R a va ll i Co un ty Of f Roa d
Us er A s s oc ia t ion
www.ravallioffroad.org
APRIL 2015
Calendar of 2015 Upcoming events:
The rides listed on the Calendar are hosted by a club member and are not “club sponsored” rides
unless they are stated as such.
NOTICE: THE BOARD MEETINGS WILL BE THE 1ST MONDAY OF
THE MONTH AND THE GENERAL MEETINGS WILL BE THE 2ND
MONDAY OF THE MONTH. Several of the board members have conflicts with
Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
April 6th, 2015 Board Meeting 6 PM at the Groomer Shed
April 13th, 2015 General Meeting 7 PM at the Groomer Shed
May 4th 2015 Board Meeting 6 PM at the Groomer Shed
May 9th Youth Expo at Teller Wildlife (ATV Simulator run by Mike & Kathy Jeffords)
May 11th 2015 General Meeting 7 PM at the Groomer Shed
May 16th RUN FOR SAPPHIRES contact John T. 369-2909
RCORUA CONTEMPLATES MILITARY DAY
RCORUA’s Board of Directors is discussing the possibility of hosting service men and
women for a day of Fun In the Sun this summer. The idea is to host an ATV ride for a group of
service personnel as a way for the Club to express appreciation for their service to our country.
Modeled after similar events by other Clubs (including the Bitterroot Ridgerunners), an
event like this would require RCORUA volunteers to serve as the serviceman’s “buddy” for the
day. The volunteer would be responsible for providing a machine for the serviceman to ride (or a
side-by-side if the serviceman is unable to drive), safety equipment, and appropriate outerwear if
necessary. Following the ride, a meal or picnic would be provided. Club members would be
invited to attend the entire event.
Many ideas and suggestions have been discussed, and the Board needs to hear from our
members before committing to pursue this idea. Specifically, we need to know how many
members would be willing to “buddy” with a serviceman for the event.
If you would like to participate in such an event, or if you would like to offer a suggestion for
the event, please call Brent Nelson at 821-4844.
Please support our Business Sponsors!
Business Sponsorship is only $100.00 per year!
A great value as it reaches hundreds of individuals each month. Your business is listed each
month in the newsletter and on the web and once a year your business card or your ad (if
provided with your sponsorship dues) is included in the newsletter! Please send a card to
the club or email Marsha with a scanned card or colored layout at: [email protected] . If
you want your web address listed in the newsletter and on our web site you can email Marsha or
Kathy T. [email protected]
RUN FOR SAPPHIRES MAY 16, 2015
RCORUA’s Run for the Sapphires is tentatively scheduled for May 16. As we approach the
end of May, that date may change depending on snow removal progress on the Skalkaho road.
We’ll keep you posted via newsletter, website and Facebook. Call John Transue at 369-2909 for
more information and updates on scheduling. This ride leaves from the snowmobile parking area on
Skalkaho Road and goes to the Gem Mountain Sapphire mines on the Phillipsburgh side of
Skalkaho Pass. This is about a 50 mile round trip ride. We will leave the parking area at 10:30 am,
and return at approximately 4 pm.
Last year’s Run for Sapphires Picture.
We were stopped at the top of the pass
due to deep snow, should be able to
make it to the mine this year!
Our web site at www.ravallioffroad.org has photos, a
calendar of events, ride info, the newsletters and much
more. You can email your photos, ride info or other
items to: [email protected] Log on often to see
what is happening!
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A big THANK YOU
goes to all the
sponsors, your
continued support
and involvement
helps the association
in its effort to keep
the trails open.
APRIL 2015
2015 BUSINESS SPONSORS
ALL VALLEY SANITARY SERVICES
P.O. Box 344 Corvallis
Dave & Tina Johnson
MERCHANTS DELIVERY, Inc.
1410 North 1st Hamilton
Case Quist
[email protected]
369-1587
AL’S CYCLE
619 HWY 93 North
Hamilton
Russ and Kim Englund
363-3433
www.alscycleyamaha.com
BITTERROOT RIDGE RUNNERS
P.O. Box 265 Hamilton
Dennis Wessels
MILDENBERGER MOTORS
P.O. Box 1630 Hamilton
Brad Mildenberger
NILES ENTERPRISES
7210 West Lapwai Lane Darby
Kent Niles
381-0409
CLIFF REED, Inc.
656 Willow Creek Road Corvallis
Cliff Reed
961-3224
PARTS UNLIMITED
1829 HWY 93 North Victor
Bob and Sydney Hazeltine
[email protected]
DJ’S ELECTRIC
P.O. Box 18 Hamilton
D.J. Lengyel
961-1972 or 363-1972
www.djselectric.com
RYE CREEK ENTERPRISES, Inc.
Dba BITTERROOT ADVENTURES
P.O. Box 877 Darby
Brent Nelson
www.bitterrotadventures.com
DONALDSON BROTHER’S READY MIX, Inc.
