GPNF Motorized Access Request

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GPNF Motorized Access Request

• Eric Kangas Washington Off-Highway Vehicle
  Alliance
• Dan Coughlin Jones Creek Trail Riders
  Association
• Kimberly Lane Cougar Area Trail
  Seekers
• 9 March 2007

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Purpose

• To request that the Southwest Washington
  Province Advisory Committee apply for an
  Interagency Committee grant to study and identify
  roads and trails in the Gifford Pinchot National
  Forest that could be used by quads and off road
  motorcycles.

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Agenda

• Who we are
• Review of current situation
• Make the request

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Who we are

• Eric Kangas Representing the Washington Off
  Highway Vehicle Alliance
• Dan Coughlin Representing the Jones Creek Trail
  Riders Association
• Kimberly Lane Representing Cougar Area Trail
  Seekers - CATS

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Review of current GPNF motorized access

• The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has some
  excellent motorized recreation opportunities
• The trails are primarily intermediate to expert
  level
• Forest Service roads are not open to off-road
  motorcycles or quads

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Current Best Practice

• The Colville National Forest recently opened over
  650 miles of FS roads to off-road vehicles.
• Motorized recreation areas in Oregon National
  Forests have designated forest roads open to
  off-road motorcycles and quads.

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Colville Forest

• As of 2005, the US Forest Service is requiring
  all National Forests to designate routes for
• all-terrain vehicles
• motorcycles
• passenger vehicles
• The Colville National Forest was chosen to act as
  a test case for implementation of the new rule.
• In the last couple of years, the Colville
  National Forest held public meetings.
• Through these public meetings, the Forest Service
  was able to gain support to designate over 650
  miles of low standard roads for use by all
  vehicles.

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Requests to the GP Forest Service

• Apply for an Interagency Committee grant to study
  and identify Forest Service roads and trails in
  the GPNF that could be used by quads and off-road
  motorcycles
• Actively pursue the development of a travel
  management plan that supplements the existing
  motorized trails with increased motorized
  recreation opportunities for quads and off-road
  motorcycles.

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Key Benefits

• Disperses motorized forest recreation which
  reduces the impact on existing trails
• Provides increased opportunities for those that
  desire a motorized forest experience on Forest
  Service roads that are currently excluded
• Off-road only motorcycles and quads
• Families with children

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Thanks!

• We appreciate the opportunity to be able to talk
  with you today
• We look forward to you moving forward with the
  request for IAC funding

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Backup
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• Travel management plan per 36 CFR parts 212, 251
  261.
• Prepared and issued under 36 CFR 212.56, and
  identify those roads, trails, and areas
  designated for motor vehicle use. 

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RCW 46.09.115 Nonhighway use

• (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section,
  it is lawful to operate an off-road vehicle upon
  a nonhighway road and in parking areas serving
  designated off-road vehicle areas if the state,
  federal, local, or private authority responsible
  for the management of the nonhighway road
  authorizes the use of off-road vehicles.

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Current motorized requirements

• Motorized trail users (motorcycles and ATVs) need
  to meet the requirements of Washington State Law
  and Forest Service regulations. 
• Current state ORV stickers.  
• Approved spark arresters. 
• Motorized users must stay on designated trails
• Motorcycles and motorcyclists using Forest
  Service roads must be street legal. 
• A three- or four-wheeled ATV cannot be made
  "street legal" according to Washington State law.

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WOHVA

• WOHVA works statewide to protect and enhance safe
  responsible motorized OHV recreation.
• We're a not for profit organization and our
  objectives are to
• Pursue, promote, protect and educate responsible
  off highway vehicle use.
• Promote proactive interaction with the
  legislature, governmental agencies, private
  landowners and others.
• We are an Alliance of other organizations and our
  members include
• OHV clubs and organizations
• OHV related businesses
• Charter members including individuals

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Jones Creek Trail Riders Association

• We are an off-road motorcycle and ATV club which
  rides at the Jones Creek ORV Area.
• The objective of this club is to preserve,
  protect and promote the Jones Creek Recreation
  Site for the purpose of preserving the sport of
  off-road motorcycling and to nurture an area that
  can produce a national champion in off-road
  riding of a national or international level.
• The Jones Creek ORV Area is located within the
  Yacolt Burn State Forest, north of the city of
  Camas, WA and adjacent to the Camas watershed.