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Coachella Valley Water District Cancels SO Winter Nationals

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  • Coachella Valley Water District Cancels SO Winter Nationals

    On behalf of SCOA,

    We regret to inform our fellow racers that the 2011 Winter Nationals are not going to be held in Indio, Ca on March 12-13. We have decided to let the SORC decide what to do next. To make a long story short...I am posting the direct correspondence between Ernie Dawe and the Coachella Valley Water District.


    From: DawecraftBoats@aol.com <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    To: jeff conant
    Sent: Mon Feb 07 16:20:17 2011
    Subject: Re: APBA/SORC loan


    Jeff, I am going to call you this evening as we are getting a runaround from the ranger and the county. I want to fill you in and I will know more later if the county gets back to Bill. Ernie
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: DawecraftBoats@aol.com <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    To: jeff conant
    Sent: Mon Feb 07 21:10:58 2011
    Subject: Re: APBA/SORC loan


    Jeff, I was going to call you tonight but I will wait until tomorrow after I have talked to the Coachella Valley Water District. I have been on the phone 1/2 the day with Bill Sandberg and even drove out to the lake. The ranger says we need a plan to take care of any fuel spill that might occur, do you have any thoughts? Also, when I talk to the water district I have to find out about the mussel that is a problem. They are requiring things that have never been required and I hope that Bill and I can solve this. Talk to you later. Ernie
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: DawecraftBoats@aol.com <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    To: eurban@cvwd.org <eurban@cvwd.org>
    Cc: jeff conant; rcinr12@aol.com <rcinr12@aol.com>
    Sent: Tue Feb 08 11:30:19 2011
    Subject: races at Lake Cahuilla


    Mr. Urban, enclosed is our plan for the fuel and for the zebra mussel. I hope that this meets with your approval, if not please let me know. If you would prefer one of your people to inspect, please let me know, if our inspectors will do could you get me inspection guidelines for them to follow? Thank you for your help. Ernie Dawe

    For fuel: We will require that all boats be fueled out of the water and have something under them while fueling to catch any fuel that is spilled. In case of an accident our reuse boats will have some absorbent pads to pick up any spilled fuel. Most of the boats only have a fuel tank that holds less than 1 gallon and in some classes the boats have a system where by the gas cannot escape when upside down.

    The Zebra Mussel: At all of our events all boats must be safety inspected before they are allowed on the water. If it is acceptable to you and you can provide us with inspection guidelines, they,our inspectors,will also inspect for the mussel. We would be willing to pay for an inspector if you feel it is necessary. The inspector would need to be there around 6 am to inspect the boats and should not be over an hour. These boats are never stored in water and 99% of them will not have been in the water for at least 3 months. We will also provide a way to wash them if necessary.
    Please advise me as to the acceptability of our plan and any other requirements that you might have. Thanks for your time and help. Ernie Dawe
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: Eric Urban <EUrban@cvwd.org>
    To: DawecraftBoats@aol.com <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    Cc: jeff conant; rcinr12@aol.com <rcinr12@aol.com>
    Sent: Tue Feb 08 14:08:14 2011
    Subject: RE: races at Lake Cahuilla


    Ernie, after further review we will not be able to allow the use of your boats on the Lake at this time. Sorry for the inconvienance.

    Re: races at Lake CahuillaTuesday, February 08, 2011 4:53:45 PMFrom: "Eric Urban" <EUrban@cvwd.org>
    To: "DawecraftBoats@aol.com" <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    Sorry Ernie, This has now become a direct order from the assistant GM. We spend well over a million each year to prevent the Quagga and other species from entering our system. If by any chance they were to get into our piped system it would cost us many more times that to get rid of them. Since there is no way to be 100% sure we will not take a chance. I have also instructed Riverside County to not get anyones hopes up in the future.

