New Off-Highway Vehicle Decal - It's THE LAW

[Hemibee]

TPWD News Release (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20060130c)

Media Contact for This Release: Tom Harvey, (512) 389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us



Jan. 30, 2006

New Off-Highway Vehicle Decal To Fund Trail Grants

AUSTIN, Texas — As directed by a new state law, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is starting a new Texas Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program that requires people who buy a vehicle sold for off road use on public land in Texas to buy an annual decal. Decal sales revenue will fund grants to create or improve motor vehicle parks in Texas.

Decals are not required for OHV use on private lands.

For the first year of the program, the OHV decal will cost $8 and will be current from Jan. 1-Aug. 31, 2006. After the first year, OHV decals will be good from Sep. 1 through the following Aug. 31, matching the TPWD fiscal year.

OHV decals are now available for sale, and game wardens will begin enforcing the new rules. A person caught riding on public land without a decal could be issued a citation and fined.

Decals can be purchased over the phone with a credit card by calling (512) 389-8917. Eventually, decals may be sold over the Internet and at some OHV parks and dealerships.

The 78th Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 155 several years ago, which closed all navigable stream beds in Texas, except for some parts of the Canadian and Red Rivers, to motorized recreational vehicles. That law also directed TPWD to “facilitate development of sites for motor vehicle recreation other than protected freshwater areas.”

The more recent 79th Texas Legislature in 2005 enacted Senate Bill 1311, which created the new OHV decal and program administered by the department.

The department administers another grant program that can fund off-highway vehicle projects. The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) is an 80-20 matching grant that requires recipients to provide an amount equal to 20 percent of the federal grant. Funds come from a portion of the federal gas tax generated by gasoline purchases to utilize off-road recreational vehicles, such as off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. A federal requirement is that 30 percent of the funds be spent on motorized recreational trail projects, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects, with the remaining 40 percent discretionary.

“There is a growing demand for OHV recreation areas in Texas, and most off-road enthusiasts will tell you there are too few places for people to ride,” said Steve Thompson with the TPWD Recreational Grants Branch in Austin.

“Our agency has been directed by the legislature to provide more OHV opportunities. We want to do that in ways that are safe and environmentally sustainable and that maintain good relations with neighbors and local communities.”

The Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area in Northeast Texas is one example of an OHV venue. The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition has operated the 1,800-acre site in Upshur County since 2000. Facilities include showers, restrooms, an air station, pavilion, office and campsites with R/V hookups and electricity. News articles have quoted local officials in nearby Gilmer praising the operation as safe and positive in bringing economic development to the area.

Relatively few public parks or public lands in Texas currently allow OHV recreation. The department is compiling a list of public parks or land where OHV recreation is legal. Shown below, the list currently stands at 16 locations, but it is expected to change as TPWD gets new information. This list of OHV legal sites is in draft form. The list is expected to be complete later this month will eventually be published on the department Web site.

Eisenhower State Park north of Dallas is the only state park that offers OHV recreation, but only in a 10-acre Mini Bike Park within the state park. TPWD wildlife management areas are not open to recreational trail riding; however, ATV use by people with disabilities who have an official placard or license plate is allowed for them to travel to and from hunting or fishing locations in WMAs.

Goals of the new OHV program are to establish and maintain a public system of trails and other recreational areas for off-highway vehicles, improve existing trails and other recreational areas and foster responsible use of off-highway vehicles.

The legislation defines “off-highway vehicle” as either (1) an all-terrain vehicle, as defined by Section 663.001 of the Transportation Code; (2) an off-highway motorcycle; or (3) any other four-wheel drive vehicle not registered to be driven on a highway.

The new decal is required for any OHV operating in Texas on public land or on land purchased with grant funding from TPWD.

