NOHVCC Newsletter - October 2011 edition
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In this Issue:
People from All Walks of Life Enjoy this CRT Award Recipient in Wyoming
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Ron McKinney is proud of the 2011 Achievement Award displayed in his office. But what this Regional Trails Supervisor with Wyoming Trails would rather talk about are the people he sees from all walks of life who enjoy the award-winning trail his crew built in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
“I get to see the smiles up close on the kids and the adults. Local outfitters rent ATVs and Side x Sides. Everybody we see is thoroughly enjoying themselves,” said McKinney. “It’s not a big trail system, but it’s brought a lot of pleasure to people who don’t ordinarily have the chance to get that kind of enjoyment. It has absolutely beautiful scenery, looking down on Jackson Lake and looking across at the Tetons.”
The trail creating all those smiles is the Shadow Mountain Trail System in the Jackson Ranger District of Bridger-Teton. It won the 2011 Achievement Award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT), which recognizes trail projects and state programs that make outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds. Wyoming Trails, a division of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails, submitted the application, and won the CRT “Education and Communication Award” for using RTP funds to build a quality ATV trail system for safe family riding.
Improving the trails in Shadow Mountain was a major component 
of the Travel Management Plan for the Jackson Ranger District. The result was fewer miles but a far better riding experience. Education and communication were key to its success. “That had a lot to do with the award, the way we communicated with the riders through the signing and the trails,” said McKinney. Trail markers and signs were added along new sections of trail to keep riders on designated routes. A sign detailing OHV regulations, safe and ethical use and interacting with wildlife was constructed at the trailhead. Trails that were no longer suitable for use were decommissioned and covered by fallen trees and blocked by boulders to communicate to riders in a manner that accentuates the natural environment to use the new rerouted trail.
With financial assistance from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and additional funding from the Wyoming Snowmobile and Off-Road Vehicle Programs, Wyoming Trails performs maintenance, rehabilitation and development work on trails across the state. Emphasis is placed on federal lands, where 98% of all trails in Wyoming are located.
Wyoming Trails works closely with the U.S. Forest Service. “We have a wonderful working relationship with all the Forest Service districts around the state,” said McKinney. “They have this work and these things they need done. We have the manpower, funding and equipment to accomplish tasks that the Forest Service, through its Travel Management Plans, has asked us to do. It’s a win-win for everybody. It’s good for us because it’s job security, and it’s good for the user groups. We try to put as much money into the ground as we possibly can.”
David Wilkinson, Travel Plan Coordinator with Bridger-Teton, worked closely with McKinney on the Shadow Mountain project. “It’s right around 15 miles of trails, so it’s not an extensive loop system but the quality is pretty high,” said Wilkinson. “The goals were to make a place that’s real scenic, because it’s right next to Grand Teton National Park. But it’s also a little bit more moderate level of riding, so safety was a key feature. Signing made it clear that if someone wasn’t familiar with the area they would know where to go on the trails.
“Some of the input I get from the rental companies is that most of their clients are coming from urban areas, and they’ve heard about places like Wyoming. They come out and discover that what they see is what they imagined -- wide open terrain and a lot of wildlife. One of their main objectives is to see wildlife and they mail back photos of pictures of bears and moose and wolves. There are not very many places you can do that.”
The Coalition of Recreational Trails is a national organization representing the nation's major trail interests. It has been working since 1992 to build awareness and understanding of the Recreational Trails Program, to support its implementation and to help ensure that it receives adequate funding. The awards are part of the Coalition's ongoing effort to promote and celebrate this highly successful program, which has greatly enhanced the quantity and quality of trail experiences available to the public.
The Coalition gives out 7 project awards and 2 state awards each year. This year’s awards ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. on June 15, 2011 at U.S. House of Representatives offices. A full list of award winners can be found on the CRT website.
Congratulations to Wyoming Trails, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and OHV riders in Wyoming and those visiting the area, who can now reach stunningly scenic vistas on a safe, sustainable ATV trail.
