What Inspires You to Join the Fight for Trail Access in the 2016 Elections?

With just a few weeks left until November 8, TPAC will be launching a 2-Day “What Inspires You to Get Involved in the Election” Fundraiser on October 18 and 19.

TPAC will be asking you to name your favorite OHV road, trail, open area, or person that inspired you to support our effort to elect pro-trail candidates in the 2016 election cycle.  .

As you know, Congress and federal regulatory agencies, such as the EPA, FS, BLM, and USFWS directly or indirectly control what vehicles we can purchase, aftermarket products we can install, or where/when we can recreate on public lands.

Loss of trail and road opportunities can even impact motorized access for folks who want to enjoy non-motorized activities such as mountain biking, hang-gliding, fishing, and equestrian use.

Funds raised will help TPAC support pro-trail federal candidates in the 2016 presidential election who need 11^th hour support.

For a donation of $25 dollars or more, TPAC will list the first name, city, state, of donor and his/her favorite federal, state, county, or private trail/riding area/racing facility.   The list will be updated each day.  TPAC also has some of its new “Vote Trails” decals that we will send to you as well.

TPAC will take early donations and will include early donors when the fundraiser is launched on October 18.

You can donate $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, up to $5,000.

DONATE AT LINK BELOW

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

*Example

Bill, Coos Bay, OR – OR Dunes National Recreation Area

Jimmy, Redding, CA – Son and Daughter

Thanks for your support in the fight for trail access in the 2016 elections.

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC Endorses Roy Blunt for Senate in MO

TRAIL VOTERS ENDORSE ROY BLUNT FOR SENATE IN MISSOURI

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Roy Blunt who is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate in Missouri.

Don Amador, Founder of The Trail PAC, said, “Senator Blunt believes it is the government’s role to provide recreational access to public lands for all Missourians.  Today, the federal government continues to promulgate onerous rules and regulations that restrict public access for hunters, fishermen, and trail enthusiasts.”

“Senator Blunt is well-known and respected for his efforts to hold federal regulators accountable.  Outdoor enthusiasts need to send Blunt back to D.C. to continue his work on their behalf,” Amador concluded.

Senator Blunt voted for S1040 in committee, more commonly known as the RIDE Act.  It requires the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to postpone proposed mandates for off-road, side-by-side vehicles (ROVs) until those proposals have been studied and evaluated by government scientific organizations.  That legislation followed the CPSC's rejection of a bipartisan Senate request, signed by Blunt, that the CPSC work cooperatively with the ROV industry and other stakeholders.

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands

# # #

Legendary Off Road Racing Family Endorses TPAC

Legendary Off-Road Family Endorses TPAC

RIVERSIDE, CA (Aug. 10, 2016) – A premier off-road racing family and long-time champion of efforts to protect trail access on public lands endorsed The Trail PAC (TPAC) today.  Malcolm Smith, President of Malcolm Smith Motorsports, and his son, Alexander Smith, General Manager of Malcolm Smith Motorsports, in Riverside California, issued a joint endorsement of TPAC’s effort to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress.

Malcolm Smith, an off-road racing legend, states, "My friends, customers, and racing/riding buddies know that my life, career, and family life have centered on my love of trail riding in the great outdoors.  It has been a cherished blessing and is something I want to make sure is around for my children and future generations.”

“Over the years, I have seen thousands of miles of trails closed in Southern California and other places.  Trail enthusiasts have to be involved in the fight to keep trails open for responsible OHV recreation.  Off-road voters must support candidates that will champion access to public lands,” Smith continues.

"Both Alexander and myself have appreciated the work that TPAC has been doing over the last two election cycles to help elect pro-trail candidates to the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  We are proud to endorse the efforts of TPAC in 2016 to help elect politicians who will support our right to ride on designated roads, trails, and areas," Smith concludes.

# # #

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) was founded as the first national non-partisan political action committee dedicated solely to championing responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on designated roads, trails, and areas on public lands through the electoral and legislative processes.

Be a Political Off-Road Trailblazer - JOIN the Fight Today

Don't Let a Closed Gate be the Future of OHV

Join the Fight in 2016

There is one simple reason why nationally and regionally recognized Off-road Champions have endorsed TPAC’s effort to retain our pro-trail majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Just like you, they want to enjoy motorized recreation on public and private lands.

On November 8, our future will be decided one way or the other. If you want to change the laws, rules, and regulations that govern motorized recreation on public and private lands — we must retain our pro-access majorities in D.C.

If you don’t think regulators are out-of-control… remember the CPSC’s effort to impose street-oriented construction mandates on SxSs.  It was not that long ago when the CPSC “Banned” youth-sized OHVs. Land managers continue to impose excessive permit fees for OHV events and federal regulators are now using the Sage Grouse to impact OHV permitted events.  There are proposals in Nevada to close OHV use in sand washes. It won’t stop unless WE help stop them.