Parks and Public Lands in Texas Where the Texas OHV Decal Is Required:

Austin/Travis County:
Emma Long City Park (Motorcycles only)

Silverton/Briscoe County:
Lake Mackenzie Recreation Area (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

Pampa/Gray County:
McClellan National Grassland (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

Brenham/Washington County:
US Army Corp of Engineers Lake Summerville/Rocky Creek OHV area (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

Montgomery/Walker & Grimes Counties:
Sam Houston National Forest (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

Brownsville/Cameron County:
Boca Chica Beach (ATV’s only)

Gilmer/Upshur County:
Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area (ATV’s, Motorcycles & Full Size OHV’s)

Pottsboro/Grayson County:
Eisenhower State Park (10 acre Mini Bike Park only)

Fabens/El Paso County:
San Felipe County Park (Dune Buggies, ATV’s & Motorcycles)

Trophy Club/Denton County:
Marshall Creek OHV Area (ATV’s, Motorcycles & Full Size OHV’s)

Big Spring/Howard County:
Moss Creek Lake Recreation Area (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

San Angelo/Tom Green County:
Twin Buttes Reservoir Park (ATV’s & Motorcycles only)

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area/Alibates National Monument/Moore & Potter Counties:
Blue Creek OHV Area (ATV’s, Motorcycles, Full Size OHV’s, Dune Buggies & Sand Rails).
Rosita OHV Area (ATV’s, Motorcycles, Full Size OHV’s, Dune Buggies & Sand Rails).
Navigable Rivers: (ATV’s, Motorcycles, Full Size OHV’s, Dune Buggies & Sand Rails).

Canadian River: (Oldham, Potter, Hutchinson, Roberts, & Hemphill Counties) (ATV’s, Motorcycles, Full Size OHV’s, Dune Buggies & Sand Rails).
Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River: (Randall, Armstrong, and Briscoe Counties) (ATV’s, Motorcycles, Full Size OHV’s, Dune Buggies & Sand Rails).

--

[Tourmeister]

environmentally sustainable

I hate meaningless buzz phrases like this :argh: They always sound good but never mean what you might think... :wary:

It would be nice if in fact, the state of Texas starts to develop a more favorable climate for offroad activities!

[Hemibee]

It would be nice if in fact, the state of Texas starts to develop a more favorable climate for offroad activities!


Ask and you shall receive::trust:

Media Contact for This Release: Tom Harvey, (512) 389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us

Jan. 30, 2006

Crockett County Motorized Trail Grant Approved
AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Jan. 26 approved a $1,359,500 grant to the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, a not for profit organization, to acquire 3,323 acres in Crockett County for the purpose of developing a managed off-highway vehicle recreation area.

After hearing public testimony for and against the grant proposal, the commission voted to approve land acquisition for the project, with the understanding that before the site is open to the public the state agency staff would come back to the commission for approval of a plan to develop and operate the motor vehicle park.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grants staff committed to work with all parties involved to plan site development to try to accommodate concerns of neighboring landowners. The property is being purchased from a willing seller. Local officials and business owners — including the local chamber of commerce — from nearby Ozona also are supportive. Several nearby property owners have voiced strong opposition.

“It’s important to understand that the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition won’t just buy this property and open the gate in a free-for-all,” said Walt Dabney, director of the TPWD State Parks Division, which includes the department’s Recreational Grants Branch. “They have strict rules of conduct. You have to stay on designated trails, and if your conduct is unacceptable, you’re out of there. They pride themselves on doing a good job of managing a site, and they’ve demonstrated that with Barnwell Mountain.”

The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition has operated the 1,800-acre Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area near Gilmer in Upshur County in Northeast Texas since 2000. Facilities include showers, restrooms, an air station, pavilion, office and campsites with R/V hookups and electricity.

“The Texas Motorized Trails Coalition has a safe and successful operation near Gilmer,” said John Parker, TPW commissioner from Lufkin. “The local community there loves it, because it brings in a ton of business.”

Coalition secretary and research chemist Dick Stuart told commissioners about preliminary results of a university research study contracted by the coalition. He said this shows that visitors to the Barnwell Mountain area in a six month period spent an average of about $20,000 per weekend in Upshur County and surrounding communities on lodging, food, supplies and other expenses. He said this is estimated to generate more than $1 million per year in out-of-county visitor spending.

