Project Status and Next Steps

What stage is the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) project currently in?

The current OHV Feasibility Study, commissioned by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District (RivCoParks), represents the final phase of identifying potential OHV park sites in Riverside County. This phase builds upon prior work conducted between 2019 and 2022, which initially evaluated more than 30 locations and narrowed the focus to three sites: Banning South, Rochelle, and Double Butte.

What happens after the feasibility study is completed?

The Feasibility Study will identify a preferred site to advance into the design phase and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. After the study is complete, RivCoParks will develop a scope of work and cost estimate for these next steps and seek funding to move forward.

What is the purpose of the OHV Site Feasibility Study?

The purpose of the Feasibility Study is to evaluate the remaining candidate sites and identify a preferred location to advance into the design and CEQA process.

Has RivCoParks selected a preferred site for the OHV park?

As of March 2026, RivCoParks has not selected a preferred site. All three sites are still under consideration.

When will the public have the opportunity to provide input?

Public input has been gathered throughout all phases of the study and will continue during future stages. Additional opportunities will occur during the design phase and CEQA process, including community outreach, a Notice of Preparation (NOP) with a public scoping meeting, and a public review period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Has this project been presented to local community planning groups?

Yes. Throughout the Feasibility Study, presentations were made to community groups, including Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs), stakeholder agencies, such as Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, and park commissions. Once a preferred site is identified, the project will continue through standard public engagement and approval processes.

How were potential OHV sites evaluated and compared during the Feasibility Study?

The current phase of the study began with six potentially feasible sites. Each site was evaluated using publicly available data and preliminary analyses. Key factors included land ownership, land use and zoning, noise, fire hazards, biological and cultural resources, and site access. These factors were compared to assess each site’s suitability for OHV development

Why was Double Butte previously recommended for removal and why is it still being considered?

Earlier in the study (within the Opportunities and Constraints Analysis), Double Butte and Coachella South were identified as having notable constraints and were recommended for removal at that stage. However, this was not a final decision. As additional information became available, RivCoParks and the District Advisory Commission chose to continue evaluating these to allow for a more comprehensive comparison before selecting a preferred site.

Community Considerations

How were nearby residential communities considered in the site evaluation?

Nearby communities and residential areas were considered as part of the Feasibility Study. This included evaluating potential traffic patterns and conflicts, noise exposure, and compatibility with existing land use plans, zoning, and area plans.

How were potential impacts such as noise, dust, traffic, and air quality evaluated during the feasibility study?

A preliminary noise assessment was conducted for each site to identify potential concerns near residential areas. This included modeling how sound could travel from OHV use areas to nearby properties. Detailed technical studies for noise, dust, traffic, and air quality have not yet been completed, as these require more specific project design information. These topics will be fully evaluated during the CEQA process, where potential impacts and mitigation measures will be identified.

How would traffic from an OHV park affect roads?

Traffic impacts cannot be determined until more detailed design information is available. A comprehensive traffic impact analysis will be conducted during the CEQA process to evaluate potential effects on local roads and identify any necessary improvements.

Environmental Considerations

How were biological resources and wildlife evaluated at potential OHV sites?

Biological resources were evaluated using a review of existing available data from federal, state, and regional sources, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), California Native Plant Society (CNPS), United States Geological Service (USGS), Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRMSHCP), and Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP). This review helped identify potential environmental constraints at each site. Once a preferred site is selected, detailed field surveys and technical studies will be conducted.

Were mitigation measures considered for potential environmental impacts?

Specific impacts and mitigation measures have not yet been defined and will not be determined until the CEQA process. These will be identified and evaluated as part of the CEQA process, which will ensure that environmental impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated where feasible.

How would sensitive species and wildlife habitat be evaluated at sites?

Detailed, site-specific surveys and mapping will be conducted for biological resources such as vegetation, wildlife, sensitive species, and wetlands. The results will inform project design and help identify appropriate mitigation measures, if needed.

How would wildfire risk be evaluated for a site located in a high fire hazard area?

All potential sites are located within areas identified by CalFire as “Very High” fire hazard severity zones. For any selected site, coordination with CalFire, the County, and local fire departments will be required to develop appropriate fire prevention and response measures. These may include fuel breaks, vegetation management, and on-site fire suppression capabilities.

Tribal, Cultural, and Historical Resources

How were cultural and tribal resources evaluated during the feasibility study?

Cultural and tribal resources were evaluated through archival research, database searches, and coordination with relevant tribal agencies. This included records from the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) collected at the Eastern Information Center (EIC)[1], Sacred Lands File (SLF) searches conducted by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), and informal outreach with local Native American Tribes. Sites with a higher number of known resources were considered more constrained during the evaluation process.

How were Tribes consulted during the planning process?

Informal outreach letters were sent to 20 Native American Tribes, and responses were received from nine. Formal consultation under Assembly Bill (AB) 52 will take place during the CEQA process for the selected site.

How would cultural resources be protected if archaeological sites are identified?

Protection measures will depend on the location and sensitivity of any identified cultural resources. Specific measures will be developed during project design, tribal consultation, and environmental review.

Infrastructure, Operations, and Public Use

What improvements might be needed to surrounding roads and infrastructure if an OHV park were developed?

Potential improvements could include upgrades to roadways, utilities, and fire protection infrastructure. The exact scope will be determined during the design and CEQA process.

What is the estimated capacity and visitation for a potential OHV park?

Estimated capacity and visitation have not yet been determined. These factors will be evaluated as part of the Feasibility Study and further refined during the design and CEQA process.

Would the park include camping, and if so what type?

Camping is currently proposed at all three remaining potential OHV park locations. Options may include RV sites with utility hookups as well as primitive tent camping sites. The final mix and scale will be determined during the design and CEQA process.

How would the park be staffed and monitored?

Staffing plans will be developed based on the final design and operational needs of the park. It is anticipated that staff will be scheduled to provide coverage during operating hours, and volunteer camp hosts may be utilized to help maintain 24/7 on-site presence, similar to other regional recreation parks.

How would trash and sanitation be managed at the park?

Trash collection would be provided through a contracted service, with the number of bins and frequency of pickup based on operational needs and actual park use. Sanitation facilities may include a combination of portable and permanent restrooms, as well as RV dump stations. The type and quantity of these facilities will be determined during the design phase.

How would emergency evacuation access be addressed if an OHV park were developed near limited access roads?

Each site is expected to include both primary and secondary evacuation routes. In some cases, off-site road improvements may be needed to ensure safe and efficient emergency access.

Costs and Funding

Were construction and operational costs estimated for an OHV park?

Preliminary operational cost estimates will be developed as part of the Feasibility Study and refined as part of the design process. Construction cost estimates require more detailed design information and will be developed during the design phase rather than during the Feasibility Study.

How would construction and operational costs be funded?

RivCoParks plans to pursue grant funding from the California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division and other sources to support both the construction and operations. It is also anticipated that user fees, such as entrance or membership fees, would be applied, depending upon the final approved fee structure.

Would construction or operation of an OHV park increase local taxes?

No specific local OHV tax or assessment is planned.

‍ ‍

[1] The Eastern Information Center (EIC) at the University of California, Riverside has since closed and all Riverside County files have been relocated to the South Coastal Information Center (SCIC) at San Diego State University.