Environmental groups sue the state to restrict riders at Ocotillo Wells SVRA to designated trails:... http://t.co/NcGUesyIof
22
May
Environmental groups sue to restrict riders at Ocotillo Wells
Reprinted from CBS8.com, 5/21/2013
OCOTILLO WELLS, Calif. (CBS 8) -- Two environmental groups filed suit in Sacramento on Tuesday seeking a court-ordered shut down of open-riding areas at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
The lawsuit alleges off-road vehicle activity at Ocotillo Wells has violated environmental protections mandated under state law.
Specifically, the suit describes widespread erosion, damage to desert soils and plant life, and non-protection of the park's 1,200 archeological and historic sites.
16
May
May 15 is historic day for Johnson Valley
May 15, 2013 is a historic day for OHV users. While it may not have shook the earth like a SCORE Trophy Truck racing across the desert, it is a very important landmark in the race to save the Johnson valley OHV area. The “Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area Establishment Act,” (HR 1676) sponsored by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, with minor changes from its original form. The only amendment was a change in the days the United States Marine Corps would be able to use the area under a permit from 42 days per year to 60 days per year.
Rep. Bishop (R-UT) commended Rep. Paul Cook for introducing the legislation. He noted that the issue was not easy to deal with and that the bill does a good job in balancing needs. He observed that the bill is as close to ideal as possible in the face of challenging issues such as addressing the needs of OHV users. On its path to becoming a law, the bill has been sent to the House Armed Services Committee, Chaired by Rep. Buck McKeon, who is a bill co-sponsor.
09
May
BLM seeks Dumont Dunes subgroup members
The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) California Desert District is soliciting nominations from the public for eight members of its Dumont Dunes Subgroup of the District Advisory Council to serve a three-year term. Members provide advice and recommendations to the Council on the management of the Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area in eastern San Bernardino County north of Baker, Calif. Selection and appointment of subgroup members is by the DAC with the concurrence of the Designated Federal Official. Persons wishing to apply for consideration as a member of the Dumont Dunes Subgroup of the DAC should submit their application no later than June 10, 2013.
More info:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2013/may/dumontsubgroupmembers.html
09
May
Inyo National Forest announces open houses
Meetings begin May 20; webinar available on June 5
The Inyo National Forest announces a series of planned meetings to continue dialogue and receive input from the public and interested stakeholders for the Forest Plan Revision.
This follows multiple meetings in March and April to launch the Forest Plan Revision process. As part of the current Assessment Phase, the Forest Service has posted a series of "topic papers" to the Living Assessment Wiki and the Forest website for review. Input can be provided through the Living Assessment wiki, or by hardcopy or email. The topic papers are available for public review and feedback through June 30, 2013.
Meeting Information:
Monday, May 20, 6pm-8 pm
Forest Supervisors Office
351 Pacu Lane
Bishop, CA
Thursday, May 29, 6-8 pm
Community Center
1000 Forest Trail
Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA
Tuesday, June 4, 6 pm -8 pm
Fish Lake Valley Community Center,
Highway 264
Dyer, NV
Thursday , June 6, 2013, 6 pm-8 pm
Mineral County Library,
First & "A" Street
Hawthorne, NV
Webinar
Wednesday, June 5, 2013, 2 pm-4 pm
For those who cannot attend a meeting in person.
Please contact Susan Joyce, Forest Planner, at (760) 873-2516 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about the topic papers, meetings, or to register for the webinar. More information about the meetings and Forest Plan Revision is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/inyo/landmanagement/planning
The Forest's Land and Resource Management Plan was completed in 1988. While parts of the plan remain relevant, some elements need to be updated to meet changing demands and to incorporate new information.
These meetings will build on conversations from earlier meetings and allow participants to discuss Forest Assessment topics in greater detail with Inyo National Forest employees. During this Assessment Phase of the Forest Plan Revision process, the public can share key information they have about the forest and raise specific interests and concerns.
06
May
Cal4Wheel protests Clear Creek proposed Resource Management Plan
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs has joined a growing number of organizations protesting the BLM Hollister Field Office proposed Resource Management Plan (PRMP) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) Decision. The protest was submitted to the Department of Interior in Washington, DC for review.
The proposed FEIS keeps in place the long-standing closure of the Clear Creek area in spite of questionable science cited in the environmental study.
26
Apr
Knoll represents "Save the Hammers" in Washington
Today Jeff Knoll represented us and our partners in the California Motorized Recreation Council by testifying before the House Natural Resources Committee regarding the bill to save Johnson Valley.
I would like to thank Jeff for traveling to Washington to testify before the committee. An archive of his testimony should be available within 24 hours. Here is a link to where it should be when available: http://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=330323
A written excerpt of his testimony is available for download at this link
