COMMISSION

Report Requirement 2
The condition of natural and cultural resources of areas and trails
receiving state off-highway motor vehicle funds and the resolution of
conflicts in those areas and trails.
Protecting natural and cultural resources is an essential part of managing balanced offhighway
vehicle (OHV) recreation for long-term use. The Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
Recreation (OHMVR) Division monitors the condition of resources at each State Vehicular
Recreation Area (SVRA) through adaptive management programs like the Wildlife Habitat
Protection Plan (WHPP) and the 2008 Soil Conservation Standard and Guidelines (Soil
Standard), pursuant to Public Resource Code (PRC)
Sections 5090.35(c) and 5090.35(b)(1). Cultural
resources afford a high level of resource preservation
and protection to comply with PRC Sections 5024,
5024.5, and 5024.1(g). Projects funded by the OHMVR
Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (Grants
Program) have the same requirements for natural and
cultural resource protection. In addition, managing a
sustainable recreation program sometimes requires
restricting access to trails and OHV recreation areas
Snowy Plover Chicks
for resource management work. OHMVR Division and District staff continue to work with
stakeholders and user groups to resolve conflicts about resource areas and recreational use.
Report Requirement 2 provides an overview of OHMVR Division natural and cultural
resource programs, the condition of cultural and natural resources on lands supported by
the Grants Program, and examples of conflict resolution in those areas.
Natural Resources Program
Wildlife Habitat Protection Program and Habitat Monitoring System
Ongoing monitoring efforts are essential for understanding and addressing the condition
of natural resources of an SVRA. The type of monitoring conducted can be specific
to determine the condition of an individual species or broad to assess the health of an
ecosystem. Monitoring practices differ greatly from park to park depending on what species
are present, climate localities, topography, and geology. The OHMVR Division and Districts’
staff developed WHPPs at each SVRA to assist resource managers in maintaining and
2017 Program Report 63