---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 410aaa–91"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "410aaa–91"
heading: "Designation of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/410aaa-91"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — National Parks, Military Parks, Monuments, and Seashores"
  - "Subchapter LIX–Y — California Desert Lands Parks, Preserve, and Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas"
  - "Part E — Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas"
---

# §410aaa–91. Designation of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Designation—** In accordance with the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1701](/usc/43/1701.md) et seq.) and resource [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) developed under this part and subject to valid rights, the following land within the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in San Bernardino County, California, is designated as Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A):
    - (A) **Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), comprising approximately 7,620 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed Dumont Dunes OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)”.
    - (B) **El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), comprising approximately 16,370 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed El Mirage OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated December 10, 2018, which shall be known as the “El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)”.
    - (C) **Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), comprising approximately 23,900 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed Rasor OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Rasor Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)”.
    - (D) **Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), comprising approximately 92,340 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed Spangler Hills OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated December 10, 2018, which shall be known as the “Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)”.
    - (E) **Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), comprising approximately 40,110 acres, as generally depicted on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed Stoddard Valley OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated November 7, 2018, which shall be known as the “Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)”.
  - (2) **Expansion of Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area—** The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated by section 2945 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (division B of Public Law 113–66; 127 Stat. 1038) is expanded to include approximately 20,240 acres, depicted as “Proposed OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) [Additions](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2)” and “Proposed OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) Study [Areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” on the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) entitled “Proposed Johnson Valley OHV Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A)” and dated November 7, 2018.
- (b) **Purpose—** The purpose of the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded under [subsection (a)](#a) is to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) and enhance the recreational opportunities within the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) (including opportunities for off-highway vehicle recreation), while conserving the wildlife and other natural resource values of the Conservation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (c) **Maps and descriptions—**
  - (1) **Preparation and submission—** As soon as practicable after March 12, 2019, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall file a [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description of each off-highway vehicle recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) with—
    - (A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and
    - (B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
  - (2) **Legal effect—** The [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions of the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) filed under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this part, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may correct errors in the [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal descriptions.
  - (3) **Public availability—** Each [map](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=1) and legal description filed under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.
- (d) **Use of the land—**
  - (1) **Recreational activities—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall continue to authorize, maintain, and enhance the recreational uses of the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a), as long as the recreational use is consistent with this section and any other applicable law.
    - (B) **Off-highway vehicle and off-highway recreation—** To the extent consistent with applicable Federal law (including regulations) and this section, any authorized recreation activities and use designations in effect on March 12, 2019, and applicable to the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) shall continue, including casual off-highway vehicular use, racing, competitive events, rock crawling, training, and other forms of off-highway recreation.
  - (2) **Wildlife guzzlers—** Wildlife guzzlers shall be allowed in the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) in accordance with—
    - (A) applicable Bureau of Land Management guidelines; and
    - (B) [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) law.
  - (3) **Prohibited uses—**
    - (A) **In general—** Except as provided in [subparagraph (B)](#d-3-B), commercial development (including development of energy facilities, but excluding energy transport facilities, rights-of-way, and related telecommunication facilities) shall be prohibited in the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) if the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines that the development is incompatible with the purpose described in [subsection (b)](#b).
    - (B) **Exception—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) may issue a temporary permit to a commercial vendor to provide accessories and other support for off-highway vehicle use in an off-highway vehicle recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) for a limited period and consistent with the purposes of the off-highway vehicle recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) and applicable laws.
- (e) **Administration—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall administer the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) in accordance with—
    - (A) this part;
    - (B) the [Federal Land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) Policy and Management Act of 1976 ([43 U.S.C. 1701](/usc/43/1701.md) et seq.); and
    - (C) any other applicable laws (including regulations).
  - (2) **Management plan—**
    - (A) **In general—** As soon as practicable, but not later than 3 years after March 12, 2019, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall—
      - (i) amend existing resource [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) applicable to the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a); or
      - (ii) develop new [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) for each off-highway vehicle recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded under that subsection.
