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Enthusiasts and fans of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) have reason to rejoice. Recently, three pieces of congressional legislation have been introduced that will benefit recreational access on U.S. land if enacted into law. The following efforts are currently being supported by the SEMA Action Network (SAN):
Saving Johnson Valley’s OHV Recreation Area:
The SAN has endorsed legislation (H.R. 1676) by Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) that would end a five-year debate on how to expand the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, California. Under the compromise, the Marines would have access to the adjoining Johnson Valley Off-Highway (OHV) Recreation Area for up to 42 days a year for training exercises. However, the land would be designated a “national” OHV recreation area under the continued management of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Johnson Valley is the largest OHV area in the United States, totaling nearly 189,000 acres. The land is used year-round by OHV enthusiasts, as well as mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The area is also home to numerous motorized events that draw thousands of competitors and spectators to the area every year, including the famous King of the Hammers event. A House Natural Resources Subcommittee has held a hearing on the bill, which is co-sponsored by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA).
Preventing Road Closures to Motorized Recreation:
SAN-supported legislation (H.R. 1459) has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to require the president to complete an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) before designating more than 5,000 acres as a national monument. The bill would ensure public involvement in the process and discussion of multiple factors, including economic impact. Current law provides the president with authority to declare land of “historic or scientific interest” to be a national monument, which can lead to road closures for motorized recreation, among other activities. While this authority has only been used 137 times in 100 years, vast amounts of land have been set aside in the process. The SAN supports a collaborative approach to land-use decisions, including input from local citizens, elected leaders and other stakeholders. The issue is consequential. For example, in 1996, President Clinton set aside 1.9 million acres of land in Southern Utah as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. President Obama is now under pressure to establish a 1.4 million acre “Greater Canyonlands National Monument,” closing 1,050 miles of off-road vehicle trails and monitoring another 1,450 miles for future closure.
Reopening Cape Hatteras National Seashore to OHVs:
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have introduced SAN-supported legislation (H.R. 819; S. 486) to reopen Cape Hatteras National Seashore to OHV recreation. Spearheaded by North Carolina lawmakers, the legislation would reverse a 2012 management plan issued by the National Park Service that banned OHV access to large portions of the seashore with a goal of protecting nesting sea turtles and birds. Under that plan, about 39% of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is off-limits to OHV recreation, 40% is open year-round and 19% is open at different times during the year. The legislation would reinstate a management strategy that better balances wildlife protections with responsible OHV access. The 2012 decision has had a negative impact on local retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and campgrounds with reduced visits by OHV enthusiasts. To date, subcommittees in both the House and Senate have held hearings on the legislation.
For the complete list of Legislative Action Alerts, visit www.semaSAN.com/Alerts.
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