Coachella Valley Water District Cancels SO Winter Nationals

[B Walker]

Bottom line....

They dont want us there for whatever reason(s).

Lets try and find places that do like us.

BW

[blueskyracer]

Bottom line....

They dont want us there for whatever reason(s).

Lets try and find places that do like us.

BW

Right now there are options out there since areas are hurting for income. These folks do not want hydros for some reason only know to them. Time to move on.

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Evidently what they are really looking for is indemnification:

We offered to allow the race to
proceed if Riverside County, who operates the recreational facilities at
the Lake, agrees to pay for a state-certified quagga inspector to
inspect the boats before admitting them to the lake and that the County
provide indemnification should an infestation occur. The County has
declined to provide the needed indemnification.

They want to be able to sue someone if the mussel should subsequently appear in their waters. I can't imagine that anyone would provide insurance coverage or financial guarantee for that. As has been pointed out they wouldn't come on a race boat and an offer was made to allow them to be inspected, and even pay for the inspector.

[AZ Outlaw]

Bottom line....

They dont want us there for whatever reason(s).

Lets try and find places that do like us.

BW

I agree. I'll fight this battle another day, as I need to focus on SCOA holding another race somewhere else this year, hopefully. Thanks for all the efforts and support as it makes me prouder than ever to be a part of APBA.

JC

[Nilsen Racing]

Thank you

I agree. I'll fight this battle another day, as I need to focus on SCOA holding another race somewhere else this year, hopefully. Thanks for all the efforts and support as it makes me prouder than ever to be a part of APBA.

JC

Hey Jeff. I know I speak for all the left coast (and others), it sounds like you have done all that you can...what has happened (bureaucracy), is out of your control. A big thank you goes out to yourself, Ernie, and the other members of Region 12 that have done all they can to make this event (winter nationals on the west coast) continue. Hopefully the battle is not over and if Region 10 can do anything to help, please let us know.

Jim

[daveracerdsh]

Thanx

I also want to echo what Jim Nillsen said..a big thanx to all of the SCOA members etc for putting all the hard work in for this event......

[Affholter66]

That really sucks...I can only imagine the frustration and darn right ANGER felt by all..esp those SO racers on the left coast. As far as race sites..I approached a Michigan State Park 2yrs ago about holding SO's there, as they allowed Hovercraft racers to use a section of the lake. The answer was a flat "NO"..no reason given just NO...go figure

[maverick]

Last year I had the two hour conversation with an Idaho Department of Agriculture expert on evasive species and the Idaho evasive species permit process. It was education both ways. One of the problems with the mussel is its larve are microscopic and can live out of water for approximate 90 days. Its not just an issue of the mussel clinging to the bottom of a boat, it can also live in standing water in a live well of a boat, now our boats don' have this problem per say, but you get the picture. A very harty creature!

Ok, What can we do to help with the spread of these plant and animals so races can continue.

First is should be the responsibility of the conducting club to have a mitigation plan submitted if requested, just as was done in this case.

In Idaho they really wanted an inpection and cleansing station setup and all
boats, dolly's and motors power flushed. This would be with a high pressure washer with a water temperature of 110 degrees.

We need to assure the local entities that we can police ourselves and our plans are sound. State resources are stretched thin to the point it's easier to cancel an event than provide a state inspector. We don't want to contribute to the spread because face it, races will be cancelled and maybe no water will be available.

Brian

What is needed here is education on both sides!

[B Walker]

There is a process flaw hard at work here if this is really about the invasive species. (which I have my doubts)

The process flaw is that the county or the conducting organization should carry the indemnity liability.

The truth is the inspector should carry the indemnity liability.

Not the county or anyone else the CVWD can hoodwink into paying for it through the purchase of a liability policy. The inspector is specifically trained and educated on the specifics of the invasive species and inherently has the burden of liability similar to a house inspector, appraiser, doctor, or even a teacher.

Simply put, the inspectors certification of watercraft entering the lake invasive-species-free should shoulder the burden of the potential liability. The inspectors are educated, trained, liscenced, bonded and insured to safeguard against the potential negative impact of their decisions and judgements.

I am sure I will have no effect on CA law or policy.

It is what it is, they dont want us, time to move on.

