COMMISSION

The OHMVR Division drew up a grazing
lease with a BLM permittee to continue
prescriptive cattle grazing practices on
SVRA lands for the term of two years,
2016-2018 (Calfiornia State Parks 2016).
Prescriptive grazing is a method of controlling
the spread of annual exotic species on
rangeland habitats and can be an effective
vegetation management goal. The EIR also
recommended that the OHMVR Division
conduct rangeland health assessments to
monitor forage conditions on parcels used for
livestock and grazing operations (California State Parks 2013, 28 to 2-9).
Livestock grazing at Onyx Ranch SVRA
Heber Dunes SVRA
The 341-acre Heber Dunes SVRA is located within
unincorporated Imperial County in Southern California just
three miles north of the Mexican border crossing at Highway 7
(Calexico/Mexicali).
Heber Dunes SVRA is unique because it is a small island
of sand dunes located within a large valley dominated by
agriculture. This location is considered significant by the local
population as a place to gather and recreate in a natural
setting within proximity to their homes. The SVRA offers a
natural setting with some remaining native vegetation and
habitat for wildlife. The burrowing owl is known to occur
at both Heber Dunes SVRA and the adjacent agricultural
fields. The burrowing owl is identified as a species of special concern by the CDFW. Other
sensitive wildlife species recorded at Heber Dunes SVRA are Abert’s towhee (American
Bird Conservancy watch list), sage sparrow (CDFW watch
list), and white-faced ibis (CDFW watch list).
Agricultural lands surround
Heber Dunes SVRA
White-faced Ibis
The 2011 Heber Dunes SVRA General Plan provided
baseline inventories and direction for developing ongoing
resource management programs. Management Zones
designated in the General Plan have specific recreational
goals and guidelines to allow for sustainable OHV
recreation in those areas. The Resource Management
2017 Program Report 95