In late 2017, the California Coastal Commission approved a large expansion of dust control measures at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area without complying with the California Environmental Policy Act (CEQA). Friends of Oceano Dunes sued to block the approval and won that battle in Feb. 2020.

We know you've been patiently waiting to see what we have been planning for you for October 2-4. W e're excited to finally share the details plus other exciting Bantam news!

Ford Motor Company will reveal the all-new Ford Bronco 4x4 family on Monday, July 13 across Disney’s Media Networks – marking the first-ever, prime-time product reveal roadblock across Disney’s broadcast, cable, digital and streaming properties, including ABC, ESPN, National Geographic and Hulu.

The newly relaunched Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) magazine has featured United 4WD Associations and its programs. Download your copy by visiting this link

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) faces a crucial time as the program is at risk of going dormant without Congressional approval before September 30, 2020.

The 10th anniversary celebration of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival will need to wait until next year. Despite the Festival’s plan to postpone the event until October if the Coronavirus did not permit the Festival to be held in June, the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) must put the brakes on the 10th anniversary event. Unfortunately, Cooper’s Lake Campground, where the event is held, must close for the remainder of the year due to the repercussions of COVID-19.

The good news is that some of this week’s updates are places opening back up and not being closed due to the coronavirus. Although USFS Region 5 has announced that most developed recreation sites will remain closed through May 15, the individual forests are slowly opening motorized roads and trails as seasonal road and trail closures are lifted.

It is five years since UFWDA last surveyed four-wheelers and we invite you to again take part.

Here we go again with more legislation to stop the Alameda/Tesla Expansion at the Carnegie SVRA. Similar legislation was shot down by both Gov. Brown and Gov. Newsom in the past few years. But they are back again, this time even more aggressively trying to keep the expansion and the SVRA tied up in the Legislature and the courts.

The BLM recognizes the importance of working with others, through partnerships, to enhance public lands, help carry out the agency’s mission, and meet shared conservation stewardship goals. Check out the new BLM/friends group partnership toolkit.