Groups Call For Disbandment of California OHV Unit

A coalition of 14 national, state, and local OHV recreation groups has called for the disbandment of the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Commission.

Spokesmen for the coalition said the decision to call for the disbandment came after the commission voted to halt funding of several key enforcement and safety programs, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and local sheriff departments. California regulations mandate that funds collected from OHV registrations go for environmental education, law enforcement, public safety, trail conservation and land acquisition programs.

In a prepared statement, Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition said the move was a last resort for the group. “The refusal to fund important safety and education programs shows the commission no longer functions in accordance with the California law which established the committee. The decision to de-fund the off-highway vehicle (OHV) oriented law enforcement responsibilities of many county sheriffs’ departments and federal agencies is shameful,” Amador said.