San Bernardino city officials want state funding for enforcing illegal off-road vehicle activity and asked the public Monday to share feedback on the issue.
The grant is from California State Parks’ Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division and aims to help improve public safety and protect natural areas from illegal off-roading, officials said. The funding would support the San Bernardino Police Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle, or OHV Enforcement Team, which works to curb illegal OHV use in the Santa Ana River bottom and the city’s other sensitive environmental habitats.
The proposed funding would go toward increased patrols, equipment maintenance and enforcement operations to reduce noise, property damage and environmental destruction caused by unauthorized off-road vehicles. The program also aims to bolster collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
“The public is encouraged to review the proposal and share their feedback,” according to a city statement. “Input will help understand any community concerns and ensure responsible OHV management. … This period offers an opportunity for the public to review and provide feedback on preliminary applications.”
The public comment period for the off-road vehicle enforcement grant is open until 5 p.m. May 5. To leave comments, email ohv.grants@parks.ca.gov. More information is online at ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1164.
The city is requesting $62,000 from the state and will provide the rest of the proposed enforcement effort’s $83,000 total.
Since the grant program started in 1974, it has distributed over $833 million to California municipalities, State Parks reported.
According to the city’s grant proposal, “The San Bernardino Patrol and Enforcement OHV Operations Project will conduct patrol operations to address unauthorized off-highway vehicle activity within the city. … Some enthusiasts access the OHV areas throughout the city by public roadways and often trespass on private lands while riding closed OHV trail systems.”
The result has been “a significant increase in service calls” that drain law enforcement resources, officials said. “Based on officer observations and information provided by the San Bernardino County Code Enforcement officers, there are many incidents of illegal riding resulting in damage to the Santa Ana River wash and other high priority riverbed areas.”
The Santa Ana River is a vast, partially urbanized flood control and natural habitat area that stretches across multiple jurisdictions from the San Bernardino Mountains through Riverside and Orange counties. Within San Bernardino city limits, the river originates at the lower end of the Cajon Pass.
“Another conjoining area of concern is a wash that runs out of Lytle Creek and ties into the Cajon wash,” according to the grant proposal. “Finally, several additional washes originate in the San Bernardino Mountains and run through the city.”
While these channels of water infrastructure are important for flood control and environmental conservation, the expansive, rugged terrain primes them for illegal OHV use.
“This illegal activity poses serious risks to public safety, damages sensitive habitats and compromises flood control infrastructure,” officials said. “Additionally, the corridor’s proximity to residential neighborhoods increases the potential for noise disturbances, property damage and dangerous interactions between riders and the public.”
San Bernardino’s OHV enforcement project proposes seven patrol operations by a team of six officers, one detective and one supervising sergeant, supported by an administrative analyst for documentation and reporting. Another project feature is “the maintenance of two Can-Am Maverick R.S. off-road patrol vehicles to ensure that the department’s enforcement resources are operationally ready.”
Officials said the goal of the police department and civilian volunteers is to promote safe, responsible OHV recreation within designated, legal OHV areas in the county year-round.
“While in the field, the team assists OHV enthusiasts with questions regarding safety concerns, equipment, and legal and illegal riding areas,” according to the proposal. “They are actively involved in public education during community events, career days, and local schools to educate the public about legal OHV recreation and preserving natural resources while reinforcing the ‘Tread Lightly’ principle.”
The city just over 62 square miles, and the OHV enforcement team’s proposed patrol area covers 18 miles of washes, riverbeds, flood control channels and mountain foothill areas known for illegal off-road vehicle use.
San Bernardino police will work with county Code Enforcement officers and the sheriff’s department to patrol restricted areas and during mutual aid requests in which assistance from additional agencies is needed to effectively handle OHV incidents, police will coordinate with local agencies to assist with patrol and search and rescue operations.
“Thirteen officers and civilian volunteers of the enforcement team will be available day and night to respond to OHV emergencies,” officials said.
Patrols are likely to take place during holiday weekends that mark Labor Day, Christmas, New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Easter and Memorial Day, according to the city. Many areas that are off-limits to off-roading in San Bernardino see increased usage during holidays.