    Sorry I could not assist you in this. Eric
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: DawecraftBoats@aol.com <DawecraftBoats@aol.com>
    To: EUrban@cvwd.org <EUrban@cvwd.org>
    Cc: jeff conant; rcinr12@aol.com <rcinr12@aol.com>
    Sent: Tue Feb 08 17:01:06 2011
    Subject: Re: races at Lake Cahuilla


    Mr. Urban, this is more than an inconvenience to us as we have people who have purchased tickets to fly here and also made reservations. It also makes it impossible for our Association to plan and hold this event somewhere else. We used to hold these races for many years and never had a problem and I don't see how it could be a problem now. Thanks for your response. Ernie Dawe

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    My opinion...as SCOA Race Director...All the hard work our club has put into making this happen is for not. All because off the poor communication between CVWD, Riverside County, and Lake Cahuilla. With the help of APBA Legal Council, SCOA is looking into a possible small claims court suit to recoup lost expenses. Our original proposal to deal with the muscle and gas spill threat, was approved by the CVWD and the Lake. County approved our insurance coverage from K+K/APBA. Lake Cahuilla Park has already cashed our rental check as was ready for the event. The CVWD found a way to once again stifle boat racing in Region 12. Heck, the lake is fed by the Colorado River..it is infested with the muscles. Riverside County is extremely disappointed in the decision made by CVWD, and has requested copies of all correspondence between SCOA and the CVWD. So bummed....our club and region is devastated over the decision the CVWD made.

    Jeff Conant
    SCOA Race Director
    Attached Files
    sigpic

    http://social.apba.org/

  • #2
    well how about that it was not a rumor after all

    Comment


    • #3
      Hope you can get some coverage in the local media with emphasis on the positive economic impact that the area will lose with the cancellation of this event.
      David Weaver

      Comment


      • #4
        Wow - it is too bad that they are misunderstanding what we do. IMO As well the big benefit that we bring economic stimulus to the communities that we race in.

        We have similar concerns at some of the places that we race. In Idaho you have to purchase invasive specie stickers for boats, we have to purchase them for the hydroplanes. They require that all water craft entering and leaving the state of Idaho be inspected. Montana is also now doing check stations.

        We comply and when we stop at the check stations they tell us that our hydroplanes are not the kind of boats they are looking at, they don't stay in the water the are put in run at 45-90 mph and taken out. They aren't moored or stored in the water.

        Since they are race equipment they are kept impeccably clean and dried between races. The very first check station we stopped at the guy told us that then made me open up the race trailer just because he "wanted to see the boats" said he would try and make a race. He couldn't believe how clean, dry and carefully they we all packed and stored.

        Sorry to hear that you were misunderstood.

        As to the fuel spill issue, that is a pretty usual request. Seattle Outboard Association has a great written policy for how fuel is handled at races.




        Welcome to hydroracer, we hope you enjoy your visit.

        Comment


        • #5
          ;(;(
          ________________________
          Stephen Armfield

          CMH. 61R
          Short Fuze Racing
          Team Darneille
          ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GOOD CMH PROPS FOR SALE
          IF YOU HAVE ONE LET ME KNOW

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by David Weaver View Post
            Hope you can get some coverage in the local media with emphasis on the positive economic impact that the area will lose with the cancellation of this event.
            Not only this event, but a 24hr jet ski race planned this year, along with a second SCOA race in April, and a F1 Champ race in 2012. Not to mention a local red cross was wanting to do a blood donation drive in conjuntion with boat race events. Free community event bringing economic impact to a local economy etc....everyone looses over this deal. But they will let 5000 people swim/piss/s*** in the lake during a triathalon in 3 weeks.
            sigpic

            http://social.apba.org/

            Comment


            • #7
              As Ernie stated...."If it is acceptable to you and you can provide us with inspection guidelines, they,our inspectors,will also inspect for the mussel. We would be willing to pay for an inspector if you feel it is necessary. The inspector would need to be there around 6 am to inspect the boats and should not be over an hour. These boats are never stored in water and 99&#37; of them will not have been in the water for at least 3 months. We will also provide a way to wash them if necessary.
              Please advise me as to the acceptability of our plan and any other requirements that you might have."

