United Four Wheel Drive Associations
An International Organization

Category: Press Releases
Date: Dec 16 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CA OHV COMMISSION DISCARDS CRITICAL AUDIT - VOTES TO SLASH FUNDS FOR SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

LAKESIDE, CA (Dec. 16) - At their December 8-9, 2005 meeting, the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR)
Commission voted to eliminate funding for many conservation, safety, and law enforcement programs. California regulations mandate that
funds collected from OHV registrations go for conservation, education, law enforcement, public safety, trail maintenance, and land acquisition programs operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and local sheriff departments.

John Stewart, Director of Environmental Affairs for the United Four Wheel Drive Associations, said actions taken at the December Commission meeting were identical to problems identified in an extensive audit critical of the state OHV Program conducted by the California Bureau of State Audits earlier this year. The Audit noted that funds from the OHV Trust Fund were allocated without proper assurance the grants would benefit the legislative intent of the program.

Stewart noted, "The OHMVR Commission is blatantly continuing irregularities identified in the Audit. There is no longer any accountability."

Failure to fund important safety, education and law enforcement programs shows the Commission no longer functions in accordance to the California law establishing the statewide OHV program. Stewart added, "The Commission is attempting to manage an OHV program for special and personal interests and selfish ego." As defined by the Legislature, the OHV Program was established to effectively manage areas and provide adequate facilities for the use of off-highway vehicles and conservation and enforcement are essential for
ecologically balanced recreation.

Earlier this year, a coalition of local, state, and national recreation groups sent a letter to Senator Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside)
asking for legislative hearings by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee based on a recent report by the Bureau of State Audits critical of the OHMVR Program. That audit cited irregularities within the grants program that were again evident during the recent commission hearing.

The groups signing the September 8 letter to Senator Morrow include; American Sand Association, Off-Road Business Association, San Diego Off-Road Coalition, American Motorcyclist Association, American Motorcyclist Association - District 36, American Motorcyclist Association - District 37, BlueRibbon Coalition, California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs, California/Nevada Snowmobile Association, California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Desert Vipers Motorcycle Club, Duners, American Motorcyclist Association District
37 Dual Sport, and United Four Wheel Drive Associations.

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United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) is the leading representative for four wheel drive enthusiasts. UFWDA is a group of individuals, clubs, state, regional, provincial and national associations and businesses in the United States and around the world; our members span the globe from the U.S. and Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, Japan, South Africa, and Iceland. If you would like more information on how you can be a part of this effort contact United Four Wheel Drive Associations today at 14525 SW Millikan Way #22622, Beaverton, OR 97005-2343, 1-800-448-3932 or visit www.ufwda.org.

Contact: John Stewart, Director of Environmental Affairs,
United Four Wheel Drive Associations.
Phone: (619) 390-8747
FAX: (619) 390-1705
E-mail: john@muirnet.net
WebPage: http://www.ufwda.org