BW

[RLR]

Try a different tact

HOTELS IN THE AREA

Instead of using total anger maybe we takethe Biblical term, Kicking against the P^^%^%$^S forget about writing to the board, but hit them where it really hurts.

Below is a list of the hotels and restaurants in that area, a quick note to them that says, sorry we will not be staying nor eating in your establishments due to the board breaking a commitment they had with our group for a race at your lake. We were looking forward to spending our time and money with you, but we will not be coming as we have been denied the opportunity to come to your city to race.

Thank you for your time and hope that you and others will remember this when election time comes around.

Low rate guarantee. click for locations.
A The Inn At Deep Canyon
74470 Abronia Trl Palm Desert, CA (800) 253-0004 Website
B Holiday Inn Express Palm Desert-Rancho Mirage/Golf
74675 Highway 111 Palm Desert, CA (800) 345-8082 Website

Stay you. experience the new look and feel of holiday inn express. book now.
C Hyatt Grand Champions
44600 Indian Wells Ln Indian Wells, CA Website
D JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
74855 Country Club Dr Palm Desert, CA (760) 341-2211 Website
E Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa
44400 Indian Wells Ln Indian Wells, CA (760) 773-4444 Website
F Best Western Palm Desert Resort
74695 Highway 111 Palm Desert, CA (760) 340-4441 Website

Low rate guarantee. click for locations.
G Comfort Suites Palm Desert
39585 Washington St Palm Desert, CA (800) 424-6423 Website
H

Express Hotel
84096 Indio Springs Dr Indio, CA (1.1 mi) 1 Tropics Motor Hotel
82297 Indio Blvd Indio, CA (1.0 mi) 2 Quality Inn
43505 Monroe St Indio, CA (1.5 mi) Quality Inn. Best Internet Rate Guaranteed! 3 Indian Palm Intervals Time Share Owner Association
82954 Stewart Dr Indio, CA (1.7 mi) 4 Economy Inn
82275 Indio Blvd Indio, CA (1.0 mi) 5 Travelodge
80651 US Highway 111 Indio, CA (2.6 mi) 6 Holiday Inn Express Indio
84096 Indio Springs Dr Indio, CA (1.1 mi) 7 Palm Shadow Inn
80 761 Highway 111 Indio, CA (1.5 mi) 8 Indio Holiday Motel
44301 Sun Gold St Indio, CA (1.1 mi) 9 Palm Tree Inn
84115 Indio Blvd Indio, CA (1.5 mi)




EATING ESTABLISHMENTS
Starbucks
83073 Avenue 48 Indio, CA (1.4 mi) 1 All Valley Bbq Spa & Fireplace
81955 US Highway 111 Indio, CA (1.3 mi) 2 Winchell's Doughnut House
45995 Monroe St Indio, CA (1.2 mi) 3 Wingstop
82451 US Highway 111 Indio, CA (0.8 mi) 4 Jack In The Box
82210 US Highway 111 Indio, CA (1.0 mi) 5 Andys Burgers No 4
45430 Fargo St Indio, CA (0.2 mi) 6 Lous Deli
42602 Caspian St Indio, CA (2.7 mi) 7 Regency Food Service
81500 Industrial Pl Indio, CA (1.6 mi) 8 Pak Inn
81944 US Highway 111 Indio, CA (1.2 mi) 9 Pizza Hut
81850 Avenue 46 Indio, CA (1.2 mi)

Right now every dollar these business take in, is so important, show them we were willing to spend it, just were not allowed.

Ray

[seanp3]

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is supportive of local events
that support our local economy. However, our first priority is to
protect our existing $500,000,000 per year agricultural industry.

CVWD spends approximately $1.5 million annually on its quagga mussel
prevention program to protect the Coachella Canal, Lake Cahuilla (the
canal's terminal reservoir) and the 485-mile canal water distribution
system.

Due to the serious threat of quagga mussels, CVWD prohibits the use of
boats and other water vessels at Lake Cahuilla. The threat is
applicable to your water sport even with the limited amount of time the
powerboats are in contact with the water.

CVWD does allow exceptions for boats that are kept at Lake Cahuilla and
never touch another body of water. Allowing outside vessels the lake
onto would pose too great of a risk. We offered to allow the race to
proceed if Riverside County, who operates the recreational facilities at
the Lake, agrees to pay for a state-certified quagga inspector to
inspect the boats before admitting them to the lake and that the County
provide indemnification should an infestation occur. The County has
declined to provide the needed indemnification.