477 HWY 93 North Hamilton
Charles Donaldson
363-3600
FIVE VALLEY HONDA & YAMAHA
5900 HWY 93 South Missoula
Lloyd Eckley
HAMILTON POLARIS
1151 North 1st Hamilton
363-1131
363-4100
349-2067
642-3403
821-4844
SNOW MOUNTAIN ELECTRIC, Inc.
3039 Redjou Lane Stevensville
Steve, Kathy & Kerry Roebke
777-0912
THOMPSON DISTRIBUTING
320 South 1st Street Hamilton
Brad Thompson
363-3620
VALLEY BICYCLES AND SKI, Inc.
219 South 1st Street Hamilton
Randy & Kerri Leavell
363-4428
251-5900
375-9903
HARPERS BITTERROOT VALLEY LES SCHWAB TIRES
4026 HWY 93 North Stevensville
Tracy Harper
777-4667
JC AND ASSOCIATES
153 West Hills Way Hamilton
Carl and Kathy Lieberth
363-7487
JERRY WESSELS TIRE CENTER
P.O. Box 518 Hamilton
Dennis Wessels
363-3884
JONES KORMAN INSURANCE
518 South 1st Hamilton
Bryan Jones
363-6583
VALLEY UNITED INSURANCE SERVICES, Inc.
748 West Main Street Hamilton
Jim, Jan and Tim Thomas
363-1227
VERCRUYSSEN EXCAVATING, Inc.
300 6th Ave. Victor
Norm and Betty Vercruyssen
LONE PINE / RIVERSIDE CONOCO
504 hwy 93 South / 1987 North 1st Hamilton
Steve and Brian Hawkes
375-0536 / 375-0554
MAVERICK MOTORSPORTS OF MISSOULA
4950 North Reserve Missoula
Guy & Terri Sharp & Brent Gyuricza
mavmotorsports.com
549-4260
642-3506
We are pleased to welcome our newest Sponsor,
Maverick Motorsports of Missoula. Stop by
their showroom and say Hi to Guy or Brent. They
have one of the largest selection of motorcycles in
Montana, also they carry Yamaha ATV’s and
accessories.
Business Sponsorship runs from Date Paid on a yearly basis!
APRIL 2015
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APRIL 2015
TRAIL 104 CLOSURE ‘TILL JUNE 15
RCORUA members are reminded that a portion of the single track trail 104 is closed until June
15. The first 2.2 miles of Trail 104 lies within a spring calving area that is closed to all motor vehicles
until June 15 (magenta on the map). The remainder of Trail 104 is open for motorcycle travel
yearlong (red on the map).
The spring closure starts at the
trailhead at the top of the White Stallion road
(FS 273) and extends just past Blacktail
Point. The area closure extends to the north
and west. Its eastern boarder is the road FS
273, so the closure also applies to all the
trails in the Hamburger Flats and Blacktail
areas west of FS 273.
The Bitterroot Forest Plan adopted in
1987 designates the spring calving travel
restriction. During the last round of Plan
Revision in 2005 (subsequently invalidated by
the courts), RCORUA recommended that the
eastern boundary of the spring calving area
be moved slightly to the west to exclude Trail
104. This will no doubt continue to be an
issue when the Bitterroot National Forest
undertakes the next attempt at a Forest Plan
Revision.
Trail 104 is the only single track trail
that offers motorcycle enthusiasts an
opportunity for spring riding, so the temptation
to ride on the closed portion of the trail is
strong. Unfortunately, doing so only
perpetuates the stereotype of motorcyclists as
crazed, lawless, uncaring individuals intent on
tearing up the forest. We can rest assured
that environmental extremists will be happy to
perpetuate that stereotype and use it to close
the entire trail permanently.
Please avoid motorcycle travel in the
closed portion of Trail 104 until after June 15.
If you observe motorcyclists on or near that
segment of the trail, please advise them of
the consequences of their violation. Providing ammunition to environmental extremists literally
guarantees additional trail closures.
Call Darby District Ranger Chuck Oliver 821-3913 or Julie King (Bitterroot National Forest
Supervisor) 363-7100 to discuss this or other Forest Matters that concern you.
APRIL 2015
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FOREST SERVICE ISSUES DARBY LUMBER FINAL EA
by Dan Thompson
The Bitterroot National Forest released the Final Environmental Assessment, Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI), and draft Decision Notice for the Darby Lumber Project on March 27, 2015.
That’s all NEPA-speak for the fact that the Forest Service is getting close to being able to actually do
something. The final hurdle for the project is to get through the Objection Period. Anyone who has
been involved with the process has a 45 day window to file an objection to the proposed decision.
The Final Environmental Assessment differs from the Draft Environmental Assessment in
several significant ways. These changes were made based upon consideration of public comments and
coordination with Montana State Agencies. Many RCORUA members submitted comments on the Draft
EA for the Darby Lumber Project.
For RCORUA, the changes from the Draft EA to the Final EA contain both good news and bad
news. Some of the good news is:
The “system” segment of Trail 104 will have a season of closure from October 15 to December 1.
