Since our last update, WOHVA has been working diligently assuring that environmentally responsible OHV recreational opportunities are expanded here the Badger State.
WOHVA’s 2012 events were featured in the “Spring 2012 - Wild Rivers Guide.” The Guide is a quarterly feature distributed in the Florence Mining News, Borderland Journal & The Forest Republican.
See the April 4th issues of these outstanding publications. WOHVA is featured on page 3 of the “Spring 2012 – Wild Rivers Guide.”
In conjunction with the Wisconsin Off-Road Vehicle Park, Inc. (WORVPI), WOHVA is working with NCWRPC on an extensive Feasibility Study to direct establishing a 10,000 acre Badger State Motorized Recreation Area (MRA). Weekly, a conference call with the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC) and a WORVPI team is held. WOHVA is excited to be on the forefront, representing Badger State motorized trail riding enthusiasts, on this and other advocacy projects. Four such meetings occurred in April. WOHVA, of course, participated in all these meetings.
Informed access advocates will recall that WOHVA previously contracted with an independent consultant to develop a business plan for establishing a MRA here in the Badger State. NCWRPC is located in Wausau, Wisconsin and does major research projects for many northern Wisconsin counties and municipalities. Regular updates on this project will be available on the WOHVA web site with detailed updates expanded upon in the WOHVA Members Only Forums. Watch our website for more details as they become available.
The WOHVA Board of Directors held their regular bi-monthly meeting in Mole Lake, Wisconsin.
WOHVA Individual Members can review the agenda, minutes, financial reports and other documents pertaining to all Board Meetings in the WOHVA Updates Forum located in the Forums Section of the WOHVA website.
Presenting comments in opposition to Question 65 in the Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Ballots (a “No” vote). WOHVA took a stance against restricting speed limits to 25 on frozen waterways (lakes & rivers). Should the proposal become law, it would essentially ban events like ice racing, ice drags and possibly even ice sailing.
The complete ballot and an announce of all Wisconsin Conservation Congress County Meetings was posted on the WOHVA web site.
WOHVA participated in the regular monthly meeting for the Wisconsin Off-Road Vehicle Park, Inc. (WORVPI).
Regular updates on WORVPI (including meeting agenda & minutes) and all WOHVA special projects can be found in the “Projects” window located on the WOHVA Webpage. Project Updates are available to WOHVA Individual Members on-line and are provided quarterly to WOHVA Supporting Groups and clubs/organizations that have expressed interest by contacting WOHVA and offering their assistance in helping WOHVA expand OHV opportunities here in the Badger State. Visit the newly launched WORVPI web site at http://www.WORVPI.org.
WOHVA participated in the regular monthly meeting of the Lake States Resource Alliance (LSRA) Land Use & Legislation Committee (LULC).
The committee recommends actions on legislation and land management issues affecting public land stakeholders in the lake states region (Michigan, Minnesota & Wisconsin) to the LSRA Board of Directors.
The announcement of the Wisconsin Off-Road Vehicle Park, Inc. (WORVPI) first annual membership meeting was published on Page 13 of the Wednesday, April 18, 2012 issue of The Forest Republican. WOHVA is a WORVPI Keystone Sponsor as well as an Association Annual Member.
For more information on WORVPI or on the First Annual Wisconsin Off-Road Vehicle Park Membership Meeting visit their web site at http://www.WORVPI.org.
WOHVA’s 8th Annual Wisconsin OHV Enthusiast Workshops were held at the Mole Lake Lodge & Conference Center. The Workshops attracted participants from across the U.S. and featured a luncheon with legislators and land managers. Next year, WOHVA’s 9th Annual Wisconsin OHV Enthusiasts Workshop is scheduled for April 6th & 7th, 2013 at the Mole Lake Lodge & Conference Center.
Workshops included the Wisconsin Off-Road Vehicle Park Development Workshop (presented by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council), Volunteer Trail Patrol (presented by United Four Wheel Drive Associations), Safe Vehicle Extraction and Winching Techniques (presented by Expedition Ops Outfitters), and the 2012 Motorized Vehicle Use Map for the Chequamegon/Nicolet National Forest (presented by U.S. Forest Service).
WOHVA held our 8th Annual WOHVA General Membership Meeting on April 14th at the Mole Lake Lodge & Conference Center in Mole Lake, Wisconsin.
WOHVA Individual Members can review the agenda, financial reports and other documents pertaining to this meeting in the WOHVA Members Only Forums Section of the WOHVA website.
All WOHVA Supporting Organizations were mailed a quarterly access advocacy update which included a WORVPI Annual Meeting Announcement, a WORVPI Individual Membership Application, a WORVPI Association Membership Application, a map displaying possible locations for the Forest County Off-Road Park, WOHVA’s new 5th Annual GNTR Poster and a map displaying The Pipeline closures which will be effective beginning June 1st. All WOHVA Supporting Groups receive quarterly update and advocacy bulletins which contain important news to share with their individual members.
Sokaogon Chippewa Community and WOHVA extended their current Memo of Understanding for an additional three years. The extension assures continued access to the trails in and around Mole Lake through December 31st, 2015.
WOHVA’s ability to extend our access agreement is a direct reflection of WOHVA Members willingness to work with a private land owner. Working together, to assure compliance with adhering to land owner restrictions for their lands, we've proven that private land ownership and motorized recreation can join together and result in a win-win for both. Jeep Jamboree USA is currently in contract discussions with Jeep. They anticipate closing those discussions in late August and have confirmed that they too will extend their MOU with WOHVA for the additional three years immediately after contracting with Jeep. We anticipate having a signed MOU with JJUSA by mid September.
WOHVA attended the Lake States Resource Alliance (LSRA) Quarterly Directors Meeting at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Information (including the minutes) on this and all LSRA meetings can be found on the LSRA web site at http://www.lakestatesresource.org
the LSRA is a group of access advocates focusing on a multiple-use approach to industry and recreation in National Forests in and around the Lake States Area (Michigan, Minnesota & Wisconsin). Visit them on facebook & Twitter.
The latest legislative session in Wisconsin was unusual (to say the least). A couple of WOHVA’s major legislative initiatives were stalled as a result. We have been assured that both our 4WD and OHM registration programs will receive top priority once the state legislature is convened in January ’13.
WOHVA anticipates visiting with our legislative contacts in mid September to again move ahead with this vitally important legislation.
Jeep Jamboree USA and WOHVA reached a verbal agreement to extended our current Memo of Understanding for an additional three years. The extension will assure that WOHVA and our outstanding group of highly trained Trail Guides will continue to serve as hosts for the Annual Northwoods-Mole Lake Jeep Jamboree USA through 2015.
Jeep Jamboree USA (JJUSA) is currently in contract discussions with Jeep Corporation, with the close of these discussions JJUSA will be at liberty to sign contracts (including our MOU). WOHVA & JJUSA anticipate the formal signing to occur by Mid-September.
“Remember, join and advocate (that’s) the two most important things that you can do!”
- Del Albright
(April ’09, WOHVA’s 5th Annual Wisconsin OHV Enthusiast Workshops)
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