Desert Tortoise
We saw that the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service was working on a conservation plan for the desert tortoise in California for nonfederal entities. I opened the draft plan to see if it affects us in the San Diego Area. The plan centers on the need for Incidental Take Permits (ITP). An ITP is required when people do activities that may bother an endangered species. When I looked at the range map, I was very surprised to see Anza Borrego Desert State Park shown as habitat for the endangered tortoise. I’ve been going to ABDSP all my life and have never heard of a desert tortoise sighting. I called the ranger station and asked to speak with a biologist and when I got him on the phone, I told him I was looking at this tortoise plan and asked if there were any desert tortoise in the park. To my surprise, he said yes, there are two known colonies of desert tortoise in ABDSP. They have taken blood samples and one group shares DNA with tortoises from Joshua Tree National Park. After investigating, the park concluded that tortoises were most likely brought and released there in the 1950’s and 1970’s and the populations are stable. Neither population is near any routes, so it is less likely our people have seen any. The part that concerns us is that traveling events take place in the park and we would not want anyone who puts on these events to be required to obtain an ITP. These can cost at least $50,000 and take many months to get. We submitted comments asking the park to be able to obtain a blanket ITP and then to manage all events under one ITP.

Solar by OW
There is a proposed solar energy project by Wildcat Energy to put approximately 1,964,000 solar modules on 5,900 acres of private property near the northeast side of Ocotillo Wells SVRA. The project would go on both sides of Highway 86 and on both sides of Highway S22. While this project would not directly affect OHV in the park, it would cause a noticeable effect, both visual and to access, to people in the areas both inside and outside the park. The area in question is privately owned and is currently zoned for low density residential and open space. There was a public meeting recently in El Centro about the project and I went out there to speak on behalf of off-roaders. We believe that this project does not belong on the west side of Highway 86 and we will encourage the proponents to only develop the east side of Highway 86. The county will have to change the zoning for the project to take place and lobbying the county will likely help our cause. A draft plan should be published in the spring of 2025 and the county supervisors will likely vote on changing the zoning toward the winter of 2025. We will stay on top of this proposal and keep you informed.

DAC: Dunes fees
The Desert Advisory Council met recently and they were asked to approve two fee increases, one for the Angeles National Forest and one for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Glamis). Both agencies did a good job of justifying their cases and the fee increases were approved. As much as I don’t like fees to camp in the desert, the BLM does a lot to keep the dunes viable and that costs money. There are other free areas to camp and off-road and you can find a lot of free duning at Superstition Open Area in western Imperial County.

Monuments
The Range of Light National Monument is being considered as a unit of the National Park System in California, between Yosemite National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. The proposed monument consists of approximately 1,427,750 acres of federal land and includes the entirety of Sierra National Forest. Off-road vehicle users oppose this designation because it is highly likely to reduce vehicular access to the lands involved. There is a strong level of opposition to this monument proposal and we are not sure if it will be made by outgoing president Biden.

The proposed Chuckwalla National Monument for southeast Riverside County and northeast Imperial County is more likely to be designated. This proposal is for 660,000 acres and has a lot of support from the general community. We don’t like this proposal and have our fingers crossed it won’t be designated, but we won’t know until it is designated or Trump is inaugurated.

The Kw’tsán proposed national monument in southeast Imperial County is less developed, but may be designated. It comprises 390,000 acres.

Wheel and Water X
SDORC is planning to host an expo May 31 at the Diane Jacobs Equestrian Center. We are envisioning an event that not only features off-road vehicles, but also water/river sports and other outdoor activities. Details to follow.

Corral Canyon Trail Day
The Cleveland National Forest recently hosted a trail maintenance day. Cohosting were TDS, SD4Wheelers and SDORC. I personally trimmed a trail called Greenhorn. There was food and lots of raffle prizes. TDS presented Brandon from Tread Lightly a check for $5,000, the same amount they received from the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame recently. These events help the forest out tremendously and are fun. The next one will be in the spring.

Ed Stovin, President
San Diego Off-Road Coalition