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NOHVCC & INOHVAA Conferences Convene in Minneapolis
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
If you weren’t among the roughly 130 people attending the joint, annual conference of NOHVCC and INOHVAA, here’s a quick summary:
Two days of pre-conference OHM and ATV rides on some of Minnesota’s finest trails, followed by orientation sessions, roundtable discussions, team reports, board meetings, a video conference with Washington officials, elections, an awards banquet, silent auction, and presentations by over 40 people from all segments of the OHV industry.
And food, lots of really good food.
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrators Association (INOHVAA) held their annual conferences in Minneapolis on September 21-25, 2011. Among those attending the joint conference were OHV program managers, public and private land managers, government officials, educators, trail equipment manufacturers and trail builders, OHV industry representatives, and OHV enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada.
“This year’s conference was a fire hose of information,” said Russ Ehnes, NOHVCC Executive Director. “No other conference brings together as many leaders from the OHV recreation community and land management community at one time, in one place.”
About 50 people participated in the pre-conference rides, riding vehicles they brought to Minneapolis or one of many OHMs, ATVs and Side x Sides provided by KTM and Polaris. Rides were held at the Zumbro Bottoms Unit of the Richard J. Doer Memorial Hardwood State Forest near Theilman, and the Nemadji State Forest near Nickerson, with members of local ATV and motorcycle clubs serving as trail guides. Representatives of the Parks & Trails Division of the Minnesota DNR provided a field session.
During the annual meeting of INOHVAA, participants elected officers to the newly reorganized association. Presentation topics included on-line safety education, OHV management skill sets, the USFS Planning Rule, what’s new with Tread Lightly!, acquisition and development, and the Jericho Mountain State Park in New Hampshire.
At the NOHVCC and INOHVAA joint conference, among the topics provided in sessions and roundtable discussions were: a Recreational Trails Program update, Adventure Trail Series update, Minnesota DNR Volunteer Trail Ambassador Program, Right Rider Access Fund, GIS and planning, ARRA Washington outlook, the Wounded Veterans program using motorized recreation, an ATV Interpretive Ride at a Minnesota state park, working with the media, using social media, how to testify in your state legislature, Youth Corps, and the National Youth Project Using Minibikes (NYPUM).
Dick and Joani Dufourd, owners of RecConnect, presented case studies of the planning efforts involved in two very different trail systems they designed. Mike Pohl of the Straight Arrows Enduro Riders showed “Endless Sunday,” a compelling and entertaining video he shot and produced that gives insights into why people ride.
“We want to thank all of our sponsors who helped make the 2011 NOHVCC and INOHVAA Conference possible, and the Minnesota DNR and local OHV clubs for helping us make it a huge success,” said Dan Kleen, NOHVCC president. “We truly appreciate your support.”
For more information about the conference and its sponsors, see the conference page of the website.
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Developing OHV Leaders of the Future - Second in a Series
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
Across the country, clubs of all kinds that involve outdoor activities -- OHV riding, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping -- are faced with a similar challenge: how to get more youth involved. OHV clubs that invest in youth programs are more apt to have that younger base of support when it’s needed.
We’d like to hear what your club is doing to develop and mentor the OHV leaders and volunteers of tomorrow who will be needed to carry on your work. Send us a note on the projects, programs and unique ideas your club uses to get kids, teens and young adults involved in your OHV club or organization. We’ll share them in this newsletter. Email them to trailhead@nohvcc.org.
This month, Barbara Parish, NOHVCC Associate Partner in South Carolina, shares what she does to get kids and their parents involved, educated and riding safely, at her 148-acre TNT Motorsports Park near Chester, S.C.
Barbara Parish:
“Here at the TNT Motorsports Park, I have several things I do to encourage young riders. I have three MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) instructors, two who I sponsored to take the classes. They’ve been riding here since they were 5. Now they’re in their twenties and I recruited them to teach. And I recruited two ASI (All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute) instructors and I give them a free area to hold their classes.
“I keep ASI, MSF and NOHVCC info on hand to pass out. And when new riders come into the park, I encourage them to take the classes so they will be safer riders.
