16 U.S.C. § 410aaa–91: Designation of…

§410aaa–91 Designation of Off-highway Vehicle Recreation Areas

Title 16 › CHAPTER 1 — NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › SUBCHAPTER LIX–Y — CALIFORNIA DESERT LANDS PARKS, PRESERVE, AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION AREAS › Part E — Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas › § 410aaa–91

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Designates five specific areas in San Bernardino County as off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation areas and expands Johnson Valley. The areas and their sizes are: Dumont Dunes (about 7,620 acres, map dated November 7, 2018), El Mirage (about 16,370 acres, map dated December 10, 2018), Rasor (about 23,900 acres, map dated November 7, 2018), Spangler Hills (about 92,340 acres, map dated December 10, 2018), and Stoddard Valley (about 40,110 acres, map dated November 7, 2018). Johnson Valley is expanded by about 20,240 acres on a map dated November 7, 2018. The goal is to protect and improve recreation (including OHV use) while also conserving wildlife and natural resources. The Secretary of the Interior must file maps and legal descriptions with the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as soon as possible after March 12, 2019. Those maps will have the same legal effect as if written into the law and must be available in BLM offices. Recreational uses allowed on March 12, 2019 (for example casual riding, races, competitive events, rock crawling, and training) may continue if they follow the law. Wildlife water catchments are allowed under BLM guidance and State law. New commercial development is barred if it conflicts with the recreation and conservation purpose, though short-term vendor permits can be issued to support OHV users. The Secretary will manage the areas under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and other laws and must update or make management plans within 3 years after March 12, 2019; current plans stay in force until then. Federal land in these areas is withdrawn from new public land disposals, mining claims, and mineral or geothermal leasing, subject to valid existing rights. Existing rights-of-way and utility operations of Southern California Edison in El Mirage, Spangler Hills, Stoddard Valley, and Johnson Valley, and of Pacific Gas and Electric in Spangler Hills, are not affected, and the Secretary must publish regular and emergency access plans for those companies within one year after March 12, 2019 or after any new related right-of-way is issued, whichever is later.

Title 16, §410aaa–91

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

(1)Designation

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and resource management plans developed under this part and subject to valid rights, the following land within the Conservation Area in San Bernardino County, California, is designated as Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas:

(A)Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, comprising approximately 7,620 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Dumont Dunes OHV Recreation Area” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area”.

(B)El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, comprising approximately 16,370 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed El Mirage OHV Recreation Area” and dated December 10, 2018, which shall be known as the “El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area”.

(C)Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, comprising approximately 23,900 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Rasor OHV Recreation Area” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area”.

(D)Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, comprising approximately 92,340 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Spangler Hills OHV Recreation Area” and dated December 10, 2018, which shall be known as the “Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area”.

(E)Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, comprising approximately 40,110 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Stoddard Valley OHV Recreation Area” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area”.

(2)Expansion of Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area designated by section 2945 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (division B of Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 1038) is expanded to include approximately 20,240 acres, depicted as “Proposed OHV Recreation Area Additions” and “Proposed OHV Recreation Area Study Areas” on the map entitled “Proposed Johnson Valley OHV Recreation Area” and dated November 7, 2018.

(b)Purpose

The purpose of the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded under subsection (a) is to preserve and enhance the recreational opportunities within the Conservation Area (including opportunities for off-highway vehicle recreation), while conserving the wildlife and other natural resource values of the Conservation Area.

(c)Maps and descriptions

(1)Preparation and submission

As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of each off-highway vehicle recreation area designated or expanded by subsection (a) with—

(A)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and

(B)the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(2)Legal effect

The map and legal descriptions of the off-highway vehicle recreation areas filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this part, except that the Secretary may correct errors in the map and legal descriptions.

(3)Public availability

Each map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.

(d)Use of the land (e) Administration

(1)Recreational activities

(A)In general

The Secretary shall continue to authorize, maintain, and enhance the recreational uses of the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by subsection (a), as long as the recreational use is consistent with this section and any other applicable law.

(B)Off-highway vehicle and off-highway recreation

To the extent consistent with applicable Federal law (including regulations) and this section, any authorized recreation activities and use designations in effect on March 12, 2019, and applicable to the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by subsection (a) shall continue, including casual off-highway vehicular use, racing, competitive events, rock crawling, training, and other forms of off-highway recreation.

(2)Wildlife guzzlers

Wildlife guzzlers shall be allowed in the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by subsection (a) in accordance with—

(A)applicable Bureau of Land Management guidelines; and

(B)State law.

