Protect Henry Coe from landscape pulverizing OHVs

On Thursday, February 16, the California State Parks Commission will meet to inform the public about the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Access Project and receive input. The meeting will be held in person - Please come to the meeting and speak!

Date: February 16, 2023

Location: Pleasanton Marriott, 11950 Dublin Canyon Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588

Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Why is this important?

When we advocated to protect the biodiverse 3,100-acre Tesla Park from designation as an off-road vehicle (OHV) park, we did not expect the Governor to sacrifice Henry Coe instead! Yet the law that protected Tesla Park has now created a target on our beloved Henry Coe.

Henry Coe is precious. It is rich in wildlife and plant species, and provides refuge for these organisms from our urban landscapes. Given its biodiversity and importance to indigenous peoples, Henry Coe should not be pulverized by OHVs. But there is a well funded lobby (think Honda, Firestone, Yamaha and other companies) which is determined to open it to these vehicles.

We must be present at the Feb 16 meeting to push back on the notion that Coe should be considered for OHV. Our opponents will argue that because it is the largest state park in the region, it has plenty of room to share with OHV. The obvious argument against that is that the park’s size (87,000 acres) makes it an important intact refuge for at-risk species, including Mountain Lions, at a time when a combination of regional development pressures and climate change impacts make such refuges necessary for survival. Preserving Coe as a non-motorized park is also consistent with the state’s commitment to 30x30 preservation designed to protect biodiversity. Finally, introducing OHV into an area with sensitive sites with indigenous artifacts and historical value to indigenous communities will likely lead to damage to those sites.

What to expect at the meeting

There will be stations with topics of interest and time to discuss the project with State Parks staff. The public will learn about the Department’s process for searching, selecting, and acquiring property; discuss OHV recreation opportunities and visitor needs; and discuss potential locations for OHV recreation opportunities, including partnerships, leases, and new properties.

If you cannot attend, please email your comments to: Katie.Metraux@parks.ca.gov

Some background

In September 2021, Senate Bill 155 amended Public Resources Code Section 5090.42. This bill transferred funding from the General Fund to the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trust Fund to explore the acquisition and development of properties and opportunities to expand OHV recreation in new and existing facilities. Also, this bill recommends prioritizing opportunities that can serve large urban areas such as the Bay Area and Central Valley and offer potential recreational opportunities for OHV recreation and motorized access to non-motorized recreation. This meeting is the second of several opportunities to be involved in this project, including virtual and in-person meetings. CSP will develop a preliminary report, feasibility study, and OHV Recreation Access Plan with recommendations and strategies to enhance existing OHV recreation areas or expand OHV recreation within the State through an acquisition, lease, land swap, or other available means. The project would also consider developing motorized access to non-motorized recreational opportunities.