Most of you are aware of the lawsuit pending regarding open riding at Ocotillo Wells. This lawsuit started in May of 2013 when PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Protection) and the DPC (Desert Protective Council) filed a lawsuit against the California State Department of Parks and Recreation claiming that trails are not being maintained, archaeological sites are not being fully protected, excessive dust is blowing in the air, vegetation is being destroyed and the park is suffering erosion damage due to off road vehicles. They are claimining "their observation and experience of these incidents diminishes their recreational use and enjoyment of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and other nearby lands." They are asking for open riding to be discontinued and for off road vehicles to be allowed only on designated trails.
-----fast forward to 2017----
We're almost at the finish line, but we have an important hurdle to overcome to defend Ocotillo Wells! The judge allowed expert witnesses, with each side able to interview opposition experts. These interviews, or depositions, have taken days to complete, and now we need the transcripts to prepare the best brief to present to the judge to defend OW. Each transcript may cost $1000 or more, and we need a number of transcripts, plus allow the attorney the hours needed to review the information and prepare the best defense for Ocotillo Wells. We need the community to help with this final push. We'll need at least $15,000 to do this right. We have to bury our opponents, and keep our park open! Fight For Ocotillo Wells has already donated $1,000 from funds collected selling stickers and the Fight For Ocotillo Wells Grand Prix races and now we're asking you to help us help CORVA. We're all in this together! Donate to CORVA and specify Defend Ocotillo Wells in the comments.
Please let your Legislator know that you:
CORVA's Southern Regional Board is working on bringing back the Truckhaven Challenge. It will be held in Ocotillo Wells and is tentatively set for January 20, 2018. We will keep you posted, but please save the date and plan now to support the CORVA Truckhaven Challenge. Volunteers will be needed and sign-up information will follow. Check the CORVA website often for updates!
George Thomas Memorial Off-Roader of the Year (2016) – Neil Hamada
Past President’s Award - Kathy Lynch
American Buggy Association’s Edward H. Waldheim Political Action Award - Ed Stovin
Los Aventureros Conservation Award - Friends of Frank Raines
Looney Duners Charity Award - Orange County Dualies
Northern Club of the Year - Bay Area Riders Forum (BARF)
Southern Club of the Year - Trail Crew 4x4
The California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) held its annual elections and awards meeting in Bakersfield, CA on May 20, 2017. Ken Clarke was elected to serve as president and Bruce Whitcher was elected to serve as vice president land use. After the meeting, Ken Clarke appointed Roberta Woods to serve as secretary and Diana Mead was appointed as assistant northern regional director of legislation. The position of vice president of sales and marketing is currently vacant.
California Desert District
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2017 CA-CDD-17-13
Contact: Stephen Razo, 951-697-5217, srazo@blm.gov
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Barstow Field Office, has scheduled two public open house meetings to gather public input on a route designation proposal affecting 148 miles of routes located on BLM public lands currently maintained by the County of San Bernardino Public Works Department. Segments of these routes are under county maintenance and are limited to street legal only vehicles, as defined by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
This route designation proposal will allow the BLM to analyze and determine if the consistent management of these routes across the two jurisdictions is in the public interest. This process is temporary until a final decision on the West Mojave (WEMO) Route Network Project is issued.
The open house meetings will allow the public an opportunity to learn how the proposed actions may affect the use of these routes, as well as the overall recreational experience on public lands. The three currently scheduled meetings will be held on:
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Yucca Valley Community Center
(Yucca Conference Room)
57090 Twentynine Palms Highway
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Thursday, April 20, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Barstow Field Office
(Main Conference Room)
2601 Barstow Rd, Barstow, CA 92311
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Representatives from the BLM will be available to answer questions regarding location of routes, and maps will be available for viewing. Representatives will also explain the process involved in proposing the route designations and how the public can formally participate.
This initial public review and comment period closes May 12, 2017, and written comments can be submitted at the meeting or via email to Matt Toedtli at mtoedtli@blm.gov.
This proposed action stems from the January 19, 2017 stipulation for additional interim remedies related to the 2006 WEMO litigation. In the stipulation, the BLM agreed to initiate a process to determine whether a temporary public land order should be issued for the 148 miles of routes pending a final decision in the WEMO Route Network Project.
A list of the proposed street-legal only routes under consideration can be obtained at the Barstow Field Office or at https://www.blm.gov/office/barstow-field-office. For more information, to submit your input through other means, or if you have special needs for accommodation to participate in the open-house meetings, please contact Barstow Field Office, Planning and Environmental Coordinator Matt Toedtli at (760) 979-7564, or email mtoedtli@blm.gov.
2835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
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