I hate to wait to notify folks when something is gong on. E-mail is our primary communication. I hate to bombard the membership with e-mails. Sometimes I have to.

I want to stress that if you would like to get information, help our sport and get more places to ride you have to get your information to us. Every few newsletters I try to send to everyone. Join and you will get all the newsletters.

The Ohio Department of Natural resources “trails boss” Dameyon Shipley and I met this month to go over possible land purchase sites. I have given him a number of places over the last 6 months provided by our members. We are optimistic that we will be able to get something started on the ground this year.

The plan for any property we would purchase would include a full size 4x4 trail system as the trunk of the property to provide full size and UTV as well as ATV and OHM recreation. The trunk would provide accessibility for emergency response to any area of the property. Second level would be the 50” trail system.  The last level would be single track.

Play and training areas would be provided at the access points to develop skills for 4x4, UTV, APV and OHM. We are looking at a properties south of I 70. We are also looking at properties in the north east. One property that had “fallen thru” is now back on the table. We are also looking at leasing some property.

Any property we go for will be large enough to be a destination trail system, not just a couple hours ride. If you are aware of a property for sale with either or a desirable size, price or location let us know. 

We are also working to provide a way for licensed vehicles to purchase a “trail sticker” to support the trails when they are available.

18 months ago

18 months ago folks were very unhappy. We had no reciprocity with our registration. No other states recognized our registration. Our registration fees where so low they supported the BMV and not trails. It was illegal for kids under 12 to ride the public trails systems with their parents or guardians.  Legislation was in the wings to ban folks under 16 from being allowed to ride any public proerty.  Due to hard work from OMTA’s legislative guy Matt Mesarchik as well as OSSA help we have a new outlook. We now have reciprocity. We are growing a fund capable of providing destination trail systems. There is no longer a 12 year old age limit and you will not be required to have a driver’s license to ride trails. Of course if you do not respond to the continuing lead ban threat it might not be an issue Take Action!

Our website www.ohiotrails.org has a bulletin board. I admit to not using it as I send my e-mails. I do not want to take a chance our membership would miss impotent information because they did not go to the board.

Anyone can read the bulletin board but to post you have to be a member.  I admit we need to use it more. If you want to be a member you can sign up online.

The work to protect our riding never ends. Our next membership meeting will be in April, exact date to be announced.

Bill Kaeppner

www.ohiotrails.org

OMTA MEMBERSHIP MEETING 11:30 AM AT THE AMA MUSEUM  

The last three years Ohio riders have seen tremendous gains toward more public trails. Ohio Motorized Trails Association has been at the front of the efforts, representing you, the riders. By working together with Ohio State Snowmobile Association, and the AMA, we have had a series of legislative victories resulting in increased trail funding, and a rider oversight board to work with ODNR officials. I would like to share with everyone a letter from Dameyon Shipley. If you get the AMA magazine, you may have noticed an interview with Dameyon. He is the Recreational Services Administrator at the Ohio Department Of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation. The letter is a response to some regular communication between him and I after I requested an update on some issues.

From Dameyon:
Let me start with the delay in moving forward. As we discussed earlier, I along with the administration understands the riders' feelings. I have received calls from riders that have voiced their concerns due to the delay in moving forward. I have explained to them the same as I explained to you. The administration has had to dedicate more time than originally anticipated to determine if and what property we currently own that could be used. If the acquisition costs can be saved, it would represent a significant amount of money that we can use in development. I had a very good conversation with my deputy director and the commitment to expanding trails has not diminished. If any of you hear complaints from your constituents I encourage you to have them call me directly. It is my hope that with clear and open communication from our office that they will have continued patience. We have only started receiving any increased funding and we have not spent any of that funding. We will also be working on the SRVF advisory board in the next couple of weeks, which will provide the motorized representation that the riders wanted.

This administration has made significant strides with the motorized community over the last three years. We are very proud of the partnerships that we have fostered and strengthened. We know there is a great deal more for us to accomplish and the administration is committed to achieving those goals. Thank you all for your work in motorized trails and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Dameyon M. Shipley
Recreation Services Administrator

As we at OMTA continue to work with ODNR and elected officials in Ohio for increased public trails, we need your support. Our next general membership meeting is Saturday, December 5^th, at the AMA headquarters in Pickerington Ohio. Please come join us, see who we are, learn how we are working to represent you, and join the effort to expand you recreational opportunities and defend riders rights.
_________________
Matthew T. Mesarchik
OMTA Legislative Affairs Liaison National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Associate State Partner
United we ride.
Divided we piss and moan about trail closures.