Off-Road Abuses Trigger Response In Riverside County

LAKE MATHEWS, CA—Deputies with the Lake Mathews Sheriff's Station patrol approximately 158 square miles in the unincorporated communities north and northeast of Lake Elsinore. The area is surrounded by spots approved for off-highway vehicle use.

According to the sheriff's department, however, OHV abuses are occurring on land that is off-limits.

From March 1, 2023, through March 1, 2024, approximately 202 calls for service regarding OHV-related incidents occurred within the Lake Mathews Station’s service area, the sheriff's department reported.

That area includes Green River, Glen Valley, Horsethief Canyon, Lake Hills, Prado Basin, Spanish Hills, Temescal Valley, northwest Lake Elsinore, Dawson Canyon, Mead Valley, and Woodcrest.

"Large portions" of OHV enthusiasts operate their vehicles illegally on public and/or private lands, the law enforcement agency said. "This has resulted in numerous accidents requiring an emergency response and complaints from citizens living in or near these areas."

According to the sheriff's department, there were 2,570 calls for service regarding OHV-related incidents department-wide over the last year, an increase from the prior 12 months.

Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Monday that his agency is applying for $200,168 in funding from the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Grants & Cooperative Agreements Program to help crack down on OHV abuses in the Lake Mathews service area.

In addition to enforcement, the funding will help pay for emergency responses, data collection, and public relations events, according to the sheriff.

Riverside County has several approved OHV areas, such as the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park, Wildomar OHV, Perris Raceway, Cahuilla Creek Motocross in Anza, and portions of the San Bernardino National Forest.