EPIC DECISION RE-OPENING DUNES IN GLAMIS

Keep informed of the latest political actions that affect our hobby.
Post Reply
1856
Posts: 365
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:00 am

EPIC DECISION RE-OPENING DUNES IN GLAMIS

Post by 1856 »

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 4, 2014) - Recreational visitors observing a
fine flaky substance this morning at the Imperial Sand Dunes
Recreation Area (ISDRA) will be pleased to hear it is not snow but
judicial manna. Barely a month following argument, U.S. District Judge
Susan Illston of the U.S. Northern District Court of California
yesterday issued a long-awaited decision on the 2013 ISDRA management
plan, ruling almost entirely on the side of the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and
sand-rider organizations, and against the latest challenge led by the
Center for Biological Diversity. The ruling sets the stage for
implementation of the 2013 plan, which would allow resumption of
access to areas placed off-limits to riders through "interim" closures
imposed over a decade ago.

The litigation over riding at the ISDRA began in 2000 and has resulted
in multiple trips to Judge Illston's courtroom where BLM, USFWS, and
recreation enthusiasts have suffered multiple setbacks. The 2013 plan
followed lengthy public input and was designed in response to the
Court's 2006 ruling and new critical habitat designation by the USFWS
for the Peirson's milk-vetch (PMV), the plant species of primary
concern at the Dunes. Preservationist plaintiffs raised an array of
challenges under the Endangered Species Act and other laws to the new
plan, but yesterday's decision rejected those claims and upheld BLM's
plan, with the limited exception of finding that a recovery plan for
the PMV is overdue and must be issued by 2019 unless the USFWS makes a
specific finding that a recovery plan will not promote conservation of
the species.

"I have shed tears upon nearly every announcement of the Court, but
this time they are tears of joy," said Jim Bramham, who holds
leadership positions with several of the recreationist organizations,
including the American Sand Association and California Association of
4 Wheel Drive Clubs. "Our work will never be finished, but this
vindicates our long-running, expensive and sometimes controversial
team effort to restore balance to ISDRA management," Bramham added.

The ISDRA, popularly known by many as "Glamis" for the small town
within its boundaries, is located near the southern U.S. border in
Imperial County, California, and spans roughly 167,000 acres. There is
a broad range of management prescriptions covering the area, and over
26,000 acres have been formally designated as Wilderness, where no
vehicle access is allowed. The 2013 plan would continue vehicle
closures in PMV critical habitat and allow some form of riding on
about 127,000 acres. The Dunes are a prized destination for
sand-riding enthusiasts throughout the country and over 200,000 of
them visit the area in a typical year.

The rider groups intervening in the case to assist in defense of the
BLM plan included the American Sand Association, San Diego Off-Road
Vehicle Association, Off-Road Business Association, American
Motorcyclist Association District 37, California Association of 4
Wheel Drive Clubs, BlueRibbon Coalition, Desert Vipers, California
Off-Road Vehicle Association and High Desert Multiple Use Coalition,
with funding and strategic support from EcoLogic Partners. The
intervenor groups were represented by David Hubbard of Carlsbad, Paul
Turcke of Boise, Idaho, and Dennis Porter of Sacramento, California.

A copy of yesterday's decision can be viewed at:

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/243- ... 3.2014.pdf

###

The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) is a national non-profit organization
that champions responsible recreation and encourages a strong
conservation ethic and individual stewardship, while providing
leadership in efforts to keep outdoor recreation alive and well -- all
sports; all trails. With members in all 50 states, BRC is focused on
building enthusiast involvement with organizational efforts through
membership, outreach, education and collaboration among
recreationists.

1-800-BLUERIB - http://www.BlueRibbonCoalition.Org
FulsGld
Posts: 276
Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:00 am
Location: Pacific NorthWest

Re: EPIC DECISION RE-OPENING DUNES IN GLAMIS

Post by FulsGld »

Excellent!!!
Post Reply