Page 3 - The Friday Flyer ● MARCH 01, 2019

MARCH 1, 2019 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3
Sheriff Bianco applies for funding, grants

On behalf of the County of Riverside, Sheriff Chad county during that same period for the unlawful use of Many of the legal OHV recreational opportunities
Bianco is applying for a total of $198,291 in California OHVs. located within the eastern portion of Riverside County
State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) Rec- Illegal OHV use has resulted in conflicts with hik- exist on designated routes of travel. These routes of
reation Division Grants and Cooperative Agreements ers, equestrians, private landowners, and other individ- travel have been established by specific resource man-
Program funding for law enforcement projects. uals seeking open space for recreational use. With the agement plans generated by the BLM and the US For-
Riverside is the fourth largest county and spans increasing population in Riverside County, the demand est Service. These areas include about 60 miles of the
7,200 square miles spreading over 200 miles from east for OHV opportunities is increasing. Along with this Bradshaw Trail, Red Cloud Road, Coors Canyon, and
to west and 50 miles from north to south. The county demand comes a desire by law enforcement agencies other lands governed by the BLM. Several of these
is within 14 miles of the Pacific Ocean and extends to to restrict OHVs from trespassing on private lands and existing designated routes are near sensitive resources
the Colorado River, bordering Arizona. Approximately into wilderness areas not open to OHV use. such as the endangered desert tortoise, designated wil-
6,500 of the 7,200 square miles is unincorporated terri- Land management agencies are closing more public derness, areas of critical environmental concern, and
tory. Riverside County’s population grew by 41.7 per- lands to OHV recreation because of conflicts with en- cultural sites. These legal venues are easily accessed
cent between the years of 2000 and 2010, an increase dangered species and other resource concerns. In both by legal means and are aesthetically pleasing.
of more than 644,000 people. Pursuant to the most re- the eastern and mid-western portions of the county, In the western portion of the county, there are sev-
cent census data, Riverside County has a population of these concerns include the fringe-toed lizard and the eral legal OHV areas open to the public. These include
more than 2.39 million people. desert tortoise. According to the California Department the Lake Elsinore Motocross Park, Wildomar Recre-
The vast land and its short distance from a large of Fish and Wildlife, the fringe-toed lizard is a State ation Area, Perris Raceway, Starwest Motocross Park,
portion of the population results in an abundance of Endangered and Federally Threatened species, while Cahuilla Creek Motocross Park, Milestone Ranch Mo-
opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use. the desert tortoise is a State and Federally Threat- tocross Track, and the San Bernardino National Forest.
Riverside County contains numerous legal OHV riding ened species.
areas within its borders. These include the Wildomar To address these issues, the Special Enforcement Some legal OHV sites vary in their operational sched-
Recreation area and the Starwest Motocross Park in the Bureau (SEB) conducts off-highway enforcement ules and have a variety of facilities available to users.
western portion of the county. This also includes legal throughout the unincorporated territories of Riverside Enforcement by SEB personnel occurs on week-
OHV trails on land governed by the Bureau of Land County. Selected personnel is trained in the operation, ends, weekdays, most statutory holidays during the
Management (BLM) in the eastern portion of River- enforcement, and education of OHVs. peak OHV season, and as necessary throughout the
side County. Although these sanctioned venues exist, Members of SEB contact OHV operators riding il- year. Deputies not only enforce OHV rules and regula-
large portions of OHV riders choose to operate their legally and issue citations and warnings as necessary. tions, but also undertake various administrative duties
vehicles illegally on public or privately-owned lands. They contact property owners and educate them on related to this project including data collection, emer-
This has resulted in numerous accidents requiring an posting proper signage and intrusion prevention. They gency operations, and public relations events.
emergency response and complaints from citizens liv- also educate the public through departmental press re- SEB provides a secure location for all its equipment
ing on or near these areas. leases, news articles, web sites and public safety ex- and supplies and ensures that all OHVs, trucks and
From June 2007 through January 2019, there were positions. SEB personnel also meet with community trailers are maintained to ensure proper working order.
approximately 26,400 calls for service from the public members and leaders to discuss OHV issues. During Comments and questions may be directed to the
regarding illegal OHV use. That’s an average of about every contact with an OHV enthusiast, deputies edu- Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special En-
2,300 calls for service a year since 2007. There were cate and often provide literature on legal riding venues forcement Bureau at 951-922-7723 or mwalsh@river-
approximately 4,500 citations issued throughout the and equipment necessary to operate OHVs safely. sidesheriff.org.

Senator proposes tax relief for CA veterans

Senator Jeff Stone has introduced skills to open businesses, both small
legislation to provide needed tax re- and large, volunteered in their com-
lief to those who have worn the na- munities and continued to make the
tion’s uniform and served it faithfully. country they once protected a better
Senate Bill 364, the Veterans Tax Re- place. Now, as senior citizens, these
lief bill, attempts to deal with the prob- men and women deserve the best we
lem of homeless veterans by capping can give them.”
the property taxes on the primary resi- Senate Bill 364 is similar to SB
dence of honorably discharged veterans 1104 that the Senator introduced in
over age of 65. The bill also exempts 2016. That bill received bi-partisan
the property tax of all 100 percent dis- support but was held in the Senate
abled veterans living in their primary Appropriations Committee before it
residence. could be heard by the entire legisla-
“It’s been said that a military veteran ture.
is someone who, at one point in their “I’m hoping this year that mem-
life, wrote a blank check made payable bers of the Legislature will stand up
to the United States of America for an and support this common sense and
amount of up to and including their compassionate legislation to bring
life,” said Senator Stone. tax relief to our veterans who have
“As these men and women become done so much for all of us,” said Sen-
senior citizens the least we can do is of- ator Stone.
fer them the financial stability this leg- Senator Stone is urging all Cali-
islation provides. Many veterans who fornia Veterans, Veterans organiza-
are or will soon become senior citizens tions and other interested residents
served America during the Vietnam to contact their State legislators to let
and Korean wars, a time when our na- them know they support SB 364.
tion often did not show these men and Jeff Stone represents California’s
women the respect they deserved” the 28th Senate District. The district, PHOTO PROVIDED BY JEFF STONE
Senator said. which is entirely in Riverside County,
“These veterans didn’t stop serving stretches from the vineyards of the
when their military days were behind Temecula Valley to the Colorado
them. They raised families, used their River and includes Canyon Lake. Senator Jeff Stone

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