Disaster in Arrastra Canyon

The State OHV comission held hearings today to discuss the effects of OHV use upon riparian areas in the State of California. Local Juniper Flats residents attended and voiced thier concerns to this State Comission in regard to the ongoing "disaster in Arrastra" canyon as a result of illegal and irresponsible OHV use.

Despite having a legal OHV route network posted, offroaders continue to ignore these designations and the resulting damage to the Arrastra Canyon area has reached disasterous proportions. Rehabilitation projects funded by this commission have been destroyed by a very hostile element within the OHV user group and the degradation of the area continues unabated.

The OHV commission was in aggreement that further efforts in regard to protecting this unique and scenic riparian area must be addressed. In the interm, local residents and visitors are encouraged to report illegal OHV use, both on BLM managed lands and within the USFS Deep Creek Non Motorized Vehicle Area by calling 909-383-5653 (non emergency) or 909 383-5651 (emergency only). Be specific as to location, time, date and get the best physical description you can. Feel free to post here your observations and they will be included in the monthly report that goes out to different public agencies.

As a result of grant funding from the OHV commission, San Bernardino County Sheriff's are now conducting roving sting operations to apprehend and cite scoflaw OHv riders. We continue to support such efforts by reporting all observed incidents so they may be included in the law enforcement data base and help focus future efforts.

Deep Creekers can assist by reporting all observed OHV intrusions into Deep Creek Canyon.