National and Regional News 

Washington, D.C. — The Supreme Court’s June 28 decision to overturn so-called “Chevron deference” in a landmark case will restrict the ability of government regulators to act outside of Congressional or federal judiciary oversight, likely altering the scope and power of regulations impacting motorcyclists, from off-highway access to right to repair. 

Dating to a 1984 Supreme Court decision, Chevron deference referred to the directive that federal courts accept the judgment of regulators regarding relevant law and resulting regulations. This made challenging rules, such as land closures impacting motorcyclists, difficult in the courts. The Supreme Court overturned the 40-year administrative law precedent in a 6-3 decision, eliminating the latitude given to government agencies to interpret ambiguous laws through regulations. The decision shifts the responsibility of deducing laws and the intent of Congress away from government agencies to the independent judgment of courts. 

The AMA has a long history engaging on issues potentially impacted by the Chevron deference ruling. Since 1924 the AMA has fought in the interest of motorcyclists, repeatedly taking on the overreach of government agencies. For example, the AMA has fought the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on multiple occasions, including working against noise regulations that would have cost individual motorcyclists thousands of dollars. The AMA also took on the Internal Revenue Service, getting it to rewrite its regulations to allow proper sales tax deductions for motorcycles. 

Washington, D.C. — The National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partners (Trail Partners) Funding Program recently announced the recipients of the 2024 grants. In total, the program awarded $215,000 to 16 trail maintenance and improvement projects across the U.S. The grant program is a joint partnership between the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance and the U.S. Forest Service in collaboration with the AMA, American Trails, American Hiking Society, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), and the Back Country Horsemen of America.

Grants help support organizations leading trail maintenance efforts across the country’s National Forests, distributing funds throughout the trails’ community, both by recreation type and geographically. The AMA has been involved with the Trail Partners grant program since its creation in 2016 as a result of the National Forest Trails Stewardship Act and continues to work on increasing awareness of the program as a grant source. 

The projects selected for grants in 2024 will engage around 2,250 volunteers in 39,000 hours of maintenance work to repair over 900 miles of trail and will match federal dollars awarded with $1,723,000 in cash and similar support. Out of the 16 groups receiving funding, groups awarded grants specifically for motorized trail maintenance include: 

• BCHC Educational Fund: $12,300; Region 5 (Pacific Southwest) – A volunteer-led general trail maintenance and repair project with a strong focus on fire-impacted areas. 

• Mountain Bike the Tetons: $16,300; Region 4 (Intermountain Region) – An organization that has strong collaboration with partner organizations serving diverse communities of trail users. 

• Headwaters Trail Alliance: $30,000; Region 2 (Rocky Mountain Region) – Multiple use general trail maintenance proposal on a variety of trail types using a combination of staff, contractors and volunteers to complete work. Funding will contribute to staffing costs for HTA’s overall trails program. 

The Trail Partners Funding Program is made possible through the National Forest System Trail Stewardship Act of 2016. The Act significantly increases the role of volunteers and partners in trail maintenance to aid in addressing backlogged projects such as signage upgrades, trail clearing, reroutes, bridge and structure repair, and improvements to drainage. The funding comes from dedicated USFS funds, demonstrating the significance the agency gives to the program. Visit wildernessalliance.org/trail_funding to learn more about the program. To learn about additional grant programs at the federal and state level, visit the AMA’s grant resource page at americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/grants/.  

Great Falls, Mont. — Registration for the 2024 National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) annual conference has opened. NOHVCC has been working for nearly three decades to create a positive future for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. This year’s conference will be held on Oct. 17-19 in Minneapolis and once again will be using a mobile app for all participants starting on July 15.  

Partners and those attending on scholarship are encouraged to contact the NOHVCC office to receive their discount code. This year’s mobile workshop will be held at the Polaris Testing and Research Facility in Wyoming, Minn. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email laura@nohvcc.org. 

Sacramento, Calif. — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has scheduled a public hearing to consider amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) for Nov. 8, 2024. Over the coming months, CARB staff will continue to analyze and incorporate modifications to the rulemaking proposal including a near term step-down in carbon intensity benchmarks of 7 percent or greater, as well as refinements to feedstock sustainability provisions, zero-emission vehicle infrastructure eligibility provisions, provisions that would increase support for zero-emission vehicle fueling, and other provisions.

The amendments, if approved by the Board, are expected to be in effect in early 2025. Visit the rulemaking website for additional meeting details: arb.ca.gov/rulemaking/2024/lcfs2024.  

State News 

Gorman, Calif. — California State Parks has issued a temporary full closure for the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). The park sustained extensive damage resulting from the Post Fire, last reported at over 15,500 acres and is closed until further notice. Due to extensive damage and hazardous conditions, State Parks has not fully assessed the damage to all the infrastructure and resources in the park. Visit ohv.parks.ca.gov/ for the latest information. 

