California Gets Land Use Limits, More States To Follow?

CALIFORNIA GETS LAND USE LIMITS, MORE STATES TO FOLLOW?

California’s desert riders will apparently lose a huge chunk of prime riding area, now that the U.S. Senate has passed the California Desert Protection Act.

Millions of acres now used by off-high-way-vehicle enthusiasts will likely become off-limits. The bill is expected to pass in the House of Representatives and be signed into law by the president.

Repercussions could extend far beyond California’s borders, according to Ryck Lydecker, communications manager for the Motorcycle Industry Council. He says bills restricting land use in other states could also become law.

“It’s very important for the industry and for riders everywhere,” he says. “A lot of what happens in California sets the trend for what happens elsewhere.”

In one respect, the news is not all bad, according to Jim Bensberg, the AMA’s Washington D.C. representative. The AMA fought the legislation for eight years and Bensberg says his organization was able to keep open more than 60,000 acres of riding areas and dozens of access roads, after getting input from AMA members in areas affected by the legislation.

“I think a precedent has been set here in that senators must work with all parties concerned,” he says. “Off-highwayvehicle users and other recreationalists must be considered in the formation of these kinds of legislation.”

Lydecker agrees with Bensberg’s assessment. “Of course, we would have preferred that this bill not pass, but what happened shows that you can fight City Hall,” he says.

Robert Hough