SailAway

I'll try to post the flyer later today but yep, it's always on St. Patrick's weekend. Thanks Pete. Last year we weren't able to provide t-shirts for the cleanup... they aren't cheap and we didn't have enough sponsor money to cover them without having to dip into our own limited funds. It wasn't just that though... we probably could have pushed harder but it's really hard to hit up sponsors for t-shirt money and then turn around and hit them up again for 'real' needs like paying for a lawyer to help fight the potential lizard closures. But we sure missed them and we'd love to have them back. If anyone is able to help take on the task of gathering sponsorship dollars for this season's cleanup, let me know and we'll work together when the time comes. Oh, and speaking of cleanup... I posted something in the Glamis section about them removing dumpsters from Glamis. Sure makes me glad we never let them in at Dumont! Vicki

NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18, 2008 Release #08-306 Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 217-7750 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Tucker Rocky Recalls Off-Road Motorcycle Clamp Kits; Bolts Can Break Causing Handlebars to Separate During a Crash and Cause Serious Injury WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Pro Taper Clamp Kits Used With Off-Road Motorcycles Units: About 12,000 Distributor: Tucker Rocky Distributing, of Fort Worth, Texas Hazard: Some of the bolts included in the clamp kits (or sold separately) if installed incorrectly can break under extreme force such as a crash. This can cause the handlebars to separate posing a risk of serious injury to the rider. Incidents/Injuries: There have been seven reports of bolts breaking. No injuries have been reported. Description: The Pro Taper Clamp Kits are aftermarket accessories for off-road motorcycles. The recall involves the following kits and part numbers: Upper Triple Clamp Kit: 02-2824, 02-2825, 02-2826, 02-2827, 02-2828, 02-2829, 02-2843, 02-2844, 02-2845, 02-2846, 02-2849, 02-2851 Complete Triple Clamp Kit 02-2830: 02-2831, 02-2832, 02-2833, 02-2834, 02-2839, 02-2840, 02-2847, 02-2848, 02-2850, 02-2852, 02-2853, 02-2854, 02-2855 Handlebar Clamp Kit (Universal Solid Mount Kit and Universal Rubber Mount Kit): 02-2821, 02-2822 Replacement Bolt Kit: 02-2855, 02-2886 Sold at: Motorcycle dealerships nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 and ranged in price from $5 for the Replacement Bolt Kit to $440 for the Complete Triple Clamp Kit. Manufactured in: Taiwan Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop riding off-road motorcycles equipped with the recalled kits and contact the firm for free replacement bolts. Consumer Contact: For further information, call Tucker Rocky Distributing toll-free at (866) 217-7750 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.protaper.com To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08306.html

BINGO. And yes, I absolutely believe that is indeed the primary reason these restrictions are being suggested, or at least it is the primary reason behind the folks who are supporting this kind of extreme legislation. If it really was all about the safety of the children and not a way to target the sport, education would be the focus, not restrictions. Vicki

Yes and no. This is the first stage in making it a law. The legislation has to pass through California Senate and Assembly and then it has to be signed by the Guv and then it becomes law. The timing for this to pass into law would be January 1, 2009. Vicki

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/s..._introduced.pdf New legislation currently in the process. Take a close look. Some of this isn't so bad, but some is. It raises the age for a child to be certified or supervised by a certified adult from 14 to 16. Not a big deal? It also regulates the size of the machine the child can ride and no, that hasn't been a law. There has been an agreement with the manufacturers that they would not sell OHVs directly to minors, but it has not been illegal for a child to ride a size-appropriate bike. IMHO training and supervision are the keys to off-road safety. I haven't seen any studies indicating that injuries to minors have anything to do with the size of the bikes. Mandating the size of the ride by age makes little sense to me... when it comes to kids, once size does not fit all. Walk into a classroom full of 8 year olds and measure the height and weight differences and then tell me they should all be on the same size bicycle. :bangin: And, existing law already dictates that a child must be able to safely operate the equipment, can reach the brakes, the shifter, etc. But heck, what do I know. As quietly as this thing is being passed through the system, apparently it's seen as a viable solution, can I hear an amen. Vicki

