Friends of Giant Rock Help Us. Help You. To Keep Riding.

A successful hearing with the San Bernardino County Supervisors rendered the staging permit for property owner’s void. It was replaced with a 2 ½ acre lot size limit and a 6 day In 30 limit for staging. I want to thank the folks supporting this effort, the off road enthusiast more than doubled the anti OHV crowd at the meeting, FOGR members and friends Morongo basin community leaders like Betty Munson and Jim Harvey were present to show support, Kim Carpenter from AMA district 37, Harry Baker from Cal 4X4 clubs, Mark Howlett field Representative for CORVA. It seems that even in small numbers OHV groups that come together for a common goal can be successful. That being said I believe Supervisor Mitzelfelt, Derry and Ovitt voted to remove this unreasonable requirement because we who petitioned them for three years were right, and they did what was right.
The rest of the story; The anti OHV group, COW, will begin pounding code enforcement with false and highly exaggerated reports of trespass, harassment, intimidation, back to accusations such as season of slaughter, the bad old days, Hoodlums and terrorism. This will be an attempt to discredit the off road community and take a step toward their ultimate goal of placing a ban on off road vehicle use in San Bernardino County. This goal was eluded to by speakers at the hearing.
Friends of Giant Rock and its members must stay focused on the next phase of our mission which is education already received are 50 signs to be distributed by request of property owners directing riders to slow down in neighborhoods, the request we have so far are from residents who support community OHV watch but were not at the supervisor meeting to voice against us. A clear indication that just being good neighbors is an effective tool for problem solving. A bill board sign has been in the works for some time that will help our fellow riders get the message. Then a program to reach the young riders in numbers is still a possibility and I believe will be the most effective tool.
The problem riders are few, yes, but still need to get on board, if education doesn't work then enforcement will. The newly adopted Administrative Citation process will make it easier and faster to hit the abusive rider where it hurts, in the pocket book.
I would like share these words from Kim Carpenter who is committed to education efforts so the sport we enjoy won’t be stripped away.
“LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR TO EVERYONE.....WE MUST BEGIN TO POLICE OURSELVES AND OUR NEIGHBORS. I truly believe that most off highway vehicle users are law abiding citizens. They truly don't want to trespass on private property and they don't believe in being rude to property owners who are trying to protect their property.

If you know someone who is riding in an illegal area you better get them to stop! If you are not sure, contact the BLM, Forest Service or California Trail Users Coalition for maps of San Bernardino County that shows the boundaries. Really, this is no joke anymore. If property owners keep complaining about people trespassing, threatening or harassing them we will continue to lose more areas and more rights.”