Lakeview, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for amending the 2003 Lakeview Resource Management Plan, which would update the management of 3.2 million acres of BLM-managed public lands in Lake and Harney counties. The BLM’s draft EIS and plan amendment consider a wide range of management options for lands with wilderness characteristics, grazing, and outdoor recreation, including off-highway vehicle use. 

The BLM will be hosting four meetings to discuss and answer questions regarding the plan. These meetings will be held from 5-7 p.m. on July 15 (virtual meeting), July 16. at Community Hall, 87345 Holly St, Christmas Valley, Ore., July 18 at the Lakeview District Office, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Ore., and July 22 (virtual meeting). You can find registration details for the virtual meetings here.

Public Comments may be submitted until Sept. 4. They can be submitted to BLM_OR_LV_RMP_Team@blm.gov or mailed to BLM Lakeview District, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630.   

Montrose, Colo. — The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Colorado Southwest Resource Advisory Council (RAC) has announcing two public meetings in August and November 2024. Both meetings will have a virtual participation option. All meetings and field tours are open to the public.

The RAC will participate in a field tour on Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT, and an in-person meeting on Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT. The field tour will commence and conclude at the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office, 2465 S Townsend Ave., Montrose, Colo. The in-person meeting will be held at the Uncompahgre Field Office.

The RAC will also participate in a field tour on Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT, and an in-person meeting on Nov. 14. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT. The field tour will commence and conclude at the BLM Tres Rios Field Office, 29211 State Highway CO-184, Dolores, Colo. The in-person meeting will be held at the Tres Rios Field Office. 

For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist D. Maggie Magee; BLM Southwest District Office, 2465 S Townsend Ave., Montrose, Colo., (970) 240-5323; or dmagee@blm.gov. Participants wishing to attend virtually must register at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Registration, participation information, and final agendas will be posted on the RAC’s web page: blm.gov/​getinvolved/​resource-advisory-council/​near-you/​colorado/​southwest-rac.  

Phoenix, Ariz. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona Resource Advisory Council has scheduled new meetings to discuss a variety of topics. These meetings are open to the public and will include a public comment period. The first meeting will be held on July 16 from 12- 2 p.m. (MST). Agenda items for this virtual meeting will include revisiting a recreation fee proposal for the Tonto National Forest, for which follow-up was recommended at the April 2024 meeting. 

Additional meetings have been scheduled for Oct. 29-30 and Dec. 11-12, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST. The agendas for the October and December meetings, which will be held in-person with a virtual attendance option, will include updates on BLM project work, resource management updates, including the latest initiatives and a presentation and recommendations on recreation business plan updates and fee amendment proposals. BLM Arizona is currently developing recreation business plans that would modernize the way recreation fee sites are managed.

You can find information on these meetings here. Final agendas and virtual participation instructions will be confirmed via a BLM announcement, social media, and on the council’s website. Written comments may be submitted electronically to Public Affairs Specialist Dolores Garcia, dagarcia@blm.gov, or mailed to the BLM Arizona State Office/AZ-912, One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Ariz., 85004-4427.

AMA News 

Pickerington, Ohio — Following weeks of voting, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced the five inductees who will be honored during the 2024 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 10 in Pickerington. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is Mike Lafferty, Debbie Matthews, Mat Mladin, Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham.

The Induction Ceremony will headline the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days, which is set for Oct. 10-13, and will include an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night and open house at the Hall of Fame Museum. The Induction Ceremony will take place at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Oct. 10, followed by a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. 

Tickets for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony are now on sale and can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or mkula@ama-cycle.org. 

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition. 

Also — Ohio-based rust remover and protectant company B’laster will serve as a sponsor of The Crossroads and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 100-Year Bike Show at 2024 Permco Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha, which will take place July 26-28 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Since its creation in 1957, B’laster has grown into one of the nation’s largest rust-remover and protectant companies. Proudly established in Northeast Ohio, B’laster aims to assist all Rust Belt warriors in the near-constant fight against corrosion and rust. 

In addition to its sponsorship of The Crossroads and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 100-Year Bike Show, B’laster will also serve as the official rust remover of 2024 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha. The Crossroads will feature a variety of vendor displays, stunt shows and seminars from some of motorcycling’s most noteworthy individuals at the AMA tent during the three-day event. 

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame 100-Year Bike Show will strive to find the most noteworthy bikes across seven classes — including the Pre-1940s, 1940s & ’50s, 1960s & ’70s, 1980s and ’90s, 2000-present, Competition, and Custom Bikes. Pre-register for the Bike Show at https://vintagemotorcycledays.com/bike-show/. 

There will also be many other exciting happenings at Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha, including a jampacked racing schedule and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, along with many other moto-centric events! Visit vintagemotorcycledays.com/, sign up for the VMD Newsletter and follow Vintage Motorcycle Days on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. 

For more information about B’laster, visit blasterproducts.com/. 

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AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events in the United States and around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and editorial contributions can be sent to AMA Director of Communications Matthew Miles at mmiles@ama-cycle.org.

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