(3)Prohibited uses

(A)In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), commercial development (including development of energy facilities, but excluding energy transport facilities, rights-of-way, and related telecommunication facilities) shall be prohibited in the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the development is incompatible with the purpose described in subsection (b).

(B)Exception

The Secretary may issue a temporary permit to a commercial vendor to provide accessories and other support for off-highway vehicle use in an off-highway vehicle recreation area designated or expanded by subsection (a) for a limited period and consistent with the purposes of the off-highway vehicle recreation area and applicable laws.

(f)Withdrawal

Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land within the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by subsection (a) is withdrawn from—

(1)all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;

(2)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3)right-of-way, leasing, or disposition under all laws relating to mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials.

(g)Southern California Edison Company utility facilities and rights-of-way

(1)Effect of part

Nothing in this part—

(A)affects any validly issued right-of-way for the customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other authorized energy transport facility activities (including the use of any mechanized vehicle, helicopter, and other aerial device) in a right-of-way acquired by or issued, granted, or permitted to Southern California Edison Company (including any successor in interest or assign) that is located on land included in—

(i)the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;

(ii)the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;

(iii)the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area; or

(iv)the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;

(B)affects the application, siting, route selection, right-of-way acquisition, or construction of the Coolwater-Lugo transmission project, as may be approved by the California Public Utilities Commission and the Bureau of Land Management; or

(C)prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any Southern California Edison Company—

(i)utility facility, including such a utility facility known on March 12, 2019, as—

(I)“Gale-PS 512 transmission lines or rights-of-way”;

(II)“Patio, Jack Ranch, and Kenworth distribution circuits or rights-of-way”; or

(III)“Bessemer and Peacor distribution circuits or rights-of-way”; or

(ii)energy transport facility in a right-of-way issued, granted, or permitted by the Secretary adjacent to a utility facility referred to in clause (i).

(2)Plans for access

The Secretary, in consultation with the Southern California Edison Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency access by the Southern California Edison Company to the rights-of-way of the Company by the date that is 1 year after the later of— (A)

(B)the date of issuance of a new energy transport facility right-of-way within—

(i)the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;

(ii)the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;

(iii)the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area; or

(iv)the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area.

(h)Pacific Gas and Electric Company utility facilities and rights-of-way

(1)Effect of part

Nothing in this part—

(A)affects any validly issued right-of-way for the customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other authorized activity (including the use of any mechanized vehicle, helicopter, and other aerial device) in a right-of-way acquired by or issued, granted, or permitted to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (including any successor in interest or assign) that is located on land included in the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area; or

(B)prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any—

(i)utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, including those utility facilities known on March 12, 2019, as—

(I)“Gas Transmission Line 311 or rights-of-way”; or

(II)“Gas Transmission Line 372 or rights-of-way”; or

(ii)utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in rights-of-way issued, granted, or permitted by the Secretary adjacent to a utility facility referred to in clause (i).

(2)Plans for access

Not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019, or the issuance of a new utility facility right-of-way within the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, whichever is later, the Secretary, in consultation with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency access by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to the rights-of-way of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (e)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables. section 2945 of the Military

Construction

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is section 2945 of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1038, which is set out as a note below.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area Pub. L. 113–66, div. B, title XXIX, § 2945, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1038, provided that: “(a) Designation.—There is hereby designated the ‘Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area’, consisting of—“(1) 43,431 acres (as depicted on the map referred to in subsection (b) of section 2941 [127 Stat. 1034]) of the existing Bureau of Land Management-designated Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area that is not withdrawn and reserved for defense-related uses by such section; and “(2) The Shared Use Area. “(b) Authorized Activities.—To the extent consistent with applicable Federal law (including

Regulations

) and this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 2941–2946) of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, see Tables for classification] any authorized recreation activities and use designation in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 26, 2013] and applicable to the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area may continue, including casual off-highway vehicular use and recreation. “(c) Administration.—The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area (other than the Shared Use Area, which is being managed in accordance with the other provisions of this subtitle) in accordance with—“(1) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and “(2) any other applicable law. “(d) Transit.—In coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Navy may authorize transit through the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for defense-related purposes supporting military training (including military range management and management of exercise activities) conducted on the land withdrawn and reserved by section 2941.” [For definition of “Shared Use Area” as used in section 2945 of Pub. L. 113–66, set out above, see section 2941 of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1034, which is not classified to the Code.]