At today’s OHV Commission meeting, OHV users PREVAILED in a huge way. Folks not on our side had planned to show the slide shows: Mud on the Rubicon Trail; and Oil on the Rubicon Trail, obviously to show us as idiots who are out there destroying the trail, and not taking care of business. I could not take it and would not take it.

These shows use material from my web site and quote me as well (out of context). It was bad from what I heard from reputable sources. It would not be right or fair for them to show it to the OHV Commission today.

So BlueRibbon Coalition got behind me and the BRC legal firm represented me via a Cease and Desist notice that I hand-delivered today. They packed up their stuff, withdrew their presentation and went home.

We stopped them in their tracks!!!!

Further, the Commission was going to adopt a letter supporting winter time closures and street legal only on the Rubicon Trail. We stopped that as well --- stopped it dead. The Commission saw the light and realized they were not given the rightous story. Jack Sweeney, Eldo Co. Supervisor was there in full support of us. We were in full support of his efforts and the County was well.

This was a big day for us. It was a huge day for BRC and me. Wow. I could not have done this without the help of the BRC’s attorney, Paul Turcke. Awesome! No letter was adopted; nothing was done about the move to get us street legal only; and winter closures went away for now.

What further saddens me is that we can work on some of their core issues and continue to do the right thing for our trail, if these folks were to work with us and quit trying these tactics. I am not going to stand for it.

Del

Further, the Commission was going to adopt a letter supporting winter time closures and street legal only on the Rubicon Trail. We stopped that as well --- stopped it dead. The Commission saw the light and realized they were not given the rightous story. Jack Sweeney, Eldo Co. Supervisor was there in full support of us. We were in full support of his efforts and the County was well.

Del

Once again, Great Job Del!

Just to point out ONCE again though...

On the preferred alternative, the Rubicon is listed as "for street legal vehicles only"

I was told the FS had no jusidiction, so we did not have to worry about it..

But I wonder, did the FS know something we did not if this was proposed???? Where did this letter come from??

This effort was spear-headed by the Nordic Ski Patrol that uses Loon Lake dam. They were encouraging the OHV Commission to exert pressure on the USFS, but more so on Eldorado County, to institute street legal only and winter restrictions.

It was a political thing rather than a jurisdiction thing -- but important nonetheless.

Del

At today’s OHV Commission meeting, OHV users PREVAILED in a huge way. Folks not on our side had planned to show the slide shows: Mud on the Rubicon Trail; and Oil on the Rubicon Trail, obviously to show us as idiots who are out there destroying the trail, and not taking care of business. I could not take it and would not take it.

These shows use material from my web site and quote me as well (out of context). It was bad from what I heard from reputable sources. It would not be right or fair for them to show it to the OHV Commission today.

So BlueRibbon Coalition got behind me and the BRC legal firm represented me via a Cease and Desist notice that I hand-delivered today. They packed up their stuff, withdrew their presentation and went home.

We stopped them in their tracks!!!!

Further, the Commission was going to adopt a letter supporting winter time closures and street legal only on the Rubicon Trail. We stopped that as well --- stopped it dead. The Commission saw the light and realized they were not given the rightous story. Jack Sweeney, Eldo Co. Supervisor was there in full support of us. We were in full support of his efforts and the County was well.

This was a big day for us. It was a huge day for BRC and me. Wow. I could not have done this without the help of the BRC’s attorney, Paul Turcke. Awesome! No letter was adopted; nothing was done about the move to get us street legal only; and winter closures went away for now.

What further saddens me is that we can work out some of these issues and continue to do the right thing for our trail, if these folks were to work with us and quit trying these tactics. I am not going to stand for it.

Del

Good job! Del every inch equals a mile, keep up the good work

Jack Sweeney, Eldo Co. Supervisor had his stuff together and impressed the Commission......GREAT JOB JACK!!
I'm a dirt biker, not a 4 wheeler, and was surprised at the conflict I heard from the "old school" four wheelers about the newer purpose built rock crawlers. Come on folks, we're all in this together! Can't you accomodate both types of rigs?

