2016 AMA News and Upcoming Changes

The below is a reprint from the AMA website. It details the big motorcycle news and changes for the 2016 riding season and shows what YOU can do about it.

Whether you agree 100% of the time with the AMA, or 10% of the time it is hard to argue the impact the organization has on policy and law across the country. From battling E15 to helmet laws the AMA touches on every facet of riding. Much of what is in this news roundup for 2016 revolves around off highway use but you can gauge how well the AMA is lobbying by how these issues are decided. When they are winning on the off highway front the on road is a slam dunk. When the off highway is a struggle the on highway gets to be less clear as to whether riders rights will be respected.

Why do I bring that up? Because as riders we need to fight for the rights of all the motorcyclists, and ATV riders out there. You or I may not ride dirt bikes or ATV’s but supporting proper legislation and the larger picture strengthens our stance for our own passions. I am not advocating joining the AMA, that’s your decision, you can support in other ways like writing to your congress person, Governor, or Senators with you opinion about transportation legislation. I know I do.

National and Regional News 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress passed a five-year, $305 billion highway bill that includes some big wins for AMA members and motorcyclists everywhere. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act includes:

• Continued funding for the Recreational Trails Program, which provides funding to states for maintaining, improving and expanding off-highway recreational opportunities;
• A prohibition against using federal funds for discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints;
• Reestablishing a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to coordinate with and counsel the U.S. Department of Transportation administrator on specific infrastructure concerns to motorcyclists;
• Funding of highway safety grants that include programs to reduce distracted driving, including language that make it easier for states to successfully qualify for and receive the money; and
• Measures to ensure privacy and security in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Obama administration opposes the off-road plans in two proposals before Congress that affect off-highway vehicle access to public lands in California. The bills – the Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act (H.R. 1838) and the California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act (H.R. 3668) – were discussed during a December hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

H.R. 1838, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), would allow OHVs to return to the 75,000-acre Clear Creek Management Area southeast of Hollister, Calif., and establish the 21,000-acre Joaquin Rocks Wilderness area, a compromise proposal that has bipartisan support among California’s congressional delegation. Clear Creek was closed in 2008 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency raised health concerns over naturally occurring asbestos.

H.R. 3668, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), would designate 965,000 acres of the Mojave Trails area in the Mojave Desert as a special management area that would be closed to renewable energy development. The bill also would designate 1,200 miles of roads and trails for OHV use and include a “no net loss” provisions for trails and roads to prevent closures. The bill also would designate six National Off-Highway-Vehicle Recreation Areas at Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Stoddard Valley, Rasor, Dumont Dunes and Johnson Valley. El Mirage, Spangler Hills and Johnson Valley would be expanded. H.R. 3668 also would transfer 4,600 acres to the city of Apple Valley for creation of an OHV park. The bill would prohibit the president from designating any national monuments on land that is part of an OHV area or special management area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal land and water management agencies have announced their fee-free days for 2016. The National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will have no entrance fees on a combined 36 days, offering Americans the opportunity to enjoy healthy, active outdoor fun on their public lands and waters. Most of the fee-free days are linked to holidays and special events, and there are often special offers from agency partners. The 2016 fee-free days are:

• National Park Service: Jan. 18, April 16-24, Aug. 25-28, Sept. 24, Nov. 11
• Bureau of Land Management: Jan. 18, Feb. 13-15, Sept. 24, Nov. 11
• U.S. Forest Service: Jan. 18, Feb. 15, June 11, Sept. 24, Nov. 11
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Jan. 18, Feb. 13-15, Sept. 24, Oct. 9, Nov. 11-13

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has extended its public comment period until Jan. 15 on a proposal to withdraw lands determined to be crucial to the survival of the greater sage-grouse from location and entry under the 1872 Mining Law, subject to valid existing rights. The extension is to allow the Secretary of the Interior to collect additional information relevant to the decision on whether to withdraw these areas from the location of new mining claims for up to 20 years. Comments may be submitted via email to blm_nv_ccdowebmail@blm.gov, by fax to (775) 885-6147, or by mail to BLM Carson City District, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701, Attn: Colleen Sievers, Project Manager.