Messages

31

18th Annual (2013) / Re: Trophy Ideas

« on: January 18, 2013, 07:37:51 am »

 
I'm all over this. I stopped by Tri-state Trophy and I've got some stuff working that could be awesome...  Maybe...

32

PA Jeeps Club Events / Re: December Club Ride

« on: December 28, 2012, 08:45:34 pm »

Peter, I read here that your going to rename your TJ.  I suggest "English Muffin."  Ya know, you can't go wrong being named after a food product!!! Get it?   Happy New Year!!!

33

Monthly Meetings / Information / December Meeting/Elections

« on: December 06, 2012, 01:11:03 pm »

The elections are going to be held at the monthly meeting on this Sunday, December 9.  If you are interested in running for a position and have not already been officially nominated, please send me an email so that I can add your name to the ballot.  It makes it so much easier than trying to write names in at the meeting.  My email address is president@pajeeps.org .  THANKS!  Wayne

34

Safety / On & Off The Trail / Re: Safety Class at rausch creek

« on: September 25, 2012, 08:13:44 am »

Update:  Rausch Creek has agreed to let us have access to the property for our "Safety Class" at a greatly reduced rate, since we will only be using the area for a few hours.  However, Rausch Creek has also requested that everyone attending the class be a Rausch Creek member (for insurance purposes.)  With this in mind, the PA Jeeps will pay the dues (15.00) for anyone attending who is not already a member of RC.  You definenatly can not pass up an opportunity like this!!!

35

Monthly Meetings / Information / Re: August Meeting Moved

« on: August 08, 2012, 10:56:39 pm »

Macks Ice Cream Shop
2668 South Queen Street 
York, PA 17402
(717) 741-2027

[/size][/color]

36

Monthly Meetings / Information / August Meeting Moved

« on: August 08, 2012, 10:38:14 pm »

We were informed today by the Parks Dept. that we will not be able to use the parks building for our meeting this week due to the fact that there will be a soccer tournament this Sunday and there will be no parking available. Now, I know I could on about this for quite some time about how this is "BS" but that ain't gonna help the situation.  So at this point, we will be meeting at noon at Macks Ice Cream Shop just just south of Oak St. on Rt. 74 unless you hear differently.  I will post a good address here soon for you GPS users.  Sorry for the short notice, but I just found out myself.   W. 

37

General Discussion / Re: parade

« on: November 01, 2011, 08:30:04 am »

      Please keep in mind this is a "Wheeling Club", with a touch of "Social Club" mixed in because it's a family based Organization and we want to include husbands, wives kids, etc in additional activities.  I don't want to see us get bogged down or stretched too thin because we have all these extra events scheduled.  I would much rather do a couple of events really well, then do a lot of events half-assed.  One sanctioned parade a year is enough for anybody.  The club can decide which it is.  If you start doing too many extra things, with only "X" amount of weekends available, then ultimately the trailride attendance suffers and that's not good for the club as a whole.
      As for the pissing match on this thread, though passionate(BTW that's what makes this Club so great, Passion and Loyalty to the greater good), it is not constructive, therefor it will be ended.  Any further comments can be directed to me via telephone.  thanks and have a fabulous day,  W.
 

38

Regional Issues / Re: DCNR 2011 Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit 09/11-13

« on: September 29, 2011, 08:41:07 am »

Who is available to attend and represent 4WD?
The registration is for a three days or by the day.
Can the board approve reimbursement for folks that will represent the cub?

- Dave

Dave,  The BOD, since I became President has been open ended that, "If you go, we will pay you" reimbursement policy.  All we look for are the obvious receipts for fuel, registration lodging, etc. and a report about what transpired at these meetings.   Let's face it. "Land Use" is a passion and not everyones cup of tea.  Paying for someones time to go to these meetings whether in Pennsylvania, Maryland, where ever is the least that we can do.  That goes for anyone thats a member of this club.  You, Preston, Jeremy, doesn't matter.  The club over the years has donated thousands to United in their pursuit of Land Use nation wide.  It should be no different here in our own backyard.  All the Board asks is a heads up on where your going and what's on the Agenda.  I hope this helps in sparking some interest in this upcoming Summit.  Thanks for everything you do Dave.  I know it can be a thankless (and a bit tedious) job at times.      Wayne

39

Regional Issues / Re: Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Master Plan Public Meeting

« on: July 05, 2011, 07:11:35 am »

I will be attending...