Anti-access PACs such as the League of Conservation Voters are continuing to support legislators that champion the politically-motivated regulatory agenda at the EPA and other federal agencies.  They are working hard to take back the Senate and make inroads into the House.  Our trail majority has shown they are ready to use their budget, legislative, and oversight authority to rein in unelected federal regulators.  They need our help, support, and votes!

TPAC also plans to be engaged in the Presidential election and will be contacting various campaigns to ascertain their commitment to managed OHV recreation.

So far this election cycle, TPAC endorsed and/or supported the following candidates; Kelly Ayotte for Senate (NH), Joe Heck for Senate (NV), Ron Johnson for Senate (WI), Collin Peterson for Congress (MN – CD7), and Mike Pompeo for Congress (KS-CD4).

With your help, TPAC will continue to send donations to key targeted congressional races.  The January 31 1st quarter fundraising deadline is rapidly approaching.  Please help TPAC stock its war chest with a donation today.  Don’t rely on others to donate… this is a TEAM effort.

OHV voters who donate $25 dollars or more between now and midnight January 31 will have their first name and city listed as a TPAC Trailblazer.  Also, let TPAC know what your favorite OHV is (make/model) and we will list that as well.  You can let us know what that OHV is when you fill out your donation form or send us an email at: info@thetrailpac.com

The list will be updated periodically during this 4 day event.

Donate $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 up to $5,000 dollars to STOP the assault on family oriented OHV recreation and the vehicles we use.

DONATE AT LINK BELOW

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

*Denotes early event/pre-launch donation

Commander - $500 - $5,000

Quarter Master- $200 - $499

Guide- $100 - $199

*Mike, Washington, D.C. – Ford F-150

*Ken, Henderson, NV – Polaris RZR 1000

Scout - $25 - $99

*Geoff, Concord, CA – Jeep

Feel free to LIKE and SHARE our FB Page

https://www.facebook.com/The-Trail-PAC-202411709967033/?ref=hl

Let’s Rock this Election Cycle!

Thanks,

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

National OHV Tele-Townhall Kicks Off 2016 Election Cycle

Off-road voters and organizational leaders from across the country joined our Tele-Townhall conference call today with Rep. David Valadao (R-21st CA) and Peter Graves, RNC's Regional Political Director.  

This conference call marks the Trail Political Action Committee’s (TPAC) official Kickoff for the 2016 presidential election. As TPAC supporters, you have the opportunity to greatly impact the 2016 presidential elections and to build on our highly successful efforts in previous election cycles to champion responsible OHV recreation via the electoral process.  Below is a statement from Congressman Valadao:

Statement from Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21)

As a Member of Congress, I know how critical grassroots involvement is to the political process. In order to advance H.R. 1838; the Clear Creek National Recreation Area and Conservation Act through the legislative process, the continued support of TPAC and the trail community is absolutely critical. I look forward to working with the OHV community on Clear Creek and other important land-use issues.

National Moments that are created without substantive local stakeholder involvement was an important topic of concern also discussed on the call.

Peter Graves highlighted several key battleground senate races in Nevada and Colorado as being important campaigns for trail voters to be engaged in.  Graves also noted the importance of having the grassroots engaged in the election process.

In order to bolster the ranks of pro-access politicians who will support OHV recreation friendly legislation and oppose anti-access proposals and agency overregulation, TPAC plans to support elected Members of Congress who have fought for us and now need our help as they face tough races.

As before, TPAC will also be looking for new candidates in battleground states who support our issues and need our support and votes.

This is also a great opportunity for you to help stock TPAC's war chest for this election cycle.  TPAC expects to play an important role in battleground states where races are often decided by just a few votes.

DONATE TO TPAC'S WAR CHEST 

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Thanks as always for your support of our efforts to engage the off-road community in the political process.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

VOTE TRAILS on November 4

With just a few hours before the polls open for the 2014 midterm election, TPAC wants to remind trail voters that most, if not all, of our endorsed key battleground candidates are in dead-heats or within the margin of error with their opponents.

A victory on November 4 means that new Senate leadership will hold federal regulators accountable through the use of riders on must pass spending legislation and oversight hearings.  They will also pass access-related and regulatory reform House bills and send them to the President.

A pro-trail Senate majority may also be the last line of defense against an onslaught of National Monuments – created without local stakeholder involvement - designated by the President via executive fiat.

TPAC nationalized this election to empower trail voters in states where there are no senate races so they can help shape the political landscape in Washington D.C.   We also worked hard to get local OHV enthusiasts engaged with our endorsed candidates.

