Judge Orders Closure Of 2,200 Miles Of Off-Road Trails To Protect Endangered Tortoises A federal judge has mandated the closure of approximately 2,200 miles of off-road trails in the Mojave Desert, citing the need to protect the endangered desert tortoise population. The ruling, issued by Judge Susan Illston of California in January 2026, requires the Bureau of Land Management to restrict vehicle access to these trails and revise existing routes by 2029. The decision follows years of legal battles over land use and conservation efforts, with environmental advocates arguing that off-road activity has contributed to the tortoise’s decline. The Mojave Desert tortoise population has reportedly dropped by about 90% since the mid-1980s, according to estimates. Conservationists claim that limiting off-road vehicle access could help the species recover, though some experts note that drivers often stray from designated trails, potentially damaging tortoise habitats regardless of legal restrictions. The Bureau of Land Management has been tasked with balancing recreational use with ecological preservation, a challenge that has sparked ongoing debate. Off-roading enthusiasts have strongly contested the ruling, arguing that their activities have not significantly impacted tortoise populations. Ben Burr, executive director of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, a nonprofit representing off-road interests, criticized the decision as an overreach, calling it “an unfair punishment” for recreational users. The group has filed an appeal with the U.S. Department of Justice and circulated a petition to challenge the judge’s order.#bureau_of_land_management #blue_ribbon_coalition #judge_susan_illston #mojave_desert #university_of_california_riverside
Closure of 2,200 miles of Mojave Desert trails has some celebrating, others frustrated A federal judge has ordered the closure of 2,200 miles of off-road trails in the Mojave Desert, citing the need to protect the endangered desert tortoise and the Lane Mountain milk-vetch. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is required to mark these routes as closed with signage and fencing, while maintaining access for essential uses like emergency services and administrative needs. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, follows a lawsuit by environmental groups who argued the BLM failed to adequately assess the impact of the trails on threatened species. The trails, part of the 2019 West Mojave Route Network Project, span public lands in San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, and Inyo counties. They connect areas like Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, Calico, and Ridgecrest. Environmentalists claim off-road vehicle (OHV) use has significantly harmed the desert tortoise, a state reptile listed as threatened since 1990. These tortoises, which can live up to 80 years, take decades to reach maturity and reproduce. Illston’s order emphasizes that OHV activity remains a major threat to their survival. The Lane Mountain milk-vetch, a rare legume found only in the region, is also protected under the order. Environmental groups, including the Desert Tortoise Council, argue that the closures are necessary to prevent further population declines. Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows tortoise numbers dropped by nearly 50% between 2004 and 2014, with over 67,000 estimated deaths during that period. Reactions to the ruling are divided.#federal_judge_susan_illston #bureau_of_land_management #desert_tortoise #lane_mountain_milk_vetch #blue_ribbon_coalition
