BREAKING NEWS: National Protection of OHV Areas Achieved!
Land Use Updates March 13, 2019 Kurt Schneider
On March 12th, 2019 President Trump signed into law S. 47, the Conservation Management and Recreation Act, which previously was passed in the Senate and House overwhelmingly last month. This Act includes legislation that Rep. Paul Cook introduced in the last Congress, including the California Off-road Recreation and Conservation Act.
So why is this important? Because this Act has created the VERY FIRST National System of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation areas. It also designates or expands six OHV recreation areas in California including: Johnson Valley (Home to the King of the Hammers), Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes and Stoddard Valley.
The bill essentially cements our access to these areas, and ensures that future administrations CAN NOT close these areas.
This means that 300,000 acres of the southern California desert is open permanently for off road recreation, making this one of the greatest victories ever in terms of land-use for off-road recreation.
This legislation all stemmed from the original fight for Johnson Valley and the Hammers trail system, which is a California Mecca for hardcore off-roading. A grass roots push of individual trail-users, 4×4 clubs, off-road companies, pro-access organizations, and we are VERY proud to say, several of our staff members here at ModernJeeper.com, all came together to help fight for our access to Johnson Valley.
This victory is testament that we CAN win in the land-use realm, even when all the odds are stacked against us, as long as everyone pitches in to help.
More information… Link to Rep Cook’s Announcement
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