If you have not done so already, please encourage your own OHV networks to support our endorsed battleground races and to VOTE TRAILS on November 4.

Endorsed Senate Candidates

 AK - Dan Sullivan

AR - Tom Cotton

CO - Cory Gardner

GA - David Perdue

IA - Joni Ernst

MI - Terry Lynn Land

MN -Mike McFadden

MT - Steve Daines

Endorsed House Candidates

CA -  David Valadao (Congressional District 21)

CA - Doug Ose (Congressional District 7)

Thanks! 

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC/OHV Leaders Endorse Doug Ose for Congress in California's CD7

Dear Trail Voter,

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.   TPAC is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Doug Ose who is running in California's 7^th Congressional District (CD7).

Ed Santin, an AMA District 36 Board Member and CD7 constituent, states, "Former Congressman Doug Ose was a strong supporter of trail access issues when he was in the House of Representatives.  I believe we need his leadership once again considering the hostile regulatory climate that directly affects our ability to ride responsibly on Forest Service and BLM trails.  I will be urging my friends to vote for Ose on November 4."

Steve Egbert, President of California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, states, "I believe that Doug Ose is the right choice in this election.  Trail users are continually faced with onerous unwarranted regulations that impact our ability to enjoy the great outdoors with our family and friends.  We need to send Ose back to Washington D.C. to help bring some common sense to the land-use debate."

As a former congressman, Doug Ose has a proven track record when it comes to supporting legislation that protects responsible OHV recreational access to federal lands.   He will also fight against the anti-access regulatory agenda of the green lobby in Washington D.C. and champion common sense regulatory reform at the EPA and other agencies.

His opponent, Ami Bera, was recently endorsed by that very same green lobby.  Last month, the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund announced their endorsement of Ami Bera for re-election to CD7.

Ose is in a very tight race with incumbent congressman Ami Bera.  Early in the midterms, TPAC identified CD7 as one of our key House battleground races.  Now with CD7 in the national spotlight and because the green lobby is rushing its support to Bera, it is time for trail voters to step up to the plate and  help elect Doug Ose to the House of Representatives.

HERE IS MY $25, $50,$100,$200,$500, OR $1,000 TO HELP ELECT PRO-TRAIL CANDIDATES  

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Remember that with each donation of $25 dollars or more, you get one of our new "I VOTE TRAILS" bumper stickers that you can proudly display on your vehicle of choice.

 

Thanks for being engaged in the 2014 midterms!

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC, OHVers, and X-Game Champion Support Dan Sullivan for Senate in Alaska

Dan Sullivan (R) Supports Trail Access

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.   TPAC is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Dan Sullivan who is running for the U.S. Senate in Alaska.

Patti Barber, an Alaskan access advocate, states, “I’m voting for Dan Sullivan because he will defend our right to access public lands and waterways for responsible use of natural resources and recreational activities.

Paul Vitrano, VP, Global Government Relations, Polaris, told TPAC , "I met Dan Sullivan last night and told him how important Alaska and public land access for OHVs is to our industry and enthusiasts. He emphasized that access is important to him. He added that he has an ad coming out that will feature a snowmobile enthusiast who supports him."

Sullivan is in a very tight race with incumbent Senator Mark Begich.  In the aforementioned TV ad, four time X-Games medalist Cory Davis recently called out Begich for pretending to be a motorized recreationist.

Davis said, “I’m Cory Davis. As a four time X-Games medalist, I know something about snow machines. That’s why I had a good laugh when I saw Mark Begich pretending to ride one.”

TV AD with X-Game Champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sveaZ4OpOo8

TPAC joins with Vitrano, Barber, Davis and other pro-trail enthusiasts in the belief that we need legislators back in Washington D.C who understand how unwarranted closures and regulations impact responsible use of public lands.

Dan Sullivan is in a very tight race with incumbent Senator Mark Begich and he needs the support of trail enthusiasts in Alaska and from across the country to help change the current closure paradigm in the U.S. Senate.

Won’t you join the fight to protect our access rights to public lands by making a generous donation today so that TPAC may continue its efforts to endorse and support congressional candidates in key battleground states?

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $200, $300, $500, $1,000 - $5,000 TO ELECT PRO-TRAIL CANDIDATES

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Dan Sullivan is TPAC’s 6^th officially endorsed senate race where he joins our other endorsed senate races: AR - Tom Cotton, CO - Cory Gardner, MI - Terry Lynn Land, MN -Mike McFadden, and MT - Steve Daines.

TPAC's  "Senate Soon-to-Endorse or Watch List" includes: GA - David Perdue, IA - Joni Ernst, KY - Mitch McConnell, LA - Bill Cassidy, NC - Thom Tillis, NH - Scott Brown, and OR -Monica Wehby.

