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COASTAL COMMISSION DENIES BLM PLAN TO ALLOW OHV USE ON SNOWY PLOVER
HABITAT In October the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed a "Conservation Plan" for the scenic South Spit of the Humboldt Jetty that included allowing off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to drive on miles of sand dunes that are critical habitat for endangered Snowy plovers. As a result of past abuses, Snowy plovers have stopped nesting at the South Spit. In December the Coastal Commission voted 8-3 to approve adding OHV prohibition to the "Conservation Plan". This move will hopefully encourage the plovers to return. Commissioner Kruer pointed out that the very money being used by BLM for the "Conservation Plan" was being supplied by off-road vehicle proponents. It is not clear whether or not the OHV lobby will continue to fund BLM's project now that BLM must protect Snowy plovers. It is also not clear if BLM will go forward with the "Conservation Plan." BLM may instead allow the devastating OHV use of the property to continue. Environmentalists were encouraging BLM to seek authentic conservation funds from the California Coastal Conservancy.
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