header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Commentary by Linda Castro
| Thursday, Nov 19, 2015
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

LindaCastroI recently had a conversation with somebody who has driven and ridden in off-road vehicle areas maintained by the Bureau of Land Management for more than 20 years. This person was confident he knew and understood the rules that applied to various types of OHV areas. But as our discussion progressed, it became apparent he did not. This conversation caused me to think that other people who use those areas may not fully know or understand these rules.

Why is it important to know and obey these rules? One of the most obvious reasons is that driving or riding in areas where you are not allowed is a Class-A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and-or one year imprisonment. Another fairly obvious reason is that it can harm plants and animals and their habitat as well as areas that are important for historical and cultural reasons.

Other reasons are not quite as obvious. If you drive or ride in an off-limits area, you might pick up and spread seeds of non-native grasses. Non-native grass seeds can be spread inadvertently from one area to another when they attach to shoes, clothing, vehicles and pets. Fires occur more frequently in areas that have non-native grasses, because these grasses are easier to ignite and provide more continuous fuel for the fire.

Public perception is an additional reason to make sure you are following the OHV rules. If off-roaders violate the rules, they give a bad name to those who follow the rules. The public typically hears only about the off-roaders who do not follow the rules and who, as a result, end up killing a desert tortoise or destroying a Native American petroglyph. The public then assumes all off-roaders are breaking the rules and wreaking havoc in our deserts.

1-OpenArea

Fig. 1: Open Area

There are three types of BLM areas in which riding and driving off road are permitted. When you enter one of these areas, there will be signage telling you what type of area you are entering.

In Open Areas, you are allowed to operate a motorized vehicle anywhere your vehicle and skill can go, within the boundaries of the Open Area. Some examples of Open Areas are Jawbone Canyon OHV Area and Spangler Hills OHV Area. The BLM signage for an Open Area is shown in Fig. 1.

In Limited Use Areas that allow use of existing routes, motorized vehicle travel is restricted to existing routes. An existing route is any road or trail that is at least 24 inches wide and shows some previous use. Desert washes are also considered to be existing routes, even if floods have erased all evidence of their previous use.

Fig. 2: Limited Use-Existing Routes

Fig. 2: Limited Use-Existing Routes

All cross-country travel is prohibited in these areas. You may only use existing routes – all other trails are closed – even if you do not see a barricade or red “closed” sign.

Some examples of this type of Limited Use Area are the El Paso Mountains and the Panamint Valley. When entering this type of area, you will see the BLM sign shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3: Limited Use-Designated Routes

Fig. 3: Limited Use-Designated Routes

In Limited Use Areas that allow use of designated routes, motorized vehicle travel is restricted to a specific designated route network, in order to protect natural and cultural resources.

Designated routes are those marked with brown trail markers and white route numbers. All cross-country travel is prohibited in these areas. You may use only the designated route network – all other trails are closed – even if you do not see a red “closed” sign.

Fig. 4: Closed Area

Fig. 4: Closed Area

An example of this type of Limited Use Area is Jawbone-Butterbredt Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The BLM signage for this type of Limited Use Area is shown in Fig. 3.

The BLM also has Closed Areas. Motor vehicles are completely prohibited in these areas. Examples of these areas include all “wilderness” areas, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Desert Tortoise Natural Area. A Closed Area will be marked with the BLM sign shown in Fig. 4.

It is important that we all respect and protect our deserts so that our children and their children will be able to enjoy what we are able to enjoy today. One excellent way to do that is to learn about and obey the BLM’s OHV rules.

 

 

Linda Castro is a nature enthusiast and animal lover.  She is the Desert Field Organizer for the California Wilderness Coalition and serves on the board of the SCV-based Community Hiking Club.  Her commentaries relate to California’s deserts.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

12 Comments

  1. Randy Worth says:

    Linda,
    Thank you for spreading awareness regarding responsible off-roading.

    I am the president of the LA County Trailcrew 4×4 Club. One of the functions our club does is volunteer and sponsor OHV trails. We do clean ups at Rhower Flats OHV area currently and we are always looking for other local trails to adopt.

    For all those wanting to get into off-roading but not knowing where to start, please feel free to come to our monthly meeting at the Marie Calendars in SCV on Dec 1st. Our guest speaker will be Terry Dean with Cal4Wheel. You can visit our website at: thetrailcrew.com

    Enjoy the outdoors and remember to “tread lightly”.

    -Randy

    Responsible off-roading through stewardship and education.

    • Linda says:

      I’ve signed up for your newsletter. I belong to a 4×4 club in the AV. I’d like to talk to you more about these areas.

  2. Javi says:

    I’d like to see the BLMs Deed to that or any land that they “manage”

    http://truthinmedia.com/lofti-who-actually-owns-americas-land-a-deeper-look-at-the-bundy-ranch-crisis/

    • SCVNews.com says:

      The BLM is the federal government. Most federal lands are held by the BLM, the Forest Service or the Park Service.

  3. Javi says:

    Scvtv guy/gal

    The Constitution does NOT allow for that. The Feds only own 10 square miles which is Washington DC. Yes military bases etc can be bought but they DO NOT OWN blm land. That’s why they are called “Land Managers”.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      the federal government owns federal lands. hence the term.

      • Hardin Rich says:

        Without going into a ton of constitutional law, the Federal government’s land belongs to the American people and it’s use is managed by the BLM.

  4. Javi says:

    Its also important to understand that the highest power in the land is the ELECTED SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY. The President cannot trump his local authority. We need a constitutional Sherriff HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

  5. Figure 2 and 3 are the same??, is this a mistake?

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com