NOHVCC OHV MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP; GREAT FALLS, MONTANA JULY 13-16

Training sessions conducted by MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) instructors were available to all participants on the first day of the workshop. Two concurrent classes, one for ATV riders and the other for dirt bikes, were held in a pleasant wide-open field just east of Great Falls.

The majority of the workshop was held in the conference room of the Charles Russell Museum in Great Falls. Two full days of presentations gave participants a lot of information to digest. Fortunately, nearly every presentation was backed up with thorough take-home handouts and notes.

NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes (center in red) and Trails Consultant Steve Uhles demonstrate the proper way to perform sound level checks. Though the process itself is not that difficult, one must adhere precisely to the steps involved in order to get accurate, consistent readings.

Jonathon Klein, Research Technician from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, certainly got the Ironman Award for the week when did the entire OHV trail ride on his mountain bike! The next morning he gave a presentation on resource impacts from hunters on ATVs.

The group makes one of their many stops during the field trip ride to discuss some of the issues OHV managers throughout the country must deal with. Participants had the unique opportunity to get a first-hand look at trail erosion issues (both good and bad), trailhead facilities, trail signage, route planning, and illegal off-trail damage.

Back