Ohio Motorized Trails Assn (OMTA)

[redcj3a]

During last night's CORE meeting, there was some discussion regarding wheeling locations. This conversation touched on the fact that many trails have been closed in recent years. Being new to the hobby, I have already experienced this in Ohio.

Ironically, I just received an e-mail telling me my OMTA membership is up for renewal. Just to let all of you know, OMTA is a non-profit group working to develop public trails for all types of offroad vehicles in Ohio.

Within OMTA, there is a small core of individuals developing relationships with representatives of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to develop an offroad area. This link to their homepage briefly describes some recent success in this effort. http://www.ohiotrails.org

Their website is not heavily visited, nor updated. The Director admits this on the home page. Having attended one of their Board Meetings, I am convinced these individuals are volunteering their time to help all of us. A member of the Ohio4x4 club, based out of Columbus, is active with OMTA representing four wheel drive vehicles.

Membership is relatively cheap and may ultimately benefit all of us in the future. Membership application is here. http://www.ohiotrails.org/forms/ifo_mailer.pdf If you do join, you will not be bombarded with e-mails, or newsletters. You will receive an occasional e-mail warning of upcoming legislative efforts, locally and nationally to close trails or place restrictions on their use.

Though I would pass this on for others to consider.

John

[GPER]

Thanks for bring up something that we all need to partake in.

[blazerbrad]

I'm glad somebody else brought up OMTA again......I've mentioned it several times over the years on this board but figured this club really wasn't interested.

http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA

[donaldcon]

Im a paid member, have been for awhile, but with time constraint sim not really an "active" member. I do my part as best I can while im out and about running into people, but like I say time is my issue.

I would love to be able to make a couple meetings this year and get in on the new park discussions.

[KennyTJ]

I love the effort but my only problem is that the OMTA is looking to get like $20,000 per mile to open a new trail in Ohio. The State isn't going to pay for that as they are finding out. I was supprized to find that the OMTA already has a "construction cantractor" for building trails. WOW!!!! too much politics and too many people wanting "tax dollars"! It does not cost anywhere near $20k per mile to develop trails. Private parks don't pay that kind of money, and most times get volunteers to come help develop trails from clubs like ours. The OMTA should be more concerned with getting Lan Use privilages and then utilize all the offroad clubs for support in opening trails and donations "if" any construction cost for heavy equipment are actually needed, instead of trying to go after 6 figures worth of state tax money!

OK just my 2cents, we all do need to support our sport!

[94Dodge Truggy]

[QUOTE=blazerbrad;35550]I'm glad somebody else brought up OMTA again......I've mentioned it several times over the years on this board but figured this club really wasn't interested.

I have been a part of this in the past but it does not seem to be going in a logical direction. Write congressmen and city officials also. Partake in trail and non trail cleanups as well. Organize a benifit for a local organization yearly. Core is one of the most curteous, friendly and environmentally consciensious clubs I have been involved in or witnessed out on the trails and am glad to be a part of. Unfortunately it will be a difficult task to make public lands available for our sport but it is worth some effort to try.

[blazerbrad]

A good friend and club member is an OMTA officer so I would be more than happy to follow up on any of the comments above. However I will say that there is probably "more to it" than what the posts above sound like.

I am curious regarding the $20,000 per mile of trail development and will get more details.....are you sure that doesn't include land acquisition? Keep in mind that 1 acre of land is just over a 200' x 200' square, and how many acres of woods would you need to make just one mile of trail? For example Harlan, KY (Black Mountain) lists of having 200 miles of trails on 7,000 acres, or 35 acres per miles. Go try to buy 35 acres of land for only $20,000. Also, does that cost include the infrastructure of the trail system (entrances, parking areas, restroom facilities, signs, etc...). It's kinda' like a mechanic changing brake pads on your car. You aren't paying $100 for just a guy to do it, but rather part of that cost is paying for his tools, shop, hoist, utilities, advertisement, etc... Again, I don't know for sure if this is the case but I will try to find out more details.

For the comment about how they should get land use privileges first and then get clubs to volunteer the time.....well, that's always been the plan. The trouble is you are not going to find a land owner that will just donate 400+ acres of land and say "have at it". Keep in mind that this organization has been around for quite some time now and therefore have already gone through the motions and politics involved. Honestly, does anybody on this board really know anything about public land-use in the state of Ohio for motorized use besides the 2 minutes of glancing over some posts?

For the comment about needing to write congressman and local officials.....well, representatives from OMTA has met with government officials in person many times, both local and state including just about everybody involved with public lands in Ohio. I would need to verify but I believe some have actually traveled to D.C. to talk to people in person.

Don't get me wrong as I definitely do not think OMTA is the be-all, end-all for getting trails and land in Ohio, and both myself and our club (fullsize vehicles with no quads or bikes) have had some disagreements in the past, but it is also the only half-way organized effort to do so. I am also by no means the poster child for land-use reform. However I do get a little frustrated because the above posts are basically saying "I don't like the way somebody else is doing something even though I have never directly participated in it, nor know the specific details".

[carwash]

"Honestly, does anybody on this board really know anything about public land-use in the state of Ohio for motorized use besides the 2 minutes of glancing over some posts?"

yer hitting the nail on the head there man...

[tjjeepjeep]

Previously, I've had an issue with OMTA's web site and the overall lack of information available on it...not only what they're doing, but how they'd accomplish it. Gave that feedback to them and such have heard back from their President and a couple other of their members encouraging my input and participation. Of which, as soon as life lets me breathe for a few minutes I will definitely re-engage the land use efforts within Ohio.

Previously I have attended some of the land use meetings at Natural Bridge, as a representative of CORE. I learned alot and met some great people..on both sides of the debate...

[KennyTJ]

Originally Posted by carwash

"Honestly, does anybody on this board really know anything about public land-use in the state of Ohio for motorized use besides the 2 minutes of glancing over some posts?"

yer hitting the nail on the head there man...

Actually the Pres. for the OMTA was trying to get the MB's club into the organization, gave a presentation at one of the meetings last fall. I sat and discussed what they were doing for about an hour afterward 1on1, and the info I got from him caused my concerns. The cost was for "trail development" on public lands, that did not include any park infrastructure. I also did not like how they already have a "construction contractor" on board to do said work, getting paid for it of course. I just belive you can tap into labor resources in clubs like CORE that would be willing to do alot of this trail development for free, truly volunteering. They were NOT talking buying land from the state, but getting state funding to develop trails as part of the deal.... seems like a long put getting that kind of tax dollars with the current budget limitations with the state.

[GPER]

Originally Posted by blazerbrad

I'm glad somebody else brought up OMTA again......I've mentioned it several times over the years on this board but figured this club really wasn't interested.

http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA
http://www.cincyoffroad.com/forum/sh...highlight=OMTA

Lisa was at some the land meetings so I wouldn't go that far.