Ogemaw County ORV Tell~All: April 2009

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

West Branch MotorSports

As we were running around in West Branch this morning we came across a gem of a find that we thought you all would like to know about. West Branch is now the proud parent of a new business called West Branch MotorSports. I have attached a link at the bottom of the blog so that you can get to their website. www.westbranchmotorsports.com. I was VERY excited to come across this new business. Now if you run across problems when here for your vacation or weekend run, you can run into West Branch to pick up what you need. They just opened on April 22nd. I will be making a run into town to check them out. We were in at 7 this morning and they were not open yet. Early bird gets good breakfast! :D When you are up and around, please stop in and say HI to them and let them know you appreciate them being in town.
Remember to TREAD LIGHTLY!! See you on the trails!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

M-33 In Rose City, MI

I have received a few calls from local people in Rose City. It seems that quad riders are using the shoulder of M-33 to ride. YOU CANNOT RIDE ON THE SHOULDERS OF M-33, M-30 or M-55 in Ogemaw County. It is a state maintained highway and is OFF LIMITS to ALL riders unless your ride is licensed by the State of Michigan or another State. I have requested that they call the local authorities about the situation. You WILL receive a ticket. It is against the law. We that live in Ogemaw County ARE NOT exempt from the laws. Locals are just as much at fault as vacationing folks. This law CAN be revolked. You need to make a copy of the current law and read it.
St Helen has opened up some new roads that allows you to get into town and eat and gas up. Remember to read the below post from St Helen so that you know the correct roads.
Also Mio is having a meeting this morning, I guess some of the town is not happy that only certain roads are open in Mio. Looks like people might be able to obtain entrance to the city on other roads. I will try to keep you updated on the road situation there. Tread Lightly! Obey the Rules!!

Friday, April 24, 2009

St Helen Power Sports Newsletter

----- Original Message -----
From: St. Helen Power Sports
Newsletter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apr. 22, 2009

Local News & Events

Richfield Township ORV Access Update

On Tuesday April 21st, the following motion was passed for ORV Access in Richfield Township. Although this motion does not include residential areas, it does provide access to additional food & fuel in the St. Helen area. The attached .pdf file shows the existing all-season routes in green, and the additional all-season routes in purple. The motion also establishes an ORV Safety Patrol to provide education and supervision in the township.

ORV Access Motion

1. ORV Patrol

Establish a Volunteer ORV Safety Patrol within the CERT Program under the Richfield Township Public Safety Department.

2. Expanded Year-Round Road Access

The following roads be opened for Year-Round Access.

F-97 from Wolverine Drive (southern township line) north to Artesia Beach Rd.
Ash Street from Artesia Beach Rd. to Lakeview.
St. Helen Rd from I75 trail north to Trail Crossing.
F97 from Central Drive north to the Marl Lake Rd. (Township line)
F28 from F97 east to the township line
Airport Rd. from Old M76 east to Township Campground Trail (10mph speed limit).
3. An application should be filed to the DNR to open the trail running parallel Artesia Beach Rd from F97 (west township line) to the corner of Artesia Beach Rd & N. St. Helen Rd. This trail would keep ORV traffic off Artesia Beach Rd.

We extend a special thanks to the following for their comments and long travels to support this issue:

Dick Ranney, Chairman State of MI ORV Advisory Council;

Bob Hetherington, Chairman Ogemaw County ORV Safety Patrol;

Bob Grace, and the Group from the Jackson Trail Riders;

Justin Plunkett and the group from JP's Great Outdoor Adventures.

This Township Motion is just the first step in opening these roads. The recommendation now moves to the county level for Roscommon County Road Commission & Sheriff Department input and finally to the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners for approval. This process will take some time.

Please let our County Commissioners know that you are in favor of increased ORV access and the Richfield Township request.

Roscommon County Commissioners

Ed Nellist – Chairman, Roscommon County Commissioners

ednellist@roscommoncounty.net

Bob Schneider – Vice-Chairman, Roscommon County commissioners

bobschneider@roscommoncounty.net

Ken Melvin – County Commissioner

kenmelvin@roscommoncounty.net

Marc J. Milburn – County Commissioner

marcjmilburn@roscommoncounty.net

Pam Stephan – County Commissioner

pamstephan@roscommoncounty.net

.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Rose City Trail Head Sign!

Here is a picture of the new Rose City Trail Head Sign. It is in the process of being finished but I thought I would give you a sneak peek of it. As I stated in prior postings, the new trail head will be located in the City Limits of Rose City. It is on Rose City Rd. Turn right off of M-33 go approx. 2 city blocks and you will see it on the left (north) side of the road. We are hoping the ground work will be started soon! Keep your fingers crossed.
We had a large group of riders up that one of the patrolers ran into at Ambrose Lake parking area. Other than a slight injury the riders enjoyed their time in Ogemaw County and are really excited about the new trail head opening up in Rose City.
Looks like the gas prices are steady and we hope you all enjoy the woods in Ogemaw County!
See you on the trails!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Start of 2009

