Creede OHV Club

Minutes of September 1, 2011


The September meeting of the Creede OHV Club was held at the home of Jerre and Connie Guthals and was called to order by Jerre Guthals, President, at 7:15 PM on September 1, 2011.  Jerre welcomed all members and guests present.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting as those minutes were emailed to members and are posted on our web site.
In Linda Martin's absence, Jerre gave the Treasurer's Report, stating that there was income of $75 (from membership dues) and no expenses leaving a balance of $2,772.61.
All trails are open.  Due to lightening and rain, the August 26 work day to correct the few drainage problems on Fern Creek Trail 815 was postponed.
Old Business
Jerre reported that Ryan Crabb (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) was impressed with both Fern Creek Trail and Lost Trail and was pleased with the cattle guards and the treatment for drainage.
Three bids are requested for the grant for the Polaris Razor, but there is no Polaris dealer in South Fork and the club will  consider bids from the dealers in Pagosa Springs and Durango.   Mark's Outdoor Sports in Alamosa has quoted a price of $10,739.99 for a Polaris Razor and a price of $899.00 for a utility trailer.   Tom Malecek and Dennis Vincent  agreed to our Club storing the Razor at the Adm. site on Deep  Creek Road.
The Trail Preservation Alliance will be installing several barriers ASAP as follows:
  1. Motorcycle barrier at trailhead of Trail 803 by the Boy Scout Cabin.
  2. ATV 50" barrier at end of Forest Road 505.1a (OSO Creek)
  3. Motorcycle barrier at intersection of trail 787 and 803 in Miners Creek.

The installation of Adopt A Trail signs for FS trail 787 and FS Road 505.1A will be postponed until next year.
New Business
October 6  will be the next Club meeting, if enough members are still in town.
Jerre asked the members present if there was a ride they would like to schedule for September.  Tom Malecek suggested the club try some trails near Del Norte that have recently maintained.   It was agreed that members would call each other if there was an interest in a ride.
Friday, September 16, 8 AM at the trial head, was chosen as the re-scheduled day for repairs on the drainage problems on Fern Creek Trail 815.
Dennis Vincent reported that he had received his $20,000 grant and has been purchasing posts and signs.  The Forest Service office now has a sign making room, so if anyone notices a trail or road sign down, damaged or missing, inform the Creede office and they will build a new sign.  
Tom Malecek apologized to Jerre for the trial run on the North Clear Creek tie in.  He stated that there is a lot of passion involved with the Travel Management program and all requests are very timely and met with a lot of protests.  The goal is to change the system to a case by case basis and a letter will be written to make all stakeholders aware of this.
Tom said that the damage from the spruce beetle should not be thought of as just death.  The Rio Grande Forest still has fur, aspen and small spruce. There is a lot of dead timber that needs to be removed and the Forest Service rules for timber sales will need to change also.  
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10.  Dennis Vincent and Tom Malecek from the Forest Service were guests and the following 9 members attended the meeting:
Huebert Ernstes                Bill Gattis
Jerre & Connie Guthals                Rick & Penny Newman
Ronnie Rounds                    Greg Singer
Don Steinbach