40

PA Jeeps Club Events / Re: Adams Jeep Jam

« on: June 26, 2011, 02:56:10 am »

Not a problem.  I can borrow one thats more local to me.  It's more important that one gets to the show.

41

PA Jeeps Club Events / Re: Adams Jeep Jam

« on: June 21, 2011, 06:58:59 pm »

Can someone tell  me where the RTI Ramp ended up?  Is it still there or did it get taken back to Mt. Zion?

42

Monthly Meetings / Information / Re: May Meeting

« on: May 10, 2011, 07:59:33 am »

Due to some personal family issues, the Newsletter will not be published this month.  Rest assured that the meeting is still set for this Friday the 13th as planned. 
Thanks for your understanding.  Wayne
 

43

Regional Issues / Land Use Meeting March 23, 2011

« on: March 27, 2011, 11:30:58 am »

This is the report that Preston sent out on the Land Use Meeting he attended on Wendesday, March 23.  We will post more info as it becomes availible.  It's a bit lengthy, but reads pretty fast.

Let me give you a brief run down of last night's meeting.

 

The meeting was to start at 7:00pm. I got there about one minute before in the middle of a storm. It was in a round table type layout, like a U shape.

Three reps, from 3 different prescriptions spoke.

Forestry

Fisheries

Wildlife

 Fisheries targeted Poplar Lick. I would say that 4.5 mile trail has about a 1% chance of survival. He really painted a nasty picture for motorized recreation. Unfortunately, there has been enough renegade activity there to give him enough aimo. They took stats from an 8 year period and are using that as their justification for closure. It is technically closed right now. While it has not been of much interest to us, it is the principal.

 Wildlife really had little focus on wildife impacts. He showed a series of photos of renegade, mostly ATV use, but in all fairness, did show some horse, bike and 4x4 damage. This guy is actually an ATV guy. Still, he painted a very gloomy picture. Surprisingly,  as much stuff that he clould have dug up from Green Ridge, he spread it out.
 
Now, Forestry. This is the most complicated situation. The Maryland State Forest Service has a directive from the Governor to get all of the State Forests dual certification. While it does not say motorized recreation has to go, it is a story of compatibility with specific areas that have unique features. Oh, Rattlesnakes may get the south end (the good end) of Stafford Road closed. East Valley is in danger because part of it runs right along the Wildlands (Md's version of WIlderness). Mind you, the road was there long before the Wildlands designation.

While there are ways to work through this, such as road bed relocation, relocating ATVs off of the Forest(s), alternating road./trail openging, this certification drive is not going to fair well for us, as it is now. With that being said, if cooler heads prevail, we may still come out of this okay. Well, unless we sit on our hands.
 
The DNR did admit they should have hooked up with us long before this recommendation came out public. Well, that is a keen sense of the obvious.

They recognize the need to supply trail systems for motorized recreation. A snowmobile rep and I also made it clear that we all have different needs  and for what it is worth. The Snowmobilers feel they are getting the short end of the stick. I wish I had more time. But, that was not the proper forum to get into a discussion as to how much work we have put into their trail system.
 
Each presenter ran over somewhat. Still, we were each given time to speak and not cut off, either. Everone's comments were recorded. While I was given Kudos from the DNR and some other for what I had to say, I wish I could have had my thoughts better organized. There was more than enough comments making cases for us to have access. I targeted most of my comments to the other users in the room. Again, I wish I know it would have been in this forum, so I could have better collected my thoughts. Still, a lot were whining there is no money. That is not entirely true. Terry Maxwell, from Maryland's Federal Recreational Trails Program was there and I told folks that we are always short of Motorized rec. grant requests and that the program is being managed very well now. Then I informed them that they have excellent forest managers to work with. Lastly, I told them that the Managers need our support, such as going to the state legislature and that we usually hear they they do not hear from us.

