If you look at all the so called "compromises" we've had in the past regarding land use, this one is a huge win and a huge swing of the pendulum in our direction. In previous compromises we've been totally screwed. Yes, we lost a good amount of acreage of OHV area, and yes we lost some great historic desert race course, and that is sad. Those of us who desert raced and pre-ran and raced KOH spent a good amount of time in the area that was lost, but for weekend wheeling and running trails we rarely went in that area.
What did happen is that the OHV community represented and negotiated with Congress and the Marines to save the Hammer trails, and the trails have been saved. There is a first time ever OHV area designated by Congress. Washington knows who we are, they know our impact, and they know our economic impact. Going forward that in itself is a huge win. The OHV community, and for the first time the OHV industry came together in a well organized and well funded effort regarding an important land use issue. That organization is not going to go away. We've been wanting the Washington politicians to recognize us and now they do.
This isn't a bunch of scoping meetings and comment sessions sitting across from the Sierra Club and the Forest Service, this was in the back rooms and halls of Washington. We should be proud and happy for this, while we still wince that we lost more acreage.
BTW, the shared use area is designated as no live fire. And it is controlled by the BLM not the Marines, and the Marines have to apply for and comply with stipulations in the permit. We'll have to see when they'll use it, but the BLM will have a say in it.