“We have 3 motorcycles here we make available, we call it ‘try before you buy.’ If they’re thinking about it, they can come out and take the class. I always encourage the moms to try it, so she can have fun too and doesn’t just have to sit there and watch. The families that play together stay together.
“I keep a close eye on my riders, and when I see one doing something that is not in the best interest of the land, I not only stop them, but I teach them why it is not the best way to keep riding areas open. I am available to the schools to talk to the students about safety and taking care of the land.
“Every summer, I hire two kids to work trails and get involved in maintaining the trails. Someday I hope to find the right student to learn the business to take over when I retire. I have one in mind now and if he stays the course, he will be a wonderful asset to the sport.
Anything I can do to keep the sport moving forward.”
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Contract With FHWA Approved, Signed, Applauded at NOHVCC Conference
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
The announcement by Christopher Douwes came just before lunch during Friday’s session of the NOHVCC Conference in Minneapolis. And judging by the applause, everyone in attendance agreed that it was very good news.
Douwes, Trails and Enhancements Program Manager with the Federal Highway Administration, reported that FHWA had approved a contract providing NOHVCC with nearly $150,000 of financial assistance for the coming year.
“It’s a substantial contract,” said Karen Umphress, Project Coordinator for NOHVCC. “It will be used as seed money to update and house the current OHV library, identify and consolidate current safety and access programs that exist, determine the types of safety and access programs that still need to be developed, and assist in their design and production.
“The contract also includes support for the 2012 NOHVCC and INOHVAA conferences. In this time of economic downturn, it’s great to know that we have a full year’s worth of funding.”
For everyone in the OHV industry, that should top out the applause-o-meter.
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Lewis Shuler and Tom Umphress Inducted into NOHVCC Hall of Fame
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
The NOHVCC Hall of Fame includes many people who have gone above and beyond the call for NOHVCC, working behind the scenes, fighting in the trenches for our rights and privileges to keep riding areas open. It is with great pleasure that NOHVCC has inducted Lewis Shuler and Tom Umphress into the 2011 class of the NOHVCC Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to the NOHVCC 2011 Hall of Fame Recipients!
Lewis Shuler
“Lewis has been on the Board of Directors for many years. He’s a team leader, tirelessly working on behalf of OHV riders,” said Dan Kleen, NOHVCC president, presenting the award at the 2011 NOHVCC annual conference. “Back in his own state of Michigan he works around the clock. In fact, he was so busy grooming trails he had to fly out to the conference this year instead of driving out.”
Lewis serves NOHVCC as the Youth and Education Team Leader. He is also Executive Director of the Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, a position he’s held for 5 years. When he’s not on the phone (100 hours a month), he’s meeting with the Michigan DNR, state legislators, communities and law enforcement agencies, holding OHV Safety Training Classes, and organizing the work of club volunteers and 27 contractor groups to grade and maintain 1,500 miles of trails. Over the past 50 years, Lewis has ridden OHVs in 26 states and raced in 10.
“Lewis a guy that’s always there, always tells you what he thinks and is an incredibly important member of our board,” said Russ Ehnes, Executive Director of NOHVCC. “He’s more than a leader, he’s a mentor to the kids, instilling his strong ethics in them, and they want to live up to his expectations.”
Tom Umphress
“This gentleman has stepped up to the plate time after time,” said Kleen, as he presented the award. “He’s always working behind the scenes. And you noticed, when the legislators were here today [at the conference], they had the utmost respect for this gentleman, and it goes to show it’s because of his hard work.”
Tom sits on the NOHVCC serves as its secretary board and has spent numerous hours assisting with the NOHVCC website and other IT issues. He is Vice Chair of the Coalition of Recreational Trail Users and the Minnesota Motorized Trails Coalition. He has served as Chair of the Minnesota Forests for the Future advisory council to the DNR for 2 years and is an OHM member for the Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association, which is the group which recommends the RTP grant recipients. Tom and his wife Karen have served as Co-Government Relations Officers for the Amateur Riders Motorcycle Association (District 23 of the AMA) in Minnesota since 1999. They are also both Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike Schoolsm Coaches and founded and continue to serve as officers for the Twin Cities Trail Riders dirt bike club.
