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f you are like me, you may be experiencing an election hangover. What happened at the federal level can be hard to swallow. I see two types of problems coming to off-roaders in the coming years. First is the threat of wilderness legislation. Federally designated wilderness is a land designation that prohibits all mechanized vehicles. Areas with this designation can have no motorized or even non-motorized vehicles operated. With the president, as well as the house and senate majority democratic, wilderness legislation is likely to come. The other threat would be from the president using the Antiquities act to designate National Monuments. I expect Biden will redesignate land that President Trump took out of National Monuments and probably make additional designations.
Parks has released their long awaited draft Public Works Plan. Land use documents such as this have alternatives that are discussed in the text. The first place I went to look was to see what the alternatives are.
The Future for Oceano Dunes Plans always contain a "No Action" alternative. This looks at what would happen if nothing new or different is done.
I have seen draft plans with as many as six alternatives. More complicated plans usually have more alternatives. In my years of reading plans, I have never seen a "no action" alternative be adopted. This plan has only two alternatives. The other alternative is the "No OHV alternative." In that plan, OHV (green and red sticker vehicles) would be phased out over five years. Street legal vehicles would continue to be allowed. This is bad news for off-roaders who value Oceano Dunes. SDORC, CORVA and other organizations are looking into ways to stop this. You can see the plan here https://oceanodunespwp.cmail19. com/t/r-l-juhktya-kuiluldiyk-r/
Corral Canyon On a brighter note, Corral Canyon has reopened for off-road vehicle use. We were able to apply pressure and logic at the right place and am happy the area is open. Last month I wrote about Oceano Dunes (Pismo) releasing a draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Wilderness boundary sign near Painted Gorge. There may be comments. Since last month, State more of these in our future. 46
S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - FEBRUARY 2021 - www.ssorm.com
Out of State Off Road Registration The State legislature is back in Sacramento and bills are being introduced. I believe this session will, once again, be abbreviated. Our lobby group has introduced our reciprocity bill again, now it is known as AB232 with Assemblyman Gallagher. The states of Utah, Arizona and Nevada have passed laws that say they do not recognize California off-road registrations (green and red stickers). If you want to recreate off road in those
