The Grape Vine
By Dan Nitzel

Gossip, rumblings, satire and not so deep thought by Dan Nitzel, NOHVA Business Manager

            Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Grape Vine!  In this hopefully regular editorial, we will openly discuss issues related to the ATV and dirtbike world in Nebraska and elsewhere.  

            First and fore-most, if you have not heard yet, we just got done with another election.  Other articles in this newsletter detail thoughts from others concerning the Presidential and Congress races.  While I voted for Mr. Bush, I did so because his name was the first person listed on the ballot. Well, not really.  I was somewhat undecided when I entered the voting booth, but I was kind of learning toward’s Bush.  There were major issues that John Kerry supported that I support, but his agenda was defiantly anti-access on public lands.  His web site practically shouted out stop the dreaded ATV and dirtbike on public and private lands, but this is not unusual for an east coast politician.  East coast politicians have a history of closing land up to us in the west so that they and our nations elitists can be the only one who can enjoy them.     I thought about voting Libertarian, a party that advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state..  I’d never vote for any one in the Green party. 

            Political appointments by Mr. Bush are forcing changes upon and creating policies in the way the US Forest Service will be treating ATV and dirtbike trail users on their lands.  The result of these new polices will most likely cause a great loss of access on public lands in coming years nation wide.  This will be due in large part from decisions made that are endorsed by the Bush administration. However, if Kerry had been elected, we would have seen a much more aggressive campaign to close public lands to us. 

            While no decision has been made by the US Forest Service here in Nebraska as to what the new travel plan will consist of, my guess is that we are going to loose about 200,000 acres of access and hundreds of miles of trails on Forest Service here in Nebraska.

            I had the chance to speak with Jeff Kearney President of the Off-Road Riders in Rapid City South Dakota.  They are based in the Black Hills.  Jeff mentioned to me that they expect to come out with 3,000 to 4,000 MILES of trails in their National Forest Travel Plan in South Dakota.  While the final Forest Plan has not been revealed by the Forest Service yet here in Nebraska, I told him that we are looking at only 35 to 100 miles or trails at Halsey and maybe 100 miles in the rest of Nebraska on Forest Service lands.  I also mentioned that over 225,000 acres were going to be closed as well.  I’m sure Jeff felt REAL fortunate after talking to me! 

            Why is this occurring?  In a nut shell, new Federal polices are forcing stricter control of federal lands.  Local forest managers will be allowed to decide what stays open and what closes.  They are now encouraged to listen to local residents and land owners.  Budget cuts are not allowing for funding of trails on public lands.  Environmental groups are FIGHTING to get all motorized recreation banned from Federal lands and some private lands. 

            Here in Nebraska and particularly at Halsey and Pine Ridge, to the local ranchers and many local residents, those who ride ATVs and dirtbikes are seen as  “unmanageable” and they pretty much want us gone.  Federal agencies do not have the manpower and budget to properly manage ATV and dirtbike riders.  They want us out and gone.  Apparently the Black Hills area escaped this issue. 

            The numbers of ATVs and dirtbikes visiting public lands in Nebraska and the nation is increasing rapidly.  A small number of riders are irresponsible while on the trails but vast majority of the riders are and not willing to become involved in helping manage and maintain trails.  In Nebraska, there is very little support among riders at Halsey for groups like our own who work with Federal agencies to solve problems. 

            Groups like our own are desperately trying to get the word out that riders need to become educated and involved.  Riders need to understand the importance of safety not only for their own protection but in the perception of our sport to the public. 

            Have you ever noticed how the media feeds on anything that has to do with an injury, fatality or complaint issue concerning an ATV or dirtbike?  Positive things concerning things that we accomplish are NEVER reported in Nebraska.  The larger newspapers in Nebraska are not interested in the good things we do and provide to enthusiasts, just the DIRT (no pun intended).  In my 18 years of involvement with this organization, I have never been interviewed in a positive light by a major newspaper in Nebraska. 

