Features

Oct. 13, 2008 – ATV Digest

Groups review California OHV area under study

A field review by national and local motorized recreation groups of the Sierra National Forest near Yosemite in California reveals the complex nature of travel management planning on federal lands.
The BlueRibbon Coalition, a national recreation group, and the Fresno, Calif.-based Stewards of the Sierra National Forest toured proposed routes in the forest’s Miami Motorized Vehicle Use Area on Sept. 14.
Throughout the country, units of the USDA Forest Service are in various stages of the route inventory and designation process as outlined in the National Travel Management Rule.
The Sierra National Forest published a notice of intent in September 2007, in which the proposed action would preclude motorized use on about 90 percent of presently-open and historically traveled routes. That proposal could even ban OHV use on the popular Stagecoach Trail.
Stewards of the Sierra National Forest are submitting comments and proposing an alternative that they hope will inspire the Forest Service to meet users halfway. Some club members are hopeful the agency will come forward with a plan that designates at least 250 miles of historic user routes in this once open area, where cross-country travel was the legal and valid travel prescription.
Don Amador, Western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, said in a press release, “I think the success of travel planning will depend on whether the public perceives the agency as striking a balance and meeting all users at a middle point. Just how the Forest Service recognizes the validity of historic user routes, which often have official agency signs and are on current federal maps, will determine how the public accepts the route designation process.
“The organized OHV community recognizes the importance of, and generally supports, the designation process. As these plans are finalized, it will behoove all involved for the agency to enlist the organized recreation community’s help in the implementation of the program.”
Further details regarding the Forest Service’s planning process are available at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/projects/ohv/index.shtml.

HiPer announces price reduction for 14-inch wheels

HiPer, a Kansas company specializing in carbon fiber products, announced it will be lowering the price of the popular 14-inch Dakar wheel to an MSRP of $399.
Due to the strong initial demand for the Dakar, HiPer has been able to streamline manufacturing and is passing the savings along to the consumer.
HiPer’s Dakar wheels have been on the market for almost a year and received substantial praise from the media.
The Dakar is a dual beadlock wheel that weighs less than most available 12-inch wheels. The 7-inch wide Dakar weighs only 12.3 pounds. This allows owners the benefit of the larger diameter without the power-draining weight increases of traditional aluminum 14-inch wheels. Contact HiPer at 877-GO-HIPER for more information. psb

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