January 2010

NORA Founder & CEO, Pearse Umlauf joined the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers at the LA Auto Show for a roundtable discussion regarding the future of the auto industry in California.

The purpose of the discussion was to educate elected officials about the economic importance of the automotive industry in the state of California and how their decisions affect the future of the industry. “NORA’s goal was to highlight the significance of the motorized recreation industry in the state of California and the number of jobs directly & indirectly supported by this community”, states Mr. Umlauf.

“The motorized recreation community contributes an estimated 11 billion annually into the California economy. A recent economic impact report focusing on Oceano Dunes SVRA Park concluded that local businesses surrounding Oceano Dunes benefit to the tune of 78 million dollars annually. These numbers cannot be ignored by elected officials. It’s our job as residents of California to hold elected officials accountable for their decisions on legislative issues that have a negative impact on the motorized recreation community”, says Umlauf.

Other panel members included Stefan Jacoby (President & CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.), Derek Jenkins (Mazda North American Operations), Reginald Modlin (Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chrysler & Chair, California Fuel Cell Partnership), Michael J. O’Brien (Product Planning Corporate Manager, Toyota Motor Sales USA), Peter Welch (President, California New Car Dealers Association) and John Waraniak (Vice President, SEMA).

To learn more about the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers visit www.autoalliance.org

The “I Off-Road & I Vote” campaign was created by CaliforniaJeepAuthority.com to remind off-roaders that they hold the most powerful tool against land closures; the ability and right to vote.

“This simple yet powerful message defines the core values of becoming a NORA member”, says Pearse Umlauf. “We have the opportunity to vote for elected officials that share the same values regarding motorized recreation. For that matter we also have the opportunity to withhold our vote for elected officials who support limiting access to our public lands. Our goal at NORA is to identify political candidates that mirror our values then publicly get behind them, by letting our supporters know who to vote for. We can write letters to our elected officials until were blue in the face, but when we influence the person holding a public office; that’s when we make a measurable difference”.

Each new or renewing NORA member will receive an “I Off-Road & I Vote” decal. If you would like to purchase additional stickers for fellow off-roaders you may do so by clicking here.

California Association of 4WD Clubs (CA4WDC) is raffling off a new 2010 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Buy your tickets today and have a chance to win this “trail ready” Jeep. This Jeep comes outfitted with thousands of dollars worth of aftermarket accessories. To order your book of raffle tickets call CA4WDC at (800) 4X4-FUNN / (916) 381-8300 or order them from the CA4WDC web site by clicking here.

The winner will be announced on February 20th at the 51st CA4WDC Convention. This years Convention is being held at the Doubletree Inn in Sacramento, CA (February 19 – 21). For more information regarding this years CA4WDC Convention, please visit www.cal4wheel.com.

TRACY, CA - They prayed for divine intervention. A court order worked just as well. Less than three hours after a sometimes somber, often angry rally attended by hundreds of dirt bike riders on a drippy Monday afternoon, the state's 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco announced Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area can remain open - at least a few more weeks.

Carnegie had been expected to close today under an earlier ruling by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, who outlawed off-highway vehicle use at the park until it gets a permit for sediment eroding into a seasonal creek. Such permits usually take six months or longer to write.

"It's great news," said Phil Jenkins, division chief for California State Parks. "Our hope is we'll be able to remain open while we go through all the processes we need to go through." Click here to read the entire article.

Become a NORA member today and receive thousands of dollars in discounts from a wide variety of aftermarket suppliers. Just as an example, if you purchase a Rubicon Express 4.5” Long Arm Lift Kit for your new JK Wrangler you would save an estimated $494.99 off your purchase. NORA sponsors understand the importance of keeping trails open. So next time your thinking of purchasing aftermarket products for your OHV, please consider them first. Click here to view a list of our sponsors.

NORA has recently joined the social networking web site Facebook. With the integration of Facebook, it allows us to keep NORA supporters up-to-date on important land access issues and new program benefits. Become a fan of NORA by clicking here.

Message from Pearse Umlauf

Thank you for taking the time to view this e-newsletter. I very much appreciate your interest in helping us keep OHV trails open.

At the end of January we’ll begin renewing the memberships of those individuals who became NORA members a year ago. Renewing members will notice an updated “members benefit” booklet that includes all sponsors discount coupons in alphabetical order. Renewing members will also notice new sponsor offering discounts in 2010. If existing NORA members have questions about their membership renewal, please contact Erin Lara, Member Service Director at (530) 333-1487, ext. 1.

NORA has also signed on to attend the King of the Hammers event in February. Be sure to stop by our booth and enter your chance to win fantastic prizes. Some of the prizes were giving away are a $1,000 gift certificate at Skyjacker Suspensions, ARB portable air compressor and much more.

As a follow-up to last months Action Alert regarding the closure of the Tellico OHV Area we contacted Congressman Heath Shuler’s office (R-North Carolina) for a comment, this is what he had to say…

“I understand the importance of this area to those who have used it for off-road recreation, and to the handful of businesses that rely on ORV users to keep their doors open. I admire the voluntary contributions of many of these individuals to maintain the trails and mitigate erosion. However, as clearly shown by Forest Service assessments, use of the Tellico trail system by ORV’s was causing enormous amounts of sedimentation into the Tellico River, putting the Forest Service in violation of federal and state water quality standards. While the Forest Service has made its decision, I will work to ensure that these lands remain open for other uses, such as hiking, hunting and fishing and that alternative activities for outdoor recreation are promoted in this particular region.”

We are very disappointed that Congressman Shuler is continuing to choose a course of inaction.
We don’t believe Congressman Shuler fundamentally understands the principles of the “I Off-Road & I Vote” campaign.

Pearse Umlauf President National Off Road Association