U.S. Forest Service Reissues Order to Enhance Public Safety on California National Forest Roads

Press release from the US Forest Service:

The The U.S. Forest Service has decided to reissue a Regional Order to provide for public safety. These California Vehicle Code sections regulate the possession and operation of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) in California and contain the licensing requirements for all motor vehicles in California. This decision will enable Forest Service law enforcement personnel to enforce a portion of the California Vehicle Code to better provide for public safety on National Forest System lands. This Order will affect all National Forest System roads under regional jurisdiction within the State of California and will be in effect from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026.

There are 18 National Forests in California, totaling approximately twenty million acres, with approximately 43,300 miles of roads open to public motor vehicle use. Of these roads, approximately 35,000 miles are open to non-highway legal vehicles. Without this Regional Order, agency personnel may not have the authority to enforce the California Vehicle Code Divisions and their associated Chapters listed in the Regional Order HERE.

The Forest Service exercises its law enforcement authority when violations of law or regulation occur on National Forest System lands, including the National Forest System transportation system. Law enforcement and investigation personnel, which include law enforcement officers and forest protection officers, and other agency personnel provide a regular presence on millions of acres of National Forest System lands and take appropriate action if illegal activity is observed or discovered. In accordance with 36 C.F.R. §212.5(a)(1), traffic on National Forest System roads is subject to state traffic laws where applicable except when in conflict with designations established under 36 C.F.R. Part 212, Subpart B, or with the regulations found at 36 C.F.R. Part 261.