Premium Individual Memberships
With over 70 first time premium members now subscribing to this all new type of individual membership, it is definitely a success. Only a few 2015 premium gear bundles remain. Don't miss out on one the last opportunities to own a Inaugural Year Premium Membership Gear package. Once they're gone, they're gone.
"We are now official! Our adopted two mile stretch of Hwy 31 is now all "signed up". Proud of my Jeepers who are willing to put a little community service effort in and not just show up for the fun stuff." - Troy Blackwood
Just a quick note....we've just completed a transition from one software solution to another for our membership database. What that means is you will have received an email triggered automatically notifying everyone that their recurring plan was cancelled. Rest assured nothing is necessary on your part and your membership will remain active up until your individual renewal date. From now on you will be notified by email before your membership renewal date to remind you to log into the SFWDA website and update your membership for 2016. Remember you can always check your renewal date and modify your billing, etc. from within your membership profile at www.sfwda.org
A huge thanks from all within the OHV community. Great work; Sam Baggarly, Oscar Indreland and all the WRJC gang. Very nice!
Jeep Club of Warner Robins presents a $600 check to Jim Waters, Director of Donor Relations for the Methodist Children's Home South, GA. The Jeep Club held an ice cream social for the kids and brought toiletry and school supplies along with a monetary donation. Thank you!!
This just in from our friends at PartCatalog.com. Time for 2015 "top trails" voting.
" Thanks to the great response last year, we were able to create an awesome guide for off road enthusiasts, with 3,826 Pinterest Pins and 2,200 Facebook Likes: http://www.partcatalog.com/blog/2014-top-off-road-trails-in-america/
I'm starting up the survey again for the 2015 Edition of the Top Off Road Trails in America, and would love if you could share the survey with SFWDA members so they can vote for this year's top off road destinations - http://www.partcatalog.com/blog/survey/
We're also giving away $500 worth of auto merchandise, which you're automatically entered to win just for voting. Let me know, and Thanks again for y'alls participation last year!
Southern Four Wheel Drive
July 2015 Newsletter
Important Update for all OHV operators in the North Cumberland, TN OHV Area.
For the first time in a decade, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a license fee structure adjustment for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The increase was one of five rule amendments made by the TFWC at its January meeting, in Union City. Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expire on Feb. 28, but the changes go into effect July 1. Now all OHV users in this are will need to purchase this High Impact Permit.
Special Use Permits
High Impact Habitat Conservation Permits
These permits must be purchased for horseback riding, bicycling, and ORV use. Youths under age 13 and persons holding a valid annual or permanent hunting license with a valid permit to hunt on these areas are exempt. At least one occupant of an enclosed vehicle must possess the proper permit(s). No permit shall be required on certain roads/trails as designated.
Here is an overview of the new fee structure and enforced regions.
Region I: Wolf River WMA
Region 2: Laurel Hill, Yanahli, Cheatham, Williamsport, Bear Hollow
Region 3: Bridgestone Firestone – Big Bottom Unit, Catoosa, Keyes-Harrison , Luper Mountain, Mt. Roosevelt, North Chickamauga Creek – Patton Unit, Pea Ridge , Skinner Mountain
Region 4: Forks of the River,NOTE: All interior trails closed to bicyclists. Will Skelton Greenway and Whaley Trail (formerly known as Bluff Trail) to the Burnett Creek Parking Area open to bicyclists. No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit required for use of the Will Skelton Greenway/Whaley Trail.
North Cumberland, NOTE: No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit required on Peabody Road from its junction of US Highway 25W to the Hatfield Knob Elk Viewing Tower. No High Impact Habitat Conservation Permit shall be required on US Highways and/or County maintained roads that traverse North Cumberland WMA.
Type Description Cost
035 Resident Annual Permit $74.00
036 Resident Daily Permit $15.50
037 Non-Resident Annual Permit $233.00
038 Non-Resident Daily Permit $37.50
- More info on permits at> http://www.tn.gov/twra/article/special-use-permits-j1
- See even more at: http://www.tn.gov/twra/article/special-use-permits-j1#sthash.opr1bip9.dpuf
For the insider scoop direct from one of our OHV4TN Representatives here is an article she published in the Examier.com
"A chat with TWRA's Chris Richardson"
I recently caught up with Chris Richardson, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's (TWRA) Special Assistant to the Director for Policy and Legislation. Many in the off-road community have wondered what the new "High Impact" permit will mean to their use of TWRA land, so I thought I would ask Chris a few questions that I have culled from the group. TWRA will be coming out with a FAQ public information sheet on the new changes in the very near future...but until then...here we go.
