HQ ACCESS ALERT - CLOSURE of SRI CREEK CROSSING AT CARNEGIE SVRA

As some of you already know, the OHMVR Division has been given a court order (due to ongoing litigation) to close off public access across the SRI creek crossing at Carnegie SVRA. The closure becomes effective on Monday 1-21-2019.

SRI Creek Crossing Closure (Red) 

Areas impacted by closure.

• The 4x4 Play Area.

• The MX Track and gravel parking lot.

• The Trials Area.

Access to Kiln Canyon and SRI Loop will be through Los Osos Trail.  

LINK TO SVRA CLOSURE FLYER with MAP of SRI CLOSURE

http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172

The SVRA is working through the permitting process to restore public access to the affected areas. It is expected the OHVMR Division will provide an official update on this issue at the March 1, 2019 OHMVR Commission meeting.

The Recreation HQ asks our OHV network to honor the temporary closure at the east end of the park and thanks you for your patience in the matter.  Stay tuned for future updates. 

ACTION ALERT FOR OCOTILLO WELLS SVRA - Comments Due April 6, 2015!

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

http://ocotillowells.s3.amazonaws.com/static/OcotilloWellsSVRA_PrefAltPropAction_2015.03.03.pdf

BLM NOI Link

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2015/february/ocotillo.html

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

Email: BLM_CA_Ocotillo_Wells_RAMP@blm.gov

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.

HQ Supports New CA State Park Director

 

The Recreation HQ believes Governor Brown made a very good choice in tapping Major General Anthony L. Jackson to be the new State Park Director.

 

SVC News Article (Nov. 14)

http://scvnews.com/2012/11/13/2-star-marine-to-head-state-parks-system/
 

The article states… “As Commanding General, Jackson has worked on a wide variety of state and federal legislative issues…  He routinely met with and briefed state and federal legislative leaders and elected officials on issues such as renewable energy generation, fire suppression, state parks and off-highway vehicle use.”

 

HQ believes Director Jackson understands and appreciates the important role that responsible OHV recreation plays in this state.   HQ also believes that his appointment will soon lead to the appointment of a Deputy Director at OHMVR.

 

Thanks for your interest in OHV recreation.

 

 

OHV, IMBA, and Enviros Ask County to Keep Road 40 Open

In my travels to other parts of the country, I often get kidded about living in California (people think it is a strange place). Actually, I am proud to be a native Californian who was born and raised up in Humboldt County.


There are not too many areas (or issues) in this country where I have seen environmental groups, conservation organizations, mtn. bike, and OHV interests come together to petition a local government to keep a road open for vehicle access.

Yet, that is just what happened recently in Yolo County regarding the proposed abandonment of Road 40 (aka Rayhouse Road). Several weeks ago, HQ issued an alert on that subject which included a letter from BRC to Yolo County.

Jan. 17 Alert with BRC Letter
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2012/01/hq-dual-sportadventure-rider4wd-alert.html

According to the local conservation group, Tuleyome, the county staff is recommending to the county planning commission that Road 40 remains open for public use. HQ believes that decision was influenced by diverse interest groups (e.g. Tuleyome, Sierra Club, BRC, IMBA, Audubon Society, et al) coming together to champion continued access to public lands.

This issue will be heard by the planning commission on February 9.

Public Notice of Feb. 9 Meeting (see agenda item 6.2 for county staff report and comment letters)
http://www.yolocounty.org/index.aspx?recordid=5221&page=428

HQ thanks all those who participated in this process.

HQ Closed Nov. 18-21

HQ is closed Nov. 18-21.  Will reopen Nov. 22.

HQ Closed June 22-25 for Meetings

The Recreation HQ will be closed from June 22-25 as The General (on behalf of BRC) will be attending FS meetings. HQ will reopen on June 28.