Federal officials visit Mojave Desert for land management meeting

Accepting an invitation from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael Connor and U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Robert Bonnie joined a public meeting in the Mojave Desert to hear discussions on the management of public lands in the region.

"In addition to its diverse tribal heritage, the San Gorgonio Mountain region serves as an important recreational hub for the 24 million people that are within a two-hour drive," Bonnie said. "We appreciate hearing from such a broad range of voices today and we look forward to working with all interested parties as the dialogue continues."

Feinstein is pushing legislation to conserve parts of the desert and provide for more recreational access, and has asked President Barack Obama to register three areas of the desert through his Antiquities Act authority. The public meeting featured speakers from local tribes and governments as well as off-road vehicle users and conservation organizations.

"The Mojave Desert of Southern California is a resource beloved by millions of Americans for its stark beauty, rich cultural history and outdoor recreational opportunities," Connor said. "For more than 20 years, Sen. Feinstein has led the charge to protect the most special places in the desert, and we support her efforts to preserve these areas for the benefit of future generations. Opportunities like this to hear directly from the local and tribal communities about their vision for conservation and land management are essential to our work as land managers."