The department held two public meetings in Ozona in September and October last year to get community input on the proposed Crockett County project and has also done an initial natural and cultural resource survey. The grants program staff presented the proposal to the TPW Commission on Nov. 8. Because of landowner concerns expressed then, commissioners directed the staff to continue to study the proposal and seek additional public comment.

Concerns about the project include the possibility of increased traffic, noise pollution, grass fires and erosion. The TPWD staff believes these concerns can be addressed by controlling site development to make sure there are adequate visual and noise buffer zones along the perimeter, plus good fences to control traffic and prevent trespass onto neighboring land.

The site includes a canyon approximately 300 feet below the main landscape level, and planners believe noise can be minimized if most activity takes place down in the canyon. The trails coalition said the property has two water wells with 20,000-gallon storage, and the group intends to create a fire substation on site. Regarding erosion, the site contains no running streams or springs. The project calls for silt retention structures to minimize off-site erosion run-off during storms.

The site was chosen because of its remoteness, good paved access and low likelihood to impact natural or cultural resources. All necessary natural and cultural resource clearances and permits would be obtained prior to construction.

Two recently enacted state laws are driving the creation of new off-highway vehicle recreation areas in Texas.

The 78th Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 155 several years ago, which closed all navigable stream beds in Texas, except for some parts of the Canadian and Red Rivers, to motorized recreational vehicles. That law also directed TPWD to “facilitate development of sites for motor vehicle recreation other than protected freshwater areas.”

The more recent 79th Texas Legislature last year enacted Senate Bill 1311, which directed TPWD to establish and maintain a public system of trails and other recreational areas for use by off-highway vehicles.

The National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) is the funding source for the Crockett County grant. This 80-20 matching grant program requires grant recipients to come up with an additional amount equal to 20 percent of the federal grant.

These funds come from the federal tax generated by gasoline purchases for off-road recreational vehicles, such as off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. The purpose is to create and maintain motorized and non-motorized recreational trails.

A federal requirement is that 30 percent of the funds be spent on motorized recreational trail projects, 30 percent on non-motorized trail projects, with the remaining 40 percent discretionary.

[DANNYROTH]

Am I right to understand that Dual Sports, licensed to operate on highways, are not required to purchase the decal? :-? I didn't see an exclusion in the verbage, but then, the focus was on OHVs.

[bushwhacker]

AUSTIN, Texas — ... a new Texas Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program that requires people who buy a vehicle sold for off road use on public land in Texas to buy an annual decal.

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Am I right to understand that Dual Sports, licensed to operate on highways, are not required to purchase the decal? :-? I didn't see an exclusion in the verbage, but then, the focus was on OHVs.

Since it does not say

"buy a vehicle sold [exclusively] for off road use"

my guess would be that Dual Sport vehicles that wish to use the public lands requiring the sticker would also be required to have the sticker.

-

[DANNYROTH]

Isn't that how taxation works? "Tax everybody, some of 'em twice," The registration for my XR650l is within a couple of bucks of the cost of registering my daughter's Plymouth Neon!

If the funds are properly allocated and not grossly mismanaged, it may be worth it. We are talking about the government managing this all, aren't we?

[Hemibee]

Isn't that how taxation works? "Tax everybody, some of 'em twice,"
Not that I disagree with you but the TT&L on the dual sport pays for highway stuff. The new decal pays for the off road side. Or at least that is the way it was explained to me.



If the funds are properly allocated and not grossly mismanaged, it may be worth it. We are talking about the government managing this all, aren't we?
If the fund and the property are taken care of like Barnwell, it shouldn't be a problem and it appears the same group will be very big in the management of this one also but like you said it is being managed by the government so we have to keep an eye on them.

[gotdurt]

Doesn't surprise me a bit. It's the government, and they'll squeeze you for every dollar they can, 'cause hey, you'll pay if you want to play... It won't end there either; it's not like these places are free to begin with, and they aren't cheap. I believe Barnwell is about $20/day. I don't want to ride off-road for the sake of riding off-road that bad. When they connect some trails that actually go somewhere instead of little brain-dead circles, they'll have my attention, and maybe even my money. Maybe.

