BLM issues temporary closure for King of the Hammers race
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is issuing a temporary land closure for select public lands at the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area in San Bernardino County to accommodate the annual King of the Hammers race Feb. 2-10, 2018.
The BLM has issued a five-year Special Recreation Permit to Hammerking Productions, which authorizes the public land closure for up to nine days a year through 2022. Registered race spectators, participants and race officials are exempt from the closure. The King of the Hammers race attracts approximately 45,000 spectators every year.
“The temporary closure is necessary to enable BLM personnel to provide for public safety during King of the Hammers,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Beth Ransel. “It also provides for an enhanced recreation experience for event participants and spectators.”
The closure complies with the management plan for the area and ensures that a minimum of three staging areas within the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area remain open to the public every weekend throughout the temporary land closure period. The public is reminded to cooperate with race officials and local law enforcement officers to stay safe and to ensure the success of the off-road races.
King of the Hammers race dates and information about the temporary land closure with a map of the closure area for the current year’s race event will be posted at the California Desert District Office, the Barstow Field Office and on the BLM website, http://www.blm.gov/california, at least 30 days prior to the annual event.
As stewards the BLM manages public lands for the benefit of current and future generations, supporting conservation in pursue of its multiple-use mission. For more information, contact the California Desert District Office at 951-697-5200, or the Barstow Field Office at 760-252-6000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.