The Draft EA had proposed a season of closure from October 15 to June 15. This is a big win
for motorcycle enthusiasts who value Trail 104 for spring access. (Note that the first 5.4 miles of
Trail 104 remains “in limbo” pending release of the Travel Plan and the first 2.2 miles of Trail 104
remains closed until June 15).
Most of RCORUA’s recommended routes, as modified by the Draft EA, continue to be
recommended in the Final EA. Notable exceptions listed below.
In the bad news department:
The proposed “Fishtail” route has been deleted from the project. As many of you will recall, the first
three miles of the Fishtail road was reconstructed as an ATV trail in 2002. This trail was
constructed by the Forest Service to Forest Service standards but received modest use because
it doesn’t go anywhere. RCORUA had recommended hooking this existing trail to other existing
roads to complete a very attractive ATV route from the Rye Creek road to the Mine Road. That
proposal was included in the Draft EA but not in the Final EA. Apparently, we have Montana
FWP and Montana DEQ to thank for that. Both State Agencies submitted adverse comments on
this proposal. The Final EA proposes to “obliterate” the ATV trail to “protect” watersheds and
elk. The outrageous contradictions in this proposal seem to have eluded Federal and State
Agencies altogether. If it was desirable to build this trail in the first place why is it now suddenly
necessary to obliterate it? Where is the evidence that the presence and use of this trail on the
ground for the past 13 years has had an adverse impact on anything?
RCORUA is still in the process of digesting the details of the Final EA for the Darby Lumber
Project, and will continue to evaluate our options as the process goes through the objection period.
However the process works out, ATV enthusiasts can be reasonably assured that travel opportunities
will be significantly improved as this proposal is implemented.
RCORUA volunteers are heavily invested in this project. Three years of field work, 786 hours of
volunteer time, and hundreds of observations and photographs have paid off. This project establishes
RCORUA as a credible Forest Service partner who is willing to put their volunteer work where their
mouth is.
2015 MEMBERSHIP DUES CAN BE PAID ANYTIME, get yours in early!
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APRIL 2015
Membership Application / Renewal
2015
Mail to Ravalli County Off-Road User Association, P.O. Box 72, Hamilton, MT 59840
Date: _____________________________________Check Number ____________________________
Single ($10.00) _____Single Lifetime $150.00_____Family ($20.00)_____Business / Sponsor ($100.00)______
Donation $_______________________________________________
Individual & Family Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st yearly. Business Sponsors runs from date paid.
Name (s) (please list all family names) or Business / Sponsor Name and Web site (optional):
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
City:_________________________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip code: _________________
Telephone: _________________Cell Phone _____________________________Fax:________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Number of Off-Road Users in the family:_________ Referred by: _____________________________________________
Do you want emails sent to you :all_______ , only meeting notices _______ or none ________ ?
Do you want the newsletter emailed to you (colored) _______ or a printed version mailed (Black & White) ___________
PLEASE fill out the above form when renewing or for a new membership. Check or fill out all the lines
that apply. We are encouraging members that have email addresses to sign up for the emailed
version of the newsletter (in color) to cut our expenses. PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOU
WANT THE NEWSLETTER SENT TO YOU AND IF YOU WANT ANY EMAIL’S!
Your privacy is important to us, your information is only used for club purposes and is not shared
with any outside entity. Notify us if you do not want your name or picture published in the newsletter
or on the website!
DAN THOMPSON APPOINTED TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dan Thompson has recently been appointed to a three-year term on the State Trails
Advisory Committee (STAC). The STAC works with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to
administer Montana’s Recreational Trails program.
The STAC is comprised of eight to twelve voting volunteer delegates that may each serve
no more than two consecutive terms.
APRIL 2015
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TRAVEL PLAN RELEASED
On April 8, 2015, the Bitterroot National Forest
(BNF) released their long-awaited Travel Plan. This
process began back in September of 2007 when the BNF
released their Proposal for public comment. Both
RCORUA and the Bitterroot Ridgerunners (BRR) have been
actively involved in the Travel Management Process since
that time.
The document released to the public is the Draft Final Environmental
Impact Statement. This will be followed by a 45-day period for persons or
organizations to file administrative Objections to this proposal.
As of the publication of this newsletter, neither RCORUA nor BRR have
had an opportunity to evaluate this proposal. A quick perusal of the Summary
of the DFEIS produces some shocking indications, however:
The use of motorized and mechanized vehicles will be prohibited in
Recommended Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, and some
Inventoried Roadless Areas;
Approximately 286,000 of the 851,000 acres currently available to
snowmobiles would be closed (34% reduction);
Outside the area closures noted above, an additional 308 miles of roads and
trails will be closed to motorized use.
Members may obtain a disk containing the Draft FEIS from any Forest
Service Office. There will no doubt also be a series of public information
meetings.
Members can anticipate that both RCORUA and BRR will offer
informational meetings (hopefully with full-sized maps) in the near future.
Remember: “If you snooze you lose!!”