Unfortunately, the first notice we received from the County regarding
this event was Tuesday, February 8. This was not much time to work
through these difficult issues.

Even though we may not agree with each other, I hope you understand our
position.

Steve Robbins
General Manager-Chief Engineer
Coachella Valley Water District

I got the same exact generic response:

"The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is supportive of local events
that support our local economy. However, our first priority is to
protect our existing $500,000,000 per year agricultural industry.

CVWD spends approximately $1.5 million annually on its quagga mussel
prevention program to protect the Coachella Canal, Lake Cahuilla (the
canal's terminal reservoir) and the 485-mile canal water distribution
system.

Due to the serious threat of quagga mussels, CVWD prohibits the use of
boats and other water vessels at Lake Cahuilla. The threat is
applicable to your water sport even with the limited amount of time the
powerboats are in contact with the water.

CVWD does allow exceptions for boats that are kept at Lake Cahuilla and
never touch another body of water. Allowing outside vessels the lake
onto would pose too great of a risk. We offered to allow the race to
proceed if Riverside County, who operates the recreational facilities at
the Lake, agrees to pay for a state-certified quagga inspector to
inspect the boats before admitting them to the lake and that the County
provide indemnification should an infestation occur. The County has
declined to provide the needed indemnification.

Unfortunately, the first notice we received from the County regarding
this event was Tuesday, February 8. This was not much time to work
through these difficult issues.

Even though we may not agree with each other, I hope you understand our
position.

Steve Robbins
General Manager-Chief Engineer
Coachella Valley Water District"

[blueskyracer]

Thats funny. So who sits there every day and night to make sure a person does not trailer out for a day with their boat to got to another lake and then put the boat back in the lake!!!

[YankeeRacing]

Last year the AOF nationals had to cancel the race at Pineville, LA because of some "endangered grass" in the water. It has taken a year of hard work, but the issue is resolved. Those who made this happen were persistant, educated, and cooperative.
Now racing will continue at this site.
Good luck to those who will be working to keep the site in California alive. Hopefully with your persistance, education, and willingness to work with the beurocracy, your outcome will be positive.

[Boatracer4fun]

I got the same exact generic response:

"The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is supportive of local events
that support our local economy. However, our first priority is to
protect our existing $500,000,000 per year agricultural industry.

CVWD spends approximately $1.5 million annually on its quagga mussel
prevention program to protect the Coachella Canal, Lake Cahuilla (the
canal's terminal reservoir) and the 485-mile canal water distribution
system.

Due to the serious threat of quagga mussels, CVWD prohibits the use of
boats and other water vessels at Lake Cahuilla. The threat is
applicable to your water sport even with the limited amount of time the
powerboats are in contact with the water.

CVWD does allow exceptions for boats that are kept at Lake Cahuilla and
never touch another body of water. Allowing outside vessels the lake
onto would pose too great of a risk. We offered to allow the race to
proceed if Riverside County, who operates the recreational facilities at
the Lake, agrees to pay for a state-certified quagga inspector to
inspect the boats before admitting them to the lake and that the County
provide indemnification should an infestation occur. The County has
declined to provide the needed indemnification.

Unfortunately, the first notice we received from the County regarding
this event was Tuesday, February 8. This was not much time to work
through these difficult issues.

Even though we may not agree with each other, I hope you understand our
position.

Steve Robbins
General Manager-Chief Engineer
Coachella Valley Water District"

I got 2 emails from 2 diffrent gentlemen and they are the same exact email as you stated. They probably got there marching irders to respond with this generic message to everybody.

[krazy karl]

I got a response back from the Ag Commissioner saying that he would look into it and help as best he could. He said it sounded like their minds were pretty well made up as we know. Ag Departments are charged with this kind of work and and have certified inspectors. However, when some of these fringe agencies get into this kind of work turf battles rear their ugly heads. Ag departments have had problems with these kinds of agencies not wanting to allow anyone else to oversee their turf nor even allow outside help or expertise. I don't expect the Riverside Ag Commissioner to have much success but he will at least look into it and do what he can. I also gave him a link to this thread so he is well aware of the issues.
kk