[Hemibee]

Not that I disagree with you but the TT&L on the dual sport pays for highway stuff. The new decal pays for the off road side. Or at least that is the way it was explained to me.


Just found a write up from someone at TPWD and he said licensed dual sports will not need the decal. So now I have to wonder which was correct, the first or second report I got? The first wasn't from TPWD so..............

[Sleepy Weasel]

Doesn't surprise me a bit. It's the government, and they'll squeeze you for every dollar they can, 'cause hey, you'll pay if you want to play... It won't end there either; it's not like these places are free to begin with, and they aren't cheap. I believe Barnwell is about $20/day. I don't want to ride off-road for the sake of riding off-road that bad. When they connect some trails that actually go somewhere instead of little brain-dead circles, they'll have my attention, and maybe even my money. Maybe.


With the majority of Texas being private land, it's going to get harder and harder to connect trails that go somewhere. Do you want a bunch of strangers riding through your backyard just because a couple of your neighbors on either side don't mind?

I haven't been on the bike trails at Barnwell, just the Jeep trails. Those are more oriented towards technical challenges than making a journey from one place to another. I really have no idea what to expect of their bike trails, but I know they've got plenty of bikes out there every weekend, so obviously somebody is finding value in their membership.

Still, I agree it would be ice to be able to get out someplace "open" and just see something way off in the distance and aim for it. That just doesn't sound like anyplace I've seen in Texas.
:shrug:

[WoodButcher]

Well, I'd almost go ahead and get a decal for the dual sport vehicle just to fund more public off road areas. It only costs skipping a fast food restaurant once. Besides, I'd have to get a couple for the kid's bikes. Might as well get one for the DRZ too.

[XR650Rocketman]

My understanding is that correctly tagged D/S bikes are exempt from the sticker requirement.

[Hemibee]

correctly tagged D/S bikes

That's the key phrase. :rider:

[Jack Giesecke]

Great, another tax, as if I don't pay enough already. :rolleyes:

I don't see the Rocky Creek or Nails, or whatever it is Somerville riding area on the list, though. The Somerville area is US Corps of Engineers. If they charged 8 bucks for THAT, I'd expect them to add to it. Ten acres for 8 bucks?:whatever:

As least I have property to ride on.

[Jack Giesecke]

Well, I'd almost go ahead and get a decal for the dual sport vehicle just to fund more public off road areas. It only costs skipping a fast food restaurant once. Besides, I'd have to get a couple for the kid's bikes. Might as well get one for the DRZ too.

Yep, and I remember when my combined hunting and fishing license was $5. I paid something like $130 last year for the "super combo" that has all the friggin' little stupid stamps, salt water stamp, trout stamp, white wing dove stamp, state waterfowl stamp, turkey stamp, whatever the heck else stamps then add the federal migratory bird hunting stamp and the public hunting type two thing. Nuther ten years and it'll likely be twice that. Maybe the supercombo will include the off road riding sticker, never know...:rolleyes:

[DANNYROTH]

Jack, did you get the stamp that allows you to do what wild bears do in the woods?

[DANNYROTH]

I guess I can see buying a decal to support the program.

Are these going to be vehicle specific like a registration of sorts? It would be nice if you could stick the decal on your helmet or put it in your tool pouch and change bikes as conditions merit.

How do the Federal use permits work, now?

[Hemibee]

Great, another tax, as if I don't pay enough already. :rolleyes:

I don't see the Rocky Creek or Nails, or whatever it is Somerville riding area on the list, though. The Somerville area is US Corps of Engineers. If they charged 8 bucks for THAT, I'd expect them to add to it. Ten acres for 8 bucks?:whatever:

As least I have property to ride on.

Corps of Engineers land is included in the list, see Washington County.

[Hemibee]

I guess I can see buying a decal to support the program.

Are these going to be vehicle specific like a registration of sorts? It would be nice if you could stick the decal on your helmet or put it in your tool pouch and change bikes as conditions merit.

How do the Federal use permits work, now?

So far what I've found is that it is vehicle specific. Still need the Federal use permits for the forests and grasslands.

