Published in the Hi-Desert Star:

By Phil Klasky / Wonder Valley
Friday, February 9, 2007 11:08 PM PST

Hi-Desert residents didn't have much of a chance to celebrate the new county ordinance that helps curb off-road-vehicle trespass and destruction of our communities before a push back by riders that has made things worse. Just ask your local sheriff and homeowner.

Welcome Dr. Bob Karman and Linda Rallo to the COW Steering Committee.
We are growing with representation throughout the Morongo Basin.

For your information and distribution in the fight against ORV abuse, we are providing access to the following fact sheets about how Unmanaged Off-Roading Threatens California's Natural Heritage and Rural Communities, how California's OHV Program Promotes Mainly ATVs, Dirt Bikes and Repairing California’s Public Lands for Future Generations. (Adobe Reader or other PDF program required to view.)

The Bureau of Land Management is offering a workshop in archeological site stewardship to learn about history, natural resources, archeology and field methods. Site stewardship is also a way to reclaim lands from ORV and other abuse and engender a sense of connection to place.

Print out this flyer, get a least a hundred copied and distribute onto windshields while shopping, etc. during the holidays.  Our goal is to distribute over 5,000 before new year 2007 and this will only happen if you take action.  The attached flier is made for two to a page.

ALSO, we need to generate dozens of emails to LETTERS TO THE EDITOR at the Hi-Desert Star.  Write about your personal experience with ORVs over the holidays.

Take the time to do one or both of the action items before the new year to protect our private and public lands from ORV abuse.  Don't delay, do it today and ask your holiday guests to do the same.

From an editorial letter published on 12/13/06 on the Hi-Desert Star website:

By Phillip Klasky / Wonder Valley

We received this message from an ORV rider:

Correct me if I am wrong but in your invitation to attend a meeting to complain about "Trespassing on Public Land" - isn't that a giant oxymoron. How can anyone be accused of trespassing on PUBLIC land.

COMMUNITY ORV WATCH (COW) MEETING
Date - Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Time and place 6:30 p.m. at the Joshua Tree Community Center on Sunburst Road

On the right side or our home page you will see a link to our new ORV Abuse Incident Report form.

Use this form as a guide to report ORV abuse to the Sheriffs Department and Code Enforcement and for our own records. MAKE SURE YOU SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE PROPER AGENCY in addition to filling out this form. When you submit this form via the COW web site, COW WILL NOT make a report to law enforcement agencies; that is your responsibility. We will use the information you submit via our form to gather information for an annual report.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Dispatch -- ask for Sergeant
Rick Collins or the watch commander-- follow instructions on how to
make a report

(760) 366-3781

County Code Enforcement -- ask for Hugh Orem or any other officer --