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(Best Syndication News) SAN BERNARDINO – Last week the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved off-highway vehicle enforcement agreements with the state Department of Parks and Recreation. Through the agreements, the County will receive grant funding totaling $242,825 to be used for OHV enforcement in the Victor Valley, Barstow and mountain areas.

“We welcome responsible OHV use in our County but when people ride in inappropriate areas it negatively impacts the quality of life of our residents,” said First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who represents the majority of the County’s desert regions.

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“A significant amount of our OHV enforcement activities are educational in nature, including informing riders about appropriate areas designated for their use. But ensuring there are adequate areas for people to ride is just as important and is something I’m fighting to preserve.”

The State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, administers the Off-Highway Vehicle grant program, which provides funding to counties and other agencies to provide OHV enforcement and recreation activities. The program is funded by OHV registration fees, fines and forfeitures, and fuel taxes.

The grant award will provide funding for the Sheriff’s Department’s OHV Enforcement team to provide services around Barstow, the Victor Valley and in mountain regions. The funds will be used for staffing, including supervisory personnel, patrol officers, dispatchers, and logistical support personnel.

Grant funds will also be used to purchase new equipment to supplement existing resources. The Victor Valley station plans to purchase one 4x4 vehicle, while two all-terrain vehicles and one trailer will be purchased for mountain-area enforcement.

Enforcement team efforts will supplement Bureau of Land Management operations during several 4-day weekends during the year. Funds will be used to provide OHV law enforcement on peak off-road days, to safeguard the desert habitat and to provide information and educational materials to the public on the safe and legal use of off-highway vehicles.

By David Zook