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Decision Means More OHV Access to Dunes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has drastically reduced the amount of land set aside within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) as critical habitat for the Peirson’s milk-vetch, a flowering herb subject to protection under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS decided that only 22,000 acres of ISDRA lands are required rather than the original proposed 53,000 acres. This California desert area is a prime location for off-road vehicle users. SEMA and many off-road groups have questioned whether the plant should be considered endangered since studies have demonstrated that it is plentiful within its historic range.
New program rewards OHV volunteers
The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) announced a new program to recognize the Take Pride in America (TPIA) volunteer efforts by OHV clubs across the country.
The recognition program, being undertaken in cooperation with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) and Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), is designed to encourage volunteerism and reward OHV clubs and organizations for their significant contribution to improving our public lands and recreation areas. As an added bonus, the OHV community will be gaining some well-deserved recognition from the non-riding public who may not be aware of these kinds of activities.
It’s simple: OHV clubs keep track of their hours and registering them, clubs can gain recognition for those efforts from the motorcycle and ATV industry, as well as from the U.S. Department of Interior. Recognition will be based on the number of volunteer hours contributed by clubs on a per member basis (i.e. if a club has 10 members and the club volunteer hour total is 100 hours, the club’s score would be 10. If a club has 200 members and the club volunteer hour total is 1000, the club score would be 5.) By doing this, small clubs will be on an equal footing with very large clubs.
To receive an electronic copy of the registration form and Take Pride in America guidelines, visit the ARRA web site at www.ARRA-Access.com, or email webmaster@mail.arra-access.com. To get paper copies of the above forms, please call Evan Haglund, ARRA, at (202) 336-5112.

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