Rules are now in effect - deadline for comments is July 26

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released interim final supplementary rules for public lands managed by the California Desert District. The rules clarify and simplify guidelines for visitors to public lands within the BLM California Desert District.

The eight common sense rules were developed in coordination with the Desert Advisory Council and recreation user groups. They are designed to enhance the safety of visitors, protect public health, protect natural resources, and improve recreation experiences and opportunities.

The rules include restrictions on people riding in truck beds; burning metal such as nails in firewood; glass containers; public nudity and the use of metal or wooden stakes. The rules also address saving camping spaces in open off-highway vehicle areas, require people to keep trash picked up at their campsites and impose limitations on camping at Competition Hill at Dumont Dunes.