inkpot
SILVER Star
Howdy! This is a spinoff of two other threads, 1 on state land permits, and the other on "wake up and smell the politics". The vast majority of OHV owners have no idea what is happening politically in Arizona to restrict land access, but it is happening. I started getting involved in this several years ago, but my work schedule has changed and it has made it difficult to go to most of these meetings. Everyone needs to read this and get a general idea of what is going on. This is the most recent update from the most knowledgable and active person I know. This issue includes closing 90% of the trails around Florence Junction.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandee McCullen [mailto:sandee@mccullens.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:28 AM
To: Sandee McCullen
Subject: Copper Sticker needs letters ASAP
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CLUB MEMBERS AND POST ON EVERY AVAILABLE WEB
PAGE YOU CAN FIND.............. THANKS!!!
Copper Sticker proposal
OHV Enthusiasts,
I know this is lengthy but it is the background info regarding the proposed
Copper Sticker (OHV Use Permit) proposed for legislation submission on Dec.
8, 2006. The "draft" as posted on the Game & Fish WEB site is NOT what the
OHV community or workgroup supports. It's CLOSE but if left "open ended" OHV
LOSE and the Enviros WIN. PLEASE take a few minutes and read this and then
cut and paste the 5 issues and any of the suggested issues into your
personal mail and send to Game & Fish immediately. OUR FUTURE depends on ALL
OHV sending in their comments. You can be assured the radical
environmentalists are doing just that!!!!!
Please forward this to your club/group, friends, fellow OHV'ers, family, or
neighbors. Out of state groups can also be a help.
You can download the draft legislation and get additional information at the
department's Web site at azgfd.gov/coppersticker. You can submit your
opinion in two simple ways: through that Game and Fish Web site or by U.S.
mail to OHV Comments, c/o Joe Sacco, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221
W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023-4399. www.jsacco@azgfd.gov
History:
The planning on this started behind closed doors with Game & Fish and Law
Enforcement approximately 5-6 years ago. There were rumors Game & Fish were
looking at all the dollars being dedicated to Law Enforcement. Two years ago
there were "select" persons from the OHV community invited to join this work
group. This group met monthly or nearly monthly working through OHV laws and
how to fund. Again, the original percentages dedicated the larger portion to
Game & Fish. This was an intense process as each time the group, as a whole,
agreed on a supporting issue when it came back to the table it had been
changed. This went on for months. We were told the draft proposal would go
to the public and the legislators prior to submission. Then suddenly a bill
appeared within the House that no one knew about. This bill was killed, and
revived in the Senate with Senator Flake supporting it. This bill was close
to what the workgroup had agreed but it was missing several important issues
that had again been deleted or changed. This was never resolved by the time
the bill started through the committees. The committees tore the proposal
apart. This was from pulling all OHV laws; deleting the Copper Sticker
funding; pulling the OHV funding from State Parks and directing to G&F to
the OHV laws back in but with no penalties allowed. This was also killed
only to be revived again through a Striker Bill. This was left to die a
natural death at the end of legislative session. We were always told this
was intended to be a User Driven Bill.
Back to the table. Game & Fish requested the OHV partners draft a proposal
to present to the group. This was done. The following meeting all issues
were agreed to except the seats on the Arizona State Parks OHV Advisory
Group. The Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Coalition met and agreed on a
compromise to present. This compromise was submitted to Game & Fish at the
next meeting of the work group. There was no discussion and no
consideration. It was then announced this was not a User Driven Bill, it was
now to be presented as a "Cooperative Bill". Game & Fish had already made
plans to go forth to the public WITHOUT a presentation the group had agreed
to.
G&F seem to believe this money is THEIRS........ To do with as they and/or
the G&F Commission wish. IT IS NOT THEIRS. G&F are simply WELL PAID
"ADMINISTORS". The recommendations of how and where the 50% OHV dollars go
is up to the OHV Advisory Group. It is OUR money. "USER PAY, USER RECEIVE"
At this time G&F have just finished ten public meetings across the
state.......... Almost no ASA4WDC clubs were represented at any of them. It
may be that many of you don't want a Use Sticker but at this time THERE WILL
BE ONE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. The problem is:
*** The "draft" as it is right now is NOT what the workgroup or the OHV
group agreed to. It is CLOSE. The OHV laws are good and the basic concept is
good. But no matter what the workgroup agreed to It was always turned to
what G&F and the ENVIROS want. IF OHV do not get the issues listed below
into this draft, the dollars WE will be REQUIRED to pay will go to G&F and
the ENVIROS.