With the new July 1 fee increases and additions, what do you see as the biggest changes? The biggest change will be that additional user groups (horseback riders and mountain bikers) will be asked to contribute for the use and benefit of Tennessee’s Wildlife Management Areas.
Can you explain the new "high impact" user fees? The new High Impact WMA Permit will be required of those individuals riding horses, OHV’s, and mountain bikes on designated WMA’s in TN. The High Impact Permit is modeled after and will replace the North Cumberland Permit, while applying to other activities on additional lands. It is not required for those individuals who are properly licensed and permitted to hunt or fish our WMA’s.
Will these apply to all TWRA public land holdings? No. The new permit will only apply on specified areas. Those areas will be limited to lands owned by TWRA where these activities are currently permitted. It will not apply on lands that TWRA leases from other agencies.
Will these "high impact" user fees be categorized? I am not sure that I understand this question. Of those individuals purchasing the permit, I do not believe that we will be able to track the specific activity they engage in.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for "high impact" user groups in the future? For OHV riders, the legislation passed last year creating a study committee is exciting and TWRA looks forward to being part of that process. The TWRA will continue to manage and improve the North Cumberland WMA. Additionally, the TWRA is committed to continuing to find and provide more opportunities for all Tennesseans to enjoy the outdoor recreation that Tennessee has to offer.
Source - http://www.examiner.com/article/a-chat-with-twra-s-chris-richardson
Southern Four Wheel Drive Association
SFWDA Leadership and Board of Directors Online Meeting
Monday, June 22, 2015 8:00 PM EST
Attendees:
Ray Stanley, President
Doyle Punches, Treasurer
Flint Holbrook, Director of Conservation and Land Management
Walter Shafer, Web Administrator and Public Relations
Jon Plaza, Director of Public Relations
Aimee Darnell, Recording Secretary
Jeremy Rose, Co-Director of Membership
Brian Overly, Vice President
Tony Wilson, Rock Corp 4x4
Brian Staley, East TN 4WD Club
Al Sweney, Trick N’ Traction
Barry Flowers, Stones River Jeep Club
Jim Berliner, Trick N’ Traction
Aaron Roddy, Ohio River Four Wheel Drive Club
Denver Issacs, Scenic City 4WD Club
John Galbreath, Hardline Crawlers
Tony Chaapel, Georgia Bounty Runners
Jay Bird, Georgia Bounty Runners
Roger Theurer, STLC Association
Membership updates
• Clubs – 28 Clubs + 843 Members
• 1360+ Total Members (Total 1700 +)
• Premium Members Update – 69 Total
• 2886 Facebook Members as of 06.22.2015
Clubs with active dialog on becoming members:
West TN Off Road (Jackson TN)
Triad Jeep Club (Troy NC)
Evansville Area Jeepers (Indiana)
CNC 4x4 (North Carolina)
Business Renewals
Black Mountain Off Road (Harlan KY)
EVAC Emergency Preparedness Equipment & Supply LLC (Rock Island TN)
Business member target: Coghill Jeep (Knoxville TN)
No contact has been made with Coghill Jeep at this time.
Brian suggested Jared Slabel as a contact at Coghill Jeep.
Jon has started a conversation with Rice dealership.
• SFWDA Traffic
Bleeping Jeep website has logged almost 22K views for the SFWDA Educational Videos with a total of 60K estimated minutes watch.