[SuzukiQ]

The state (TPWD) won't be (isn't in the) business of opening ORV parks. They only manage the funds (federal gasoline taxes returned to the state for ORV purposes) and the new ORV sticker program funds. All ORV parks that are created from these funds will be done by private organizations (such as TMTC) or by individual land owners. These groups must apply for grants of these funds from the state.

We (ORV'ers) had a bit of a fight to get the funds approved for the Ozona ORV park. Fortunately we were able to get enough support from the ORV community (speakers at the TPWD hearing and signed petitions) to convince TPWD to grant the funds over the objections of some local ranchers.

Note that TPWD does not fully fund these parks. They only grant 80% matching funds. Groups like TMTC have to come up with the other 20%. Add to the cost of purchasing property with the cost of running/maintaining an ORV park and you can see why there is a cost to you for using the parks. TMTC's goal is to continue rolling the funds from us and the state into more and more ORV parks. They are nonprofit and I know they are working from a shoestring budget to make all this happen. No one is going to get rich from all of this. TMTC does it because they (board and members) (including myself) enjoy offroading.

Also, I believe the ORV stickers will be valid in other states that require ORV stickers and vice versa.

So, get involved if you want to see the quest for more ORV parks continue. Join the BRC (Blue Ribbon Coalition), the AMA, TMTC (Texas Motorized Trails Coalition), and/or the ARRA (Americans for Resposible Recreational Access). We have strength in our numbers when we join together to make our voices heard.

Also, pay attention to who you're voting for. The current regime in Austin are the ones who passed SB155.

[Hemibee]

Also, I believe the ORV stickers will be valid in other states that require ORV stickers and vice versa.




I had been asked about this on another forum site and relayed the question to the TPWD. The reply I got from them was that the Texas decal would be required for both Texas riders and out of state riders.

[laurathebum]

OHV Sticker program
SB1311 was written by offroad users and in an unprecidented event....in less than three months time was passed into law.

Don't worry about misappropraitions of funds. Steve Thompson is in charge of the funds and he is an avid dirtbike rider who resigned from the TMTC BOD to fill the position at TPWD.

Stickers will not be required on any vehicle that is street legal.

We do have an understanding with all other states that have sticker programs to honor each other's stickers....we do not have that with the forest service..yet...but it is in the plans.

It will be a dedicated fund for use to create and maintain offroad trails in Texas.

...and it's cheaper than a FOX Sticker or graphics...which dosen't give you more areas to ride.

Laura White
TMTC Outreach Director
817-939-1485

[Tourmeister]

Howdy Laura, thanks for the info and welcome to the site!

[Hairsmith]

Thanks for the information Laura...
That will help keep some of us from jumping to conclusion about new laws.
I still think to pass one new law two should be repealed.

And hear I was hoping to get this new sticker for my GS! It would help it look scarier when I am posing with the Dual Sport crowed. :flip:

[Sleepy Weasel]

OHV Sticker program
SB1311 was written by offroad users and in an unprecidented event....in less than three months time was passed into law.

Don't worry about misappropraitions of funds. Steve Thompson is in charge of the funds and he is an avid dirtbike rider who resigned from the TMTC BOD to fill the position at TPWD.

Stickers will not be required on any vehicle that is street legal.

We do have an understanding with all other states that have sticker programs to honor each other's stickers....we do not have that with the forest service..yet...but it is in the plans.

It will be a dedicated fund for use to create and maintain offroad trails in Texas.

...and it's cheaper than a FOX Sticker or graphics...which dosen't give you more areas to ride.

Laura White
TMTC Outreach Director
817-939-1485


Hey! It's cousin Laura! Good first post there! Are you still running that Geo on steroids?

[laurathebum]

You can buy a sticker for your street legal vehicle ...just as support. Or you could send in extra money when you purchase your sticker and ask that it be applied to the OHV fund.