*** The other side of this issue is if G&F go ahead and submit to
legislation the draft as it exists right now without support of the OHV
community we can kill the bill like last year BUT if we kill it this year,
and I'm certain we can, the counties are now waiting in the sidelines to
implement their own permits for each county and ALL these dollars go to the
specific county.............. NOTHING to OHV or our issues. OR, the feds
will simply implement numerous OHV FEE AREAS that will be much more than
$10.00 - $15.00 per year. OHV MUST step up to the plate and help "support
their own". If land managers cannot MANAGE the lands as mandated, WE LOSE.
They will close trails to meet what they determine they can "manage".
These are a MUST:
1. This "bill" MUST be submitted as a USER DRIVEN BILL.
(this has always been supported as a USER DRIVEN bill.... the first the
workgroup heard of anything different was the LAST workgroup meeting prior
to the public meetings.)
2. The Advisory Group MUST REMAIN as it is. ALL members must represent an
OHV organization and the two public at large must represent casual
recreation with knowledge and support of OHV.( This DEMAND from G&F to
REQUIRE G&F be allowed THREE automatic appointments to the Advisory Group
each year was first brought up at the LAST workgroup meeting before the
public meetings. This demand came from the Environmental groups. Sierra Club
and CBD are the two leaders. They DEMAND seats on the OHV board, the DEMAND
"No dollars from this fund go to "opening new trails", They DEMAND 60% - 75%
of the OHV 50% for law enforcement and an additional 20% of the 50% to
Environmental rehab. No other Advisory Board in the state have OHV
members.... The History; Archaeology; non-motorized trails (remember, we
share the RTP dollars from Federal Highways 50/50 with non-motorized now);
etc..... If the environmentals get seats on OHVAG we'll end up like
California within 3 years. NOTE #1: Also remember, this Advisory Group
already oversees the OHV Gas Tax funds and the RTP funds. The enviros would
also have a say in the disbursements of these dollars also!!!!!!!!!!
NOTE #2: The Coalition Resolution had originally offered a "compromise"
regarding the "mandatory 3 seats for G&F on the Advisory Board". It was 2
seats with some parameters to keep the "die hard environmentalists at bay".
G&F has refused to even consider this compromise so the OHV Coalition has
pulled this offer and are supporting "Leave the OHVAG as is".)
3. The 60% cap on the individual catagories from the 50% OHV dollars MUST
have a time limit. "The cap cannot be used in the same disbursement category
two or more consecutive years".
(if no guidelines G&F will direct 60% of the OHV grants portion (50%) to law
enforcement each year. G&F are already telling the enviros they can receive
60% of the 50% for law enforcement and/or enviromental rehab under a "Long
term agreement". G&F have announced in the public meetings they plan on
using this 50% of OHV funds to fund "long term funding". Remember, G&F
already receive 7% for administering the fund; 15% for JUST G&F law
enforcement; and an additional 15% for OHV education!!! They receive 30% of
the Gas Tax dollars now ($800,000.00) for OHV law enforcement and
education.... When's the last time anyone within OHV see any of these funds
used for them? The OHV Education trailer is now sitting at the Ben Avery
Shooting Range being used as an office!!!!!
4. ALL motorized vehicles that travel off a highway or maintained road must
require a Copper Sticker.
(The "workgroup" proposed EVERYONE be required a sticker but G&F have time
and time again changed it back to THEIR WAY. They claim the legislators will
"not approve a double tax on licensed vehicles". Duh!! The proposal as is
written by G&F is: ALL licensed and unlicensed ATV's; ALL licensed and
unlicensed dirt bikes & dual sport bikes; but ONLY UNLICENSED UTV's (rhinos,
golf carts) and full sized vehicles. WHY would it not be a double tax on
ATV's and bikes if this was the reason. The real reason is IF it affects ALL
it means the Sierra Clubbers; CBD; mountain bikers; bird watchers; and
equestrian that actually DRIVE OFF the maintained roads that their LICENSE
PAYS TO MAINTAIN will have to have a Copper Sticker. It doesn't matter if
their 1st choice of sport is 'motorized recreation', they need to help pay
for the maintenance of the trails and the management and education of
ethical use just the same. There are exemption allowances for ranchers,
miners, and county/state maintenance)
5. The "fee" MUST BE SET BY THE ADVISORY BOARD, NOT the G&F Commission.
(there is no reason G&F Commission should have any say in this fund other
than the mandated "yea or nay" approval/disapproval. The Advisory Group
should make the recommendations. This issue was discussed at length in the
workgroup. It was always agreed the fee would "NOT exceed $20.00". The
recommended fee was $15.00. Not sure when G&F slipped this new "commission
rules" phrase in but remember the enviros definitely are in bed with G&F.