Ride on
Brewster
CERA...assistant LAO

Jack Sweeney, Eldo Co. Supervisor had his stuff together and impressed the Commission......GREAT JOB JACK!!
I'm a dirt biker, not a 4 wheeler, and was surprised at the conflict I heard from the "old school" four wheelers about the newer purpose built rock crawlers. Come on folks, we're all in this together! Can't you accomodate both types of rigs?

Ride on
Brewster
CERA...assistant LAO

I talked to a couple of the old schools after the meeting for quite a while, and there was some confusion on their part about how this all plays out and who the culprits were that get us in trouble with our image and the law. They have a new perspective now and I think will be helping us in the Trail Patrol and FOTR efforts in the future.
Del

Great job there guys WOOOHOOO!!!

thanks for your hard work ,i am sure i can say that for so many people
thanks, keep up the good work

Good job Del, and all those involved up here.

I wish I lived closer to the CON.

Maybe in a couple of years.

Todd

awesome!

This effort was spear-headed by the Nordic Ski Patrol...........

Wow, They are getting just like the Serria Club.........
When have they ever done something for the trail........

Anyway, Great work guys! its a start to are many victory's to come!

Wish I could have been there. Great Job by all involved!!

Most all the leaders from the organizational side of four-wheeling and OHV were there too. BRC, United, Cal4, CORVA, ORBA, FOTR, RTF, you name it. We all stood there, testified, spoke up, and brought light to the Commission what they were not seeing before.
Obviously with any appointed Commission, there WILL be times when politics will prevail over common sense (as we see it). But in this case, truth, facts and us WON!

My thanks to all that stood the ground, walked the walk and spoke up.
Del

Wow! Great work! It's wonderful to have an organization like BRC fighting for us. If you're not a member- JOIN! If you are- send in a donation and ear-mark it for the EDNF Legal Defense Fund.

Del- thank you for everything you do! :beer:

GREAT NEWS!

Thanks Del!

Awesome. Thank you

Great news!!

Further, the Commission was going to adopt a letter supporting winter time closures and street legal only on the Rubicon Trail. We stopped that as well --- stopped it dead. The Commission saw the light and realized they were not given the rightous story.
Let me add to this -- the Commission was CONSIDERING signing a letter in support of this. It was pretty clear to me from their past voting performance that Commissioner Brissenden and Anderson would lean to support of such a letter, and Commissioners McMilland and Willard would lean against. McMilland and Willard were prepared with good questions about the Rubicon Trail, and clearly weren't going to go easily along with this letter, though I respect that they were independent enough to consider both sides fairly. Commissioner Brissenden was reasonable in allowing FOTR to present our slides, and Commissioner Anderson was fair about it when I talked to her briefly after the meeting.

I put together a rebuttal presentation with a few experienced FOTR hands, and had to change it up quickly and on the fly, since the presentation that we'd intended to rebut was pulled at the last minute. It was well-received, and I appreciate everyone who helped me -- especially the pictures from Cruzila and Rollie.

I knew that Del would stand up and speak well (he always does!), but it was especially gratifying to see the strong statements of support from BRC, Cal4, CORVA, and the California Endoro Riders Association. There were some old-school jeepers that commented in favor of restricting Green-Sticker vehicles, but Bebe's testimony that she has gotten through in her mildly-modified SUV set them back on their heels a little. :p

Supervisor Sweeney brought it all home when he dropped the five inches of planning documents next to the microphone (with an audible thump!), and assured the Commission that Eldorado County was near completion of the plan that would address these issues. Lengthy individual public comment followed, and I will say that it is impressive how the Center for Sierra Nevada Conservation can bring other folks into a room: the Audubon Society, Snowlands Bulletin, Center for Biological Diversity, and other conservationist groups all got up to line themselves up against motorized recreation. That was no surprise, and it was all pretty much static and background noise after the presentation, OHV statements, and Jack's summary -- everyone else knew they were just going through the motions.

Randii

Just to point out ONCE again though...
On the preferred alternative, the Rubicon is listed as "for street legal vehicles only"
I was told the FS had no jusidiction, so we did not have to worry about it..
But I wonder, did the FS know something we did not if this was proposed???? Where did this letter come from??
Kurt, the Forest Service is certainly aware of the issue -- Lester and Jason were sitting in the room for the Commission meeting, and Rich Platt was a key player in putting together these propaganda CDs against the Rubicon Trail -- he may be retired, but he's still WELL networked with ENF.

