AMA Charter Life Member Robert Adams of Pahrump, Nev., among the most active motorcycling advocates in the state, has been selected as the state coordinator for the AMA Nevada State Chapter.

“My motivation for protecting public access to public land is my memories of all the places we’ve lost,” Adams said.

Adams’ first involvement in the fight to retain access to public lands was the California Desert Protection Act of 1994, which established the Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks and the Mojave National Preserve in California.

Adams also worked on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s 1998 Southern Nevada Resource Management Plan.

In 2005, Adams’ involvement with the U.S. Forest Service Spring Mountain West Side Plan led to his service on a long line of boards and commissions, including as a charter Nevada OHV commissioner, BLM Resource Advisory Board member and the Motorcycle Racing Association of Nevada’s land use officer.

“I learned the most serving as a Town Board member and a planning commissioner,” he said. “I saw how other groups get what they want.

“Forty people in a community of 40,000 can get their way by working together and not giving up,” Adams explained.

Through the years, Adams has been involved in updates to the 1998 Southern Nevada RMP, which eventually were scrapped by the BLM in 2018.

“Preservationists and developers worked with Clark County politicians to write an RMP intended for implementation by Nevada’s Congressional delegation, passing it as federal law,” he said. “Clark County’s RMP, known as the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, divides remaining federal public land in Clark County between development and preservation, leaving off-road racers with less than four percent. But this has been met with only a token fight from off roaders.”

Adams currently serves as the AMA District 35 legislative officer, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council Nevada state partner, Southern Nye County Conservation District supervisor, Pahrump Tourism OHV ambassador and Pahrump Public Land Advisory Board member.

Coordinators

Volunteer State Chapter coordinators are AMA members who have completed AMA EAGLES training. They work with AMA clubs and individuals to identify goals and interests. The coordinator also works directly with the AMA to strategize on efforts to promote riding and protect rights in his or her state.

Robert’s bikes

My first motorcycle was a Yamaha 180cc two-stroke twin.

My most memorable bikes were a Yamaha RD 400 and a Yamaha IT 400. I made a lot of memories those years canyon scratching above Malibu.

I also had a series of Yamaha YZ 250s. Being a young man dicing with best friends on a YZ on endless trails is what I pray heaven is.

My bikes now are a 2009 Suzuki DR650, a 2012 Beta 350 RS, a 2014 KTM 250EC and a Tyrex side-by-side that says I’m getting gotten old.

 

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Individuals interested in becoming AMA State Chapter coordinators should contact Marie Wuellah, State Chapters and Volunteer Manager, at [email protected] or at (614) 856-1900.