Congress Works to Preserve 300,000 Acres of California Desert for Recreation

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill (HR 857) that would help protect over 300,000 acres for off-road recreation, according to SEMA Action Network. HR 857 now awaits consideration in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act specifically calls to permanently designate five existing off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas in San Bernardino County, including Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes and Stoddard Valley. It would also designate Johnson Valley as an OHV Recreation Area and expand it by over 11,000 acres.