(CORVA) REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA OFF ROAD VEHICLE ASSOCIATION

The California Off Road Vehicle Association
Leading the Way in Off-Road Politics


By Erin Dyer, State Secretary & Newsletter Editor

The California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) is a varied group of
outdoor recreationists who are extremely active in promoting the positive
aspects of vehicular access on public lands and protecting that right.

The association has a long list of accomplishments. One of those
accomplishments includes forming a coalition to write and pass state
legislation in 1971 to form the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation
Division, a division of the California Department of Parks & Recreation.
This recreation division is responsible for purchasing and managing eight
State Vehicular Recreation Areas (SVRA) in California and distributing
millions of dollars in grants to USFS and BLM recreation areas statewide.
This was followed in later years with legislation to create a Trust Fund to
thwart the transfer of our funds from the OHV fund to the state's general
fund.

The association is comprised of owners of all forms of off-road vehicles
from dirt bikes and ATVs, to dune buggies, baja bugs, desert racing trucks,
Jeeps, and 4x4s. CORVA is a family-oriented organization that has a 100%
volunteer board of directors who dedicate their time and travel expenses to
attend meetings with land managers and politicians to maintain our public
access rights.

CORVA is a leader in multiple-use recreation serving the off-road community
for over 30 years and has gained the reputation as "The Off-Road Political
Powerhouse."

In the past year, we have accomplished the following:

1) Local Access Groups -- Initiated the Friends of Oceano Dunes, a group of
local business owners, local beach enthusiasts, off-road recreationists,
fisherman, horsemen and veterans interested in continuing vehicular access
to the Oceano Dunes SVRA. This is the only remaining beach in California
with vehicular coastal access. Currently, the group has attained a
membership of 2500 in less than 6 months. The threat of closure is coming
from the local Sierra Club chapter and local wealthy landowners. This is
the fifth "Friends" group CORVA has helped initiate in the state to add
local emphasis on a threatened public recreation area.

2) Campaigns - We organized team captains and volunteers to work at
campaign offices for key races during the November election season. One of
our volunteers even ran the Bush headquarters in her county. Furthermore,
we recruited off-roaders to register to vote at races and off-road expos.

3) Visited the State Capitol - Our annual Capitol Lobbying Day was
highlighted this year with several new activities. First, we hosted a table
for our lobbying group, known as the California League of Off-Road Voters
(CLORV), at the Semi-Annual California Republican Convention in Sacramento.
(Throughout the year, we attended two Republican Conventions and one
Democratic Convention.) Many supportive party members welcomed us and
learned about our land access activities. The CLORV had three off-roaders
serving as convention delegates voting on party actions. These delegates
had received delegate voting privileges after being appointed by the
lawmakers they assisted during the November elections.

Second, we hosted a Lobbying Training where our members received tips how to
speak to their legislators on issues affecting our sport. This is part of
our "Make A Difference: Adopt-A-Legislator Program."

This training was followed by our annual walking of the halls of the state
capitol. The 50 off-roaders came from all over the state to speak to their
legislators about current legislation and our desire to allow access to
public lands to all forms of recreation and to all citizens, whether
physically fit or disabled. Next, we heard encouraging speeches from several
prominent legislators who support our activities.

In the evening, we hosted a "Friends of the Off-Highway Vehicle Commission"
OHV reception. This formal reception was held directly across the street
from the state capitol in a distinguished club and was attended by a host of
prominent legislators and their staff members. We used this opportunity to
talk casually to the state lawmakers and their staff about our issues.

4) Convention -- We hosted our annual convention which highlighted our Key
Note Speaker, Mike Pool, BLM State Director. Our guest speakers included
State Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti, the OHMVR division staff, and leaders of
other multiple-use and private property organizations.

5) Desert Lawsuit -- We intervened in the Center for Biodiversity and
Sierra Club v. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lawsuit. While our appeal to
receive Intervenor status was denied by the judge, we were allowed status as
an Amicus Curiae, or Friend of the Court. This status allowed us to educate
the judge on his role in this case. Ultimately, the judge set limitations
on the BLM's implementation of the settlement agreements based on the
information contained in our legal briefs. In this lawsuit, the BLM had
agreed to settlement actions with these environmental organizations without
ever trying to defend their department or the citizens. Without our
intervention, the limitations would not have been set and the overall
implementation would have been much worse. These legal proceedings cost our
association and our partners, the American Motorcyclist Association District
37, $140,000 in legal bills.

