San Diego, CA (April 13, 2005): The U.S. Forest Service sponsored a National OHV Collaboration Summit at the Bahia Hotel and Resort in San Diego, California on April 11-13, 2005. United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) joined representatives of other recreation and environmental groups and land management officials from local, state, and federal agencies to review collaboration case studies and participate in discussion groups.

The conference featured a speech by Dale Bosworth, Chief, U.S. Forest Service. During his speech, Bosworth stated, "We believe that off-highway vehicles are a legitimate use in the right place. That includes many places on national forest land. But it's a use that's got to be managed if we want to keep it." He further stated that the Four Threats-fire and fuels, invasive species, loss of open space, and unmanaged outdoor recreation are long-term concerns that urgently need to be addressed.

Bosworth noted that the collaborative summit was the first of its kind hosted by the Forest Service and stated that collaborative efforts are needed to meet the challenges of the future. He closed by stating, " It's up to all of us here to come together in a truly collaborative spirit, knowing how high the stakes are. Future generations will depend on us to rise to the occasion and find sustainable solutions on the ground."

John Stewart, Director of Environmental Affairs for UFWDA stated, "As this collaborative process moves forward, we look forward to working with the agency to ensure the new national OHV rules and the route designation process provides for the variety of recreation experience our members desire on forest lands."

Discussion groups and presentations featured a range of topics providing participants an opportunity to exchange views and learn new strategies for working together with shared goals and values.