“Tom is a real asset to NOHVCC,” adds Ehnes. “He’s extremely intelligent, always thoughtful and shares his thoughts in a respectful way, and is extremely efficient when presenting his point of view.”
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Outstanding Organizations & Individuals Recognized at NOHVCC Conference
by Dave Halsey, NOHVCC Contributing Writer
On September 24, 2011, NOHVCC recognized eleven outstanding organizations and individuals during the Celebration Dinner and Awards at the 2011 NOHVCC Annual Conference. The awards are presented in recognition of outstanding achievements that have promoted a “Positive Future for OHV Recreation.”
Partner of the Year: Iva Michelle Russell
Iva Michelle Russell is the NOHVCC Tennessee State Partner and a key organizer/spark plug with the Tennessee OHV Association, and was awarded Partner of the Year. She worked with the Tennessee Legislature to enact statutes requiring the Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to provide three OHV riding areas, as well as to redirect funds to OHV projects. She also worked toward the inclusion of an OHV recreation program in the annual state Greenways & Trails Conference.
Program Manager of the Year: Rob Perrin
Rob Perrin works in the Washington office of the Bureau of Land Management. He was awarded Program Manager of the Year for his vision and leadership to foster the BLM/NOHVCC pilot projects in Montana and Colorado. They were related to a newly launched program called National Off-Highway Vehicle Management Services (NOHVMS). He also supports OHV recreation throughout the U.S. He has worked tirelessly to nurture partnerships between all trail users (motorized and non-motorized). While some people wring their hands and lament how they do not have adequate dedicated budgets to do anything, Rob has been out there looking for creative ways to make things happen.
Association of the Year: Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
The COHVC received the Association of the Year Award in recognition of its members and their outstanding achievements on behalf of the Colorado OHV community. Their accomplishments include the 11th Annual COHVCO OHV Workshop, strengthening partnerships with the USFS, BLM & Colorado State Parks, and tireless efforts to protect the Colorado OHV funds and programs.
Club of the Year: Cheaha Trail Riders
Steve Newton accepts Cheaha TR Award
The Alabama-based Cheaha Trail Riders received the Club of the Year Award. It is the country’s No. 1 incubator of OHV parks. They learned how difficult it is to move a park from a vision to a reality with the Minooka OHV Park near Birmingham, but they proved how a tenacious club can make it happen. They became a spark plug for the development of the Stony Lonesome OHV Park in Cullman County. Their latest project -- a 2,833 acre multi-purpose recreation park -- is a quantum leap forward. Originally known as the Coosa River Storage Annex property (a closed U.S. Army depot), it has blossomed into TOP TRAILS – Talladega Outdoor Park. In addition to 150 miles of OHV trails and a MX track, it will feature a mud bog, a 3,800 ft. zip line, equestrian center and trails, hiking and biking trails, campsites, fishing lakes, pistol range, and more. Talk about thinking big and then making it happen. They have done it by forging partnerships with a diverse group of agencies and organizations. And in their spare time they expanded OHV trails on State Forest lands and were a key player in launching Alabama’s first annual statewide trails conference.
Perseverance Award: Dick Lepley
Dick Lepley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association (PaOHV) and the NOHVCC Pennsylvania State Partner, received the Perseverance Award. Dick has been advocating for off-highway vehicle recreation for over 40 years. In the late ‘60s he opened a motorcycle dealership. Today, Street Track ‘N Trail in Conneaut Lake, PA has 55 employees and sells all major brands of OHVs. He’s a Life Member of the American Motorcyclist Association, has served on the board of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and is aligned with the Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA). He has a great radio voice, which he puts to use on Public Service Announcements to promote off-road initiatives, and encourage responsible, ethical, safe use of OHVs. He also spent over 40 hours recording the voiceover for the NOHVCC-produced “Public Land Advocacy Workshop Series DVD.”