              The CVWD was just not willing to work with us after a last minute snag was implemented.
              sigpic

              http://social.apba.org/

              Comment


              • #8
                At our Trout Creek Montana race, (we couldn't actually race due to bad water conditions from a flash river event), they still said that we brought in approximately $50,000 in revenue to the community. There are only approx 10k people in our county and we are geographically spready out (1 person per 3.4 sq miles I think). Just some $$$ facts for your files. Stock Outboard Racing even at a local level brings in revenue. I am sure the amount would of been substantially higher if we would of actually raced. I am even more sure that the revenue would of been greater for a SO Winter National Event. Really sorry to hear this......




                Welcome to hydroracer, we hope you enjoy your visit.

                Comment


                • #9
                  The wife and I were looking where to book a motel and attend the event. This has now been a bummer. She is not in the best of health and was looking forward to attending.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It would be interesting to know if the CVWD has set up inspection sites at all of the launch ramps in the area to check for zebra mussels. If not I would think that a class action suit could be implemented since it seems they are acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner to stop the race. Doesn't APBA have a lawyer on staff? I know there are at least 2 who are members.
                    Last edited by racer121M; 02-09-2011, 07:18 PM.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Doesn't matter know

                      The CVWD was just not willing to work with us after a last minute snag was implemented.

                      Sounds to me that the CVWD really didn't want this to come off and were merely finding reasons to make you jump thru more hoops hoping you would get discouraged and pull out. There are more than likely political reason behind this and unfortunatley the racers lose. Sorry to here all your hard work was for naught.

                      Breath in, breath out ,move on.
                      Tom L.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Sorry to hear about this Jeff. Buit then, what do you expect froma state where it is more important fpor Rats to have sex, and butteflies to make nik nik than it is for a homeowner to cut a fire break to prevent fires....Or for that matter 35,000 people out iof work in the Delta for because they wont turn on the water pumps to the farmers, who grow the food we all eat....All to save a little fish about the size of a poodle turd, not even indigenous to the region........
                        Bill Schwab
                        Miss KTDoodle #62C
                        -Naturescape encinitas landscape company

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          The Democratic Process

                          One can only assume that the Coachella Valley Water District is run by a body of Elected Officials.

                          So, who's coming up for re-election soon?

                          Perhaps if some campaign donations were made to NON-INCUMBENT CANDIATES, who were made well aware of where the money came from, and WHY it came their way, someone might get the message.

                          Then again, maybe not.

                          Funny thing: in the "Breakout Session" I hosted in Detroit in the Membership Retention meeting that Ernie did, one of the two MOST IMPORTANT things that our group came up with was for APBA to become a lobbying force to be reckoned with when it comes to stuff like this. It sure would come in handy about now....

                          R-19
                          www.gleasonracing.com

                          "No, THAT is why people hate him."

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Fishy

                            Something sure seems fishy here....SCOA did everything they were asked to do in a timely matter....I would bet every last dime I have there there is something going on behind the scenes here......I honestly feel bad for the Dawe family and Jeff Conant....they are good friends and I hate to see friends dumped on. I agree with Pat Gleason...time to pull out the big guns at APBA and start filing some paper....don't we have some lawyers that head the SORC? Does APBA not have legal council? Time to get something going on this.....what next....you can't bring a ski boat in from out of state and use a California boat launch? Good god...what next?

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Guess it's Basketball time!

                              Well this sucks. This is total bs on the part of CVWD....I hope APBA sues for not only for monies spent but DAMAGES! You can't just issue permits then retract them. Breach of contract seems to come to mind.

                              Well my girlfriend and I already have the time off. So we will be heading down for sunshine, visitng family, and maybe some Basketball that week!!!! GO COUGS!

                              http://www.pac-10.org/Championships/...ournament.aspx
                              Kyle Bahl
                              20-R

                              "He didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you, he rubbed you, and rubbin' son is racin'!"

                              Comment

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