San Diego Off-Road Coalition Update

The January/February issue of The Endangered Off-Roader is now available on our Web site: www.sdorc.org.
· Due to the fact that the first Tuesday in January falls on a holiday, our January general meeting will be held on Tuesday the 8th. For details checkhttp://www.sdorc.org/general_meetings.html. Hope to see you there!
· Looking a little further ahead, since the Presidential Primary Elections will be held on the first Tuesday of February, our February general meeting will be on Tuesday the 12th.
· The Imperial Irrigation District has closed and locked the gate on the canal road going from the Dune Buggy Flats Area to 5 mile drop. The roads in between the old canal and the operating canal have been blocked off. The reasons given are the damage it causes to their road and liability issues. They will be locking the gate at highway 78 and the canal too. The drops will remain open. For further information check http://www.americansandassociation.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23728&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
· Effective January 1, 2008, campfires at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Heber Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area must contain only untreated wood products free from metal, petroleum products, and other toxic substances. In addition, no persons shall possess, ignite, or burn pallets of any kind including those made of wood, fiber, or plastic within these recreation areas.
· California Department of Parks and Recreation is initiating the process of preparing a General Plan and an associated EIR for the Truckhaven/Desert Cahuilla area and the Ocotillo Wells District. Comments must be received no later than February 13, 2007. Click the link to view the document.
· Assemblyman Joel Anderson has a great idea: He thinks we should have Special Interest License Plates for off-roaders such as there are for veterans, environmentalists, etc. Thousands of these plates on the highways would help show the size and strength of the OHV community, and a portion of the cost of the plates would be returned to our program. Joel is willing to push this through the legislature, but he needs our help. We need 10,000 signatures on a petition. You can submit your name and address online by going to www.ohvplates.org.
· Thanks to everyone that helped SDORC by buying an ISDRA pass from us. We sold over 300 passes and were able to keep 10% of that money to help keep our lands open. If you would like more information on buying next season’s pass, please e-mail events@sdorc.org.