Desert Safari 2014
(photo credit: John Stewart)
The Recreation HQ is issuing a special ACTION ALERT
urging OHV recreationists and related businesses to send in a comment letter on
the Draft Preferred Alternative/Proposed Action (PA) for Ocotillo Wells State
Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Notice
of Intent (NOI) to conduct an environmental review for the Ocotillo Wells
Recreation Area in Imperial County.
SVRA Plan Link
BLM NOI Link
This hybrid planning effort by State Parks and the BLM will
guide management and OHV use at the SVRA for the next 10-20 years.
The HQ believes it is important for the OHV community to weigh
on this planning effort in a large numbers to show support for continued
OHV recreation at the park.
Please take a few minutes to utilize the some or all of
the comments below in a personal letter to the agencies. It will make a difference!!!
COMMENTS DUE ON OR BEFORE APRIL 6, 2015
SAMPLE COMMENT LETTER
____________________________________________________________________________
Date:
Tina Robinson
General Plan Project Manager
5172 Highway 78, #10
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Email: info@planocotillowells.org
Carrie Simmons
BLM, El Centro Field Office,
661 S. 4th Street
El Centro, CA 92243
Dear Planning Team:
Please accept my comments on the Draft Preferred
Alternative/Proposed Action (PA) for Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation
Area (SVRA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Notice of Intent (NOI) to
conduct an environmental review for the Ocotillo Wells Recreation Area in
Imperial County.
[INSERT BUSINESS NAME, PERSONAL STORY, HOW FAMILY USES
OCOTILLO WELLS SVRA, ETC]
I am concerned with the plan’s “trails-only” focus in an
area that has historically offered an important mix of trails and open riding
opportunities. I urge State Parks and
the BLM to include “Open” designations where appropriate in the final plan.
I believe the agencies should develop a streamlined event
permitting process to expedite the approval of competitive and other permitted events
that are well-known, historic, and reoccurring. This can be accomplished
through known “pre-approved” routes or areas from which an event organizer can
choose.
I support the SVRA’s already outstanding efforts to
educate the public regarding the many important values and resources that exist
in the project area. I also support efforts by State Parks and the BLM to
acquire non-public lands to further enhance and consolidate recreational
opportunities in the project area.
I am concerned about the focus on “primitive”
camping. Historically, the term
primitive camping is limited to tent camping.
I believe the term as currently interpreted could result in a functional
ban of trailer/RV camping throughout most of the project area. I urge the planning team to review historic
trailer/RV/tent camping patterns and adjust the final plan to accommodate, to
the maximum extent possible, trailer and RV developed and dispersed camping.
I am concerned the proposed plan indicates areas will be
identified where OHV events MAY be allowed in future planning efforts. I believe that permitted events should be
granted the same status and areas that are authorized in the plan for
“California State Parks Sponsored Special Events Only”.
Thanks in advance for reviewing my comments and I look
forward to working with the SVRA and BLM on this project.
Respectfully submitted,
[JOHN DOE]
Thanks for taking time to send in a letter. Please forward to your riding network.
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