Olympia, Washington
Friday, March 25, 2005
12:00 Noon – 2:00 P.M.
Thousands of families and businesses from across Washington will converge on Olympia for a public awareness rally on Friday, March 25, 2005. All forms of Off Road vehicle recreation will be represented: 4WD, ATV, motorcycle, rally car, backcountry equestrian, and mountain bike.Why’s such a rally needed? The current system for funding and managing appropriate Off Road vehicle recreation opportunities on public land in Washington was launched with just such a rally back in the 70′s. That system’s been changed, weakened, and is in dire need of re-commitment.
• Tens of thousands of Off Road recreation enthusiasts are not being served! This is a family activity, enjoyed by all walks of life. Hundreds of clubs bring families and enthusiasts together in positive activities that contribute to the healthy enjoyment of our Great Northwest, and to the state economy.
• Opportunity is shrinking! ORV Parks have been closed. Current funding source have been raided by groups with far greater funding and stated anti-Off Road agendas. Legislation is continually introduced to curtail valid recreational activities.
• Demand is growing! Sales of Off-Road vehicles and the vehicles used to transport them continue to grow. This is a segment of the buying public that should not be ignored.
• Demand must be served! Demand and opportunity moving in opposite directions is a recipe for sure disaster. Current opportunities for the public to access public lands are over-stressed. Demand will find new opportunities—but the creation of appropriate opportunity effectively managed is critical.
• Billions of dollars of Washington’s economy are at stake! Off Road enthusiasts not only purchase vehicles, they buy RV’s to camp in, trailers to tow their vehicles, aftermarket equipment, clothing, etc. They bring vital economic input to small communities adjacent to recreation opportunities—communities that rely on Off Road enthusiasts for their economic and civic survival.
• Off Road Vehicle recreation is self-funded! License tab fees, site fees, and a refunds of taxes paid on fuel consumed fund the creation, management and maintenance of opportunities. A very high percentage of maintenance is performed by volunteers. Properly managed ORV parks are proven positive cash flow generators.
• It is time to renew a spirit of cooperation! The Off Road vehicle community wants to work with the Legislature and State Agencies to reverse dangerous trends threatening thousands of families and businesses in this state, replacing them with cooperation dedicated to what is right for families, businesses, and the great state of Washington.
Contact: Ed Bushnell @ 425-931-3332 or Tory Briggs @ 425-418-1943 for more information.
