Restoring the Patton Valley Corridor (PVC)
A Common Sense & Patriotic Initiative for America’s 250th Anniversary
Prepared by Vince Brunasso and Bob Mason, Sand Sport Enthusiasts in Response to President Trump's Executive Order #14313
Executive Summary
This proposal advocates for the immediate reopening of the Patton Valley Corridor (PVC) within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) and all land closed South of Highway 78 by the 2013 ISDRA Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP). By aligning this restoration with Executive Order 14313, we can correct a decade-old administrative oversight, celebrate our military heritage, and provide a landmark victory for outdoor recreation. Reopening the PVC is the "Common Sense" and patriotic thing to do as we approach the 250th Birthday of the United States.
I. The Patton Legacy: A Strategic Blueprint for Victory
The PVC is not merely a trail; it is a sacred piece of American history and a landmark of military ingenuity. Established by General George S. Patton in the early 1940s, it served as a vital component of the Desert Training Center.
Preparation for North Africa: General Patton identified these dunes as the only place on Earth that could realistically simulate the "unforgiving" conditions of the Sahara.
Direct Link to WWII Success: The rigorous training conducted within the PVC is directly credited with the Allied success during Operation Torch. The ability of American tank crews and motorized units to navigate "bottomless" sand and extreme heat was forged in this corridor, proving pivotal to the eventual liberation of Europe.
Mechanical Mastery: The maneuvers practiced here taught American soldiers how to maintain vehicles under duress, a skill set that became a decisive edge for Allied forces.
II. Common Sense Conservation: The PMV Reality
For decades following World War II, the PVC was open to off-road vehicles (OHV), serving as a living monument where families could recreate. In 2013, the corridor was closed via the Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) due to concerns regarding Peirson’s Milk-Vetch (PMV). However, historical data provides a different narrative:
Proven Coexistence: Some of the densest and healthiest populations of PMV thrived during the decades when the PVC was open to the public.
Less than 1% of PMV are impacted by OHVs: The 5 most recent BLM annual PMV monitoring reports indicate that direct physical damage affects less than 1% of the observed plants in any given year. View a summary here.
Correcting the 2013 Oversight: Despite significant public protest and civilian biologist testimony, the PVC closure was finalized in the 2013 RAMP. Reopening it now corrects an administrative "gap" that ignored the voices of the people and the reality of the landscape.
Obsolete Projections: The 2013 closures were predicated on 2000's-era modeling that feared increasing OHV use would lead to a downward population trend.
The Post-RAMP Reality: The 2020–2024 monitoring data provides a post-RAMP reality that the original 2013 authors did not have. This modern data proves that the PMV population is resilient and that the "catastrophic impact" predicted thirteen years ago has not manifested, even with robust visitor numbers.
Administrative Gap: Continuing to enforce closures based on 2013 assumptions while ignoring five years of consistent evidence constitutes an administrative "gap" that Executive Order 14313 is designed to close.
III. The Patriotic Imperative: Executive Order 14313
Executive Order 14313 and the "Make America Beautiful Again" Commission are tasked with expanding access to public lands and cutting the "bureaucratic delays" and "regulatory overreach" that hinder American freedom. Reopening the PVC is the ultimate application of this order:
Expanding Access: The Order explicitly promotes off-roading as a vital form of American recreation.
Sustainable Stewardship: By utilizing the natural "funnel" of the land, we protect biodiversity (PMV) while allowing Americans to enjoy their heritage—restoring science-based, collaborative management.
Restoring Trust: This action signals that the government values both the environment and the thousands of ISDRA visitors who have campaigned for a balanced approach.
IV. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: FROM "SUE AND SETTLE" TO DATA-DRIVEN REALITY
The 2013 ISDRA RAMP was not a product of purely objective science, but rather the culmination of over a decade of litigation. It is widely recognized that:
The "Sue and Settle" Legacy: The current closures were the byproduct of a "sue and settle" era, where environmental litigants dictated land-use policy through backroom legal agreements. This bypasses the voice of the American public and the primary recreational stakeholders.
Questionable Listing: There is a significant body of evidence suggesting the Peirson’s Milk-vetch (PMV) should never have been listed as "Threatened." The species is a pioneer plant that thrives in disturbed, shifting sands—precisely the conditions created by the very wind and movement environmentalists claimed would be destroyed by OHV use.
Obsolete Projections: The 2013 closures were predicated on 2000s-era modeling. The Post-RAMP Reality (2020–2024 monitoring data) provides evidence the original 2013 authors did not have: the PMV is resilient, and the "catastrophic impact" predicted thirteen years ago has been definitively disproven.
V. PRECEDENT: THE LAKE POWELL MODEL
The restoration of the PVC follows the direct precedent set by the administration’s actions at Lake Powell (Glen Canyon NRA) in mid-2025.
Restoring Access: Under Executive Order 14313 and a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, the administration successfully overturned "sue and settle" restrictions that had closed 24 miles of trails and shoreline access.
Application to ISDRA: Just as the administration restored access to Lake Powell by cutting through "bureaucratic delays" and "regulatory overreach," the BLM now has the mandate to do the same for the Patton Valley Corridor.
VI. CONCLUDING REQUESTS
Based on the monitoring data and the policy shift directed by Trump Executive Order 14313, we the undersigned formally submit:
Administrative Correction: The BLM Monitoring Reports (2020–2024) provide the biological basis to support opening all areas closed by the 2013 RAMP.
Implementation of EO 14313: We request the immediate use of the "Make America Beautiful Again" Commission’s authority to dissolve the nonsensical and legally-leveraged restrictions of the 2013 RAMP.
A Patriotic Tribute: To deny access to the ground that prepared Patton's heroes for victory is to deny a piece of our American spirit. Restoring the PVC is the most patriotic way to celebrate 250 years of American grit.
VII. Veteran’s Day 2026: An "On-the-Ground" Celebration
As part of the nationwide celebration of America’s 250th Birthday, we propose a grand reopening event at the PVC for Veteran’s Day 2026. This event fulfills the President’s vision for the 250th anniversary by:
Massive Community Support: We anticipate attendance levels to exceed the annual reflagging event at the Flag Pole (the iconic visitor-installed memorial in the dunes), where approximately 20,000 patriots gather to honor our nation.
A Living Memorial: Allowing Americans to ride the same paths Patton’s Third Army used, connecting current generations physically to the training grounds that secured global freedom.
Honoring the "Desert Rats": Paying tribute to all veterans who have trained in the American desert.
Patriot Games Satellite Event: Aligning with the national Patriot Games to showcase American resilience, history, and the spirit of exploration.
Conclusion
Reopening the Patton Valley Corridor and the acres closed in the 2013 RAMP is a win for history, the environment, and every American who believes in the freedom to explore our public lands. To deny access to the ground that prepared our heroes for victory is to deny a piece of our American spirit. Restoring the PVC is the most patriotic way to celebrate 250 years of American grit.
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