Still, I did let the DNR know of how much volunteer work we put into the system.

 The Baltimore Four Wheelers, Mid Atlantic Early Broncos, KGB Four Wheelers a Land Cruiser (Bruiser) club  and Big Dogs was represented. One Preservationist, that called himself a "conservationist" was there. He, of course did not support us, at all, but was smart enough to avoid a bitter attack. He was, at least, polite. A rep from Bill's Marine in Deep Creek was there and spoke up.

Every comment was recorded in meeting minutes. Everyone's comments, good and bad.

One major mistake many of the ATV folks made there was to attack the timber industry. We need the timber folks on our side. Little did these folks realize that most of the routes that everyone enjoys either came from the CCC's, Timber skid/tram trails and county roads. Again, I did not go there with the intention of picking a fight with those folks, but I may have should have spoken up about that.

 
They are going to set up a multi-trail user panel. I will see if I can get a seat there. Certainly, not guaranteed. This is going to be a difficult battle. We had probably a better chance of an acceptable outcome, but not at all a given. Everyone needs to step up. They will take comments until the end of April. I think he said the 20th.

 The DNR has this on the fast track. Thus, we have to move very quickly. Our challenge is, it seems that there is a luke warm interest in Green Ridge by the general membership. Folks need to look beyond that and get on the stick, now.
 

I am not sure what kind of standing we would have for Carla to work with, unless her focus remains purely license 4x4's That may not be viewed in a positive light from the ATV users. On the other hand, I did not see them reaching their hands out to us to help them and visa-versa.

 

The Maryland DNR has set up a section on their Website just for this. Remember, go to the Maryland State Forests web site, not State Parks.

I will try to pull up a link for Mike.

 

Here is my initial take on this.

1.) We must flood the DNR with comments. I mean over load. Remember, this impacts much more than just Green Ridge.

a.) Be careful what you put into your comments, as these will be available to the public. Such as, you know we have a sweat deal on Potomac. Do not get into specifics, short of stating that we have developed a good solid working relationship with the Forest Manager. With that being said, lets be careful of how we craft the release to the membership. Again, lets not do well meaning destruction.

b.) Each member should write as an individual/family. If you care to mention being a member of a club, leave it at that. Let a representative(s) from each club make specific references to their club. Remember, each club represents family members. (Membership times 3.5 or 4)

c.) References to specific access requests are good, but I recommend some generalized requests, as well. Lets not limit ourselves.

d.) Ask family, friends and co-workers if they can help. You can help them with some content. Still, let it be their words.

e.) Keep the comments polite and avoid attacks on the DNR or other user groups. That will get us nothing.

f.) Offer some of your own suggestions. I feel these need to come from you, not from me. We do not want our comments pigeon holed.

g.) We need to remain focuses with our comments and not get off the beaten path.

h.) In my opinion, we need to make it clear as to how we are different from the ATV/Motorcycle user in what we like and how we recreate. Still, avoid outright attacks.

I.) support more law enforcement. It is our best friend, with this.

 
2.) If you can, contact your state delegate(s). Tell them what you want. Explain who and what we are. As they say, we are so misunderstood.

 

3.) In both cases, highlight the financial benefits of our presence.

4.) I do not want to talk you into spending you money on Carla. Likely, well spent. Since I am not a lawyer, I not sure what she can do.

a.) With that being said, as far as four wheel drive access, these routes were designated for ORV use in 1976.

b.) Originally, it was directed at the four wheel drive owner that was going there for driving pleasure, rather than hunting or fishing.

c.) Four wheel drive impacts have been extremely low on Maryland State Forests, and that is a fact.

 

5.) Lets discuss the merrits of a press release and what the content should be. Remember,  folks that do not like us will see this, as well.

 

6.) We need to demonstrate demand. Now, take that how you feel you need to, as to accomplish this.

 

7.) We need to look at an education program, as to where we educate our membership, friends and the public. Remember, we need to demonstrate that we are well informed and know what we are talking about.

 

8.) Contacting Jim Mazzola may be a good idea. More than that, get a hold of the current United Director of Environmental Affairs. He will only act, if asked.

