The division has the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) Planning, acquisition, development, conservation, and restoration of lands in the state vehicular recreation areas.
(b) Management, maintenance, administration, and operation of lands in the state vehicular recreation areas.
(c) Provide for law enforcement and appropriate public safety activities.
(d) Implementation of all aspects of the program.
(e) Ensure program compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)) in state vehicular recreation areas.
(f) Provide staff assistance to the commission.
(g) Prepare and implement management and wildlife habitat protection plans for lands in, or proposed to be included in, state vehicular recreation areas, including new state vehicular recreation areas. These plans shall be developed in consideration of statutorily required state and regional conservation objectives. However, a plan shall not be prepared in any instance specified in subdivision (c) of Section 5002.2. Trails may only be added or included as components of existing trail systems when developing or updating plans in state vehicular recreation areas, upon completion of full environmental review.
(h) Conduct, or cause to be conducted, surveys, and prepare, or cause to be prepared, studies that are necessary or desirable for implementing the program.
(i) Recruit and utilize volunteers to further the objectives of the program.
(j) Prepare and coordinate safety and education programs.
(k) Provide for the enforcement of Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) of the Vehicle Code and other laws regulating the use or equipment of off-highway motor vehicles in all areas acquired, maintained, or operated by funds from the fund; however, the Department of the California Highway Patrol shall have responsibility for enforcement on highways.
(l) Provide for the conservation of natural and cultural resources, including appropriate mitigation.
(m) Post on the department’s Internet Web site all plans, reports, and studies related to off-highway vehicle recreation developed by the division.
(n) Report on any closure implemented pursuant to Section 5090.35 at the next commission meeting following the closure.
(o) Complete other duties as determined by the director.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 459, Sec. 10. (SB 249) Effective January 1, 2018.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018