State Parks responds to off-roading lawsuit

California Department of Parks and Recreation has responded to a lawsuit seeking to suspend the open riding policy at the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA).

The state filed a demurrer with Superior Court of Sacramento that argues the petitioners, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and The Desert Protective Council, cannot ask a court to intervene and tell State Parks how to operate the recreational area. The demurrer states that the petitioners want to control management of the Ocotillo Wells SVRA.

The lawsuit asserted that parks and recreation has mismanaged Ocotillo Wells by allowing off-highway vehicles too much access to sensitive lands.

A hearing is set for Dec. 13. The state parks department requests that the court sustain the demurrer, which would then dismiss the case.