Thanks for your continued support in the 2014 midterms.  You are making a difference!

Contributions to The Trail PAC will be used in connection with federal elections. Maximum contribution per individual per calendar year is $5,000. Contributions from foreign nationals and corporations are prohibited. Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Trail Users Endorse Mike McFadden for Senate in MN

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.   TPAC is proud to announce its official endorsement and support for Mike McFadden who is running for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

Minnesota OHV leaders, Tom and Karen Umphress, recently met with Senate Candidate McFadden to show pro-trail support for his campaign and to discuss important federal access and recreation issues.

Mike McFadden, Republican Candidate for the United States Senate in Minnesota, states, “Living in the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans thrive off of their ability to have access to our precious natural resources. Many Minnesotans grew up hunting, camping, fishing and enjoying everything that our great state has to offer and it is vital they continue to be able to enjoy public land without government intrusion. Time and time again, regulations threaten Minnesotans’ ability to experience nature and everything that comes with it. Those who spend time in Minnesota’s wilderness are the biggest supporters of ensuring that it retains its beauty and access for years to come. The Minnesotans that I have met along the campaign trail truly understand what it means to be a good steward of our environment. Sportsmen and riders who use public trails realize that it is vital to preserve the beauty of our state for future generations’ enjoyment as well.”

Tom and Karen Umphress believe the Senatorial race in MN this year is less about Republican vs. Democrat and more about a person who cares about Minnesota, the United States, and the People.

For 5 years, Tom and Karen have tried to talk with Senator Franken or his staff.  Unfortunately, they never got past the receptionist.  Senator Franken is the only currently seated U.S. Legislator from Minnesota who has refused to meet with them as his constituents.

Tom and Karen say that Mike McFadden is the clear choice for those people who support trails and our natural environment.  TPAC agrees!

TPAC's officially endorsed senate races to date are: AR - Tom Cotton, CO - Cory Gardner, MI - Terry Lynn Land, MN -Mike McFadden, and MT - Steve Daines.

TPAC’s  "Senate Soon-to-Endorse or Watch List" has been expanded to include: AK - Dan Sullivan, GA - David Perdue, IA - Joni Ernst, KY - Mitch McConnell, LA - Bill Cassidy, NC - Thom Tillis, NH - Scott Brown, and OR -Monica Wehby.

TPAC believes an organized and enthused OHV user base can play a significant role in who goes back to Washington D.C. on November 4.   Your robust participation/support in key targeted races will help ensure our continued ability to enjoy high quality motorized recreation on public and private lands.

The POWER of One Vote

Dear Off-Road Voter,

The Trail PAC was formed to help empower the off-road voter by pooling resources so that we can send more pro-trail candidates to Congress and by encouraging OHV enthusiasts to use the "power of ONE vote" to defend and protect our continued recreational access to public and private lands.

TPAC believes that many of our battleground races will be decided by less than 1,000 votes.  For example, in the 2004 Washington State Gubernatorial race, Democrat Christine Gregoire defeated Republican Dino Rossi by just over 130 votes. 

In 2006, incumbent Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman was ultimately beaten by Saturday Night Live's comedian, Al Franken.  Franken won by just 312 votes. Off-road voters in Nevada played a key role in 2012 by helping TPAC endorsed senate candidate, Dean Heller, defeat the LCV endorsed Shelly Berkley by just over 1%.

As you can see, an organized and enthused OHV user base that shows up at the ballot box on Election Day can play a significant role in who goes back to Washington D.C. on November 4.   Your robust participation/support in key targeted races will help ensure our continued ability to enjoy high quality motorized recreation on public lands.

DONATE $25 - $5,000 TO HELP SEND PRO-TRAIL CANDIDATES TO CONGRESS 

CAMPAIGN WATCH UPDATE - The Trail PAC has added the Scott Brown for Senate campaign in New Hampshire to our list of key races to monitor and potentially endorse.  His opponent, Jeanne Shaheen, received a 100% score from the Green Lobby's League of Conservation Voters (LCV) for her support of their legislative proposals in 2013.  In contrast, the LCV gave Brown a score of ZERO for his 2010 votes against their agenda.

Thanks again for your support in the 2014 midterms!

See you on the campaign trail.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

The Trail PAC Endorses Tom Cotton for Senate in AR

The Trail Political Action Committee (TPAC) works to elect federal candidates who will support legislation and policy that promotes and protects responsible off-highway vehicle recreation on public and private lands.  Today, TPAC is proud to announce its endorsement and support for Tom Cotton who is running for the U.S. Senate in Arkansas.