We need to keep fighting these issues in the separate venues, though -- at the Commission, in the RTMP, and in the Elorado DEIS. There are just a few anti-access activists driving these issues, but they are driving them through these separate processes, and we have to respond in each separate process. They aren't making it easy for us, but we are working effectively to mitigate their out-of-context pictures and misrepresentations -- and their underlying closurist agenda.

Randii

Randii,

Empty your box, I am trying to PM you and its full!

THAT IS SUCH GOOD NEWS!!! I'm so proud of the work you guys have done...
THANK YOU!

Come to our Swap Meet, Support Blue Ribbon and RTF!!

Congratulations to everyone who went to represent OHV enthusiasts! I really appreciate your hard work and diligence. I am very happy to support the BRC and CORVA and plan to be a member (of both) for a long long time.

Although is was just a battle, it is nice to feel vitorious once in a while. Is the presentation on the net anywhere for others to see?

Thanks again!
JW

EDIT: OH, I mentioned BRC and CORVA but forgot FOTR. Very sorry, thanks Del!

Wow! Great Work!

Thats fantastic news!

Thank you!

Great job everyone. Thank you!

This is a win -- but it should remind us that the anti-access activists are HERE among us. They use our own pictures against us, and we need to be aware of that when we post pictures.

They are also ON THE TRAIL among us. Driving up rocks on the side of the trail, parking on top of boulders, driving in the spring wet season and spinning tires... these are all things that they are photographing and documenting. They take these back to their workspace, and cherry-pick the most daming ones, with no regard to context or story, and then they package them up for publication. When they send their CDs to a greenie, they are preaching to the choir... but when they send their CDs to neutral citizens without a real stake in the fight, that's where their impact scares me most.

Think of this the next time you drive on the trail, or the next time you post up pictures. It stinks that we have to censor ourselves like this -- BUT IF WE DON'T, THEy WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PICTURES OUT OF CONTEXT AND MISREPRESENT WHAT IS TAKING PLACE, and that may lead to closures.

Do you want to be able to use the Rubicon Trail, or do you want to show off your pictures to your buddy? Do you want to ride the trail five years from now, or do you want to flex out on that rock off the side of the trail today? Choose wisely -- they are watching.

Randii

Nice. Now convince em that the snow compaction caused by cross country skiis damages the water table.

Not normally superstitious, but this stuff is too important to take any chances. Del changes his avatar and we prevail. I think it is only prudent that Del changes his avatar on the eve of all future skirmishes. Don't think that is too much of a sacrifice to ask of a comrade.

Dale

Not normally superstitious, but this stuff is too important to take any chances. Del changes his avatar and we prevail. I think it is only prudent that Del changes his avatar on the eve of all future skirmishes. Don't think that is too much of a sacrafice to ask of a comrade.

Dale

Yup, new image for Unlce Del - and WINS for us. I'll change it every flippin' day if I need to in order to get WINS. We have busted some butt this week. My hat is off to BlueRibbon and their legal doods that helped me.

Del

Great Job!!!!!! Nice to get a win. Hopefully the tide is turning. :smokin:

Del this has re-fueled my fire.. thanks to you and BRC there is light at the end of the tunnel

Is the presentation on the net anywhere for others to see?
Del posted it this weekend: http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/fotr_powerpoint_commission.html

Keep in mind that we cut out some slides on the fly, since the closurist presentation was omitted... I timed this for 5 minutes with all of the slides, so it is pretty quick now without... the whole point of it is that the Rubicon is improving in condition. Snow 'wheeling can be minimal impact, users can and do improve the trail, and a few hundred feet away from the trail, you can hardly SEE the trail... unlike the 'scar on the land' that the anti-access folks claim.

The trail is getting better because FOTR is working every issue that ROC asks us to fix -- if any group truly cares about the Rubicon and wants to engage for positive change, they need to come to the Rubicon Oversight Committee (ROC) and work together... instead of attempting an end-around outside of the proven process.

Those are the details I rapped in accompaniment to the slides...

Randii