Arizona State Land Department's State Land Recreational Use Permit Program in trouble!
Jeff Gursh with the Arizona Trail Riders asked us to help him get the word out regarding some funding shortfalls in Arizona, his solution proposal and what you can do to help.
A recent Arizona State Parks Board meeting found that all OHV gas tax monies and the Off Highway Vehicle Coordinator, Tammy Pike's program with the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) had been taken to help lower the State budget deficit. OHV groups petitioned and won a 45 day extension to find a minimum of $80,000 in funds to keep Tammy's organization functioning through the next fiscal year. This brings me to you (the public). It is time that the dealers and folks, like the manufacturers step up and add money to the famished pot.
1) The State Trust currently has a State Land Recreational Use Permit Program that was intended to fund Pike's program and job, but those resources currently go to the State's General Fund. My idea is to put the Permit money back where it should be - in the State Trust with a 70/30 percent split. That's 70 percent to the Trust Beneficiaries and 30 percent to fund and run the OHV and Multi-use Program.
2) To take some of the permit program expenses away from the ASLD, allow OHV and non-OHV dealers and shops to sell the permits with a $1.00 fee added to the permit price to help cover paperwork expenses. In addition, they would advertise that this permit is a requirement (poorly publicized now), especially when an OHV is sold. In any other shop, from a horse supply store to a mountain bike shop, ...etc., the permits could be promoted via posters or ad copy in the stores and sold there as well. 3) This initial dealership and aftermarket store based funding would extend no more than two years -- enough time to allow the permit system to build up to the point where it can sustain the whole program without outside help as originally intended.
Remember, this State Trust Land is multi-use and the State Land Recreational Use Permits are not just for motorized users, although I see the best sales will come from the OHV dealers. However, this system cannot work without the help of all groups involved in the use and sale of recreation equipment.
What I am requesting you and your organizations do: Look for funds via grants, donations from dealers, manufacturers and such that will keep this program running until the permits can finance it. This is the last chance to save the Arizona OHV program and 15 years of hard work by agencies and citizens alike to make a workable OHV plan. Arizona has been the model for other states for the last four years thanks to a seamless management style both the State and Federal land management agencies have adopted along with a comprehensive trail inventory program of the entire state. PLEASE don't expect this to fix itself! Time is critical here.