Integrity Award: Phil Morud
Phil Morud has served the OHV industry in Minnesota for many years. He is a past president of ATVAM, mentors new clubs and travels long distances from his home near Thief River Falls to attend a wide variety of OHV events, including NOHVCC conferences. He is dedicated to protecting access to public lands. He speaks on behalf of OHV riders honestly and factually, always with integrity and good-natured humor. Whether it’s in a committee room at the State Capitol or in a small country garage filled with OHV riders looking for direction and advice, if Phil is present you know you will hear the facts, be encouraged in your own trail efforts, and learn how to partner and work with stakeholders by Phil’s example.
Volunteer of the Year: Harold Lear
Harold has been active in OHV activism for decades, and is often recognized for his volunteer work with state and federal agencies. “He’s just volunteered all over the place,” said Russ Ehnes, Executive Director of NOHVCC. Harold has been a member of the Mining City Trail Riders since it was formed, and is a prolific volunteer on projects with the BLM and U.S. Forest Service. He received a 2010 Northern Region Volunteer Award from the Forest Service for individually volunteering to assist the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest with trail maintenance, AmeriCorps projects and motorized recreation. He also worked with the BLM on the Whitetail/Pipestone OHV Area near Whitehall, Montana, a pilot project of the new National Off-Highway Vehicle Management Services (NOHVMS) program.
Special Recognition for Efforts in Overturning the Lead Ban: Duane Taylor, Kath Van Kleeck, and Paul Vitrano
Paul, Kathy, and Duane spearheaded the efforts by the industry, which was forefront in the efforts to fix the issues created by the passage of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that was first put into law in February f 2008, also called the Lead Ban. To assist their efforts, Paul and others entered the world of social media utilizing twitter posts, website update, texting, video, and more. Because of these efforts, the Lead Ban was corrected in a fairly short period of time, considering the speed of government. NOHVCC saluted their efforts by giving them special recognition during the awards ceremony. Their award inscription says it all, “For your relentless efforts that overturned the Lead Ban”.
Industry Support Appreciation Award: Marlys Knutson
Marlys Knutson is External Relations Manager at Polaris Industries and has been very active in the OHV and snowmobile industries since she started working there in the mid-‘80s. “Marlys has always been behind NOHVCC and helps us in every way she can. She’s been the foundation of our strength and our relationship with Polaris. That’s what the award is all about,” said Russ Ehnes. “Marlys has been an ongoing supporter of NOHVCC since day one. Polaris is a strong advocate for our mission, uses our tools and supports our programs, and Marlys is the reason all that has happened.”
Industry Support Appreciation Award: Roger Hagie
Roger retired earlier this year from Kawasaki Motors Corp., where he served as the Director of Public Affairs and led that department for over 30 years. “Roger has always been an advocate of OHV recreation, even prior to NOHVCC coming into existence. He has been a key supporter of the industry through Kawasaki directly and through his participation with various industry trade associations,” said Russ Ehnes. Roger is an outspoken supporter of the NOHVCC mission and the work that it does. He is a member of the Motorcycle Industry Council Board of Directors, and chairman of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Board of Trustees.
MIC Council Chairman’s Award: Karen and Tom Umphress
Now in its sixth year, the Chairman’s Award series honors groups and individuals who have made special contributions of time and effort to preserve, protect and promote the powersports community.
“It is a privilege to honor Karen and Tom Umphress with Chairman’s Award,” said Larry Little, chairman of the MIC Board of Directors and CEO of The Little Group. This husband and wife team, individually and together, have been champions for off-highway vehicle recreation in Minnesota and across the country for many years. Karen and Tom have served as Co-Government Relations Officers for the Amateur Riders Motorcycle Association in Minnesota since 1999. Both are Motorcycle Safety Foundation DirtBike SchoolSM Coaches, board members of the Minnesota Motorized Trails Coaltion and the Coalition of Recreational Trail Users, are founding members and continue to serve as officers for the Twin Cities Trail Riders, and are on various other Minnesota organizations and special DNR committees.
“There is no doubt that riders in Minnesota and across the country benefit from Karen’s and Tom’s advocacy, and their accomplishments and affiliations are far too long to list,” said Duane Taylor, director, federal affairs with the MIC. “Put simply, they have never turned down an opportunity to advance the sport of motorcycling.”
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