The ground-breaking efforts of Morongo Basin COW (Community ORV Watch) are highlighted:
In Southern California, property owners and others frustrated by illegal off-road vehicle use created Community ORV Watch, and the San Bernardino County chapter was among the voices calling for government action.
In 2006, San Bernardino County adopted an ordinance that requires off-road-vehicle riders on private property to have written permission from owners. The most controversial provision requires people planning a gathering of 10 or more riders to get a permit from the county for $155.
From January through October this year, the county issued 554 warnings and 209 citations, the vast majority for riding on private property without permission, says Randy Rogers, chief of code enforcement. Last year, the county issued 356 warnings and 133 citations, he says.
Despite enforcement and an aggressive education campaign, there's still tension. "We've found two-by-fours with nails driven in them" in the ground, Rogers says.
To find out more about ORV issues in the Basin and about COW, go to www.orvwatch.com.
MORE INFO ON THESE ISSUES: On Community ORV Watch and on the Off-Road Vehicle page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Off-Road Vehicles.
