Rep. Calvert Offers Amendment to Protect OHV Recreational Opportunities in California

Press Release

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) announced he submitted an amendment to H.R. 803, the "Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act," to ensure the bill does not reduce motorized, off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreational opportunities in California. The legislation is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives later this week.

"Protecting our natural resources and ensuring we provide access for outdoor recreation activities are not mutually exclusive goals," said Rep. Calvert. "Millions of Californians enjoy recreating on our public lands, including a significant number of OHV enthusiasts. I am offering my amendment because it is essential that we maintain these OHV recreational opportunities when considering legislation, like H.R. 803, that imposes additional restrictions on our public lands."

The Calvert amendment adds a title to the bill "Supporting the Outdoor Recreation Economy in California." The amendment directs the appropriate Department Secretary (Interior or Agriculture) to identify areas currently in use for OHV recreation in California that would be prohibited under the wilderness designations in the underlying bill. Those Secretaries would then have to open up an equivalent amount of land in California to OHV recreation so off-roaders do not lose out on that outdoor recreation opportunity.

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