In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, our own congressman, U.S. Representative Paul Cook, a Republican, last week joined two Inland Empire Democrats to introduce the California Desert Protection and Recreation Act. The House will consider this sweeping piece of legislation as the U.S. Senate considers an identical, companion bill introduced by California Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris. Reporter Mike Lipsitz brings us some highlights of the legislation…
If passed, the bill would expand Death Valley National Park and add some 4,500 acres to the northern border of Joshua Tree National Park as well as authorize the park to acquire the Visitor Center near the main entrance in Joshua Tree. Farther east, it would establish a Desert Tortoise Conservation Center on the California-Nevada border. The California Desert Protection and Recreation Act would also designate or expand six Off-Highway Vehicle, or OHV, Recreation Areas, Johnson Valley among them. The proposal would make permanent more than 300,000 acres for year-round, confined, and appropriate OHV use while protecting other California desert wilderness areas from such activity.
The bill has widespread support from local governments, Chambers of Commerce, recreational, environmental, and conservation groups, tribes, miners, and other stakeholders.