Calendar Updates:
• July 28, 2015 – UFWDA Annual Meeting (Flint Holbrook SFWDA Rep)
•September 22, 2015 – Board of Directors and Leadership Council Meeting
•September 24-27 – Dixie Run 29, Golden Mountain Park, Sparta, TN
•October 3, 2015 – Knox Off Road "Wheeler's for the Wounded” benefiting Smoky Mtn. Service Dogs" event at Windrock Park
•October 20, 2015 - Board of Directors Work Session
•October/November, 2015 – SFWDA Meet and Ride, TBD (Morris Mountain, AL)
•November, 2015 - Board of Directors Work Session (As Required)
•December 6, 2015 – SFWDA Annual Meeting and Leader Council
TrailFest 2015 Recap
•Total Attendance – 392 Total
•150 Full Weekend Driver
•110 Full Weekend Passenger
•95 Saturday Only Driver
•22 Saturday Only Passenger
•392 Meals Sold, Served 295 Meals (Commitment for 300)
•AOP Costs for TrailFest 2015 - $7,735
•Total Revenue $23,050
•Total Expenses $14,383
•NET - $10,130 including adjustments
Survey feedback on Trailfest 2015
Overall rating: very good
Value for the money: a lot of value
Organized: very organized
Online registration: very good
Onsite registration: very good
Desirable features: open park trails/ guided trail rides
Receiving add’l information: email
Comments from Leadership group:
Traffic: Over all everyone thought the traffic flow was good. The only negative comment was when guided trail groups going through there seemed to be an overlap of general park traffic that intercepted the guided trail traffic.
In the future we need to think about traffic management for large guided groups on the trail systems.
Registration: We need to have the registration for rides open the entire time of event.
Newer members want to know about the trails, we need a knowledgeable person who can answer questions about the trails skill levels.
Volunteers: Need to start considering a process for individuals or clubs that step up and volunteer. A suggestion made for a volunteer only raffle. The amount of time volunteered would equal one raffle ticket; 4 hours = 4 tickets.
Unlimited Off Road Expo Recap
Total visitors June 5 - 7, 2015: 13120
Total vehicles at the Tavern & Cavern Charity Night Crawl: 1887
This is the first event SFWDA has set up as a vendor. Something to consider for other large scale events.
June SFWDA Meet and Ride Recap
• Hosted by the Georgia Bounty Runners
• 48 Vehicles and approximately 75 people
• Jay Bird conducted the meeting portion of the ride
• One Issue: Ford Ranger PU Rolled over on an off camber trail.
Curtis and Rita Barnhardt are OK.
Bantam Jeep Recap
2937 Jeeps in attendance
Jeeps from 38 states and Canada
25,000 people over 3 days in attendance
Guinness World Record Parade was comprised of 2,420 Jeeps
6th annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival on June 10-12, 2016
Additional Updates
UFWDA Four Wheeler of the Year
Curtis Barnhardt Nomination
ORBA National Advocate
· Jeffrey Dozier Contribution Page 29 on the Sand Lick Area
· Daniel Boone National Forest Scenic Byway
Preliminary Agreement on Access, appeal has been withdrawn
Scheduled Ride 26-27
Vandalism Update Uwharrie National Forest
Chris has organized a couple of work days to put up barriers to prevent ATVs cutting road trails through the forest in areas they could not make it over the obstacles. Since the work day (6-13), the fencing has been torn down, the barriers relocated.
We are continuing to work with the archeological reports that keep threatening the existence of the Uwharrie system.
SFWDA Grant Program
•2015 Educational YouTube Video – Phase 2
Should see a late summer for video release
Future topics for consideration:
Fire Safety
Managing fluids and other materials on the trail
Advanced Recovery Techniques
•2015 Rock Solid Picnic Area Grant Request
Target completion: late August 2015
•2015 Review of Grant Process
We are not getting the attention or traction from clubs.
Set something up to send a club individual to get trained and use the grant process to fund the educational training.
Example: Certified Master Trainer for Tread Lightly Training Classes
Big Creek possible SFWDA Grant Request
Entrance road issues getting to the park property.
Rain has made road worse.
Grant request of $10K for gravel, new gate, drainage work, etc.
SFWDA has asked Scott to revisit grant request with new quotes.
Dixie Run 2015 Planning
38 registrations
21 passengers
5 registered for the Ladies Ride
Pre-registration has increased from years past.
To encourage early registration, SFWDA has offered as perks:
First 50 SFWDA Member registrations receive a SFWDA LED Flashlight
Next 100 SFWDA Member registrations receive a SFWDA First Aid Kit
Next 100 SFWDA Member registrations receive 10 Raffle tickets
Registration Costs
SFWDA Member $99.00
SFWDA Passenger/ Child Over 6 $29.00
SFWDA Saturday Only $49.00
SFWDA Saturday Only
Spectator/Passenger/ Child Over 6 $19.00
Meeting adjourned.
Check out some submitted photos on the continuing progress of the Rock Solid Picnic Area Project inside of Windrock Park.
Photos provided by Bob Yarbrough
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