The EPA/DLA stoppage and where we stand and what we should do

85CUCVtom said:

I'll second that, Thanks!!

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I'll thirds it!

BBoomerBootCamp said:

I'll thirds it!

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You have a fourth.

We are receiving unconfirmed reports from a couple sources that sales will resume again soon. We don't have anything like memos, emails, etc. that are "official", simply verbal declarations that this is the case.

I am trying to verify the authenticity of these claims, but sometimes, the policy flows faster than the info.

I will let everyone know when we have something more concrete.

If you have any kind of email or official information, please forward it to us.


We sincerely appreciate everyone's kind words.

clinto said:

We are receiving unconfirmed reports from a couple sources that sales will resume again soon. We don't have anything like memos, emails, etc. that are "official", simply verbal declarations that this is the case.

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I just got off the phone with customer service at the main office and they have no new information or idea when vehicle sales will resume.

Clinto, I'll only make two comments:


1. A heartfelt thanks to you and to all the staff members who are working on this.



2.

This!

clinto said:

The basic reason we have kept the thread locked was because no new information that was reliable was coming out and that only leaves wild speculation and conspiracy theories, which honestly reflect very poorly on our great hobby and make us look less legitimate. I understand that within the hobby there is a fear and suspicion of agencies like the EPA and such, but some the things being posted were simply so inappropriate that they were damaging to our hobby's public perception.

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Yappin' and flappin' ain't helpin'.

Thank you for the continuos updates..

Also thank you for taking personal time to pursue and follow up info as well..

Thanks for the most concise and logigcal explanation I have seen to date, good job guys! Please keep the site updated

Appreciate all of your efforts, on screen and off! Knowledge is power, and without it, we would be spitting into the wind. Will continue to follow and await further specific information and instruction.

God bless,
Tony

Ok, we've gotten a few pm's about an unrelated issue that some folks think is related, so I want to cover it here.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have seized a bunch (40-60) Land Rover Defenders. This is totally, 100% unrelated to our hobby and the EPA really isn't even a part of the issue (it's really more of the NHTSA).

There is a thread on SS about it and I've posted a good description of what's going on, look here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...ity-Seizing-Land-Rovers&p=1587484#post1587484

If you read that thread and the links I posted, you'll see what's going on (basically, a bunch of trucks that shouldn't have been imported got imported and the CBP figured it out).

Thank you Clinto! It's always good to lift the fog of misinformation and speculation.
I hope this isn't causing problems with units turning in equipment and vehicles. My old unit had a dozen vehicles they wanted gone! I guess they'll sit in the motor pool a little longer. You would be amazed at all the darn paperwork you have to do to get rid of some old truck, I got tired of getting chewed out on why they were still there. Guess the new guy has a good excuse now!

I just had a mental image of the surplus pipeline as a python eating a deer, input but no output!

Hey, just keepn' it light!

Still no official word on the status of the EPA/DLA talks. Please do not read anything into the removal of the Banner on GL.

STOP IT!!!!!!!!


There has been no official notice that the stoppage is over.

Since everyone is post happy I am closing this thread to anymore posts. If you have "official" info we will open it back up. Do not send me a PM saying how many trucks are listed. If you had been watching there have been numerous trucks listed through out the stoppage. None of then had NSNs assigned. They just slipped through the cracks.

I am going to have some very good news here very shortly.

It's something everyone is going to like.

As soon as I get word that it's "public", I'll put it out there. I have to go run a bushhog on a tractor for a bit for a friend, so it may come out somewhere before it comes to me and I can relay it, but I think everyone's going to have a pleasant evening.

Ok, is everybody ready to smile?

The MVPA will be releasing an official statement at some point today and my contact's have given me approval to release this:

The DLA has issued a press release: http://www.dispositionservices.dla.mil/News_Center/Pages/EPA_agreement.aspx

A snippet from the press release reads:

"Release of all types of equipment to firefighters and law enforcement, transfer to federal agencies, donation to state and local governments, and public sale will resume as soon as computerized property listings can be reset, which is expected next week. Rules on ownership of items and accountability standards will also continue as before."

Now, once everyone has cracked the champagne open, I think we should discuss a couple things.

The MVPA (the National Chapter, not your local affiliate club) has been instrumental in getting the truth about this-absolute hard facts, not internet rumors and conjecture and the insider contacts they have were not only able to get a read on what was going on (and therefore not shoot ourselves in the foot) but they were able to exert some level of influence on the players, or at least provide information about the effects of the stoppage.

I absolutely wholeheartedly recommend anyone who is pleased with this outcome strongly consider joining the MVPA. Joining is easy and can be done here: http://www.mvpa.org/join/

Secondarily, we appreciate everyone's patience and willingness to not make waves throughout this ordeal. I realize that just sitting and waiting while your hobby (or obsession for some of us) hangs in the balance is difficult and feels counter productive, but politics are a lot like hot dogs: if you know what goes into it, you probably won't like it anymore. The MVPA's position that waiting on a decision proved to be the right one and a campaign to influence the outcome could very well have politicized the issue and turned it into something partisan and impossible to control. Obviously we'll never know if we were all correct but I think we were.



Over the last few years, our hobby has faced some big challenges: the radiation scare, the EPA/DLA stoppage, local registration (Wisconsin, Georgia, etc.) issues, local HOA and town ordinances, etc.

And every time, there is a lot of paranoia that goes along with these scares. That there is a giant conspiracy among govt. agencies to come take away our vehicles. I know there were at least a few people who thought the CBP seizure of illegal Land Rover Defenders was related to our issue (http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?127958-EPA-Home-Land-Security-Seizing-Land-Rovers). I hope with the positive outcome of this event the hobby can look at future challenges in a more positive or at least more sober light.

In closing, I really think if you like military vehicles and believe the public should be able to buy them as value priced commercial vehicles and as pieces of history to be preserved, today is a good day. And you should join the MVPA-they have contacts that SS can only dream of and they have a lobbyist in Washington. SS, G503 and all the others don't bring anything like that to the table. It's something you should consider.

I am opening the thread. I hope everyone has a fantastic day. Go drive your military vehicle and take your dog for a cheeseburger!

Okay so NOW there is "official" info.

Thank you Clinto for all the behind the scenes work you have put into this project.

How does this effect the titling issue with with fire depts and such

Everything is returning to the way it was before the Jun 18th stoppage.

"Release of all types of equipment to firefighters and law enforcement, transfer to federal agencies, donation to state and local governments, and public sale will resume as soon as computerized property listings can be reset, which is expected next week.

Rules on ownership of items and accountability standards will also continue as before."

Warthog said:

Everything is returning to the way it was before Jun 18th.

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No haven't yet. Sorry.

Thanks

ke5eua said:

No haven't yet. Sorry.

Thanks

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I have asked for clarification on this issue to be sure I am reading it correctly but the last line in the DLA press release makes me believe that the FD/LE entities will retain ownership as before:

Rules on ownership of items and accountability standards will also continue as before.

Praise be to God!

Our heartfelt THANKS and abundant APPRECIATION, along with our most perfect and respectful SALUTE go out to ALL of those - especially the MVPA - who worked diligently and patiently to bring this situation to a favorable conclusion.

As suggested, I WILL be joining the MVPA! The MVPA have supported ALL OF US, we now are indebted to them. We owe them our loyalty and support as allies in our shared MV interests and at times dependence. I encourage everyone to do the same.

Thank you, again.
<SALUTE>

UPDATE @ 1025 hrs 8/14/2014 -
I am now a paid member of the MVPA.

Carry on.