Blanco
08-29-2006, 02:14 PM
From Cycle News:
The following is a release from ORBA:
At their August 18, 2006 meeting, the California State Public Works Board (PWB) approved the purchase of a piece of property located northeast of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA), known as Truckhaven/The Freeman Property or Desert Cahuilla. The Truckhaven area has historically been used as an area where families recreate together on their OHV's. The four-wheel drive club, Tierra Del Sol, has held its annual Jeep Safari there for the past 44 years. John Stewart, Resource Consultant for California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs, stated, "We are pleased with the actions taken by the PWB today and look forward to continued recreation opportunities in the future."
California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) should take ownership of the property in early September. The next step to be taken by DPR is to follow the CEQA process and form a general plan for the area. Funds for this acquisition came from the Federal government and the OHV Trust fund. As a result the future management of the property will likely be a partnership between the Anza Borrego State Park and the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
The final decision on how the property is managed will be a result of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the process used by the DPR to create its Management Plans. Both processes rely heavily on public input. In the interim, while an official management plan is being created for the property, the Department of Parks and Recreation has agreed to protect the sensitive ecological and cultural areas, while at the same time respecting the property's historic recreation value. "The off-road community understands the value of both the cultural and ecologic resources located on this property. We intend to help the state ensure the protection of those resources." said Fred Wiley, Executive Director of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA).
The following is a release from ORBA:
At their August 18, 2006 meeting, the California State Public Works Board (PWB) approved the purchase of a piece of property located northeast of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA), known as Truckhaven/The Freeman Property or Desert Cahuilla. The Truckhaven area has historically been used as an area where families recreate together on their OHV's. The four-wheel drive club, Tierra Del Sol, has held its annual Jeep Safari there for the past 44 years. John Stewart, Resource Consultant for California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs, stated, "We are pleased with the actions taken by the PWB today and look forward to continued recreation opportunities in the future."
California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) should take ownership of the property in early September. The next step to be taken by DPR is to follow the CEQA process and form a general plan for the area. Funds for this acquisition came from the Federal government and the OHV Trust fund. As a result the future management of the property will likely be a partnership between the Anza Borrego State Park and the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area.
The final decision on how the property is managed will be a result of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the process used by the DPR to create its Management Plans. Both processes rely heavily on public input. In the interim, while an official management plan is being created for the property, the Department of Parks and Recreation has agreed to protect the sensitive ecological and cultural areas, while at the same time respecting the property's historic recreation value. "The off-road community understands the value of both the cultural and ecologic resources located on this property. We intend to help the state ensure the protection of those resources." said Fred Wiley, Executive Director of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA).