Govt. Shutdown Update - Intransigence, tickets, and sour grapes

Closed FS Staging Area at OR Dunes NRA

 

As outdoor recreationists prepare to access federal lands on the shutdown’s first weekend, they will be met with a confusing array of closure signs and inconsistent messages/enforcement.  There are several articles that highlight the raw politics of the shutdown or detail the economic impact to the local community.

 

Washington Examiner Article about the Raw Politics of the Shutdown

http://washingtonexaminer.com/obamas-intransigence-closed-americas-natural-wonders/article/2536807

 

Coos County The World Article on Local Impacts

http://theworldlink.com/news/local/dunes-are-a-victim-of-shutdown/article_2d6b6c5a-2c44-11e3-9252-0019bb2963f4.html

 

Adrenaline ATV/SXS Online Interview with Amador

http://adrenalineatv.com/breaking-news-ohv-access-closed-during-government-shutdown/

 

It appears the Forest Service has closed almost all of their gated campgrounds and staging areas including those managed by concessioners.  

 

This FS Campground is Closed at the OR Dunes NRA

 

However, the Forest Service has stated the public can use areas and trails providing they use legal private or non-closed access points.  At the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, users can access the riding areas via access points that exist at various KOA campgrounds or Coos County’s Riley Ranch OHV Park.

 

KOA Campground with Legal Access to the OR Dunes NRA

 

According to reports the BLM has gated/closed the Sand Mountain Recreation Area in Nevada.

 

 

Sand Mountain Recreation Area Closed in Nevada

 

 The BLM's Samoa Dunes Recreation Area and Headwaters Forest in Humboldt County, California are closed.  BLM rangers are issuing tickets to ATVers who bypass the gate.  However, the rangers have said that if you can find a legal access point that you can ride at Samoa Dunes. 

 

BLM's Samoa Recreation Area - One of Only Two Legal

Oceanside OHV Riding Areas in California

Photo credit: Lost Coast 4x4 Club

 

 

Strangely, the nearby Mike Thompson Federal Refuge remains open at time of this posting. 

 

The Mike Thompson Refuge is Open???

 

ATVers Enjoy Samoa Dunes OHV Recreation (or at least they used too)

 

Riders have said the BLM’s Glamis Dunes in Southern California are open for riding since that area has a lot of public access points.

 

HQ believes that the administration could have found a way to keep a lot of areas open using left over appropriated funds or working with private sector or local governments.   Be assured, we will continue to monitor the shutdown’s impact on the recreation community.

Govt. Shutdown Causes Cancelled Off-Road Events and Reduces Access

Watch for "Closed" Signs at Developed Campgrounds

 

The Recreation HQ has been contacting various federal land managers today regarding the government shutdown’s impact to OHV recreation.

Already, an AMA sanctioned motorcycle event on BLM lands has been cancelled.  On another unit, a scheduled cleanup day sponsored by OHV enthusiasts for this upcoming weekend has been cancelled.

HQ expects that “closed to the public” signs will be put up over the next few days at the entrance to many, if not most, developed campgrounds on FS and BLM lands.  Some units will also post closed signs on the trails.

 

Closure Sign at OR Dunes NRA near Florence

*Photo credit: Save the Riders Dunes

 

Deer hunting season is in full swing right now and that user group will be impacted by the closure of some facilities.  Hunters may find it difficult to get their deer tags signed by FS or BLM recreation staff since those non-essential personnel have been furloughed.

HQ urges all outdoor recreationists to be aware that reduced access to public lands has become a reality in the budget fight.