Topic: PRESS RELEASE: Water Board revises Cleanup Order to Sustain OHV Recreation

[cruzila]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Randy Burleson
E-mail: Randy.Burleson@RubiconTrailFoundation.org
Sacramento April 24, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: Water Board revises Cleanup Order to Sustain OHV Recreation
Rubicon Trail Foundation Supports Amended Cleanup and Abatement Order
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) voted unanimously yesterday evening to issue a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) to El Dorado County and the Eldorado National Forest for the world-famous Rubicon Trail. Before voting the order, the CVRWQB members specifically recognized the efforts of the agencies and volunteers, and asked us to honor the timelines of their request, as we continue and expand our stewardship efforts.
 
Note that this is NOT an order for closure, as mentioned multiple times throughout the day by CVRWQB administrative staff, prosecution staff, and the Board Members. They went out of their way to continually say that “The Water Board is not closing the trail.”
 
The revised CAO is a much less prescriptive order that calls for general consideration and planning but does not mandate specific actions, instead charging the County and the National Forest with working together to meet the CAO's timelines. Rubicon Trail Foundation believes that most of the elements of this CAO were already accomplished, in process, or in plan, but supports this revised CAO, with the Foundation’s requested changes. “This CAO is a burden, but one that we can bear, and drive to success,” said John Arenz, a Rubicon Trail Foundation Director.
 
After the hearing presentations, the Board removed multiple pieces from the CAO: mandate for seasonal restriction (closure), incomplete and un-reviewed science, unverifiable traffic/population numbers, and references to uncertified, un-released draft planning documents. They also accepted County and Foundation feedback about timelines, and relaxed the timelines for more attainable dates, with more clear distinction between plans and documents.
 
Rubicon Trail Foundation's strategy was to provide specific information for the CVRWQB and rebuttal to incorrect facts and pictures provided in response to the original CAO, and then the Foundation asked for specific changes, in reference to our comments.

    * Correctly state that many public toilets are available alongside the trail on private property, but still available to the public
    * Remove references to the uncertified, un-released Draft Master Plan and the many errors and potentially illegal actions discussed within it
    * Correct the vehicle/person-count numbers that have been incorrectly stated/cited
    * Remove references to the Draft Sediment Study which has not been peer-reviewed or submitted for proper publication

Anti-recreation groups also asked for small adjustments to the CAO, very few of which they received.
 
Rubicon Trail Foundation appreciates the huge response from trail users, who out-numbered anti-OHV attendees by nearly a hundred to 1, with a massive show of grass-roots force that filled the parking lot and overflowed into the street, as seen on News Channel 13 coverage. The prosecution team specifically acknowledged OHV affidavits in their summary statements. These were much more effective than the opposition’s simple form letter, and Rubicon Trail Foundation would like to individually thank the thousands of users who took time to sign and fax these affidavits in, with specific thanks to the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC), Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR), North American XJ Association (NAXJA), National Off Road Association (NORA), and Pirate4x4.com who were invaluable in getting out the word. NORA was especially invaluable in getting users to the Water Board offices for the hearing, and planning parking, press, and organization.
 
Rubicon Trail Foundation looks forward to working with continuing to work with El Dorado County, Eldorado National Forest, and the Regional Water Quality Board staff as we continue to manage this historic resource and the social and economic value it provides to the communities near it. The Foundation looks forward to continued success working with all interested parties in the well-established Rubicon Oversight Committee process.
 
The Rubicon Trail Foundation was formed in 2004. We are a federally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to the future health of the Rubicon Trail and our mission is to enhance the future health and use of the Rubicon Trail, while ensuring responsible motorized year-round trail access. The Foundation works with individuals, clubs, organizations, and agencies to maintain and manage the trail. Our Officers and Directors represent a wide variety of Rubicon Trail OHV users, land owners, county representatives, manufacturers, and event organizers.
 
Legal battles are expensive to fight and Rubicon Trail Foundation is committed to doing what it takes to keep the Rubicon Trail open. We have only just begun to keep the Rubicon open for all to use. Much work remains to be done this summer and in the coming years to comply with this CAO. Letters, meetings, and presentations are just a part of what we do. We also get out in the spring/summer sun and work hard to maintain the trail. If you would like to help with our efforts, we accept Paypal donations or major credit cards by calling 888-6rubicon or by signing up for a Friends of the Rubicon work party at: www.friendsoftherubicon.com
 
More information is available at www.RubiconTrailFoundation.org
 
# # #
 
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with a representative of the Rubicon Trail Foundation, please e-mail president@RubiconTrailFoundation.org
 
Randii
Randy Burleson
President, Rubicon Trail Foundation

 
 

[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