Hollister Hills May Close Soon....

[MiniSimp]

News

Hollister Hills' Future in Hands of State Lawmakers

Jul 11, 2007
By Michael Van Cassell

Hollister - If state lawmakers can't agree on changes to the California off-highway program before year's end, Hollister Hills on Cienega Road may close.

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts and environmentalists have butted heads over changes to a Senate bill that would overhaul the state's 36-year-old off-highway program. Funds for state off-road vehicle recreation areas come from fuel tax and registration and entrance fees, but will expire Dec. 31 unless groups come to a consensus and lawmakers pass the bill.

The problem is, in its current form, no group on either side supports the bill, according to a state bill analysis.

Jeff Gaffney, chief ranger of the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area, said an agreement needs to be reached so the park can stay open.

Gaffney said he has a difficult time understanding why environmentalists, whom he often considers his allies as a state park ranger, oppose funding off-road vehicular areas.

"This whole facility would cease to exist," Gaffney said. "It's kind of sad. This is where my heart and soul is, and I believe in the people who come here."

If the groups can't come to a consensus, the Hollister Hills Off-Road Association will try to educate the public to prevent the park from closing, said Margie Ghione, the group's vice president.

"It would be horrible for San Benito County," Ghione said. "It's a family sport, especially in this area."

Ghione said Hollister Hills provides another option for many local youths looking for an activity.

Brent Schoradt, a deputy policy director for the California Wilderness Coalition, said the bill would double available funds for off-highway vehicle recreation area land acquisition without doing enough to protect the environment.

"We're trying to make sure there's a proper balance," Schoradt said.

Schoradt noted that the current version of the bill could cut funding for law enforcement for off-road vehicle areas and restoration of damaged caused by such vehicles.

Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, who represents San Benito County, voted against the bill the Senate passed. The bill passed 21-17 and made its way into the Assembly.

Under its current form, the bill would triple off-road vehicle registration fees. When Denham voted against the bill, it would have doubled park entrance fees. That language has been removed.

"The idea of jacking up fees is not something (Denham) usually supports," said Stacey Hendrickson, his press secretary. "There has not been consensus from various groups on this bill, but if they come to a consensus, he's willing to take a fresh look at it."


http://www.freelancenews.com/news/contentview.asp?c=219285

[BigMike]

Gaffney said he has a difficult time understanding why environmentalists, whom he often considers his allies as a state park ranger, oppose funding off-road vehicular areas.

Good point. If they close all of the open public areas, you know people are just gonna start wheeling where ever the hell they want to.

This is like street racing here in Fresno, CA. There are so many street racers here because Fresno has no drag strip to offer them a legal and safe place to race. More than 1 million people in this county and no drag strip. I bet if they opened a drag strip less than 30 miles away from Fresno, it would cut the illegal street racing by 70%.

Just the opposite would apply if they close all of our off road play areas.

[fordh8r]

NOOOOOOO! Not Hollister! If they do that I'm gonna  . That's like our own backyard.   Someplace safe to play where we don't have to be watched. For anyone within a 2-3 hour drive from there you know what I'm talking about. That will be a   day. I just wonder why more politicians don't get shot for doing stuff just to purposely piss people off. Bastiches!  God, I hate those people. I say we revert to the days of public execution, just for them.  

[fordh8r]

Good point. If they close all of the open public areas, you know people are just gonna start wheeling where ever the hell they want to.

This is like street racing here in Fresno, CA. There are so many street racers here because Fresno has no drag strip to offer them a legal and safe place to race. More than 1 million people in this county and no drag strip. I bet if they opened a drag strip less than 30 miles away from Fresno, it would cut the illegal street racing by 70%.

Just the opposite would apply if they close all of our off road play areas.

The stairs and statues at the state capitol could be fun to play on if there's nowhere else to go wheeling...

[Hottrod81]

This sounds a lot like the problems facing the Oceano Dunes.  I wish I had a $1 for each time it was reported that the dunes were going to close over the past 20 years.  I wouldn't be too worried about it yet.

[bigarms23]

I keep donating money for all these parks that face closier but whenis it going to end i think i might buy a bunch of land and open my own park i am just really tired of it

[8Snaces]

That would be something horrible to have Pismo and Hollister close. Then.. like BigMike said.. where r we gonna play...

[MiniSimp]

I wouldn't be too worried about it yet.

and that is why places close suddenly...

[8Snaces]

BigArms... that would be sik to have your own park! I have thought about that myself.. LOL

[Hottrod81]

and that is why places close suddenly...

It sounds like to me that it is smoke right now.  Just like Oceano Dunes, the state makes too much money from this park to close it, IMO.  The most people can do is go out and donate to the likes of Blue Coalition, Cal 4wd, TLCA, Friends of the Rubicon, Friends of Panamint Valley, and other coalitions.

Maybe a Friends of Hollister Hills should be established.  I would definitely donate to that like I have the others.

[8Snaces]

Is there a way for us to start a friends of Hollister?? Im down there quite often.. last year i was down there almost 2times a month most of the year....