A really good thing about this is that if we the Texas offroad users put our money where our months are and really make this sticker program take off....we then get to go for not only Fed gas tax money...but state gas tax money and a percent of the taxes on the stuff we buy to use offroad.

and yes, my street legal tracker on steroids will have a sticker

[Chris-V65Magna-TX]

A neighbor of mine called Austin for info, and was told that they're still working on the stickers. He rides the NSF around Lake Conroe on a dirt bike and his son rides a 80cc dirt bike. All he can say is that he hopes he doesn't get ticketed. I sent him the link at the beginning of this topic a few days ago.

[laurathebum]

Well, the different law enforcing officials may not know the stickers aren't available....but if you do get a ticket...It should be easy to fight.

btw...All fines for breaking this law goes to the OHV fund

[4734]

I called today and was told that they don't have any stickers yet. When I asked "what if I get stopped?" he said just tell them that you called and was told that you tried to buy one but they(TPWD)don't have them yet.
He did say to try again in a couple of weeks to see if they have them in.

[SuzukiQ]

Laura,

Thanks for chiming in. I couldn't rebut Hemibee's reply because I had read the 1311 bill and couldn't find the info in writing. I knew I had been told this was the case (reciprocal agreement with other states) but needed a more authoritative individual to get in the conversation. Did anybody ever tell you that you do good work? :trust: Also, I've seen her 4x4. I think the sticker might help hold the bodywork on. The thing has a lot of character.:lol2:

[laurathebum]

Authoratative Individual....me?...now that's funny

[Hemibee]

Laura,

Thanks for chiming in. I couldn't rebut Hemibee's reply because I had read the 1311 bill and couldn't find the info in writing. I knew I had been told this was the case (reciprocal agreement with other states) but needed a more authoritative individual to get in the conversation. Did anybody ever tell you that you do good work? :trust: Also, I've seen her 4x4. I think the sticker might help hold the bodywork on. The thing has a lot of character.:lol2:

Rebut all you want to, all I was doing was posting what TPWD told me when I asked the question. Here is what was sent to me, "the rules will apply to out of state riders just as they would to in-state riders. If you’re riding on public land in an OHV as defined by the rules, you’d need a decal."

[Teeds]

Authoratative Individual....me?...now that's funny

Yup, for those of you that don't know, Laura knows her stuff.

Welcome to the site Laura and thanks for everything you are doing on the behalf of the OHV community.

Also, congratulations on Ozona. Our discussions in your shop a long time ago about getting land in West Texas came true!

[Jack Giesecke]

Well, stuff it, I've got land to ride on...MINE...and I don't need no stinkin' stickers to ride down there. All this federal/state permit stuff is confusing me. Where do you even buy this stuff, anyway?

I'll just ride on my own land. I need a box blade and tractor, though, so I can build some sort of track. That would be cool. Well, for now, I'll just ride in circles until a "track" forms, as always.

[SuzukiQ]

Hemibee,

Sorry. I wasn't trying to slam you. :giveup: Just trying to let folks know the info provided by the TPWD person you talked to was incorrect unless the they were assuming that the out of stater didn't have an ORV sticker from their own state to start with. Then they would need to purchase a Texas ORV sticker. :zen:

[Hemibee]

Hemibee,

Sorry. I wasn't trying to slam you. :giveup: Just trying to let folks know the info provided by the TPWD person you talked to was incorrect unless the they were assuming that the out of stater didn't have an ORV sticker from their own state to start with. Then they would need to purchase a Texas ORV sticker. :zen:

Maybe I said it wrong, what I meant was yes go ahead and rebut it, I was just quoting the TPWD email I got. I didn't take it personal or see it as an attack on me. :thumb:

[laurathebum]

Yup, for those of you that don't know, Laura knows her stuff.

Welcome to the site Laura and thanks for everything you are doing on the behalf of the OHV community.

Also, congratulations on Ozona. Our discussions in your shop a long time ago about getting land in West Texas came true!

Tony, you get around.
Thanks for the support. Ozona was a though fight.....and it's not ours til we finish closing...but I'm pretty confident.
There are some great backroads between here and there.
Maybe we should create an event ....a dual sport event...my Tracker could qualify....it's a daily driver/trail rig....it's a dual sport.