HELLLLOOOOOO yes, I'm still around. Busy as, well, busy as all of those sayings people use to describe someone who's busy... that's how busy I am! A new job and lots of other changes and I'm spending all my time catching my breath. But the cleanup... well, that is the priority and it's on and ready to roll and will be bigger and better than ever before. Registration begins at 8:00 so all of the fabulous helpers... if you could be there no later than 7:30, that would be fantastic. I will be there before 7:00 *yawn*. See you all there!!! Oh and yes, the BAGS will be there on time this year. Vicki

http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fus...ty.SenateReport This is a lengthy article, full of useful links and excellent information. I'll post some of it here but strongly suggest following the link to get the full story. Happy reading! Vicki

Andy, a strong suggestion is a far cry from a proven fact and no such decision has been made on this. It may well be that the final word will be that it is considered distinct but that has not been determined yet and we are a long way from reaching that conclusion. I do not want the casual reader to believe that this fight is over before it begins. It is also important for everyone to keep in mind that even if it is determined that the lizard is a distinct population segment, such a determination does not equal closure. And neither does "protection" of the species. Vicki

Welcome to the board UmaGuy. I would ask that you please be careful in how you phrase things. To state "The Amargosa River distinct population segment of the Mojave fringe-toed lizard only occurs at Dumont Dunes..." is not accurate. It has not yet been determined whether it deserves a finding as a distinct population segment and I sure don't like to see anyone jumping the gun and misleading the readers of this message board. By the way, I too believe that it is possible for the lizard to coexist with ORVs at Dumont and Friends of Dumont Dunes is working hard to make sure there will never be a need for Fish & Wildlife to intervene on behalf of the lizard. Also, your point about illegal off road use is a valid one. If we do not regulate ourselves, the authorities have no choice but to step in and do it for us and that's not good for us or them. Vicki

This year it's going really slow getting sponsorship money from people. Product donations, no problem. But major sponsors are slow to spend their dollars this year. Seems the consumer crunch has trickled down to a vendor crunch. BUT... don't be alarmed... I'm encouraged by the movement in the last week and actually I haven't been concerned even before that. Just surprised at the pace, although when I look at past year movement, we're right on track. I think people are being frugal (sounds so much better than stingy) but when it comes right down to it (and I start emphasizing the deadline), they're willing to pony up. None of the donations and/or sponsors really start heating up until much closer to the cleanup so give it a little time and you'll see lots of action. Vicki

I hope it's not too soon to start talking this up. We've been working on sponsors and details for the cleanup and it's getting pretty exciting and I realized that we haven't even posted this year's flyer yet and then I looked at the calendar and realized that we only just now on the verge of February. Phew! Okay, everyone mark their calendars for this year's cleanup and remind your camping group how much fun you've had at the previous cleanups and let's get our participation numbers WAY UP. I'll attach a copy of the flyer here so people can start printing it out for their own camp groups but also it would be dandy if a few people could volunteer to take them to their local off-road shops for their sales counters and windows. Wooooo hooooo it's only 45 days to go! Vicki 08_Dumont_Cleanup_flyer.pdf

We probably won't see an official agenda until 7-10 days (or less) prior to the meeting. This group listens and responds to the Dumont dune users, so... What would you like to have discussed at the meeting? Vicki

Yes, that would be the ideal situation. And there's a good (but not great) chance that would happen. To really save our a$$es we cannot sit back and simply hope for the best though. The smarter move would be to react as if the lizard is found to be a distinct population segment and work toward keeping it from listed. Fish & Wildlife doesn't want to have to step in on behalf of this lizard... if we can help them take a hand's off approach, we'd be golden. Our very best defense against a listing is keeping people out of the closed areas because, well, that's where the foliage is that the lizard eats. The only time this lizard really goes anywhere near the actual dunes is when it's time for romance and by that time of year it's too hot for us to be riding the dunes. Friends of Dumont Dunes has been in contact with Fish & Wildlife over this and we will continue to work closely with FWS and the BLM to work this to our best advantage. Vicki

Here is the 'official' news release from the Fish & Wildlife Service...

I'm not in his area but I am on his email list and I just received this from Senator Ashburn's office...