Report on Desert Protection Summit in Hi-Desert Star

From the Hi-Desert Star, Friday April 11, 2007:

A public forum was held in Joshua Tree April 5 to explore strategies for protecting public lands and private property from off-road vehicle abuse.

The Desert Protection Summit was organized by the Community ORV Watch. The group is an assemblage of self-described “reluctant activists” who feel compelled to voice their opposition about what they see as a growing public menace.

Victoria Fuller, a longtime Joshua Tree resident, said the organization was formed by people who wanted to help make their areas more livable.

Read the whole article.

Desert Protection Summit – April 5th – Schedule

9:30-9:40 AM Welcome by Matt Leivas (Chemehuevi Indian Tribe)
9:40-9:50 AM Phil Klasky and Pat Flanagan- introductions and logistics
9:50-10:00 AM Desert Cahuilla Bird Singers
10:05-10:45 AM

Activists Panel — Local Solutions by ARR members

  -Tom Eagan (Rangers for Responsible Recreation)
-Dave Van Voorhis (Friends of Juniper Flats)
-Douglas Parham (Western SB County Homeowners Assn.)
-Phil Klasky (Community ORV Watch)
-Terry Weiner (Desert Protective Council)
10:45–11:00 AM Ileene Anderson (Center for Biological Diversity) — Impacts on Native Vegetation
11:00-11:15 AM D’Anne Albers (Defenders of Wildlife) – Impacts on Desert Wildlife
11:15-11:30 AM Pat Flanagan (Morongo Basin Conservation Association) – ATVs and Children’s Safety
11:30–11:45 AM Karen Schambach (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) – Education and Law Enforcement
11:45-12:00 Noon Audience Q and A with presenters
12:00-12:30 PM LUNCH (provided – donations accepted)
12:30-12:40 PM Desert Cahuilla Bird Singers
12:40-1:00 PM Matthew Leivas and Cara McCoy, Chemehuevi Indian Cultural Center
– Impacts on Native American Lands
1:05-1:20 PM

Meg Grossglass (Off-Road Business Assn) – Rider and Vendor Responsibility

1:20-1:50 PM Keynote Speaker: Dr. Howard Wilshire (Public Employees for Environmental
Responsibility) – ORVs, Nature and Time
1:50-2:00 PM Victoria Fuller (COW Steering Committee) – Report from Washington, DC
2:00-3:00 PM Panel of local officials:
  – Sgt. Rick Collins – SB County Sheriff’s Department
– Hugh Oram – SB County Code Enforcement
– Alex Meyerhoff – City of 29 Palms
– Ranger Mark Harris – Bureau of Land Management
– Daphne Greene – Deputy Director, State OHMVR Division
– Mary Ashley – SB County District Attorney
3:00-3:30 PM Audience Q and A with panel
3:55-4:10 PM Brent Schoradt (California Wilderness Coalition) – OHV Grants Program
4:15-4:45 PM Open mic