Acting Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, has appointed the AMA District 36 Government Affairs lead to serve on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC). Don Amador, a former chairman of the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, will be representing the interests of OHV enthusiasts who enjoy casual use or participate in permitted motorized events.
This particular RAC advises the BLM on public land issues within the boundaries of the Bakersfield, Bishop, Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices, which comprise the Central California District.
D36 members enjoy participating in competition events or trail riding with family and friends at popular OHV sites within the RAC’s jurisdiction. Some of those units include the BLM’s Cow Mountain and Knoxville OHV Areas.
The Clear Creek Management Area (currently closed) is also within the RAC’s boundary. In addition, there are dispersed OHV opportunities in or near Walker Ridge and in the Sierra or Coastal Mountain foothills.
The RAC can make recommendations on programs and policies to increase outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans including new OHV riding areas and to implement the agency’s regulatory reform proposals which include streamlining the event permit process.
Don Amador states, “I look forward to representing the interests of OHV recreationists who enjoy trail riding or participating in motorcycle competition events. The RAC will most certainly be reviewing the status of OHV recreation at Clear Creek and other lands (either currently closed or open to OHV) within its jurisdiction.”
“D36 members understand that OHV is a significant contributor to the economy and an important part of the California state-wide recreation opportunity matrix and that OHV recreation is also an important partner when it comes to addressing the growing threat of intense wildfires on both public and private lands. I look forward to working with other user groups on the RAC in support of access to, and resource management of, lands within the RAC’s project area,” Amador concludes.