    - (B) **Requirements—** All new or amended plans under [subparagraph (A)](#e-2-A) shall be designed to [preserve](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=2) and enhance safe off-highway vehicle and other recreational opportunities within the applicable recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) consistent with—
      - (i) the purpose described in [subsection (b)](#b); and
      - (ii) any applicable laws (including regulations).
    - (C) **Interim plans—** Pending completion of a new [management plan](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) under [subparagraph (A)](#e-2-A), the existing resource [management plans](/usc/16/544.md?p=k) shall govern the use of the applicable off-highway vehicle recreation [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (f) **Withdrawal—** Subject to valid existing rights, all [Federal land](/usc/16/3102.md?p=2) within the off-highway vehicle recreation [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) designated or expanded by [subsection (a)](#a) is withdrawn from—
  - (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
  - (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
  - (3) right-of-way, leasing, or disposition under all laws relating to mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials.
- (g) **Southern California Edison Company utility facilities and rights-of-way—**
  - (1) **Effect of part—** Nothing in this part—
    - (A) affects any validly issued right-of-way for the customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other authorized energy transport facility activities (including the use of any mechanized vehicle, helicopter, and other aerial device) in a right-of-way acquired by or issued, granted, or permitted to Southern California Edison Company (including any successor in interest or assign) that is located on land included in—
      - (i) the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
      - (ii) the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
      - (iii) the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); or
      - (iv) the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
    - (B) affects the application, siting, route selection, right-of-way [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), or construction of the Coolwater-Lugo transmission [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), as may be approved by the California Public Utilities [Commission](/usc/16/544.md?p=c) and the Bureau of Land Management; or
    - (C) prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any Southern California Edison Company—
      - (i) utility facility, including such a utility facility known on March 12, 2019, as—
        - (I) “Gale-PS 512 transmission lines or rights-of-way”;
        - (II) “Patio, Jack Ranch, and Kenworth distribution circuits or rights-of-way”; or
        - (III) “Bessemer and Peacor distribution circuits or rights-of-way”; or
      - (ii) energy transport facility in a right-of-way issued, granted, or permitted by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) adjacent to a utility facility referred to in [clause (i)](#g-1-C-i).
  - (2) **Plans for access—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the Southern California Edison Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency access by the Southern California Edison Company to the rights-of-way of the Company by the date that is 1 year after the later of—
    - (A) March 12, 2019; and
    - (B) the date of issuance of a new energy transport facility right-of-way within—
      - (i) the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
      - (ii) the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
      - (iii) the Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); or
      - (iv) the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
- (h) **Pacific Gas and Electric Company utility facilities and rights-of-way—**
  - (1) **Effect of part—** Nothing in this part—
    - (A) affects any validly issued right-of-way for the customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other authorized activity (including the use of any mechanized vehicle, helicopter, and other aerial device) in a right-of-way acquired by or issued, granted, or permitted to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (including any successor in interest or assign) that is located on land included in the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); or
    - (B) prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any—
      - (i) utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, including those utility facilities known on March 12, 2019, as—
        - (I) “Gas Transmission Line 311 or rights-of-way”; or
        - (II) “Gas Transmission Line 372 or rights-of-way”; or
      - (ii) utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in rights-of-way issued, granted, or permitted by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) adjacent to a utility facility referred to in [clause (i)](#h-1-B-i).
  - (2) **Plans for access—** Not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019, or the issuance of a new utility facility right-of-way within the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation [Area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A), whichever is later, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in consultation with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency access by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to the rights-of-way of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–433, title XIII, § 1301, as added Pub. L. 116–9, title I, § 1441, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 702.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (e)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables.

Section 2945 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is section 2945 of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1038, which is set out as a note below.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area

Pub. L. 113–66, div. B, title XXIX, § 2945, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1038, provided that: Designation.—There is hereby designated the ‘Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area’, consisting of— 43,431 acres (as depicted on the map referred to in subsection (b) of section 2941 [127 Stat. 1034]) of the existing Bureau of Land Management-designated Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area that is not withdrawn and reserved for defense-related uses by such section; and The Shared Use Area. Authorized Activities.—To the extent consistent with applicable Federal law (including regulations) and this subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 2941–2946) of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, see Tables for classification] any authorized recreation activities and use designation in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 26, 2013] and applicable to the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area may continue, including casual off-highway vehicular use and recreation. Administration.—The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area (other than the Shared Use Area, which is being managed in accordance with the other provisions of this subtitle) in accordance with— the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and any other applicable law. Transit.—In coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Navy may authorize transit through the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for defense-related purposes supporting military training (including military range management and management of exercise activities) conducted on the land withdrawn and reserved by section 2941.”

[For definition of “Shared Use Area” as used in section 2945 of Pub. L. 113–66, set out above, see section 2941 of title XXIX of div. B of Pub. L. 113–66, Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 1034, which is not classified to the Code.]