Congressman Cotton believes it is vitally important for the government to provide access to public lands to all Arkansans, irrespective of their mode of transport. Far too often today, the federal government is attempting to take over more private land and restrict the use of public lands in the name of “environmental protection.” Restrictions come in many varieties, but recently the most frequent attack has been through Endangered Species Act listings. The Administration is making a concerted effort to change the rules of the listing process so it is easier to list lands, thereby restricting use and providing additional motivation for individuals to sell their land to federal authorities.

Tom supports the use of federal lands by all users - hunters, fishermen, trail riders, hikers, and everyone else. He believes the proper management of federal lands is achieved when citizens are able to use the land and pass down respect for the land to the next generation, just like his father Len did with Tom, not when we block it off from any use.

Cotton joins Terri Lynn Land for Senate in Michigan and Steve Daines for Senate in Montana as our 3^rd officially endorsed/supported senate race.

Trail voters need a net gain of six seats in November to change the current Senate leadership.   TPAC, along with other political observers, believes the AR senate race will play an important role in changing that Senate paradigm.

6-time Gold Medalist for the International Six Days Enduro and National Enduro Champion, Steve Hatch, says, “I applaud the actions and support the hard work of TPAC’s efforts to elect pro-trail candidates to the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. We all need to stand together and help continue to fight for our trails.”

As you know, TPAC's strategy in 2014 is to target/support up to 11 key Senate and 15 important battleground House races.  Join Steve Hatch and many others in support of TPAC’s effort to change the current leadership in the U.S. Senate and retain the pro-access House majority.   Please consider a donation of $10, $25, $100, $500, or $1,000 today.

Watch for official TPAC endorsements soon in the Colorado and Iowa senate races.

Thanks for helping get summer motorized recreation into the game.

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC Names Terri Lynn Land for Senate in Michigan as 2nd Key Race

The Trail PAC is proud to announce its official support for Terri Lynn Land for Senate as our 2^nd targeted key battleground senate race in the 2014 midterm election cycle. 

Political insiders have stated that this Michigan senate race between Terri Lynn Land and Gary Peters is one of the hottest contests in the country.  Terri has a balanced approach to public land management and understands recreation access issues.  Her opponent has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the political action arm of Earth Justice, Earth First!, and the Sierra Club.

Terri has a strong commitment to balancing the public’s desire for recreational access to federal lands and waterways while also championing environmental stewardship. Terri believes that the best land-use decisions are made by local constituents and other local stakeholders, rather than bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Terri has a history, working with her family business and in local government, bringing together local stakeholders to determine land-use. 

A victory for Terri could help change U.S. Senate leadership which continues to jam regulatory reform efforts.  Off-road voters must weigh in to change that unresponsive paradigm.   With your help in 2014, we can remove those roadblocks by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

Terri now joins Steve Daines for Senate in Montana as our 2^nd targeted/endorsed race and TPAC plans on announcing our 3^rd targeted senate race in the very near future.  Support for our 1^st targeted House race was recently announced for Congressman David Valadao in California’s 21^st congressional district.

As the summer political season heats up, please help send a strong message to closure advocates and their friends in Washington D.C. that you are not going to sit on the sidelines any longer.  Join your fellow off-roaders, professional racers, and OHV business owners who are supporting TPAC’s effort in 2014 by making a donation today.

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, $1,000 TODAY TO KEEP TRAILS AND RIDING AREAS OPEN

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Your donation will support TPAC's strategy of targeting up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, and Colorado and up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/36/52, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

Thanks for getting engaged in the political process!

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Join the FIGHT - Don't Let OHV Become an Endangered Species (and Thank You!)

The Trail PAC wants to thank the following off-road champions; Jason Scherer, Destry Abbott, Cody Webb, and Steve Hatch for being the 1^st professional powersports athletes to endorse our efforts to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress in the 2014 midterms.

TPAC also wants to thank all the OHV voters who donated to our kickoff “Be a Trail Hero” fundraiser.  You are OHV champions too!  Here is the list of those electoral heroes.

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

Don – Oakley, CA

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

Brad – Roseville, CA

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Carl - San Diego, CA

Kane - Soquel, CA

Calvin - Windsor, CA

Richard - Palo Alto, CA

Sean - Roseville, CA

Jerry - Oakdale, CA

Richard – Palo Alto, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Scott - Penryn, CA

Doug - South Lake Tahoe, CA

Jason – Fallon, NV

Dan – Payson, UT

Erik – Hayward, CA

Del – Mokelumne, CA

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Mike – Turlock, CA

Jeff – Watsonville, CA

Scott – Mount Shasta, CA

Gregor – Hermosa Beach, CA

Casey - Danville, CA

Bruce - Madison, SD

Byron - Mercer Island, WA

Caren - Ridgecrest, CA

Tom - Bend, OR

Eric – Puyallup, WA

Several decades ago, the green lobby decided to put the timber industry out-of-business on federal lands. They used the Northern Spotted Owl as a tool to kill that industry.  Today, the federal timber program has functionally gone extinct.

