Agency Promises To Beef Up Presence At Off Road Races

The agency charged with monitoring off-road racing on federal lands is promising to increase staffing and crack down on violations of racing permits.

Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein of California asked the Bureau of Land Management to respond to several questions they had after an accident in August killed eight people and injured 10 in the state’s Movaje Desert.

Bob Abbey, director of the BLM, told the lawmakers in a letter obtained Wednesday that the agency will increase its presence at all the events it approves on federal lands, but he did not provide further specifics. The agency had only one ranger on duty patrolling the course where the accident occurred.

Boxer said the agency’s response makes it clear that more trained personnel need to staff the races.