Well we still have some snow in the woods, but it is looking better. 62 degrees today so that should help alot. I have to remind you that Roscommon County DOES NOT have an all year allowance for ORV's on their roads. Which also means you can not ride on the sides of the roads in St Helen.
I don't know how many times I have to repeat how important it is to follow the laws for the county that you are riding in and be observant when crossing into another county. You MUST wear required gear for the appropriate ORV/Motorcycle that you are riding. You CANNOT ride double or MORE people on a single riding ORV. We had two patrollers run into two men and two young boys all riding on a single person quad. Not only is that not legal they also did not have helmets. I have to warn you that the DNR are out and looking in Ogemaw County. We have a big Bulls Eye painted on our county. The DNR would love it if we could not ride on the sides of the roads here. Please help us keep our laws and rights. OBEY THE LAWS!!!
I have been told that the fine prices have risen this year and with us all digging farther into our pockets to make the money stretch I am sure that a costly fine would really put a damper on your trip. I know that most fines are starting out at $150.00. So lets say you had two people on a single person Quad and neither had a helmet on which one of our patrols ran across two young ladies like this, it would cost you approx. $150.00 ea for the helmet missing, then another $150.00 for riding double on a single person quad. So if my teenager came home with a ticket from the DNR or police for $450.00. I think I would think twice about what they were doing before I let them take off on the quad.
On a lighter note, it looks like things are starting to slowly move on the parking area in Rose City. Hope you all will be able to enjoy it soon!!!

taking MICHIGAN ORV LAWS

An ordinance for the regulation of operation of ORV's on streets and highways located with in Ogemaw County except as herein noted.
Sec.1*As used in this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:*a). "ORV" means a motor driven off-road vehicle with forward movement made possible by the use of two, three, four or six wheels* with surface contact made by rubber tires.*b). Operation must be to the far right of the maintained portion of the road or street. An ORV may not be operated against the flow* of traffic. The maximum speed of operation is 20mph unless a lower speed limit has been posted.*c) . An ORV may not interfere with other traffic on the road or street. ORV's must travel single file except when passing.*d). An ORV may not be operated on the road surface, roadway, shoulder or right-of-way of any State Highway including but not * limited to M-55, M-30, M-33 or other State Highways in Ogemaw County. An ORV may not be operated within the city limits of * the City of West Branch unless the governing bodies of those municipalities specifically permits such use.*e). Sec. 8113: A person shall not operate an ORV:****a). unless wearing a crash helmet and protective eyewear. This does not apply if the vehicle is equipped with a**** roof that meets or exceeds standards and is wearing appropriate adjusted and fastened safety belt.*f). You CAN NOT transport any passenger in or upon an ORV unless the manufacturing standards for the vehicle make provisions for* transporting passengers. IE: Two-Up ORV or Utility Vehicle.*g). Prior to January 1, 2010 a person must display a lighted headlight and taillight when visibility is reduced. Beginning January 1, 2010, * any ORV operating on the road at any time must display a lighted headlight and taillight. A brake light must be brighter than the taillight,* visible when the brake is activated to the rear of the vehicle. Operation is permitted at all hours.*h). A person under age 12 may not operate an ORV on a street or road. A child age 12,13,14 and 15 may operate an ORV on* a road under the direct visual supervision of an adult and has in their immediate possession an ORV safety certificate.* Children younger than 16 may not operate a 3-wheeled ORV on a road. A child age 16 or 17 may operate without direct* visual supervision provided they have a valid drivers license or an ORV safety certificate in their possession. Michigan* will recognize an ORV safety certificate issued by states or a province of Canada.Sec.2*In the event an ORV is in an accident with another vehicle legally permitted to operate on the road or street, the owner of the ORV *shall be considered prima fascia negligent. The owner of an ORV does not qualify for no-fault/PIP benefits in the event of a single*vehicle accident or an accident with another ORV.Sec.3*Sec. 81147: Except as otherwise provided in this part, a person who violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by*imprisonment. the penalty for violating an ORV ordinance is a municipal civil infraction with a fine of not more than $500 and/or *damages to repair any damage to the environment, street, road or other public property. The fine and damages shall be deposited*into a local ORV fund. The penalty for creating an erosive condition or violating state environmental law is a misdemeanor punishable*by imprisonment for not more than 90 days and/or a fine of not less than $250 or more than $1000 for each violation. The penalty of*exceeding the 20 MPH limit can range from $50 to $150 or more if applicable.
ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS BASED ON MCL PA451324.81101-50. PLEASE REFER TO SAID SECTION FOR THE COMPLETE ORVORDINANCE.

Get To Know Us!

Ogemaw County was the first county to allow ORV (Off Road Vehicle) riding on the shoulder of most county roads. Rose City is the host city that became the first city to allow the riding of ORV's within its city limits. Ogemaw County has all county and seasonal roads open to ORV's. The only roads not accessable to ORV's are State Roads, Ex: M-33, M-55 and I-75. Also two tracks and power lines are OFF LIMITS. Two tracks are also known as "logging trails". Snowmobile trails are off limits unless posted as a mixed traffic trail. Remember that the law states you must always wear a helmet. Only one (1) rider is allowed on a ORV unless the ORV is a legal two-up. All motorcycle and ORV's must have a current ORV sticker. Our posted speed limit is 20mph. Michigan has just adopted into law that grants access to ORV's to ride on allowable county roads. Please always check with the township that you are traveling in before riding and make sure you understand all the rules and regulations so that you will have an ENJOYABLE vacation.

Ogemaw County ORV Tell~All