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ANSI Approves First Standard for Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles

jstewart@4x4wire.com (ROHVA Press Release) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:19:50 +0000

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association Continues Pioneering Work In Support of Consensus Standards and Occupant Safety

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) obtained approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of the first standard in the world for recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs), also known as UTVs and side-by-sides, on March 5, 2010, setting an initial benchmark for vehicle design, configuration and performance. To allow it to continue to address ROV performance criteria in this expanding vehicle class, ROHVA initiated the ANSI process for revising the newly approved standard on March 9. As part of the revision process, ROHVA also will continue its efforts to solicit and exchange information and views with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and its staff. “We are pleased to have completed the initial version of the standard and look forward to the participation of the ANSI consensus body in the revision process,” said ROHVA Chairman, Mike Schmitt.

USDA Forest Service Continues Discounts at Campgrounds

jstewart@4x4wire.com (US Forest Service) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:56:36 +0000

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2010 -- USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell announced today his decision not to implement proposed changes to fees charged to holders of passes at Forest Service campgrounds operated by private businesses. The Chief's decision means Seniors and people with disabilities will continue to receive a discount at Forest Service campgrounds run by private concessions.

Volunteers Clean Up Desert

jstewart@4x4wire.com (BLM Press Release) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:25:58 +0000

Lake Havasu, Ariz. (Mar 11, 2010) – Over 80 members of the Havasu 4 Wheelers volunteered their time recently to clean up a section of public lands on the eastern edge of Lake Havasu City. Several tons of trash and debris were removed from the site.

The cleanup event was organized by Bruce Speirs of the Havasu 4 Wheelers. Corporate sponsors, including Havafun Development Company, About Time Portable Toilets, Allied Waste Services, and Party Express donated equipment and services for the cleanup. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lake Havasu Field Office staff participated as well.

Practice Safe Winching

jstewart@4x4wire.com (John Stewart) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:58:26 +0000

Rounding the bend, I spied a group gathered around a 4x4 vehicle on its side halfway down a steep trail section. Thankfully, there were no injuries. But, there was a problem with recovery efforts. While the group did have a vehicle with a winch, the cable had come off the spool and was useless. I positioned my jeep on a trail section above the truck and prepared my winch for action. And, this was an opportunity to test the new addition to my recovery gear tool set.

The day before, while checking the various vendor displays at Tierra del Sol Desert Safari, I found a handy gadget offered by OffRoadTrailTools.com -- a folding wheel chock; just the ticket for blocking the wheel while winching or lifting a vehicle. Safety is a must for off-road fun.

Recreational Groups Prevail In Travel Management Suit

jstewart@4x4wire.com (BlueRibbon Coalition) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:17:34 +0000

GREAT FALLS, MT (March 11, 2010) — A coalition of recreational groups has prevailed on the merits of their lawsuit challenging the Travel Management Plan for a portion of the Lewis and Clark National Forest in north central Montana.

The order was issued on March 10th from the Great Falls Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. The Court ruled in favor of the recreational group plaintiffs, finding that the Travel Plan violated the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as the Montana Wilderness Study Act (MWSA).

Basic to Advanced Winching and Recovery DVD Released

jstewart@4x4wire.com (Badlands Off-Road Adventures) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Redondo Beach, CA (Mar 10, 2010) – Badlands Off-Road Adventures today is announcing the release of a new off-road learning DVD.

The winch is a useful off-road tool that can quickly become dangerous and potentially lethal to the operator and spectators. Proper use requires good working knowledge and, since winches are not used too often, thorough training is a must to retain that knowledge.

This new DVD covers safety related issues, basic operation, simple and complex riggings, stuck assessment, winch capability and minimizing environmental impact. The DVD provides broad working knowledge including the skill to assess each situation and the means to retain a working knowledge of winch use.

Northern Arizona Scoping Report Released

jstewart@4x4wire.com (BLM Press Release) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:11:26 +0000

Public Scoping Report for the Northern Arizona Proposed Withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement Released

St. George, Utah (Mar 8, 2010) – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently completed a Scoping Report for the Northern Arizona Proposed Withdrawal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As part of the Department of the Interior’s evaluation of whether to withdraw nearly 1 million acres of federal lands near the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining claims, the report provides a summary of the scoping efforts and the comments received by BLM.