IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 17, 2006 - While MIC and SVIA have provided the primary source of funding for the National OHV Conservation Council (NOHVCC) for many years, we are pleased to announce that NOHVCC Project Administrator Dana Bell will be officially recognized as the MIC Liaison to NOHVCC, effective Jan. 1, 2006. This change more accurately reflects the cooperation between MIC and NOHVCC.

Formerly a nationally ranked enduro competitor, Bell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in biological sciences form California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She is a member of the California OHV Stakeholder Roundtable, and past executive board member for American Trails. In 2002, Dana was one of the eight team members on the American Frontiers Public Lands Journey, a 60-day, 3,000-mile journey from the Mexican and Canadian borders to Salt Lake City, Utah to raise awareness for national public lands. Bell worked for six years as the Western States Representative for AMA before joining NOHVCC in 1999.

In her role as Project Administrator for NOHVCC, Bell provides invaluable expertise, experience and leadership for many of the NOHVCC programs that MIC has supported over the years. These programs include:

NOHVCC OHV Recreation Management Workshops bring together decision makers, resource specialists, recreation planners, and OHV enthusiasts in order to create a better understanding of OHV public needs and desires; to examine environmental issues surrounding OHV activity; to promote more effective ways to manage OHV recreation; and to enhance the planning, design, and maintenance of quality OHV trails, trail systems, and areas. These management workshops are statewide in scope and developed in cooperation with local USFS, BLM (where appropriate), and state agencies to build on existing levels of expertise and to address local situations and issues.

NOHVCC also works with government jurisdictions, private landowners and OHV rider organizations to provide expert consulting in OHV park and trail design, construction, and maintenance and provides training videos and manuals on numerous subjects including planning, implementing and running an OHV riding park, volunteer development, trail conservation and public relations.

NOHVCC OHV State Association Development Workshops include the process and resources to develop, enhance, or re-establish a recognized, statewide, inclusive association of OHV recreation interests. NOHVCC also offers club start up kits outlining everything one needs to know about starting and maintaining a successful OHV riding club.

NOHVCC Youth Development Programs offer a variety of brochures and manuals designed for youngsters or groups of kids who are interested in getting involved in OHV trail riding. Adventure Trail Posters and Activity Books form the core of an interactive youth program, featuring trail ethics and safety messages in a fun manner. The books and posters are available to any OHV group, dealer, or land management organization.

This change is reflective of MIC's commitment to land use issues and to promoting and preserving OHV recreational opportunities. Of the combined 2006 MIC and SVIA Government Relations budgets, 66 percent is devoted to land use activities.

Other current motorized access advocacy efforts include:

• MIC's intervention in a Bluewater Network lawsuit against the National Park Service to Protect OHV Access on Public Lands (see Statement from MIC)
• MIC is actively working to ensure that the U.S. Forest Service final OHV route designation rule, issued in November, is successfully implemented. We have had numerous meetings with Forest Service staff and are using our public lands advocacy arm, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), as the umbrella organization to coordinate the efforts of diverse OHV groups. The Rule requires each National Forest to establish an inventory of roads, trails, and areas available for OHV use. Once these roads, trails, and areas are designated, motor vehicle use will be authorized in these areas only, unless exempted from the designations. ARRA spearheaded a January meeting with Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth and Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop so that MIC, SVIA and other OHV stakeholders - AMA, BRC, NOHVCC, American Council of Snowmobile Associations and United Four-Wheel Drive Associations - could re-emphasize our collective commitment to cooperate with the Forest Service to the fullest extent possible during the implementation phase and thereafter and to raise issues of potential concern and seek clarification. ARRA also organized meetings with key Congressional staff members to begin an intensive lobbying effort to secure funding for the implementation process and for Forest Service trail and road maintenance. MIC and SVIA, in conjunction with NOHVCC, are planning a series of workshops for Forest Service personnel responsible for route designations to familiarize them with user needs, management strategies and trail system planning and design.
• MIC has recently retained professional advocates in New York and Pennsylvania to work with OHV rider associations in those states on facilitating off-highway motorcycle and ATV recreation opportunities.
• Following our successful effort in Texas in 2005 to enact a state OHV Trails Program law to fund OHV area development and maintenance, we are continuing to work to ensure that the program is properly implemented. In January, we worked to support a motion approved by the Parks and Wildlife Commission to approve $1.3 million in funding for a Texas Motorized Trail Coalition proposal to acquire over 3,300 acres in Crockett County for development of a public OHV recreation area.