4x4Voice

Beginning with the purchase of a 2010 JK Unlimited Sport just over two years ago, stage one of the 4x4Wire JK build is now complete.  Off the showroom floor, it did have a Dana 44 rear end; but, otherwise stock with air conditioning and a 3-piece hardtop.

The focus of this build will be to showcase products that increase off-road capability of the JK and stay within a budget.  While price is a consideration, quality is the primary focus.  Many of the upgrades considered do change the characteristics of the vehicle from the stock configuration.  All upgrades will focus on quality as that is a direct link to safety.

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CA4WDC joined Friends of Clear Creek Management Area, AMA District 36 and BlueRibbon Coalition to urge BLM Hollister to begin targeted law enforcement efforts to address reported instances of illegal trespass in the Clear Creek Management Area.

A copy of the October 19, 2012 letter submitted to BLM and Sheriff of San Benito County is printed below:

Re: Targeted Law Enforcement Effort at CCMA

Dear Mr. Cooper:

The California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (Cal4Wheel) is concerned about reported instances of illegal trespass in the Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA).  These trespass claims have implicated OHV users and are the exception, not the rule.  As you know, Cal4Wheel supports responsible use of public lands and discourages trespass on private lands and public lands closed to motorized recreation. Further, Cal4Wheel supports the enforcement of laws and regulations that pertain to responsible OHV use on public and private lands.

The Michigan-based performance off road powerhouse now offers five staged packages with increasing levels of hardware and capabilities for Jeep lovers.

Adrian, MI (Oct., 2012) – VWerks, a specialty vehicle builder and off road parts manufacturer, announced today its new dealer direct program for Jeep Wranglers that customizes JKs to make them look more extreme and be more off-road capable. Through select dealerships, customers can now order Jeeps upfitted with additional hardware to match the level of off-road ability they need and desire.

“We want to customize the Jeep experience,” says Jeff Wyatt, CEO of Venchurs. “Whether you want a vehicle that looks more menacing than your average Jeep, or you want something capable of crawling over the rocks on a mountain trail, we have a package that fits you.”

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WORRIED ABOUT THE RUBICON TRAIL?

I left my leadership position in Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) and the Rubicon Trail Foundation (RTF) a few years back, thinking that we had laid a positive foundation to continue these incredible efforts to keep the Rubicon Trail open to all of us...all year; for all types of rigs; with challenges for us all.

NOT THE CASE!!!

I am sorely disappointed in the way the trail has changed in the last few years, and I am not afraid to step up and say that government is NOT listening to the users.  Not in this case.  Something is wrong and we need to bring some slap down on the deaf ones who "govern" our use of public lands in the case of the Rubicon Trail.

CA4WDC NRC South - Oct 2012 (for South District Meeting)

OHMVR Funding Study - Current project is a funding study of OHMVR Grants, OHV registration,  SVRA attendance and OHMVR operations costs.  I am waiting on response to a Public Records Act request that is expected to be delivered early November.

Dinky Landscape Restoration Project - Sierra NF project with potential impact on a number of OHV trails; Swamp Lake, Bald Mtn, and Dusey.  USFS effort is a major fuels reduction project and protection of Pacific Fisher, Great Gray Owl, and Goshawk.  One sub-project, the Bald Mountain Project, is being reviewed. Within the Cow Creek Critical Aquatic Refuge, decommissioning of NFS roads 9S402 and 9S402A is proposed. Currently, both roads are closed year round to public use

USFS Planning Rule -- The Forest Service Planning Rule has been a very contentious issue for the past decade.  Under the Organic Act of 1897, the purpose of the national forest system is conservation of water flow and assurance of a continuous supply of timber. In 1960, the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act added a mandate for the concepts of multiple use and sustained yield. Under the 1976 National Forest Management Act, the agency is required to adopt rules (the Planning Rule) for writing land use plans. 

CA4WDC has joined with BlueRibbon Coalition American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) and a broad group of other national and regional interests in a lawsuit to overturn the new Forest Service Planning Rule adopted April 2012. According to the Complaint, the new Rule violates the statutory requirements Congress has given the agency to prepare forest plans to provide for multiple uses of outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, and wildlife and fish. The Rule instead elevates the vague concepts of “ecological sustainability” and “ecosystem services” such as carbon storage and spiritual values above all else which will lead to years of lawsuits over new forest plans and forest management projects.