Tell BLM: Don't Let ORVs Go Free at Algodones Dunes
The Algodones Dunes stretch north 40 miles from the U.S./Mexico border through eastern Imperial County, Calif. forming the largest dune system in the United States. This delicate, wind-sculpted landscape is home to numerous species of rare reptiles, plants and insects.
Unfortunately, the dunes are also a magnet for off-road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts.
ORV traffic crushes wildlife and sensitive habitat, throws dust into the air and has regularly caused accidents fatal to people. Despite these dangers and the sensitive nature of the landscape, the Bureau of Land Management has decided to waive fees ORVs in parts of the dunes over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
This decision puts rare plants and animals such as the flat-tailed horned lizard and Peirson's milk vetch at risk. Additional, unregulated ORV use will only exacerbate the Imperial Valley's already-dangerous air pollution threatening the health of residents — a huge environmental justice issue.
Take action — urge the BLM to protect wildlife and human health by reinstating fees for ORVs at Algodonoes Dunes over the MLK holiday weekend.
Dear Tom Zale, Teri Raml and Jim Kenna,
The Algodones Dunes are a fragile and important ecosystem. Encouraging an increase in off-road vehicle (ORV) traffic over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend by waiving fees for ORV access to this area will negatively impact numerous rare species such as the flat-tailed horned lizard and Peirson’s milk vetch. The additional ORV traffic that is sure to arrive due to BLM’s waiving of access fees will put these species at direct risk of being crushed by ORVs and having the delicate habitat they need to survive increasingly damaged by ORV traffic.
The increased ORV traffic in this area will also exacerbate the air-pollution crisis in the Imperial Valley putting the health of valley residents at greater risk.
I urge you to reinstate ORV access fees over the MLK holiday weekend for the Algodones Dunes and Lark Canyon areas immediately.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
