COMMISSION

In December 2014, the OHMVR Division acquired 50 privately-owned parcels in
eastern Kern County. California’s Public Works Board approved the acquisition at their
November 14, 2014, meeting. The acquired lands are classified by California State Parks
as SVRA lands (California State Parks 2013, 1-1). On October 3, 2013, the OHMVR
Division approved the Eastern Kern County Acquisition project and adopted the acquisition
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR considers the environmental effects of the
OHMVR Division acquiring and managing the project properties and is required under
CEQA (PRC § 21000 et seq.) and the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations
Title 14, § 15000 et seq.). In accordance with the EIR, the OHMVR Division and San
Andreas District manage the SVRA and hired full-time law enforcement and environmental
scientist staff in the summer of 2016.
The EIR planning process included several focused studies to establish a baseline for
existing cultural and natural resources for the acquisition parcels and to determine the
impacts of purchasing the land for use as a SVRA. The results of these studies and the
EIR will serve as the foundation for future resource management planning documents
(e.g., WHPP, HMS, Soil Conservation Plan, Trail Management Plan, Storm Water
Management Plan, and cultural resource monitoring programs). Five focused studies were
conducted for the EIR in the spring and summer of 2012.
The focused studies addressed Mohave ground squirrel
(Xerospermophilus mohavensis) and other mammals,
desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and other reptiles,
birds, vegetation communities and rare plants, and cultural
resources. Many of the surveys were directed at the eastern
parcels within the OHV use area because these parcels
have been subject to the most intensive OHV use. Where
time and budget allowed, other parcels were also surveyed
(California State Parks 2013, 2-11). Focused studies include:
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Botanical Resources Report
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Desert Tortoise Survey of Property Acquisition Project, Kern County
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Property Acquisition Project Avian Study
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Special-Status Wildlife Surveys for Property Acquisition Project, Kern County
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Cultural Resource Survey for the Onyx Ranch Acquisition Kern County
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Preliminary Assessment of Erosion Hazard Potential for Eastern Kern County
In addition, the OHMVR Division hired a consultant to conduct a cultural resource inventory
and develop a CRMP. The consultant identified 126 archaeological sites, including
prehistoric and historic sites (McGuire and Waechter 2016, 1). The document was submitted
in draft form to the OHMVR Division in July 2016. Once approved, the CRMP will guide the
management of cultural resources for the SVRA and inform future planning efforts.
Historic structure
2017 Program Report 93