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Death Valley National Park Seeks Grant To Restore Areas Damaged By ORVs

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By NPT Staff - March 10th, 2017

Death Valley National Park needs your support for its application for funding to restore areas damaged by ORVs/NPS

Visitors from around the world complain about off-road vehicle tracks marring the beauty of Death Valley National Park. Illegal off-road driving is a problem in multiple areas of the park, including the Racetrack, Ibex Dunes and Badwater. The National Park Service seeks public support for a grant application that would help fund restoration of these damaged areas.

Desert landscapes typically heal very slowly. Tracks left by even a single vehicle in areas with fragile crusts, such as the Badwater Salt Pan or Racetrack Playa, can last for decades. These tracks detract from thousands of later visitors’ experience of the landscape’s beauty. Off-road driving also harms plants and animals, such as desert tortoise and the endangered Eureka Dunes evening primrose.

Vehicles and bicycles are required to stay on established roads or road shoulders at all times within Death Valley National Park. However, off-road driving is permitted in some areas adjacent to the park, such as Dumont Dunes.

Death Valley National Park has applied for a grant from the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division of California State Parks. The requested grant would help support a three-year project to restore damage done by off-road drivers throughout the park. This is the first year that Death Valley National Park has submitted a grant request.

Public opinion is a significant factor in the grant evaluation process. The public can show their support by commenting online at this site or by writing to California State Parks,
OHMVR Division, 1725 23rd Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, Attention: Grants Manager. Comments are accepted until April 7, 2017.

The OHMVR Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program supports well-managed off-highway vehicle recreation in California by providing financial assistance to cities, counties, districts, federal agencies (including the NPS), state agencies, educational institutions, federally recognized Native American Tribes and nonprofit entities.

Comments

Submitted by Deborah Rees on March 10, 2017 - 4:08pm.

I am in support of repairing damage done by off-road drivers in Death Valley National Park. I am in strong support of requesting grant funds to do so.  We must protect these national treasures.


Submitted by Anonymous on March 10, 2017 - 6:55pm.

Do they know who did the damage?  Will they have to pay for the repairs?


Submitted by Jessica Blanco on March 11, 2017 - 8:21am.

Protect the land from trespassers. Preserve Death Valley! 


Submitted by Sandra on March 11, 2017 - 8:28am.

I traveled from PCB FL last year to Death Valley and was so in awe of the park I am going back again this year. I am definitely in favor of fixing the area that was driven on. I hope the people will be found a d prosecuted for defacing an area rich in history!


Submitted by Debbie Grossberg on March 11, 2017 - 11:12am.

The park is so beautiful. I support Federal funds being allocated  for.restoring the damage to this park.


Submitted by Patty G on March 11, 2017 - 11:18am.

I enjoy Death Valley's beauty so much that I have taken many groups to experience it.  All are in awe and many have made it an annual trek. We must preserve the beauty of our National Parks for others to enjoy and for future generations.  I am in strong support of requesting a grant.


Submitted by Kathleen Burt on March 11, 2017 - 11:34am.

My boyfriend and I have been going to Death Valley since 2003.  There are so many back roads many people are not aware of.  We Jeep on established roads always!  All of our Jeep buddies do the same.  Respect of the land and living creatures is paramoun.  Many ATVs drive anywhere they wish even though signs state otherwis.  We support NPs and rangers.  We will do our part to help!  Nation treasurer are important so is RESPECT!


Submitted by Jerry Eppler on March 11, 2017 - 2:28pm.

Have you ever been there? You can't keep the vehicles out. Too much frontage.

 

 


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