Those same groups now have painted a political target on the back of the OHV community and are using the Sage Grouse in 11 Western States to accomplish a similar goal. Our fate does not have to be the same as federal timber operators. We have the power in this election to change the political structure in Washington D.C.

Federal election law allows you to donate up to $5,000 dollars to TPAC to help our effort. Don’t sit on the sidelines in this election – it’s too important. Don’t expect other trail voters to carry the load by themselves. Join with us in this FIGHT to promote and protect responsible OHV recreation on public and private lands via the electoral process.

DONATE $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, up to $5000 TO KEEP OHV OFF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Thanks for your continued support!

 Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Off-Road "King" of the Hammers - Jason Scherer - Endorses TPAC Midterm Effort

Each day this week, as part of TPAC’s update on our “Be a Trail Hero” fundraiser’s donor list, we will highlight a famous off-road champion who has endorsed TPAC’s effort to send pro-trail candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Today, an off-road racing champion and long-time supporter of efforts to protect trail access on public lands endorsed The Trail PAC.  Jason Scherer is the 2009 King of the Hammers Race winner and has captured the crown at many other OHV competitions.

King Scherer, states, “As a professional competitor and trail enthusiast, I know what it takes to keep trails open for responsible OHV recreation.  The recent fight to protect historic motorized access at the BLM’s Johnson Valley OHV Area is proof that it is the politicians who make land use decisions that impact us all.  Electing pro-trail candidates is the most effective way to help secure long-term recreational access to public lands for current and future generations.”

“I want to encourage off-road voters to get engaged in the 2014 midterm elections.  I am proud to endorse the efforts of TPAC to help elect politicians who will support our access to public lands, Scherer concludes.

TPAC is working to change the obstructionist leadership in the U.S. Senate that kills OHV-related regulatory reform efforts.  Off-road voters can help remove legislative chokepoint by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

TPAC’s strategy is to target/support up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Montana.  We also look to target up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/21, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

The TPAC Trail Access Victory Fund has set a goal to raise $10,000 or more between now and the FEC filing deadline of January 31. Your donation WILL allow us to support key pro-trail candidates in battleground races.  TPAC is asking you to be a TRAIL:  HALL OF FAME MEMBER, HERO, CHAMPION, LEADER, or SUPPORTER.

During the week TPAC will be featuring Off-Road Champions from King of the Hammers, National Enduros, Best in the Desert, ISDE, King of the Motos, National Mototrials, and National Hare & Hound who are supporting TPAC’s effort to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress.

Trail users who donate will have their first name/city/state listed in the following categories:

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Richard – Palo Alto, CA

Sean – Roseville, CA

Jerry – Oakdale, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Eric – Puyallup, WA

*MAKE YOUR DONATION AT THE TPAC LINK BELOW:

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

You will note there are several names already on the list because they were anticipating our formal launch and wanted to be first out of the gate. Again, the donation lists will be updated each day until the FEC filing deadline of January 31.

Remember is it Congress that decides where you and I ride or drive our OHVs.  Let send more candidates who support our values back to Washington D.C. in 2014.

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

www.thetrailpac.com

TPAC -JOIN The Fight to Keep Trails Open - Be a Hero Fundraiser - 1st Targeted Senate Race and Off-Road Champions Support TPAC Effort

The Trail PAC is proud to announce its official “Be a Trail Hero” launch into the 2014 midterm election cycle.  Trail voters “got into the game” in the 2012 election by helping elect a number of pro-access legislators into Congress including Nevada’s U.S. Senator, Dean Heller.  TPAC expects to build on that success in this election cycle.

Congress has a growing number of legislators who are off-road enthusiasts themselves and support responsible OHV use on federal lands.  Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced and passed legislation that supports public use of motorized trails.  They have also passed bills and held oversight hearings to address unwarranted and politically motived excessive OHV-related regulations at the EPA, Forest Service, and BLM.

However, U.S. Senate leadership is jamming similar regulatory reform efforts in that legislative body.  Off-road voters must weigh in to change that unresponsive paradigm.   With your help in 2014, we can remove those roadblocks by electing a pro-access majority to the U.S. Senate and maintain and grow our majority in the House of Representatives.

TPAC’s strategy is to target/support up to 11 key senate races in states such as Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Montana.  We also look to target up to 15 important battleground House races in various congressional districts including Arizona CD2/CD3, California CD7/21, Colorado CD6, Utah CD4, and West Virginia CD3.

