If you live or ride in California then you'd better take action because the dirt you ride on is systematically getting pulled out from underneath you and the biggest tug just took place. I don't care of it is a motorcycle, a jeep, a snow machine or a quad, in fact of you drive your Subaru down a dirt road to go hike a trail, the implications of Governor Jerry Brown terminating the term of the OHV Commission's Deputy Director, Daphne Green will have a negative impact that cannot be measured. This is a highly political move and stems from environmental pressure due solely to the great job Director Green was doing.
In her position working for the California State Parks in the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division she managed to successfully meet the very difficult demands and regulations put upon those parks for everything from sound regulations to particulate matter standards and water quality issues. In fact many on the OHV community thought she was working for the "other side" because she knew it was her job and required by law that the parks under her supervision meet those requirements or they would be shut down. Only lately have we seen the true benefit of her hard work, in the background the division had studies done and challenged existing studies to show that our OHV parks and areas were in fact in compliance and the OHV activity was not the cause of the problem. Parks like Oceano Dunes remain open and there is action on the Clear Creek OHV area because of the hard work and dedication of Daphne Green and her staff.
The Deputy Commissioner is an appointed position and works at the convince of the Governor, so it is his call to appoint anyone he sees fit. So all it has taken is some pressure from somewhere to terminate Daphne Green. A replacement has not been named and the timing of the whole event is as suspect as can be, during the holidays when no one is around to take action or answer questions about how, why, or what is next?
We could list off the accomplishments of Green and her staff during her term of over seven years and through the course of three Governors. It is long and unexciting to those not directly involved. Those accolades basically create a sustainable OHV program for the State of California that meet the needs of all groups involved, including the environmental interests. But the environmental interests have no use in a sustainable OHV program and they simply will not be happy till we go away. If they get their way on this one, they are one huge step in the direction of shutting down the OHV commission.
Other pro OHV commissioner's have sent the Governor letters to support Daphne and they could also be terminated for showing support for or going against the Governor on this. And that will only foul the OHV commission further as environmental interests are looking at destroying us by running the OHV commission from the inside out.
You need to take action and get involved in this one. The only way to effect any change in this is to send a letter to the Governor's office and to any state representative that may be able to help us out on reversing this decision. Like the Lead Law we just overcame, we have to make our voice be heard. 37 million of you recreate on OHV on public lands and we need to get it together and make a difference on this one. And please notify your friends and family and do this as soon as possible.
If you are short on time, use the following link:
Steps to really make a difference:
1 - Send a short (they are most effective) letter of support for Greene's reappointment to:
Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916.558.3160
Email: veronica.ortiz-torres@gov.ca.gov
2 - Utilize CAL4WD's Letter Generator
CAL4WD Alert and Letter Generator
http://capwiz.com/cal4wheel/home/
3 - Send a copy of your letter to State Senator Joel Anderson. He will hand carry your letters to the Governor.
Email Senator Joel Anderson
saveohv@gmail.com