6) Glamis Lawsuit -- Based on the judge's decision in the Desert Lawsuit
and his specific wording regarding the BLM's emergency closure procedures,
we have initiated a lawsuit against the BLM to reopen the 49,000 acres of
the Imperial Sand Dunes, known as Glamis (in extreme Southern California).
We believe the BLM violated its own emergency closure procedures by
circumventing the public process. We are partnered with the AMA District 37
and the American Sand Association.

7) California League of Off-Road Voters (CLORV) -- Besides organizing
volunteers to work campaigns and walk the halls of the state capitol, our
CLORV Executive Director, Pete Conaty, was successful in getting 54 State
Legislators to sign a letter to BLM State Director, Mike Pool, on the
dwindling OHV opportunities in the California Desert. More signatures could
have been received, but time was limited. CORVA is a founding member and
financial contributor of the CLORV. All off-road clubs and organizations
are welcome to join the CLORV to provide financial support to continue the
lobbying efforts at the California State Capitol. CLORV has also initiated
an Internet website and an e-mail newsletter and alert system for all
interested off-roaders. This system provides important information on
current legislation, deadline dates for constituent's letters, e-mail
addresses and sample letters. Visit www.clorv.org (http://www.clorv.org) for more information.


8) Conservation & Charity Projects - We have sponsored at least six
clean-up days which removed everything from roadside trash to abandoned
vehicles, old truck tires, old appliances, etc. The largest event we
sponsored (but didn't initiate) was attended by 3000 off-roaders. Our local
clubs host charity events such as the "One Warm Coat Project" to collect
clothing for the homeless shelters and the "Animal Rescue Project" to donate
cat and dog food to the local animal rescue shelter. We also attend and
promote the "Ride For Kids" benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
with 100% of the proceeds going to research. We encourage all clubs to
consider hosting a "Ride for Kids" event in their region. Other charity
organizations take a percentage of profits -- this organization does not
take a dime and all event expenses are donated by corporations and local
businesses. All proceeds go to finding a cure for this dreaded disease.
Visit: www.ride4kids.org (http://www.ride4kids.org) and www.pbtfus.org. (http://www.pbtfus.org.)

9) BLM Management Plans - CORVA is currently, overseeing the BLM Management
Plans by attending meetings, commenting on the initial route maps and
raising public awareness to the local city and county governments regarding
the magnitude and negative effects of these plans. The plans would
restructure the current desert plan, known as the Federal Land Policy
Management Act (FLPMA) of 1980, and ultimately restrict vehicular access.
These plans cover the greater part of the 25 million acre California Desert
Conservation Area (CDCA).

10) The Action Program - In 2001, CORVA initiated the Action Program to
provide national coordination to defend the public's right to access public
lands for recreation. The aim of the program is to unite off-road vehicle
manufacturers, trailer manufacturers, retailers, customers and local
multiple-use rights associations into a powerful lobby to take on the
radical environmental movement and to protect access to public lands.
Vehicle manufacturers and dealers of new off-road vehicles are organizing
these recreationalists by purchasing the Action Program stickers, at $25.00
each, and installing them on the showroom vehicles. The customer then
purchases the vehicle and the sticker at no cost to the dealer. The funds
generated by the Action Program will power the efforts of local like-minded
organizations and programs from around the country, giving them financial
and political support to protect the access of all Americans to public
lands. The program is supported by the American Motorcyclist Association
(AMA), the Blue Ribbon Coalition, and the United Four Wheel Drive
Association. These organizations will help identify groups needing
financial support in order to defend the recreational areas under threat of
closure. CORVA will administer the program and distribute the funds. With
industry support nationwide, the Action Program is expected to generate
millions of dollars annually.

To learn more about CORVA or the Action Program, please visit our website at www.corva.org (http://www.corva.org) or call us at 1-800-42-CORVA. Our 24-page monthly newsletter
subscription is included with your $30 annual membership dues. Send to:
CORVA, 1500 West El Camino #352, Sacramento, CA 95833-1945.