[Teeds]

Tony, you get around.
Thanks for the support. Ozona was a though fight.....and it's not ours til we finish closing...but I'm pretty confident.
There are some great backroads between here and there.
Maybe we should create an event ....a dual sport event...my Tracker could qualify....it's a daily driver/trail rig....it's a dual sport.

Laura: Steve Smith (XR650Rocketman) and I have had many talks about Ozona over the last few months. Please know I will help in any way needed or desired to help see Ozona become a reality and a success.

Your comment about your Tracker being a DS machine is interesting. I had not really though of it that way, but it is. I like the idea of an event. There are many dirt roads here in Texas and being blessed with time (on occasion) and a good map and GPS, I have traveled all I could find on my journeys between projects. The backroads of Texas are absolutely beautiful. How about an "off road" route from each major city in Texas to Ozona and Barnwell? Couple that with an "off road" event where we gather from around the state in one spot, Barnwell or Ozona (future). Interesting ... very interesting.

An event would also bring public awareness to an aspect of our sport that is both under reported as well as under appreciated, that being our economic impact. I say under appreciated if only because the economic impact of recreational travel is not even tracked by the state of Texas as far as I know. A group of DS riders I was with easily spent a thousand dollars in Van Horn weekend before last. I know, from my work on the board of the Texas Downtown Association, that it is estimated that every dollar spent in a town turns over 7 times before finally leaving and that overnight guests spend 4 dollars for ever 1 dollar spent by pass through guests. I know we (TON and other like minded groups) are aware of our impact, but we have got to get the message out to counter negative opinion.

I got a bit off track with my comments, but back to the sticker issue. I will have one on every bike I own, regardless of whether or not I every ride them on public land. How can we ask the piublic to support us, if we do not support ourselves?

[Tx Rider]

Both my KTM's are street legal but I'll sticker em anyway, Texas has the least amount of public land I've seen in most states, and almost none to ride on. Sounds like a good thing to support, at least until we see where the program goes ina few years.

Politicians always pass bills to get more cash from folk, but they have a nasty habit of diverting it from it's intended purpose if the cash generated starts getting significant.

BTW anyone know what's been going on in Angelina forest? I never heard what they did for their OHV proposal the feds required after the last post about their hearings.

[VFRJohn]

Well, stuff it, I've got land to ride on...MINE...and I don't need no stinkin' stickers to ride down there. All this federal/state permit stuff is confusing me. Where do you even buy this stuff, anyway?

I'll just ride on my own land. I need a box blade and tractor, though, so I can build some sort of track. That would be cool. Well, for now, I'll just ride in circles until a "track" forms, as always.

Hey, that's great, Jack!! We'll all be over to your place next weekend - thanks for the invitation - please post directions!
:rider:

[terrebandit]

You are paying for the privilage to use public land for a specific purpose and also protect it from damage from that kind of use. Texas has very little public land (like about 1% of it is public), so it is very rare and valuable. The amount of public land in Texas is not increasing and is not expected to increase by any significant degree in our lifetime. The last time I looked, the population of TX is expected to double by 2030. Can you see the writing on the wall here?

The problem is that everyone wants to have access to these public lands for basically free and do whatever the heck they want to do once they get there. Once they are there, they don't want to be bothered by other users of the land who are using it for other purposes. They also want good, clean, well-maintained facilities when they get there. Unfortunately, no one wants to pay for these lands. Entrance fees to these parks are not enough to make these places self-supporting and people seem resistant to paying more. They somehow think its a "tax" but it is not a tax... it's the cost of doing business and a heck of a great deal for those who appreciate the outdoors. OK, I can hunt for a year on public land for about 40 bucks or go out to dinner with my family of 4 for one night... duh...

What value do you place on public land? Do you want public lands to be available for your kids? How about your kids kids? Is is unfair to expect you to help pay for the maintence, care, and management of these special places? Have you looked at what's NOW happening to your state park system? Its totally underfunded and your state parks are going away people. TPW had to cut some 30 positions in January 2006 and also cut back on state park operations/hours in many locations. It won't be long and you will be seeing park closures. Its about time the public stepped up to the plate and asked their representatives to provide some real funding for these special places. If things stay the way they are now, you won't have to worry about having "public land" to ride on because it will be gone... all gone.

