twaldher
04-29-2008, 10:04 AM
I've been reading alot about how do we deal with this? How have we lost respect? How do we work with the DNR? etc.
I'm offering some insight. Tahuya has had a Focus group since 1993, this included equestrian, ATV, motorbike, and 3 4WD clubs. (QP's are the only ones active/remaining I believe.)
By 2001 Tahuya had been so beaten that it was facing imminent closure. The QP's (namely Jeff Williams) and the Jon Byerly of the DNR formed a working relationship and asked for an extension of time which was granted. Work began in earnest to repair the damage done and keep Tahuya ORV open. You can read more here (http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/article.php?id=428).
I stepped in to the fray with the club about 1-1.5 years after they got started. So I've personally seen how this has worked (good and bad) for over 6 years now. The work to clean up Tahuya and repair the damage over the first 2-3 years nearly tore the club apart. We literally spent 3 years doing nothing but work parties. So please, don't under-estimate how hard this is.
Lessons learned along the way:
1) Fellow wheelers - you are going to be disenfranchised from many when you start closing down areas that they like or even just induce any sort of control. (I don't run club stickers on my rig because of this)
2) Signage - DNR's, your own, it really doesn't matter people will deface and tear it down. You just keep putting it back up. I do recommend that if it's your own keep it official looking.
3) Closures - We deal with this regularly at Tahuya. There it usually starts form quads making their own way around something and then grows to 4x4's. Motorbike users are just as guilty. I've seen it all first hand - and we do talk to them when we find them. You just keep trying. Keeping on top of them helps a LOT. You see a closure forming from just a couple tire tracks CLOSE IT NOW! Don't wait until it starts looking like trail.
4) How to close - What we found works is just making the closure a PITA to undo. 5' deep narrow, verticle walled tank traps, many crossed up logs cabled together, stumps are particularly handy, 10-20' tall logs buried 5' in the ground vertically, etc. Rocks - not so much since those with big tires just see them as a challenge, in fact that goes for many closures.
5) Enforcement - you really need an E&E or LEO out there with a ticket book.
6) Forest Watch - This is a major part, it's us policing our own users (and ATV/Motorbike.) Why don't I run stickers? If I see someone doing something wrong I'll talk to them first, if they don't stop and I have the Radio I call E&E in to talk to them and they may end up ticketing their asses or if they are lucky impounded. If E&E isn't around - camera time. How many here are ready to turn in a fellow wheeler?
7) Grants - The DNR actually does apply for some. Equipment, E&E, etc. For expanding/building trail that's usually on us to work. Documenting volunteer hours with the DNR is VERY important - it helps support their grants when they are asked how much matching volunteerism do they have?
8) Tough decisions. How many here know we had the ok to add a chunk more trail to Tahuya? Probably no one. Why? The deal was we had to promise it would stay SWB and narrow. We couldn't honestly do that, therefore no new trail. Sometimes we are given the option of leaving a user-built (illegal) section in place and repairing it or bringing it up to minimum standards for protecting the forest. Occasionally we'll do that, usually we close it because not closing a UB is just reinforcing bad behavior. "Hey look, if we make a UB the QPs can go in and fix it making it new trail." Sorry folks, doesn't work like that.
9) DNR Rep - I can't stress this enough. You need someone that is willing to see things the DNR's way, the wheelers way, understand there may not always be comprimises, understands the politics, and doesn't have an issue plodding through red tape. It's a position that can make/break relationships with the DNR and you NEED the right person in there.
That's all I can think of right now, gotta get back to work and get caffiene. Any questions, fire away.
I'm offering some insight. Tahuya has had a Focus group since 1993, this included equestrian, ATV, motorbike, and 3 4WD clubs. (QP's are the only ones active/remaining I believe.)
By 2001 Tahuya had been so beaten that it was facing imminent closure. The QP's (namely Jeff Williams) and the Jon Byerly of the DNR formed a working relationship and asked for an extension of time which was granted. Work began in earnest to repair the damage done and keep Tahuya ORV open. You can read more here (http://www.sharetrails.org/magazine/article.php?id=428).
I stepped in to the fray with the club about 1-1.5 years after they got started. So I've personally seen how this has worked (good and bad) for over 6 years now. The work to clean up Tahuya and repair the damage over the first 2-3 years nearly tore the club apart. We literally spent 3 years doing nothing but work parties. So please, don't under-estimate how hard this is.
Lessons learned along the way:
1) Fellow wheelers - you are going to be disenfranchised from many when you start closing down areas that they like or even just induce any sort of control. (I don't run club stickers on my rig because of this)
2) Signage - DNR's, your own, it really doesn't matter people will deface and tear it down. You just keep putting it back up. I do recommend that if it's your own keep it official looking.
3) Closures - We deal with this regularly at Tahuya. There it usually starts form quads making their own way around something and then grows to 4x4's. Motorbike users are just as guilty. I've seen it all first hand - and we do talk to them when we find them. You just keep trying. Keeping on top of them helps a LOT. You see a closure forming from just a couple tire tracks CLOSE IT NOW! Don't wait until it starts looking like trail.
4) How to close - What we found works is just making the closure a PITA to undo. 5' deep narrow, verticle walled tank traps, many crossed up logs cabled together, stumps are particularly handy, 10-20' tall logs buried 5' in the ground vertically, etc. Rocks - not so much since those with big tires just see them as a challenge, in fact that goes for many closures.
5) Enforcement - you really need an E&E or LEO out there with a ticket book.
6) Forest Watch - This is a major part, it's us policing our own users (and ATV/Motorbike.) Why don't I run stickers? If I see someone doing something wrong I'll talk to them first, if they don't stop and I have the Radio I call E&E in to talk to them and they may end up ticketing their asses or if they are lucky impounded. If E&E isn't around - camera time. How many here are ready to turn in a fellow wheeler?
7) Grants - The DNR actually does apply for some. Equipment, E&E, etc. For expanding/building trail that's usually on us to work. Documenting volunteer hours with the DNR is VERY important - it helps support their grants when they are asked how much matching volunteerism do they have?
8) Tough decisions. How many here know we had the ok to add a chunk more trail to Tahuya? Probably no one. Why? The deal was we had to promise it would stay SWB and narrow. We couldn't honestly do that, therefore no new trail. Sometimes we are given the option of leaving a user-built (illegal) section in place and repairing it or bringing it up to minimum standards for protecting the forest. Occasionally we'll do that, usually we close it because not closing a UB is just reinforcing bad behavior. "Hey look, if we make a UB the QPs can go in and fix it making it new trail." Sorry folks, doesn't work like that.
9) DNR Rep - I can't stress this enough. You need someone that is willing to see things the DNR's way, the wheelers way, understand there may not always be comprimises, understands the politics, and doesn't have an issue plodding through red tape. It's a position that can make/break relationships with the DNR and you NEED the right person in there.
That's all I can think of right now, gotta get back to work and get caffiene. Any questions, fire away.