Just checking, if you do charge it is a commercial event. Most folks don't know that, and it can get kind of sticky when the rules are not followed - even though most folks don't know the rules. Under 75 folks and free - come on down (or up). Over 75 (and free) is called non-commercial group and does require a permit. These permits are mainly due to health and safety reasons, numbers of riders at one time for emergency services, etc. As you might expect a group of 200 might cause some concerns if an event coincides with the annual "red ear slider" turtle races (or whatever).

I will make sure we will have lots of information on what's going on with ATV mapping in preparation for September 2008 when it kicks in. Have some trash bags for folks, new maps, stuff like that maybe in a packet. What would you like to see on-the-ground from us that might help get the word out?

Recreation corridors and big game retrieval is the hot topic right now, don't know which way that will eventually settle.

quote:

Originally posted by Smokey the Bear:
Hey folks, don’t shoot the messenger. There will still be over 500 miles of roads and trails open on the Mena/Oden of the Ouachita. The plan is to keep all the roads we can open to highway and OHV’s, not to close roads to OHV’s and allow highway traffic only. That’s a change in the mapping since the Open Houses. Around WPG most roads are County. Even with co-jurisdiction they will still be available for riding OHV’s. Some of the info ya’ll submitted are roads N 49A, N28, N30D, 525, N35, 7162, 7160 (seasonal only), N80 & N80 A (seasonal only) 511, 512 (Mena/Oden only), & N 76 will still all be open except the seasonal ones listed. We will be asking for some help in trying to limit some of the damage in a few places we are getting, mainly into the Caney Crk. Wilderness and some into the Brushy Crk. Country. WPG is alive and well, we will need to chat on the proposed rally coming up in October – I’ll be in touch. Maybe I can keep up with some info if ya’ll are interested in learning from the horses **** mouth.

The AOCA - Arkansas Off Highway Vehical Conservation Association just had their 1st organizational meeting. I am sure you will be hearing from us in the future.

There won't be near that many people going plus it is free. The only thing we will charge for and that is trail gas which is 8 bucks a gallon. It is just a ride for friends to get together and have some fun without alcohol on the trails. Some people have not ridden this area and would like to see it.

Ronnie

Ronnie, you know you ain't got no friends except the ones you pay. Just kidding. This is going to be a great time. Looking forward to meeting some of these people. See you may be on Denvers ride too. Hope you can make that one.

It sounds as if you are a Forrest Ranger from the Mena area. Am I right? We would like anything that you could bring to the ride. There should be a couple of the ATV community represenatives there as well. We would like to work with you anyway we can and would like for you to join us. We ride alcohol free on the trails and are a responsible group to ride with.

Ronnie

Been in touch with one of your officers (AOCA) and plan to meet and greet. The Proposed Action for ATV trails on the Ouachita is December 1, I believe. I'm open anytime to talk or visit on OHVing.

Where do we get in touch with you?

Ronnie

I try to get to WPG every other week either on a Honda or a Ford. Ya'll tell me what you'd like to see as an information packet, other than what I've already blabbed on about...

We'll set up a rendezvous point somewhere for that ride. I haven't been over the new trail yet that bypasses rd. 243 (I think that's it). Remember, there will be a detour south of the North Trailhead for construction of a new box culvert probably starting in September for about 6 weeks. Will be able to pass on OHV's but highway rigs probably won't. I don't have my map here at the house but I believe it's Gap Creek (that or Boardcamp).

(479) 394 - 2382 during business hours - ask for the Ranger. I carry a cell but seldom turn it on. I'll give E-mail address to callers.

quote:

Originally posted by Smokey the Bear:
Been in touch with one of your officers (AOCA) and plan to meet and greet. The Proposed Action for ATV trails on the Ouachita is December 1, I believe. I'm open anytime to talk or visit on OHVing.

First of all, welcome.We need a lot of help.Who contacted you? Was it Lynn? What proposed action for ATV's on Dec 1st (2007 or 2008)as we have been told all along Sept 2008 was the date.? Is the District east of you the Womble/Silver District? If so who would we(AOCA)need to talk to about road 99? Thanks ahead of time for any info you can help us with.
Ed Fulton

Contact the Womble office (USFS) in Mt. Ida for road 99. I don't know the contact person there, they have lost a few folks (moved on) in recreation and trails. The office folks can give you the name of whomever is doing that for them.

Proposed Action - after the open houses and all the comments have been gathered (I believe there are something like 182 pages for all five districts), the planning team will develop a proposed action based on government and public input to come up with a proposed trail system. Input as to which roads folks would like to have open, which roads folks would like to have closed (there were a lot of these - surprised me), the USFS list of roads recommending closure, game retrieval, recreation corridors, etc. Once the Proposed Action is complete it will be mailed out to all who commented or requested notification for comments on that Action. There will be a 30 day comment period, the comments will be assembled, and then a Decision will be rendered based on the NEPA Document with regard for the comments. I believe the comment period will be in January but will know more tomorrow when I get back from Hot Springs looking at these timelines.

Forgot - nothing will change the way folks ride now until September of 2008.

Thanks for your help.

Just a reminder that muzzleloading season will be in during the scheduled ride. Might want to wear orange as a precaution.

Hey Smokey the Bear, welcome to Quad Squad!!!

I wanted to say thank you for posting the information you have its nice to see the enforcers of these riding areas on here and actually talking with the riders who ride these areas. Alot of these laws are pretty grey and leave some areas open for interpretation.

At any rate welcome to the forum, and we look forward to meeting with you, and making sure we are all on the same page.

I’m just a local yokel ATV rider that loves to ride roads and trails. I am, however, also employed in the decision making and enforcement end of things. Not bad, just is. I will try and relay folks any and all information I can as it relates to the MVUM process, to make sure you can help me make the best decision for everybody concerned in this local area. This is the biggest (in my opinion) undertaking the forest service has ever done in its 100 year history. Maybe something bigger happened in the past but we didn’t have instantaneous networking like we do now and the numbers of OHV’s just keeps growing. Our national forests are being pulled in every direction by every user group out there. There are some who don’t want any OHV’s on federal lands. Our boss already said there’s plenty of room for OHV’s and it’s a legitimate use.

I do need your help in trying to decide what’s best for this area. I won’t make everybody happy – I may not even make myself happy, but will try my hardest. Lots of opportunities are going to surface in the coming months and I will be here to listen, learn, and do……

Looks like right now the Proposed Action will be out in January of 2008, with comment period being 30 days at time of release.

I rode Wolf Pen Gap this weekend. If you have never been there, do yourself a favor and give it a try. It's a very fun ride!

quote:

Originally posted by Denver_Lee:
I rode Wolf Pen Gap this weekend. If you have never been there, do yourself a favor and give it a try. It's a very fun ride!

The way you were dressed I am sure you had lots of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by Arkyrider:

quote:

Originally posted by Denver_Lee:
I rode Wolf Pen Gap this weekend. If you have never been there, do yourself a favor and give it a try. It's a very fun ride!

The way you were dressed I am sure you had lots of fun.

Oh I see make fun of the guy that forgot his rain gear!!! I think you are just jealous that you didn't have a space blanket poncho to wear!! LOL

My momma always said, shiney is is shiney does!
I still can't see very good without really straining my eyes.