TPAC is pleased to announce that we are supporting Steve Daines for Senate in Montana as our 1^st targeted senate race.   Last week, MT access leader, Amy Brieder, presented Steve Daines with an official TPAC donation at Yellowstone Motorsports in Belgrade, MT.

After the presentation by Amy, Steve Daines said, “A big thanks to TrailPAC for their support of my election to U.S. Senate. Access to our outdoor recreation is a big part of the lives of Montana families and I will work to preserve these opportunities for future generations to enjoy.”

The TPAC Trail Access Victory Fund has set a goal to raise $10,000 or more between now and the FEC filing deadline of January 31. Your donation WILL allow us to support key pro-trail candidates in battleground races.  TPAC is asking you to be a TRAIL:  HALL OF FAME MEMBER, HERO, CHAMPION, LEADER, or SUPPORTER.

Each day this week as we update the donor list, TPAC will be featuring Off-Road Champions from King of the Hammers, National Enduros, Best in the Desert, ISDE, King of the Motos, National Mototrials, and National Hare & Hound who are supporting TPAC’s effort to elect pro-trail candidates to Congress.

Trail users who donate will have their first name/city/state listed in the following categories:

HALL OF FAME - DONATE $1000 - $5000

TRAIL HERO - DONATE $500 - $999

TRAIL CHAMPION - DONATE $200 - $499

Sean – Roseville, CA

Jerry – Oakdale, CA

Andres – Lafayette, CA

TRAIL LEADER - DONATE $100 - $199

Clark – Pocatello, ID

Richard – Minneapolis, MN

TRAIL SUPPORTER - DONATE $25 - $99

Eric – Puyallup, WA

*MAKE YOUR DONATION AT THE TPAC LINK BELOW:

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

You will note there are several names already on the list because they were anticipating our formal launch and wanted to be first out of the gate. Again, the donation lists will be updated each day until the FEC filing deadline of January 31.

You made a difference in 2012, now let’s build on that success in 2014!

Don

Don Amador, Founder

The TrailPAC

www.thetrailpac.com

Happy Thanksgiving from TPAC - Let's Give Thanks for Trails!

As OHV voters prepare to enjoy the Thanksgiving Day holiday with family and friends, TPAC wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of you who are helping us elect pro-trail candidates to the U.S. Congress in the 2014 midterms.

TPAC also wants to commend the owner of Roseville Kawasaki/Yamaha, Sean Coplen, for his precedent setting outreach to his customers so they can be informed on the three steps of  how to protect OHV recreation on public lands. 

In Coplen’s letter of support for national and local trail advocacy groups, he also urges his customers to become engaged in the electoral process by supporting TPAC.  TPAC believes this is the 1^st motorcycle dealer to articulate (in a letter to his customers) such strong public support for political activism at the national level as a key and effective factor in the OHV advocacy equation.

According to a recent federal OHV recreation survey, about 19% of Americans participate in OHV recreation on an annual basis.  There is huge potential for that electorate to have a significant impact on federal elections IF they become engaged.

The 2014 midterm election season is rapidly approaching and TPAC is getting ready to hit the political trail running with support for pro-access candidates in key battleground states. 

If you want to support that effort, please make your “I’M THANKFUL FOR TRAILS” donation of $25, $50, $100, $200, $500, or $1,000 dollars at the link below:

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

Thanks again for your support!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC

Shutdown on San Diego Radio Show - Get in the Game, Arbitrary Closures, and Deal on Wed?

As Congress and the White House continue to battle over a resolution to the government shutdown, TPAC believes they will come to a short-term resolution (sometime on Wednesday).  Political pressure continues to mount from a public that is disgusted with the whole mess including families who have had to cancel vacations to lands managed by the FS, BLM, or NPS.

 

The San Diego-based Bike Week Radio interviewed me on October 13, 2013 regarding the shutdown’s impact to OHV recreation.   The show is hosted by icons of the motorcycle industry and having them set aside some time to discuss off-road politics highlights just how much of an impact this closure is having on the recreation electorate.

 

If you have time, TPAC encourages you to listen to the show as the following topics were discussed: arbitrary nature of closures, casual users impacted, lack of closure-related information from agencies, permitted events and volunteer cleanups cancelled or postponed, impacts also to non-motorized user groups, need for Congress to reform the Anti-Deficiency Act, and importance of OHV voters to get involved in the 2014 midterm election.

 

Don Amador Bike Week Radio (Show # 70) interview is from 27:51 – 35:03

http://www.bikeweekradioshow.com/sounds/BWRSwk70.html
 

For those of you who are new supporters of TPAC, we will include a link from a Cycle News article about why OHV recreationists need to “Get into the Game.”