This fee was agreed to because it fits with the surrounding states and also
allows for reciprocity.
NOTE: The workgroup also recommended there be a "family discount of 1/2 fee"
for all vehicles titled to the same person. G&F have ignored this.
These are issues that are important but won't make or break the bill or
specifically hurt OHV:
In view that G&F have refused to even look at the compromise from the OHV
Coalition re the "seats on the OHV Advisory Board" the Coalition has pulled
it's support of a compromise. We ask the Advisory group remain as is.
(Remember, if G&F or the enviros have 3 of 7 seats their involvement (which
you all know is not OHV positive) will also affect the OHV Gas Tax dollars
and the RTP (Federal Hwy's Recreational Trails Program). We'd end up like
California in 3 years where 9/10 of the OHV dollars go to the enviros.
A. To allow any event or action under a Special Permit or hunting fishing
license, while actively hunting or fishing, shall be exempt from the CS
requirement.
(this was an agreed on issue but we are hearing from the meetings many
simply want the permit to be for EVERYONE. No exceptions. )
B. State Land Dept. MUST allow the Copper Sticker to replace the State Land
Permit.
(as it is now is we can "cross" but not park, camp, stop, unload etc under
the CS. The 10% of $4,000,000.00 would amount to $400,000.00 to use for law
enforcement OR land mitigation or improvements. The State Trust Land permit
at it's highest (9/10 OHV holders) brought in $125,000.00. I would think
$400,000.00 should allow us some compensations)
C. Require 1% of the 18% to G&F Education OR the 15% G&F Law Enforcement, to
be directed to Search & Rescue.
(this has been asked for and approved numerous times in the past by the
workgroup but G&F say it cannot be done. SAR say YES it can)
D. Ask the dealers be allowed to sell permits.
(last week was the FIRST time they agreed to this. Don't let them back down)
E. Ask the permits be "Year to date" rather than a calendar year.
(a calendar year simply makes for a backlog at the beginning of the year and
does not allow for pro-rated permits purchased later in the year)
Add any/all issues you believe need to be in the bill to "cover and
safeguard against loop holes for OHV".
__________________
Sandee
<http://www.asa4wdc.org>
President AZ RockRats <http://www.rockrats.org/> www.rockrats.org
Vice President AZOHVC www.azohv.org
Personal Web page: <http://www.hacklesjeep.com> www.hacklesjeep.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandee McCullen [mailto:sandee@mccullens.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 6:28 AM
To: Sandee McCullen
Subject: Copper Sticker needs letters ASAP
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CLUB MEMBERS AND POST ON EVERY AVAILABLE WEB
PAGE YOU CAN FIND.............. THANKS!!!
Copper Sticker proposal
OHV Enthusiasts,
I know this is lengthy but it is the background info regarding the proposed
Copper Sticker (OHV Use Permit) proposed for legislation submission on Dec.
8, 2006. The "draft" as posted on the Game & Fish WEB site is NOT what the
OHV community or workgroup supports. It's CLOSE but if left "open ended" OHV
LOSE and the Enviros WIN. PLEASE take a few minutes and read this and then
cut and paste the 5 issues and any of the suggested issues into your
personal mail and send to Game & Fish immediately. OUR FUTURE depends on ALL
OHV sending in their comments. You can be assured the radical
environmentalists are doing just that!!!!!
Please forward this to your club/group, friends, fellow OHV'ers, family, or
neighbors. Out of state groups can also be a help.
You can download the draft legislation and get additional information at the
department's Web site at azgfd.gov/coppersticker. You can submit your
opinion in two simple ways: through that Game and Fish Web site or by U.S.
mail to OHV Comments, c/o Joe Sacco, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221
W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85023-4399. www.jsacco@azgfd.gov
History:
The planning on this started behind closed doors with Game & Fish and Law
Enforcement approximately 5-6 years ago. There were rumors Game & Fish were
looking at all the dollars being dedicated to Law Enforcement. Two years ago
there were "select" persons from the OHV community invited to join this work
group. This group met monthly or nearly monthly working through OHV laws and
how to fund. Again, the original percentages dedicated the larger portion to
Game & Fish. This was an intense process as each time the group, as a whole,
agreed on a supporting issue when it came back to the table it had been
changed. This went on for months. We were told the draft proposal would go
to the public and the legislators prior to submission. Then suddenly a bill
appeared within the House that no one knew about. This bill was killed, and
revived in the Senate with Senator Flake supporting it. This bill was close
to what the workgroup had agreed but it was missing several important issues
that had again been deleted or changed. This was never resolved by the time
the bill started through the committees. The committees tore the proposal
apart. This was from pulling all OHV laws; deleting the Copper Sticker
funding; pulling the OHV funding from State Parks and directing to G&F to
the OHV laws back in but with no penalties allowed. This was also killed
only to be revived again through a Striker Bill. This was left to die a
natural death at the end of legislative session. We were always told this
was intended to be a User Driven Bill.
