Erosion following illegal OHV use at Red Rock Canyon State Park (Photo: CA Parks)

The Sheriff’s Department is set to receive $129,779 this fiscal year to pay for the enforcement of off-road vehicle laws, primarily in the Angeles National Forest.

The county receives the funding each year from the state Department of Parks and Recreation.

Of the total, $81,300 is earmarked for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and $48,479 for Palmdale Station.

Almost all of the money is used to pay overtime; $4,000 is set aside for uniform safety equipment and $8,000 for a motorcycle.

According to a staff report from Sheriff Lee Baca:

“The primary objective of the (money) is to provide funding to selected law enforcement agencies in order to protect natural resources and enforce laws that regulate the use of off-highway motor vehicles and associated equipment. In meeting this objective, the Department will use the grant funds to implement off-highway vehicle enforcement projects administered by SCV and PLM.

“The goal of the Department’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) project is to reduce incidences of OHV-related offenses and code violations throughout the jurisdiction of SCV and PLM, as well as the Lancaster and Crescenta Valley areas.

“In order to successfully reduce the types of offenses and violations identified above, the Department will utilize the grant funds specifically to retain sergeant and deputy personnel on an overtime basis. These sergeants and deputies will be responsible for identifying/targeting areas where violations are highly prevalent and for conducting coordinated enforcement efforts throughout the identified regions. In addition to the Department’s active involvement in the project, the Department will also collaborate with the United States Forest Service to ensure that efficient and productive enforcement of the problem areas exists during peak times such as weekends and holidays.”