Presentation to the California Recreation Resource Advisory

Council (RRAC) November 5, 2007

Roxie C. Trost –Field Manager

A. Proposed Fee Schedule B. Special Recreation Permit Fee

and Description of El MirageC. Fee Revenues D. Public Outreach (Comments &

Involvement)E. Questions, Map, Photos

El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Currently fees are not charged

Annual Recreation PassFees: $90.00

Weekly Recreation PassFees: $30

Daily Recreation PassFees: $15.00

• Currently fees are not charged

• Capital Improvement / Deferred Maintenance

• Grants

B. Special Recreation Permit Fee

(h) Special Recreation Permit Fee.--The Secretary may issue a special recreation permit, and charge a special recreation permit fee in connection with the issuance of the permit, for specialized recreation uses of Federal recreational lands and waters, such as group activities, recreation events, motorized recreational vehicle use.

25,000 acresLargest “Open use” dry lake, desert hills/ wide open valleys

125,000 annual visitorsDiverse motorized and non-motorized usesClosest OHV area many Urban recreational users

El Mirage Activities

Maintenance Facility

Wells, road network

16 Shade Ramadas

10 CXT Vault Toilets

Informational Kiosk

2 marked touring Trails, Perimeter fencing

Lake Protection through the use of gates and education

Visitor Center under construction

Services Provided Using Fee Revenues :

park rangers law enforcement rangersMaintenance staff Planning & engineering stafffee collection officers Management & administrationVolunteer coordinator Medical Aid Staff

Road, fence, and camping area maintenanceToilet maintenance, including pump out, painting and cleaningHeavy equipment and vehicle use and maintenanceVolunteer campground host stipendMedical suppliesBrochure printingsigning

New El Mirage Water Well

• The Barstow Field Office meets monthly with a non-profit group called the Friends of El Mirage. This group has representatives of the various user groups and the local community. The Friends have worked with BLM in setting the proposed fee for El Mirage. They support the monthly and annual fee. The group is divided on their support of the daily fee.

• California Desert Advisory Council has also been informed of the proposed fee.

BLM efforts to manage public lands and resources in the Barstow Field Office Area have included consistent contact with the general public, and user groups, to ensure the public is provided with safe and enjoyable recreation experiences

BLM maintains a working relationship and open communication with the Friends of El Mirage, Southern California Timing Association, and other user groups.

A Notice of BLM’s intent to collect fees was published in the Federal Register.

BLM will place advertisements in local newspapers about the fee.

The fee will be posted on-site.

• Where is the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreational Area located

The El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is located in the Mojave Desert on the western edge of San Bernardino County near the Los Angeles County Line. This Off-Highway vehicle riding area attracts a variety of activities.

The areas of interest include El Mirage Dry Lakebed, the Shadow Mountains, El Mirage Basin, and the Twin Hills area. This make up a 24,000 acre project area of public and private land. Elevations range from about 2,800 feet at the El Mirage Dry Lake to more than 3,800 feet in the Shadow Mountains.

• LA – 14 MILLION

• VICTOR & ANTELOPE VALLEY – 300,000