Panel Fails to Pass Bill Allowing Off-Road Access to Desert Park
Off-road enthusiasts Tuesday lost their bid to gain access to the vast Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in the extreme eastern part of San Diego County.
After a daylong session, members of a state Senate committee failed to approve the bill during an evening session.
State Sen. Cecil Greene (D-Norwalk) introduced the bill, which would have allowed off-roaders to use trails in the 600,000-acre park by permit only, but environmental groups led by the Sierra Club mounted a campaign against the measure.
State Parks Director Henry Agonia had pledged to off-road vehicle (ORV) interests that he would strike a compromise to lift the off-road ban that was imposed two years ago to protect the fragile desert environment. But, after he was confirmed in his post last year, Agonia failed to act to open the park to ORV interests.
Greene, who said he had gained enough votes to prevent Agonia’s confirmation but had abandoned the opposition after the director had pledged to admit the off-roaders, then introduced a bill, SB 603, designed to force the issue.
Bob Ham, lobbyist for statewide ORV interests, said failure of the Senate committee to pass the bill to the full Senate meant failure for the legislation.
However, Ham said, Agonia may still institute a permit policy that would allow ORV vehicles limited use of the desert park.
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