how important local issues are in the first place.

IMO, it isn't the 'greenies' who are effectively shutting these places down and painting us all with the same land-raping brush....it's the majority (cough) "community" knowing/caring little about their local venues in the first place and effectively handing them that blank easel critiqued later by a general public knowing/caring even less.

[Kzoocruiser]

Here's our latest issue:
....NOHVCC announces major land use meeting affecting literally massive amounts of land in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in just 5 weeks.
....Michigan DNR ignores the announcement completely by not bothering to announce a thing in regards to it.(our only source of official info)
....organizers allow the general 'peon' public just 5 business days to register.

Isn't it interesting how our national orv organizations treat those of us out here expected to support them full-time with our dues... not to mention their cozy little "pay-no-attention-to-the-man-behind-the-curtain" non-profits?
TLCA- Land Use - IH8MUD.com Toyota Forum

[wrigman]

Good post A A, The environazi's PI$$ me off, and most people find out that they have screwed us after it's too late(as in this case.) It's time we told them to screw off!! and protect our rights to tread lightly!

[FJAggie07]

No Public Land in Texas.