SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION THAT CREATES 2 NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NEW WILDERNESS AREAS, SETS GUIDELINES FOR SITING RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS AND GIVES FIVE OHV AREAS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA. OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS AS OHV AREAS.

BAKERSFIELD, CA (DECEMBER 24, 2009) –On December 21, 2009 U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced the California Desert Protection Act of 2010. We applaud Senator Feinstein and her staff for taking a collaborative approach on this piece of legislation. A variety of stakeholders, including off-roaders, environmentalists, and local residents, were consulted early on in the process. This bill appears to protect long standing recreation areas, sensitive desert lands, and allows for renewable energy development. ORBA has not had a chance to fully analyze the bill, so we cannot give it our endorsement, but we are supportive of the balanced approach it seems to take.