http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/05/24/environmental.imperialdunes.reut/index.html
SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- An environmental group said Saturday it is rallying allies to join a lawsuit to block the federal government from allowing off-road vehicles in California desert that for three years had been off limits to protect rare plants and animals.
Daniel Patterson of the Center for Biological Diversity in Idyllwild, California, said his group is forming a coalition with other environmental groups to sue the federal government over its decision Friday to open more of the Imperial Sand Dunes in southeastern California to off-road vehicles.
"We feel like the Bush plan is illegal," Patterson said.
"We feel we have the compelling national opinion for conservation on our side."
The federal government plans to open some 49,000 acres that had been off limits to off-road vehicles in the 160,000-acre dunes area, which includes habitats for endangered species such as the desert tortoise, Patterson said.
Also known as the Algodones Dunes, this are the largest mass of sand dunes in the United States and the most popular off-road driving area in the southwestern United States.
SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- An environmental group said Saturday it is rallying allies to join a lawsuit to block the federal government from allowing off-road vehicles in California desert that for three years had been off limits to protect rare plants and animals.
Daniel Patterson of the Center for Biological Diversity in Idyllwild, California, said his group is forming a coalition with other environmental groups to sue the federal government over its decision Friday to open more of the Imperial Sand Dunes in southeastern California to off-road vehicles.
"We feel like the Bush plan is illegal," Patterson said.
"We feel we have the compelling national opinion for conservation on our side."
The federal government plans to open some 49,000 acres that had been off limits to off-road vehicles in the 160,000-acre dunes area, which includes habitats for endangered species such as the desert tortoise, Patterson said.
Also known as the Algodones Dunes, this are the largest mass of sand dunes in the United States and the most popular off-road driving area in the southwestern United States.