            A recent news article in the Aurora News Register dated September 29^th (THANK YOU KRIS POPPEN!!) detailed the problems private land owners are experiencing with ATV and jeep riders on the Platte River between Grand Island and Columbus.  Many people are entering the river on county owned lands at Bader Park and Tooley (Marquette) Park and riding down the dry river beds.  People who live along this stretch of land have reported break ins to their buildings, theft, vandalism, cutting fences, leaving beer containers, and they do not care for the noise made by Jeep and ATV riders.  Some of the riders are accused of leaving drug paraphernalia such as used syringes and leave trash, cans and bottles from beer parties.  Land owners have asked trespassers to leave that they have refused.  

            The involved Sheriffs Departments have responded to the problems but are not able to be there all the time and do not have the equipment such as jeeps or ATVs to track down the law breakers, partygoers and trespassers. 

            One of the families in the article said they moved to the river property so that they can ride their ATVs on their land, but are tired of all the jeeps and ATVs trespassing on their land and riding nearby.  They have been asking that the counties involved close the access off to the public from the county park lands or they may be forced to request help from the Federal Government.  Apparently, as of this writing, the Hamilton County board is addressing the situation.  I will report more about it as we hear about it.   I look for Tooley Park to be closed.

            Some of the people I’ve talked to about this privately say that the people doing the complaining are complainers anyway and the problems are being blown out of proportion by a few people. 

            It does not take a lot of insight to be able to look down the dry Platte River and Loup River beds in central Nebraska and see multiple well used ATV tracks and trails.  Considering the attitudes of many environmentalists, I am surprised that this has been allowed to go on for the last couple of years.  I hear from irate land owners about two or three times a year asking that we do something about it.  They are tired of people trespassing on their lands.  Apparently, they think most of these ATV riders are NOHVA members.  I sure a handful are, but I can say for sure that the majority or the are not NOHVA members.      

            I would not be at all surprised to see state legislation introduced AND PASSED in the in Lincoln this next year targeting motorized vehicle use in our state’s dry river beds.  The legislation could easily close the Headworks OHV Park near Genoa.  If it were proposed, I would expect it to see support among farm groups, the state of Nebraska and state legislators. State legislators have historically been against recreational use of ATVs in Nebraska.  We do not have the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to communicate with law makers in Lincoln via expensive lobbyists.    AS USUAL, I will watch the actions of the state legislature and keep a close eye on anything they may have in store for us.  You can bet that I will keep you WELL informed about this!!

            While some land owners have no problem with ATV riders enjoying their land in the dry river beds, there are some who do and they are becoming very vocal about it.  It is my opinion that existing laws are in place to address these issues, and they need to be use IF so requested by the land owners. 

            To help solve these problems the counties need to try to find suitable areas for ATV riders to recreate.  Our organization would be MORE than happy to help in anyway we can with this!! 

            In other news, I have learned that Michelle Stryker, Outdoor Recreation Planner and Acting Trails Grant Administrator with the  Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has mentioned to me that she has some leads on two or three ATV and dirtbike projects in the eastern half of Nebraska.  Each project could be around 200 to 300 acres and will be public.  We have offered the services of our organization in developing, planning and operating these prospective areas.  I will have more information as it become available. 

            Michelle also reported that there were no applications for RTP funds in Nebraska this year.  RTP, or the Recreational Trails Plan fund is basically a refund of the Federal gasoline tax that Nebraska’s off road users pay.   Taxes collected from ATV, dirtbike, snowmobile and other off highway vehicles are refunded back to Nebraska via the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).  As recommended by the Federal Government, these RTP funds are allowed to be used on recreational ATV, dirt bike, snowmobile and off-road vehicle recreation. Nebraska has been allocated over $3,500,000 of RTP funding over a period of eight years.  Since 1993, none of the funds have been used for ATV and dirtbike projects in Nebraska.  This is due to the fact that only a government sub-division can apply for the funds.  While there have been plenty of government subdivisions apply for RTP funds for hiking and biking trails, none are interested in applying for a motorized project.

