Ocotillo Wells: Our Next Move

[wildwood 11]

I didn't see any continuation of the discussion about OW lawsuit meeting. I did see that SS Off-Road Mag. has put out the word to get people to write their State Congressman by June 18th, prior to the State deciding whether to fight the suit, or roll-over and just close the place down. If the State decides to fight the suit, then the Off-Road coalitions can then join the suit on behalf of the State.

For more info, go to---> http://www.sandiegooffroad.com/

Find Your California Representative: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

I'm rallying my family, hope everyone else does the same.

[Slaugo 35]

I didn't see any continuation of the discussion about OW lawsuit meeting. I did see that SS Off-Road Mag. has put out the word to get people to write their State Congressman by June 18th, prior to the State deciding whether to fight the suit, or roll-over and just close the place down. If the State decides to fight the suit, then the Off-Road coalitions can then join the suit on behalf of the State.

For more info, go to---> http://www.sandiegooffroad.com/

Find Your California Representative: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

I'm rallying my family, hope everyone else does the same.

Letter sent, thanks for posting.

[KTMrad 508]

From Ed Stovin and the Ocotillo Wells meeting last Thursday........

Hey Randy, here are my notes from last night. I will be on am 690 this Sunday morning at 9:00for a motorcycle radio show.

Here are notes from last nights meeting about Ocotillo Wells we put up on "Fight for Ocotillo Wells" on Facebook.

Meeting Notes regarding lawsuit recently filed by two anti access environmental groups to limit off-road vehicle use in Ocotillo Wells SVRA:

Lawyer David Hubbard (who has experience defending off roaders in the past)

David started off by explaining the extent of the complaint:

It is a Writ of Mandate, which means they are asking the judge to tell an agency (in this case, Calif State Parks) that they are not doing their job. They are making claims that the open riding policy in Ocotillo Wells is damaging the soil, air, habitat and archaeological sites within the park. If the action goes the way he believes it will, it will probably take a year or more to play out. Will Ocotillo Wells close soon? The plaintiffs did not ask for injunctive relief, so they are not asking for it to be closed during the trial. That does not mean they can't ask for that, just that they haven't. Ocotillo Wells is now going through the process of forming a new General Plan and will no doubt be addressed in the proceedings. So what can we do? The State has 30 days to answer the charges. If the State decides to fight the charges, Stakeholders (people like us off-roaders) can hire a lawyer to ask for "Intevenor Status" and become engaged in the suit. If State Parks decides not to fight, then we off-roaders are all in big trouble. If we gain intervenor status, our lawyer will stand in court with the defendants and represent the users.

If we join the suit, the big challenge for OHV people will be to pay for the lawyer. Fundraising will become very important and we will need the help of everyone who loves Ocotillo Wells to donate.

For the most part, concerned off-roaders won't be able to be involved directly with the legal action. We can, however, ask our own state representatives and the head of State Parks for State Parks to vigorously defend against the complaint. Then the case will have to play itself out in the court.

Former Superintendent of Ocotillo Well, Kathy Dolinar spoke next. She explained how the charges can be answered from an administrative perspective in a way to help our cause.

The consensus is the best thing we as the off-road community can do is to fundraise to offset the lawyer's expense. We are developing ways for this to take place. The best thing the concerned public can do is keep an eye on the website www.saveocotillowells.com and keep in touch with us here on this facebook group for updates and ways you can help.

Other ways you can HELP:

• Please do not portray off roaders negatively by harassing these people by calling or sending nasty emails.

• Donate to www.saveocotillowells.com (we need lawyers)

If you have not read the complaint, you can do so at this website

Ed Stovin

[Naykid 0]

I'm new to your site but thought this was an appropriate thread to start in. I'm on the OW committee with Ed Stovin and others and we would like to get a representative of SDAR involved with our group.

A bit of background:

Me - I'm Donn Nay, AMA D37 DLO

group - save OW (still working on an official name)subgroup of CMRC (California Motorized Recreation Council). This is the same basic group/approach for Save Johnson Valley and that's working out pretty well.

I've sent Randy Lazaar a couple of emails inviting him to get in on our calls but had no response so thought I'd throw it out here. We met via teleconference on Tuesdays at 6:00 P.M.

[KTMrad 508]

Donn....I can't do Tuesday evening teleconferences....I take my therapy dog Cody to a local nursing home on Tuesday's.

We'll help support the cause however we can....if someone from SDAR wants to get involved, they can step up.

Thanks for posting.

[zancat 0]

Another great way to stay informed is via the Fight For Ocotillo Wells Facebook page (about 4500 members and growing!)

My son and I are selling stickers to benefit SDORC and the legal battle to come...

http://www.desert-craft.com/OHV/

Zancat

[DRDan 0]

...

My son and I are selling stickers to benefit SDORC and the legal battle to come...

http://www.desert-craft.com/OHV/

Zancat

-Done, and Thanx.

Unfortunately, I saw this,@ the http://www.saveocotillowells.com/donate.html site, checked SDORC site as well.

And, don't do Fb, to see if there is another way to donate.

Dan

Edit: after getting the email I saw the: Send cash or check (made out to SDORC) ...

[zancat 0]

...

My son and I are selling stickers to benefit SDORC and the legal battle to come...

http://www.desert-craft.com/OHV/

Zancat

-Done, and Thanx.

Unfortunately, I saw this,@ the http://www.saveocoti...com/donate.html site, checked SDORC site as well.

And, don't do Fb, to see if there is another way to donate.

Dan

Edit: after getting the email I saw the: Send cash or check (made out to SDORC) ...

Yeah, we are working together. :-)