 

Cycle News “Get into the Game” Article

 http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20111115#pg19

  

As we stated in the interview, the 2014 midterm elections are coming up next year and TPAC plans to continue our efforts to elect pro-trail candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.   If the shutdown cancelled your trip to an OHV event or impacted a family camping trip, feel free to make a “protest” donation to our 2014 midterm effort.

 

TPAC – Here is my “Protest” Donation

http://www.thetrailpac.com/donate.html

 

Thanks again for being engaged in the political process.

 

Don

 

Don Amador, Founder

The Trail PAC
www.thetrailpac.com







                                                __________________________________

Paid for and Authorized by The Trail PAC

 

 

 

White House Orders Closure of Privately Managed Parks

Gate Closed at OR Dunes NRA

 

The White House has validated TPAC’s motto that… “All Trail Decisions are Political Decisions” by issuing a precedent setting order directing federal agencies to close all parks that are managed by private management firms including the Arizona-based Recreation Resource Management Company.

Historically, these user-pay/user-benefit privately managed federal units have stayed open during government shutdowns including the 3 week shutdown in 1995.

Included below is an October 2, 2013 letter to Congress written by Recreation Resource Management’s owner, Warren Meyer.

 

October 2, 2013

 

Senator John McCain

Senator Jeff Flake

Representative David Schweikert

 

Help! Administration Orders Shut Down of Privately-Operated Parks in National Forest

Parks that require no Federal money, and actually pay rent to the Treasury, are being required to close

Sirs:

 

My company, based in North Phoenix, operates over 100 US Forest Service campgrounds and day use areas under concession contract. Yesterday, as in all past government shutdowns, the Department of Agriculture and US Forest Service confirmed we would stay open during the government shutdown. This makes total sense, since our operations are self-sufficient (we are fully funded by user fees at the gate), we get no federal funds, we employ no government workers on these sites, and we actually pay rent into the Treasury.

 

However, today, we have been told by senior member of the US Forest Service and Department of Agriculture that people “above the department”, which I presume means the White House, plan to order the Forest Service to needlessly and illegally close all private operations. I can only assume their intention is to artificially increase the cost of the shutdown as some sort of political ploy.

 

The point of the shutdown is to close non-essential operations that require Federal money and manpower to stay open. So why is the White House closing private operations that require no government money to keep open and actually pay a percentage of their gate revenues back to the Treasury? We are a tenant of the US Forest Service, and a tenant does not have to close his business just because his landlord goes on a vacation.

 

I urge you to help stop the Administration from lawlessly taking arbitrary and illegal actions to artificially worsen the shutdown by hurting innocent hikers and campers. I am not asking you to restore any funding, because no funding is required to keep these operations open. I am asking that the Administration be required to only close government services that actually require budget resources.

 

Sincerely,

Warren Meyer

 

 

In additions, confusion continues to plague the public since the Antideficiency Act, passed by Congress in 1870, prohibits the government from incurring any monetary obligation for which the Congress has not appropriated funds.   This precludes FS and BLM recreation staff from disseminating closure-related information to the public.

 

The Government Accountability Office states that employees who violate the Antideficiency Act may be subject to disciplinary action, suspension and even "fines, imprisonment, or both."

 

As hunters, off-roaders, fishermen, equestrians, and mountain-bikers prepare for this weekend’s adventure on federal lands, they can rest assured that closure signs await their arrival at many Forest Service, NPS, and BLM campgrounds, staging areas, and trailheads.

Govt. Shutdown - OHV Caught in DC Political Fight

TPAC Founder, Don Amador, at OR Dunes NRA 

This area is reported as being closed by the shutdown

Dear OHV Voter,

Throughout the West, federal land managers are announcing OHV related closures today in response to the government shutdown.

 

There does not appear to be any consistency between agencies and units on what recreation facilities and trails will be open.  

 

For example, the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California has closed the Corral Canyon OHV Area.  In Northern California, it appears the BLM's Ukiah Field Office will close the entrance gates to the South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area. 

 

Closure Sign at FS Staging Area at OR Dunes

*Photo thanks to Save the Riders Dunes

 

 

On the other hand in Colorado, it looks like public land trails on the White River National Forest and the BLM's Colorado River Valley Field Office will be open.

 

TPAC believes that Congress is acutely aware of the shutdown's impact to recreation activities via the House's introduction of a bill today to fund the National Park Service during the shutdown.

 

TPAC also believes the long lasting impact of the shutdown on multiple-use recreation is logarithmically related to the length of the impasse.

 

This is a massive political battle between opposing ideologies and public land recreation is but a small player on the scene.   TPAC urges recreationists to be advised their recreational experience may be severely impacted by the shutdown.

 

Best regards,

 

Don

 

Don Amador, Founder

The TrailPAC

www.thetrailpac.com