Squamish Dirt Bike Association

BCORMA – British Columbia Off-Road Motorcycle Association....

Important Release: BC Government Response to the Recommendations of the ORV Coalition
Hi Everyone
This just came in hot off the press and I would like everyone to please read in its entirety, as it will give you a very clear picture of where we are at today with regards to L&R

BCORMA - BC OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
Executive Director: Terry Burke
Web: www.bcorma.ca

Subject: BC Government Response to the Recommendations of the ORV Coalition
Importance: High

Dear Minister Hagen:
Please find attached the formal response from the ORV Coalition to the recent briefing by David Galbraith, Assistant Deputy Minister, on the BC Government's likely response to the 47 recommendations made to the Government by the Coalition in December 2005.

The ORV coalition continues to be committed to working with government on a viable and effective solution to the ORV Issues in British Columbia. Furthermore, it is very important that government recognize that the coalition remains a strong, cohesive group and is maintaining its position to work with government on a workable and timely solution.
All members of the coalition are awaiting immediate action on this very important issue.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Bruno Delesalle, Executive Director / ORV Coalition Co-Chair

Grasslands Conservation Council of BC

Please check out our newly launched Website:
www.bcgrasslands.org

Stan Hagen ORV Letter January 8th 2008

Urgent License & Registration
Important update and request!!
The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts is currently working on a draft ORV management framework, which includes developing the options for Licensing and Registration of all ORV's. The government has suggested that their intent is to make Licensing and Registration "cost neutral".

They have also suggested that mandatory insurance would not be on the table at this time.

The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts is also considering whether it will bring forward the recommended Trust Fund as part of this management framework, for government's decision. Concern has been raised within government that the inclusion of a Trust Fund into the costs associated with Licensing and Registration for owners of multiple vehicles might be too high, as the intent is to keep the costs to the consumer, affordable.

The Coalition has been very clear in their recommendations that Registration and Licensing as a stand alone amendment ...... click here for more

Urgency on Access Issues Required
The note is from one of the AB Outdoors Coalition members, Willmore Wilderness Foundation whose members are facing extreme closures to hunting, fishing, outfitting and trapping, all without any public consultation.

Here is an example of why an eye must be kept on all departments within Gov’t especially when it comes to parks. In this note is an example of how the Eco’s have tried to instigate a massive land closure

Under the premise of the Boreal Conservation Initiative www.borealcanada.ca in Manitoba. We are already watching this in for this in Ab and BC but not so much in the rest of Canada.Take note of Ken’s OFTR articles in Inside Motorcycles pg 75, and the 2 land issues are directly related to all of this. It’s real, it’s happening right under our noses.

For Ontario check out : www.wildlandsleague.org And to look at the whole Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society goings on: www.cpaws.org All CPAWS chapters are highlighted, find out what’s up in your region.

Health Benefits Study
As you are aware, COHV, AQCC and MCC are providing funding for an independent study on the health benefits of off road riding. Because this is an independent study the investigator has some very tight deadlines for gathering data.

We are trying to encourage as many individuals as possible to participate in the initial survey and are offering an incentive for participants. Anyone who completes the survey will be eligible to win one of 10 helmets (details on the COHV website).

Below is a link to the survey on the website. I would ask that you encourage your member clubs and/or members to participate in the survey and help ensure that the study provides valid and reliable data.
The link to the survey is www.cohv.ca Please encourage members to participate.

Regards,

Signe Holstein
Interim Manager, Rider Federations
Canadian Off Highway Vehicle Distributors Council

Fellow Directors
I would like to say thanks’ to all those that braved the weather and made the trek for this historic meeting in Merritt. I would also like to thank those of you supported and confided in me, nominating and electing me as your Executive Director, I will do my best, and remain cognoscente of your concerns.

As you may have already noticed, the name is already different. On Monday morning the government notified me that none of our three name choices was going to fly. The reason given was that there is a BCCTRA (BC Competitive Trail Riders Association) already registered so after much wordsmithing; I came up with BCORMA, but this has not received final government approval yet. I mentioned that I would try and at some point reimburse clubs for mileage cost. I believe current rate is .35 per kilometre, so please send me your kilometres and I will see what I can do.

