ORV Advisory Board Meeting

[phittie1100]

If you haven't been to one lately, you need to get the next one on your schedule. I haven't gone in quite a while (a couple before and a couple after Dr Nelson first presented the ORV plan revision a couple of years ago) and was surprised at the difference. Several times Dick and others on the Board actually asked for input or asked questions of those in attendance. The DNR guys were actually taking notes and paying attention to the discussions, and asking questions. The folks on the board actually seemed interested in working together to accomplish common goals, and to consider the needs of the user groups. So if you, like me, quit going because you thought it was pointless and no one was listening, you should make the trip to Lansing. I was also impressed with the amount of "networking" that took place both before and after the meeting. We (Pat B, Mike O and me) had some useful conversations with some folks that may lead to some interesting opportunities in the near future.

[Creative Fab]

Awsome Paul, thanks for going!

You hit the nail on the head when you said some of us quit going as we were getting nowhere during these meetings. I attended every meeting for a 5 year period and we went nowhere (got more accomplished through e-mails) I am glad to see this is changing.

Maybe I will hit the next one.

[WhiteRhino]

Next meeting date?

[Bult4mud]

Ill try to get to the next one and drag some SOFO GUYS

[Trail_Fanatic]

We should also report:

* The April 10th revision of the ORV Plan is expected to be approved by the NRC today (probably already has)

* Director's Order establishing 24" trails for cycle use only is expected to be approved by the NRC today (probably already has). I think someday we might be able to use this as precedent to get a Director's Order establishing 4x4 trails - no vehicles under 50" so that we don't have to worry about "suddenly" getting a new Honda hood ornament whenever we're trying to wheel on the State's system.

* CCC attended a National Association of Professional Trail Builders conference in Las Vegas to study new equipment- they reported that they, surprisingly to them, didn't see anything that would work any better than what Michigan is already using.

* Glenn Moll reported that ORV Damages of $22,071 to a private property owner in Luce County. That's TRIPLE the actual cost of restoration, PLUS the cost of obtaining the estimate, PLUS court costs!

* Huron Side MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) is now available - if it's not on the map, it's no longer legal to drive it, regardless of barriers or indications on the ground.

* Safety Education was discussed - GLFWDA commented that the current program offers zero educational opportunities for the full sized, 4x4 ORV enthusiast and that to be proactive we offer our own 4WD Awareness Course and would gratefully welcome an opportunity to work with the Department to figure out a way to address this current need.

* New ORV Trail and Route Maps are expected to be completed and available at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_15070---,00.html by Memorial Day weekend.

* Long Range Financial Planning is expected to begin soon

* NOHVCC Will be having a meeting September 26th in Mackinaw in conjunction with a CCC event at the Black Lake <50" scramble area

Networking consisted of meeting the new Eastern U P Trail Tech, talking with Pete Lundborg, and a nice conversation with Amy Spray, the new MUCC Representative on the AB. She says that they are working on providing training to the members on how to participate in the State's Forest Management Process. We talked about some of the differences between the State and NFS systems and how it would be nice to have it cover both. I think it will now - and I do believe GLFWDA will get an invitation (at least the Land Use Committee).

[Jarhead]

Next meeting date?
August 6th.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/2008ORV-SCHEDULE_215933_7.pdf

[MiniJ]

August 6th.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/2008ORV-SCHEDULE_215933_7.pdf


Crap, that's my vacation week.

[Creative Fab]

Crap, that's my vacation week.
mine too, going to be at the dunes from the 1st through the 10th, maybe whiterhino and I could share a ride with Pete Lunborg to the meeting

[WhiteRhino]

mine too, going to be at the dunes from the 1st through the 10th, maybe whiterhino and I could share a ride with Pete Lunborg to the meeting

Ha! I plan on watching a sunset with a fufu drink.