Glamis Areas to be Re-Opened!
The long-awaited biological opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services has finally been issued: "No Jeopardy" to any plants or animals in the Glamis area. This opinion has opened the door for the implementation of the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (a.k.a. Glamis). The plan includes re-opening areas that were temporarily closed and improving OHV facilities.
Press Release
After years of preparation and litigation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has released its Biological Opinion for the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) (a.k.a. Glamis). The plan was drafted two years ago with extensive input from the off-highway vehicle recreation community as well as the environmental community. The "No Jeopardy" opinion concludes that implementation of the RAMP will not lead to a decline in the population of the Peirson's MilkVetch Plant (PMV) or the Desert Tortoise - currently listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The PMV is believed to exist only in the Imperial Sand Dunes.
Barring any further restraining litigation, this Biological Opinion clears the way for the Bureau of Land Management to proceed with the implementation of the Plan. Some of the areas within the ISDRA that were temporarily closed to off-highway vehicle (OHV) use as a result of a legal settlement will be reopened to vehicle use. A large portion of the central area of the ISDRA will be designated as an "Adaptive Management Area" where vehicle use will be allowed on a restricted basis. Implementation of the plan includes the improvement of OHV facilities including additional camping pads and restroom facilities.
According to OHV attorney David Hubbard: "This Biological Opinion is very thorough and responds in detail to objections presented by opponents to the Plan. It will be very difficult for them to successfully challenge its conclusions in a court of law." Hubbard represents the American Sand Association, the Off-Road Business Association, and the San Diego Off-Road Coalition in matters pertaining to the ISDRA.
American Sand Association President, Grant George, says: "The OHV community is very excited about the 'No Jeopardy' opinion. We have worked very hard to help the BLM provide protection for the PMV and will continue to do so even after the Plan is implemented."
A BLM spokesperson warned the OHV community not to expect closures to be taken down over-night. Eleven protests to the Plan have been filed and these must be responded to by the National Director of the BLM before action can be taken. Also, an implementation schedule must be prepared to support the BLM's Record of Decision. All of this will take some unpredictable amount of time.