Back to the table. Game & Fish requested the OHV partners draft a proposal
to present to the group. This was done. The following meeting all issues
were agreed to except the seats on the Arizona State Parks OHV Advisory
Group. The Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Coalition met and agreed on a
compromise to present. This compromise was submitted to Game & Fish at the
next meeting of the work group. There was no discussion and no
consideration. It was then announced this was not a User Driven Bill, it was
now to be presented as a "Cooperative Bill". Game & Fish had already made
plans to go forth to the public WITHOUT a presentation the group had agreed
to.
G&F seem to believe this money is THEIRS........ To do with as they and/or
the G&F Commission wish. IT IS NOT THEIRS. G&F are simply WELL PAID
"ADMINISTORS". The recommendations of how and where the 50% OHV dollars go
is up to the OHV Advisory Group. It is OUR money. "USER PAY, USER RECEIVE"
At this time G&F have just finished ten public meetings across the
state.......... Almost no ASA4WDC clubs were represented at any of them. It
may be that many of you don't want a Use Sticker but at this time THERE WILL
BE ONE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. The problem is:
*** The "draft" as it is right now is NOT what the workgroup or the OHV
group agreed to. It is CLOSE. The OHV laws are good and the basic concept is
good. But no matter what the workgroup agreed to It was always turned to
what G&F and the ENVIROS want. IF OHV do not get the issues listed below
into this draft, the dollars WE will be REQUIRED to pay will go to G&F and
the ENVIROS.
*** The other side of this issue is if G&F go ahead and submit to
legislation the draft as it exists right now without support of the OHV
community we can kill the bill like last year BUT if we kill it this year,
and I'm certain we can, the counties are now waiting in the sidelines to
implement their own permits for each county and ALL these dollars go to the
specific county.............. NOTHING to OHV or our issues. OR, the feds
will simply implement numerous OHV FEE AREAS that will be much more than
$10.00 - $15.00 per year. OHV MUST step up to the plate and help "support
their own". If land managers cannot MANAGE the lands as mandated, WE LOSE.
They will close trails to meet what they determine they can "manage".
These are a MUST:
1. This "bill" MUST be submitted as a USER DRIVEN BILL.
(this has always been supported as a USER DRIVEN bill.... the first the
workgroup heard of anything different was the LAST workgroup meeting prior
to the public meetings.)
2. The Advisory Group MUST REMAIN as it is. ALL members must represent an
OHV organization and the two public at large must represent casual
recreation with knowledge and support of OHV.( This DEMAND from G&F to
REQUIRE G&F be allowed THREE automatic appointments to the Advisory Group
each year was first brought up at the LAST workgroup meeting before the
public meetings. This demand came from the Environmental groups. Sierra Club
and CBD are the two leaders. They DEMAND seats on the OHV board, the DEMAND
"No dollars from this fund go to "opening new trails", They DEMAND 60% - 75%
of the OHV 50% for law enforcement and an additional 20% of the 50% to
Environmental rehab. No other Advisory Board in the state have OHV
members.... The History; Archaeology; non-motorized trails (remember, we
share the RTP dollars from Federal Highways 50/50 with non-motorized now);
etc..... If the environmentals get seats on OHVAG we'll end up like
California within 3 years. NOTE #1: Also remember, this Advisory Group
already oversees the OHV Gas Tax funds and the RTP funds. The enviros would
also have a say in the disbursements of these dollars also!!!!!!!!!!
NOTE #2: The Coalition Resolution had originally offered a "compromise"
regarding the "mandatory 3 seats for G&F on the Advisory Board". It was 2
seats with some parameters to keep the "die hard environmentalists at bay".
G&F has refused to even consider this compromise so the OHV Coalition has
pulled this offer and are supporting "Leave the OHVAG as is".)
3. The 60% cap on the individual catagories from the 50% OHV dollars MUST
have a time limit. "The cap cannot be used in the same disbursement category
two or more consecutive years".
(if no guidelines G&F will direct 60% of the OHV grants portion (50%) to law
enforcement each year. G&F are already telling the enviros they can receive
60% of the 50% for law enforcement and/or enviromental rehab under a "Long
term agreement". G&F have announced in the public meetings they plan on
using this 50% of OHV funds to fund "long term funding". Remember, G&F
already receive 7% for administering the fund; 15% for JUST G&F law
enforcement; and an additional 15% for OHV education!!! They receive 30% of
the Gas Tax dollars now ($800,000.00) for OHV law enforcement and
education.... When's the last time anyone within OHV see any of these funds
used for them? The OHV Education trailer is now sitting at the Ben Avery
Shooting Range being used as an office!!!!!
4. ALL motorized vehicles that travel off a highway or maintained road must
require a Copper Sticker.
(The "workgroup" proposed EVERYONE be required a sticker but G&F have time
and time again changed it back to THEIR WAY. They claim the legislators will
"not approve a double tax on licensed vehicles". Duh!! The proposal as is
written by G&F is: ALL licensed and unlicensed ATV's; ALL licensed and
unlicensed dirt bikes & dual sport bikes; but ONLY UNLICENSED UTV's (rhinos,
golf carts) and full sized vehicles. WHY would it not be a double tax on
ATV's and bikes if this was the reason. The real reason is IF it affects ALL
it means the Sierra Clubbers; CBD; mountain bikers; bird watchers; and
equestrian that actually DRIVE OFF the maintained roads that their LICENSE
PAYS TO MAINTAIN will have to have a Copper Sticker. It doesn't matter if
their 1st choice of sport is 'motorized recreation', they need to help pay
for the maintenance of the trails and the management and education of
ethical use just the same. There are exemption allowances for ranchers,
miners, and county/state maintenance)
5. The "fee" MUST BE SET BY THE ADVISORY BOARD, NOT the G&F Commission.
(there is no reason G&F Commission should have any say in this fund other
than the mandated "yea or nay" approval/disapproval. The Advisory Group
should make the recommendations. This issue was discussed at length in the
workgroup. It was always agreed the fee would "NOT exceed $20.00". The
recommended fee was $15.00. Not sure when G&F slipped this new "commission
rules" phrase in but remember the enviros definitely are in bed with G&F.
This fee was agreed to because it fits with the surrounding states and also
allows for reciprocity.
NOTE: The workgroup also recommended there be a "family discount of 1/2 fee"
for all vehicles titled to the same person. G&F have ignored this.
These are issues that are important but won't make or break the bill or
specifically hurt OHV:
In view that G&F have refused to even look at the compromise from the OHV
Coalition re the "seats on the OHV Advisory Board" the Coalition has pulled
it's support of a compromise. We ask the Advisory group remain as is.
(Remember, if G&F or the enviros have 3 of 7 seats their involvement (which
you all know is not OHV positive) will also affect the OHV Gas Tax dollars
and the RTP (Federal Hwy's Recreational Trails Program). We'd end up like
California in 3 years where 9/10 of the OHV dollars go to the enviros.
A. To allow any event or action under a Special Permit or hunting fishing
license, while actively hunting or fishing, shall be exempt from the CS
requirement.
(this was an agreed on issue but we are hearing from the meetings many
simply want the permit to be for EVERYONE. No exceptions. )
B. State Land Dept. MUST allow the Copper Sticker to replace the State Land
Permit.
(as it is now is we can "cross" but not park, camp, stop, unload etc under
the CS. The 10% of $4,000,000.00 would amount to $400,000.00 to use for law
enforcement OR land mitigation or improvements. The State Trust Land permit
at it's highest (9/10 OHV holders) brought in $125,000.00. I would think
$400,000.00 should allow us some compensations)
C. Require 1% of the 18% to G&F Education OR the 15% G&F Law Enforcement, to
be directed to Search & Rescue.
(this has been asked for and approved numerous times in the past by the
workgroup but G&F say it cannot be done. SAR say YES it can)
D. Ask the dealers be allowed to sell permits.
(last week was the FIRST time they agreed to this. Don't let them back down)
E. Ask the permits be "Year to date" rather than a calendar year.
(a calendar year simply makes for a backlog at the beginning of the year and
does not allow for pro-rated permits purchased later in the year)
Add any/all issues you believe need to be in the bill to "cover and
safeguard against loop holes for OHV".
__________________
Sandee
<http://www.asa4wdc.org>
President AZ RockRats <http://www.rockrats.org/> www.rockrats.org
Vice President AZOHVC www.azohv.org
Personal Web page: <http://www.hacklesjeep.com> www.hacklesjeep.com
today. 
because they are well organized and they will be sending in tons of ressponses on this issue. Don't act surprised
when you are required to have a Copper State 
Permit sticker to go on your favorite trails. It is coming
will become nothing but a golf cart with good traction. 