 

9.) If you are friends with any local business folks to these areas, speak to them. They have a stake in this.

 

10.) Once we have our act together, now is when we need to pull in those other 4x4 clubs. Even if they do not join, they need to see how this works.

 

11.) Think about how much effort and resources that you would be willing to put into mitagating the current cited issues,  especially on Green Ridge.

If we make a commitment, and I feel we should, we need to follow through on it. Or, at least show that we would.

 

12.) Understand, please, this will have long term impacts to our future on Maryland State Lands.

 

Some side notes. I spoke with Lou Levy and Dana from B4W. It was very congenial. All of the DNR folks I spoke with, were very warm and glad to see us there. One DNR rep from Central Maryland has a state owned built up Jeep, complete with a Warn 9000i. THus, we have some inside support. One of the folks that sits on the Green Ridge Panel with me was there and he was carefully, supportive and was supportive of us.

 

One alternative discussed was finding new sites for ATV use, like old strip mines, sand and gravel pits, etc. The loop may only be closed to ATV's and Unlicensed motorcycles.

 

Wolve Den, that site I mentioned in Kitzmiller was discussed. Right now, there is an issue of land titlement and bankruptacy.

 
I know it does not look like it. I just touched to tip of the ice berg with this.

 Now I need your take on this, so we can develop a consistant direction. We all must be on the same page.

Thanks!

 Preston Stevens / President Middle Atlantic 4WDA

 

44

National Issues / DOI Secretarial Order #3310

« on: January 06, 2011, 04:23:14 pm »

Hi everyone.

 

UFWDA will be posting information in the coming days about Secretarial Order #3310 regarding BLM wilderness inventory under the guise of Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (LWCs).  This is an attempt by BLM and DOI to accomplish through administrative order what they were unable to accomplish through Congress and in the courts. 

As part of our work at UFWDA I am asking for specific help in some states who have Representatives that sit on the House Resources Committee.  We would like to reach out directly and specifically to members of the House Committee on Resources.  Here are the names of the Congressman and their state location.  If you have a relationship with any of these people can you please contact them directly asking them to review Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar’s Secretarial Order #3310?  Once UFWDA posts our information and form letter you will have specific talking points to aide you.  All of these Congressman are Republicans that sit on the House Natural Resources Committee.

 

Don Young (AK)
Elton Gallegly (GA)
John Duncan, Jr. (TN)
Jeff Flake (AZ)
Henry Brown, Jr. (SC)
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)
Louie Gohmert (TX)
Rob Bishop (UT) (also Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, & Public Lands)
Bill Shuster (PA)
Doug Lamborn (CO)
Adrian Smith (NE)
Rob Wittman (VA)
Paul Broun (GA)
John Flming (LA)
Mike Coffman (CO)
Jason Chaffetz (UT)
Cynthia Lummis (WY)
Tom McClintock (CA)
Bill Cassidy (LA)

 
If you make contact please let me know the response you receive.  If you need any help please e-mail me directly and let me know. 


Thank you for your support.


Carla

 ccboucher@cox.net
Carla Boucher, Attorney
P.O. Box 15696
Chesapeake, VA  23328
(757) 373-6065

45

General Discussion / Uniteds New Website

« on: October 16, 2010, 07:26:58 pm »

UNITED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ASSOCIATIONS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE!

[/size]

United Four Wheel Drive Associations has launched a new website with a brand new look and
some great new features. UFWDA now has a letter generator and a section of the site that allows
you to access your congressman with all of their contact information in one quick and easy
location. You can subscribe to our new Land Use Bulletins and much more! Please check out our
new site and take a look around at www.ufwda.org.

United Four Wheel Drive Associations would like to extend our gratitude to PA Jeeps for
funding the new site and for all of their support!

[/size]


Richard Drechsel
Director of Public Relations
UFWDA
P.O. Box 16982
Chesapeake, VA 23328

email: PRdirector @ UFWDA.ORG


Just as a follow up. United gave the PA Jeeps a really great spot on the front page of the siite.  Go there and check it out!!!
     Wayne