Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup (ORVAW) March 11, 2015

Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup (ORVAW)
March 11, 2015

Steve Kubiscak and Jim Radabaugh have retired with no replacements announced at this time.

Business Items for Discussion

There was a lot of discussion surrounding the “Free ORV Day” and what the DNR wanted to do in the way to advertise and promote through ATV/Motorcycle/UTV Dealers State wide. The DNR hopes to have volunteers willing to be at yet unnamed locations throughout the State to conduct a short survey to gauge interest and need for the “Free ORV Day”. While the DNR intends to have the various Dealers provide surveys as well, volunteers will be needed to aid with conducting the survey amongst the full-size crowd. (This idea or concept is a take-off from the Free Fishing Day already in place.)

The DNR intends to identify specific projects (Areas, Routes, Trails, etc.) that have benefited from the new trail fee and post said information on the DNR web site.

There was a proposal brought forth to change the existing State Forest Rule for the Lower Peninsula. Currently, in the Upper Peninsula, it is legal for ORVs to operate on state forest roads as well as the designated trail system, unless a specific state forest road is posted closed to ORV use. At all times it is illegal to operate an off-road vehicle (ORV) on public lands in the Lower Peninsula not posted open. The proposal brought forward would allow the Lower Peninsula the same opportunities as the Upper Peninsula in that it would be legal for ORVs to operate on state forest roads as well as the designated trail system, unless a specific state forest road is posted closed to ORV use. I hope to have more to come on this as we work to gain support for the adaption of this proposal.

Silver Lake (SLORVA) The Plan

Education
DNR sends official information out to media sources; Social media uses official information to get the word out; Links to the DNR sites
Youtube videos on “how too” and “duner 101”
Radio broadcast

Use voucher center for ORV Information Center (Signage #1)
ORV Permits
Recreation Passport
Map/Brochures
Dune Ready checklist
Bulletins
Where to access Dune Ready supplies, flag, tire pressure gage, etc.

Fixed signage
Immediately off highway
Exiting ORV Information Center

Dune Ready entrance line into ORV Park (Signage #2)
Check all vehicles at the main entrance to the ORV area –dune ready check
No more permits sold at 18-01 (in line)
Use a web cam to show the traffic at the entrance of the dunes
NO RESERVATIONS or VOUCHERS for dune ready
Entrance directly to the right
Pull off out of line for sound check and cooler check

Trailer Entrance
Keep parking lot the same until next season, use the voucher lot for overflow parking
Parking lot vouchers until parking lot expansion – Vouchers handed out like they are now – NO RESERVATIONS

To get all the details visit http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7...4760--,00.html

DNR seeks volunteer ORV safety education instructors for free training sessions in May, June.
The Department of Natural Resources is recruiting instructors for its off-road vehicle safety education program.

All ORV instructor volunteers are required to attend a three-day instructor academy to learn instructor policy and procedure, classroom management and teaching concepts. Instructors will have the chance to experience various aspects of ORV operation, including basic hands-on operational skills on off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility-type vehicles and winching recovery equipment.

There will be two ORV instructor academies in 2015: May 29-31 and June 5-7. Each class is limited to 24 students. While attendance at the academies is mandatory, there is no charge to the instructor candidates to attend, and meals and lodging are included. Enrollment is first come, first served. The academies both will be held at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon County.

To receive an application to apply to be a certified volunteer ORV safety education instructor, contact the DNR Law Enforcement Division's Recreational Safety Education and Enforcement Section at 517-284-6055. After a completed application is submitted, a background check will be conducted. Successful applicants then will be contacted to schedule their attendance at a mandatory ORV instructor academy.

For more information about the ORV safety education program, contact Cpl. John Morey at 989-619-3784. Learn more about recreational safety education opportunities on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/recreationalsafety

Signage
The DNR has ordered a first batch (no clue what quantity that consists of) and will have them available at the various Maintenance Locations throughout the State. They hope to do the ORV Routes first as they feel it is a bit easier from the standpoint of getting the necessary equipment on location. When it was pointed out that the Trail Sponsors would need to work with the various County Road Commissions when installing Carsonite Markers on the roadside it became readily apparent they hadn't considered the dilemma, which is why I am curious what will be said at the Workshop.