During the first week of March a group of OHV representatives made another trek to the Capitol of this country to promote and educate our representatives in Washington, DC about off-road issues. We have made this voyage enough times now that our elected representatives, as well as the key people within the Department of the Interior (DOI), know who we are!

Bob Mason, Chairman of the American Sand Association (ASA); Harold Soens, President of the San Diego Off-Road Coalition (SDORC); and Roy Denner, President and CEO of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) were accompanied by California OHV lobbyist Pete Conaty and Washington OHV lobbyist Paul Kavinoky as they visited Congressional offices and DOI officials.

Congressional Representatives were encouraged to not support efforts to create more wilderness in this country without demanding compensation for OHV recreation opportunities lost when wilderness is designated. The group distributed a report prepared by Ed Waldheim, President of the California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) and member of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The report shows that the Forest Service and the BLM are each running about $7 million under-funded just in California to provide necessary services to off-road areas that they manage. Appeals were made to Congress to submit letters to the Appropriations Committee to correct this funding problem. The lack of funds to adequately manage OHV areas can lead to more and more closures of public lands to vehicle access.

BLM's National Law Enforcement Director, Bill Woody, asked for input regarding law enforcement measures he feels are necessary at motorized OHV areas. A major concern involves the use of alcohol. The OHV representatives support the idea that laws regarding alcohol for on-road driving should apply across-the-board to off-road areas. All agreed that no additional laws are necessary for off-road areas - the existing laws just need to be enforced. Woody is looking for support from the OHV community to get the word out that adequate law enforcement is necessary to assure continuing safe management of vehicle recreation areas. OHV leaders are pushing for more funding from Congress and from the Green Sticker program to support law enforcement in California OHV recreation areas.

Don Charpio, National Recreation Director for the BLM, met with the OHV team to discuss cooperative efforts between the BLM and the OHV community as well as funding needs for OHV management. Don has been named, by BLM Director Kathleen Clarke, as ORBA's direct contact person to support ongoing efforts in which ORBA is involved in Nevada and Arizona.

Congressman Richard Pombo, Chairman of the House Resources Committee, and Resources Committee Legislative Staff Rob Howarth met with the group to discuss Congressman Pombo's plans to update the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to make it more effective and more realistic. Pombo and Howarth agreed to assist with plans for a national motorized OHV Summit Meeting in Washington, DC in September. OHV groups from across the country will be walking the halls of Congress at that time to promote motorized OHV recreation and the need for an overhaul of the ESA.

The group met with Congressman Duncan Hunter to provide him with an update of the status of the Recreation Area Management Plan for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA). Although the ISDRA is no longer in Hunter's district, he still supports OHV efforts at the ISDRA since a huge number of his constituents recreate there. He has been a long-time advocate for getting the closed areas at the ISDRA reopened.

The ISDRA is now in the Congressional District represented by Congressman Bob Filner. Congressman Filner welcomed the OHV team and was anxious to discuss his support for OHV recreation at the ISDRA. Filner sits on the Transportation Committee where he has submitted a request for $1 million in funding to start the construction of a visitor's center at the ISDRA. He rightfully believes that this world-class recreation area should include a visitor's center where travelers can learn more about the ISDRA and the importance of OHV recreation to the local economy.

Congressman Filner also voiced his support of the United Desert Gateway (UDG) organization. The UDG is composed of representatives from local communities around the ISDRA working with the American Sand Association and the BLM to promote OHV recreation at the ISDRA. Filner is working directly with UDG representatives to help secure funding to conduct the public outreach programs that the UDG is proposing.

Congressman Jim Costa also met personally with the OHV team and was updated on OHV issues concerning federally managed motorized OHV recreation areas.

Staff representatives from Congressional offices and Senate offices from several western states were updated on OHV issues and concerns by the group.

Over-all it was a very busy, but very productive, trip. Legislators and Department of the Interior officials are realizing that the OHV recreation community in this country is becoming a powerful force that represents a huge economic impact - to say nothing of an enormous pile of votes. Wouldn't it be great if every OHV enthusiast in this country went to the polls on Election Day?