Topic: Message #714862

[Duffil]

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this for helping to keep the trails OPEN!!!

Rubicon Trail users and off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts scored a huge victory last week, when the California Water Quality Control Board voted to remove specific language from the Cleanup and Abatement Order issued to the internationally known Rubicon Trail.

On Thursday, April 23rd the California Water Quality Control Board unanimously voted to issue a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) to El Dorado County and El Dorado National Forest for the Rubicon Trail. Before issuing the CAO; members of the Water Board removed significant verbiage from the CAO. These items include:

    * Mandate for seasonal restriction (closure)
    * Incomplete and un-reviewed science
    * Unverifiable traffic/population numbers
    * References to uncertified/unreleased draft planning documents

The Water Board also relaxed the timelines for more attainable dates. “We have only just begun to keep the Rubicon Trail open for all to use. Much work remains to be done this summer and in the coming years to comply with this CAO”, says Randy Burleson, President of Rubicon Trail Foundation.

According to some Water Board staff members the turnout for Thursday’s public hearing was one of the largest to date; “Rubicon Trail Foundation appreciates the huge response from trail users, who out-numbered anti-OHV attendees by nearly 100 to 1, with a massive show of grass-roots force that filled the parking lot and overflowed into the street”, states Burleson.

Present at the public hearing was Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, who commented, "We couldn't have asked for a better outcome.  This is a move forward in the right direction for both the Rubicon Trail and its users.  When organizations are able to work together; everyone benefits.  I appreciate the Water Boards consideration in providing a balanced approach to this very sensitive issue".

“We are very pleased with the Water Boards decision”, says Pearse Umlauf, Founder & CEO of the National Off-Road Association (NORA). “We’ve accomplished much more than language changes within the CAO, we’ve started to change the image of OHV enthusiasts. Over 300 OHV enthusiasts were present at Thursday’s public hearing providing a quiet and united presence to members of the Water Board. All that were in attendance treated the Water Board and its staff with respect and kindness. Thursday’s hearing made clear just how much OHV users care about the Rubicon Trail and the environment; they’ll do whatever it takes to help obtain the goals outlined in the CAO. NORA’s focus is to find the common interest between different users groups, by highlighting our common goals we accomplish much more”.

Ken Landau, assistant executive officer with the Regional Water Board stated “We were very impressed with the demeanor and behavior at a very potentially contentious and impassionate meeting before the Regional Board on the Rubicon Trail. The orderly manner of everyone allowed the board to hear all sides of the issue. We greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation in making this meeting a success”.

The National Off-Road Association would like to say a special “Thank you” to the following individuals, groups and businesses who helped make last Thursday’s public hearing such a success:

    * Assemblyman Ted Gaines
    * Norman Gonzales & Ross Branch with Congressman Tom McClintock’s office
    * Josiah Prendergast with Congressman Dan Lundgren’s office
    * American Motorcycles Association; Dave Pickett
    * California Associations of 4WD Clubs; Suzy Johnson
    * Duncan Waldrop
    * Friends of the Rubicon
    * Pirate4x4.com; Camo & Lance
    * Placerville Polaris & Power Tools; Rick Grove
    * Rubicon Trail Foundation