WEMO UPDATE; ASA, and POWERFUL COOPERATION
WEMO, ASA, and the Power of Working Together
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The future of OHV access has always come down to one thing:
working together. From local clubs to national partners, cooperation is how we protect access. Here is a summary of the latest WEMO news:
- A federal court order has led the BLM to close about 2,200 miles (37%) of OHV routes in the West Mojave (WEMO) to protect sensitive habitats, effective March 24, 2026.
- Closures primarily affect desert tortoise and Lane Mountain milk‑vetch areas, while major OHV recreation areas remain open, and some locations now require permits.
- The BLM will monitor compliance, submit court reports, and re‑analyze the route network before issuing a new decision.
- These changes impact public access, recreation, and local desert economies.
- The path forward depends on continued engagement, cooperation, and partnership among agencies, organizations like ASA, and the OHV community to achieve durable, responsible access solutions
What’s Happening in WEMO
There are moments in public lands advocacy that remind us—loud and clear—that progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when people, organizations, and agencies come together, stay engaged, and work through the hard stuff.
The current situation in the West Mojave (WEMO) is one of those moments.
The Bureau of Land Management’s West Mojave Route Network Project covers a massive landscape—roughly 9.4 million acres of California desert, with about 3.1 million acres of BLM-managed public lands.
That plan is designed to guide travel management, recreation, and access across the region. But recent court decisions have changed the landscape—literally.
- Approximately 2,200 miles of designated OHV routes have been closed
- That represents about 37% of the total WEMO route network
- Closures focus heavily on sensitive habitat areas like desert tortoise and rare plant zones
This is not just a regulatory shift—it’s a real-world test of how our community responds.
A federal court order requires the BLM to close desert tortoise and Lane Mountain milk-vetch critical habitats to off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in the Western Mojave (WEMO) planning area.
A lot of organizations/groups are involved and working diligently on the Mojave (WEMO) situation.
The BLM is taking steps to comply with the order. Beginning March 24, 2026, and until further notice:
- All routes in the desert tortoise and Lane Mountain milk-vetch critical habitat are closed to
OHV recreation. OHV recreation includes street-legal vehicles used for recreation (view map). - A free permit is required for OHV recreation in the Rand Mountains Management Area. The permit is available to download and sign here.
- The BLM will implement a compliance monitoring program and submit semi-annual reports to the court.
- The BLM will prepare a revised analysis and issue a new route network decision.
- Designated county roads and highways, and all routes needed to provide access for established easements, administrative access, emergency access, and other permitted uses will remain open, but not to public OHV recreational use.
👉 STILL OPEN: The following designated OHV recreation areas remain accessible: ISDRA, Dumont, Dove Springs, Jawbone, Johnson Valley, Ocotillo Wells, and more (see BLM link).
Why This WEMO Issue Matters to ASA Members
For the OHV community, families, and outdoor enthusiasts, WEMO has always represented something bigger than just miles of trail:
- Access to wide-open public lands
- Safe, designated routes for responsible recreation
- Economic lifeblood for desert communities
- A place where stewardship and recreation meet
When access changes on this scale, it affects all of us—whether you ride dunes, explore backcountry routes, or advocate for sustainable and responsible recreation.
The Big Lesson: Progress Happens Together
If there’s one thing history has shown us—time and again—it’s this:
The best outcomes for OHV recreation happen through cooperation, not conflict.
The WEMO plan itself was built through years of:
- Agency coordination
- Public input
- Stakeholder engagement
- Collaboration across user groups
Even now, the path forward will depend on those same fundamentals. No single group—large or small—can carry this alone. ORBA and SEMA have taken a strong role in the WEMO effort.
ASA’s Role: Building Bridges, Not Walls
The American Sand Association has always believed in something simple but powerful:
Relationships matter.
ASA has long appreciated and relied on mutual support from:
- National and regional OHV organizations
- Local clubs and volunteers
- Industry partners
- Land managers and agencies
That network—those connections—are what move the needle. Whether it’s working with partners on education, engaging in the NEPA process, or showing up with a unified voice, coalition-building is how access is protected and sustained.
Where We Go From Here
WEMO is not the end of the story—it’s part of an ongoing process.
The BLM is required to:
- Reevaluate portions of the route network
- Conduct additional analysis
- Continue working with stakeholders and the public
That means opportunity still exists.
Opportunity for:
- Thoughtful input
- Strong partnerships
- Better, more durable solutions
Know Before You Go:
ASA further reminds everyone to:
- Camp responsibly (don’t burn pallets)
- Comply with all rules and regulations
- Pack it in; pack it out
Closing Thoughts
In times like these, it’s easy to focus on what’s been lost.
But the real question is:
How do we move forward—and who do we move forward with?
At ASA, we believe the answer is clear:
- Stay engaged
- Work together
- Support each other
- Keep showing up
Because in the end, access isn’t just about routes on a map—it’s about relationships on the ground. And that’s where real progress begins.