Dave

[Tourmeister]

You hit on a real issue, over use of public land. This is referred to as the "Tragedy of the Commons". Google that phrase and you'll find some interesting discussions on the topic. Ignore the rock band by that name :lol2:

[ThirdCoast]

I hate meaningless buzz phrases like this :argh: They always sound good but never mean what you might think... :wary:

It would be nice if in fact, the state of Texas starts to develop a more favorable climate for offroad activities!


Is this for real? A couple of us were planning to ride the trails in Sam Houston the weekend of March 17th. Do we need to buy this sticker for our bikes?

Do you or anyone know the trails up there? Good place to stay? Can they be done on 650 KLR and DR 650s? Where do we go to find the trail head and pay our fee? All sorts of newbie questions here.

[Tourmeister]

:tab The Ranger station is on FM 1375 just West of I-45. You need to go there to get the current required sticker. Right now it is $5/day or $20/year. You can take the KLR and DR on the trails, but it is just more work than a smaller bike. LOTS of sand ;-) Take your blinkers and mirrors off or a tree will do it for you :-P I would recommend a GPS so you can find your way back out.

[Jack Giesecke]

Hey, that's great, Jack!! We'll all be over to your place next weekend - thanks for the invitation - please post directions!
:rider:


I got a feelin' it's gonna be mud city after this weekend. :lol2: Maybe not, though. It's between Seadrift and Port O'Connor and being as deer season is over, don't really care who's riding on it. ;-) Just don't sue me if you break yourself. :doh: Really ain't much land there, but there's more than friggin' Sommerville's riding area and it's closer. I bet there ain't 10 acres at Somerville. I have 10 acres, but am surrounded by about 50 or 60 total that I don't even know who owns and there's no fences. I got the run of the place down there. It's a good place to ride, even has some little hills and things, but nothing big at all and it gets pretty grown up in tall grass in the rainy years.

I'm gonna get down there and build myself a permanent deer stand one of these days, covered, heated, you know, the kind you can do a sleep over in. :lol2:

I'm thinking about making a type two squirrel hunting trek this May. If I do, I'll take my DP bike. You can ride the dirt and fire roads, just can't get off 'em. There's an area designated Type 2 on the north end of lake Conroe, I notice. I can get there in about 3 hours, not all that far and don't have to navigate Houston to do it. I go up 60 to Wallis, up 36 to Bellville, over 159 to Hemstead, up 6 to Navasota, accross 105.

[mcrider]

Is this for real? A couple of us were planning to ride the trails in Sam Houston the weekend of March 17th. Do we need to buy this sticker for our bikes?
Do you or anyone know the trails up there? Good place to stay? Can they be done on 650 KLR and DR 650s? Where do we go to find the trail head and pay our fee? All sorts of newbie questions here.

In addition to what Scott said, call 1-888-361-6908 x2 to see if the trails are open. If it rains the FS close the trails.

The trail map are posted on the Trail Riders of Houston's forum on TON
http://www.texasoffroad.net/forum_php/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=clubs_trh_public

I will bump them to the top.

Scott, is there a place I can post the PMT maps on TWT?

[Hemibee]

Is this for real? A couple of us were planning to ride the trails in Sam Houston the weekend of March 17th. Do we need to buy this sticker for our bikes?

Do you or anyone know the trails up there? Good place to stay? Can they be done on 650 KLR and DR 650s? Where do we go to find the trail head and pay our fee? All sorts of newbie questions here.

If the bike is street legal..........plate & inspection sticker you do not need the off road permit to ride the National Forest. What you will need is the "Multi Use Trail Daily Pass" or the "Multi Use Trail Annual Pass" issued by the ranger station. I'm not sure how they are doing the daily passes but they used to have an honor box set up at each trail head for daily use fees. The "Multi Use Trail" payments are NOT the new state required stickers, these are the requirement of Sam Houston National Forest.