This morning I had a conference call for a couple of hours with COHV regarding the $100,000 that could be available to BCORMA if we get our applications in, since we are late to the show, we have to work hard to secure these funds.

I have another conference call at 6:00 am tomorrow also to do with our sustaining grant monies. I will try and keep you up to date as things unfold.

A recap of the day’s events that we covered from Merritt meeting agenda:

Election of Directors from affiliate organizations:

David Lock CORC Cascade Off-Road Motorcycle Club
Kent Antoniak GKMA Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Club
Tom Adlington BMMC Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club
Chris Carey GVMC Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
Ted Blow CPTA Canadian Pacific Trials Association
Tom Timmerman DSBC Dual Sport British Columbia
Ken Umbarger OTRA Okanagan Trail Riders Association
Larry Jordan FVDRA Fraser Valley Dirt Riders Association
Ed Alder SDBA Squamish Dirt Bike Association

Others organization members in attendance were:

Glen Neville GKMA
Ian Banbury DSBC
Jon Mutiger BMMC
Barry Groundwater SDBA

Mission Statement:
The BCORMA (British Columbia Off-Road Motorcycle Association) protects and advances the off-road motorcyclist’s interests and rights, through representation to Provincial and Local governments, its agencies, and International agencies.
Constitution
The name of the society is the British Columbia Off-Road Motorcycle Association Purpose of the society :

To Promote and advance the sport of off-road motorcycle riding in BC
Promote responsible use through education;
To hold meetings and exhibitions pertaining to motorcycles;
To purchase, acquire or take by lease or licence for the objectives of the Society and the furtherance of its objectives; and to sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property;
To arrange for and contract for, any group insurance, licences, rights both personal and real, periodicals and publicity for the benefit of the membership of the society;
To foster the development and effective operation of local motorcycle riding clubs in British Columbia.
The operations of the Society are to be carried on chiefly in the Province of British Columbia
No person shall be refused membership or removed from membership in the Society by reason of his nationality, religion, political beliefs, or manner of dress and this provision shall be unalterable.
Should the Society accumulate any profits, they shall not be paid to the members, but shall be used in furtherance of the objects of the Society as are set out in Clause 2 herein, or shall be distributed in the same manner as the assets of the Society would be distributed upon the winding-up or dissolution as hereinafter provided. This provision shall be unalterable.
Upon dissolution of this society, all of the Society’s profits and assets shall be distributed among those recognized charitable organizations in Canada, carrying on operation in the Province of British Columbia, and whose objects, in the discretion of the Society’s Directors, most closely conform to the objects of this Society. This provision shall be unalterable.

By-Laws:
The by-laws of the society are those set out under schedule B of the society act.
More discussion and priorities
Several additions were made to the Constitution that were not discussed at the meeting due to time constraints, but I do not feel any of its controversial, but please have a read, and if there are any questions please get back to me ASAP;

Setup office and equipment;
Finalize name for Society;
Create a Logo and Letterhead;
Create a website;
Make sure contact list is up to date;
Obtain a PO box and then forward mail to home address ;
Set aside office space in house, and formalize cell phone and internet communications;
Meetings would be as required, except for AGM. Ted Blow will check out feasibility of holding AGM at the BC Bike show in the future.
Open a bank account in the name of Society;
PR release in conjunction with notifying government agencies.
Promotion of Licensing and Registration Draft legislation to government.

Guiding Principles for OHV Development Every OHV Rider Must::

Know how to obtain appropriate training, education, and information related to the safe operation of their vehicle.
Know how to reduce the operational impact of their vehicle on the natural environment, other recreationalists, and the community at large.
Know with certainty that they have permission to enter and use every riding opportunity they choose to access.
Know the laws, obligations, and expectations associated with the entry and use of every riding opportunity they choose to access.
Know how they have contributed their fair share to the cost of creating and maintaining every riding opportunity they choose to access.

These principles will be considered when grant applications are submitted.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM
Terry Burke
Executive director