             Why has no one applied?  Any applications would require some matching funds, and since there is not a registration program in Nebraska like many other states have in place, there are no local or state matching funds available.  Additionally, government agencies see our sport as a “can of worms” and there is often little vocal support for trails and OHV parks from the public.  If you want to help, check out our Contact Your Legislator article in this newspaper.        

            We need to thank Michelle at Game and Parks!  She is REALLY trying to help us out!  We also should thank the management at Game and Parks listening to us as well!  

            Rumor has it that the has been some low key ATV riding access on some state controlled dry lake beds may be loosening up a bit.  Land owners or renters with private land along the lakes have been rumored to be riding on lake beds at Johnson’s Lake near Lexington and Lake McConaughy near Sutherland and I have been receiving numerous call about it from riders asking if it’s OK.  I don’t think it’s OK yet, and keep in mind that this is by no means a statement that allows people to go ahead and ride on these lake beds.  Check with local authorities first or you may get busted!

            A group of businesses are working hard to open areas of the lake bed at Lake McConaughy but are meeting fairly strong resistence from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Commissioners and directors.  I’ve been told that some of the local managers are willing to open things up a bit on very controlled and limited basis, but it stops dead when it gets to the Commission members them selves.  For more information contact Eichner's Sales & Service in Ogalalla.  If you would like to contact the Game and Parks Commissioners and directors and ask that they try to help us, visit their web site www.ngpc.state.ne.us

            According to industry specialists, nationwide sales of ATVs will increase about 6.5% this year with about 852,000 units sold. A 6% increase is forecast for next year with sales about 907,000.  Utility sales amount to about 59% or the total and sport model sales are increasing from 21% last year to 27% this year.  In Nebraska, sales of ATVs and dirtbikes this year are up 24%!  About 7,400 are expected to be sold in 2004 and about 1,500 dirtbikes.  About 4,200 street bikes are expected to sell. There are an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 ATVs and dirtbikes in use in Nebraska at this time. 

            Factory racing sponsorships are on the upswing as people are buying more racing orientated machines.  After market parts sales are booming in the sport and utility sectors. 

            For groups like our own, this means more pressure to existing areas we now help with and more problems we have to deal with.  When the river beds change from the generally dry condition that theya re now to one where the river has a foot or more of water in it, Headworks traffic is going to at least DOUBLE or TRIPPLE.  Many of the visitors to Headworks and Halsey are “newbees” and have no idea what the rules are and of NOHVA’s involvement with the areas.             Many retailers have simply mentioned to the newbees that these are the free public places to ride, with no mention of rules at the area or our organization.  While a few retailers understand the importance of NOHVA’s involvement in keeping these areas open, most dealers and retailers seem to be writing us off.  Their trail bound sales are going to suffer if our organization sputters.  They need to become involved in keeping these areas open.  With the increasing sales numbers, we are NOT going to be able to do it alone. 

            In a recent conversation with District Ranger Patty Barney of the Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District  near Halsey, Ranger Barney asked me to pass a few things onto our members.  She said that most of the accidents at the Forest involved people with two or more riding on a machine designed for only one person.  Eventually, there may be regulations that will not allow more than one person on a machine designed for only one rider.  If they wish to ride double, people need to look at the new machines designed for two riders, such as the Bombardier. 

            Willing to volunteer?  Our organization can always use help from “self starters”.  Right now, NOHVA officers pretty much have their hands full just taking care of projects we are currently involved with.  With the current level of people involved in our organization, if were to take on more projects, we would have to give less attention to the Headworks (Genoa) and Nebraska National Forest (Halsey) projects.  Self starters are individuals who are willing to tackle a project from the beginning using our groups resources and communication network.   THERE ARE potential ATV and dirtbike projects in Nebraska WAITING for self starter volunteers in northeastern Nebraska.  If you would like to learn more, please contact me via email at CONTACT  or telephone at 308-380-1139.

2004 TBQ Sport Club, Inc. /  d.b.a. Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
Reproduction of any part of this web site is prohibited without permission.  Read our Disclaimer for information
This Site is Designed and Maintained by hookusup.com
This page was updated on Monday, February 19, 2007