Monterey County Municipal Code Ch. 16.65 Protection of Pajaro River Banks and Levees

A. Use of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and other off-road vehicles on the banks and levees of the Pajaro River in the County of Monterey has been increasing recently.

B. Such use of the banks and levees of the Pajaro River results in dust settling upon and debris being deposited into the farmlands adjacent to the river, creating conflicts with the agricultural uses of said farmlands, and causing substantial damage to agricultural crops.

C. Continued use of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and other off-road vehicles on the banks and levees of the Pajaro River causes major erosion of the river banks and degradation of the environmental habitat of the Pajaro River Channel, and poses a major threat to public health, safety, and general welfare.

D. Prohibiting such use by posting the banks and levees of the Pajaro River with "No Trespassing" signs has proven not to be effective in putting a stop to or curtailing the use.

E. Crops in the vicinity of the levees are now particularly vulnerable to damage from the dust caused by such use. If such use goes unabated, damage to crops and agricultural uses in properties located adjacent to the River, and erosion of the River banks will continue, causing an immediate adverse effect on public health, safety, and welfare.

F. An urgency ordinance is necessary in order to forestall said threat to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(Ord. 3626, 1992)

This ordinance shall apply to the operation of prohibited vehicles in the prohibited area located within the jurisdictional limits of Monterey County as defined herein.

(Ord. 3626, 1992)

A. No person, firm, or corporation shall, after the adoption date of this ordinance, operate any prohibited vehicle in the prohibited area as defined in this ordinance.

B. For purposes of this ordinance, "prohibited area" shall mean all roadways on the tops of the levees on each side of the Pajaro River and all land between said roadways, from the beginning of the levee on the southerly side of the River near the mouth of the Pajaro River, to the end of the levee on the southerly side of the River, approximately one mile west of Murphy Crossing, excluding any lands located outside the jurisdictional limits of Monterey County.

C. For purposes of this ordinance, "prohibited vehicles" shall mean all motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, dirt bikes, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, jeeps, off-highway vehicles, automobiles, and trucks; except that this Ordinance shall not apply to vehicles operated on official business by law enforcement, California Fish and Game Department, Monterey County, or Water Resources Agency personnel, and to vehicles operated in connection with agricultural operations on adjacent properties.

(Ord. 3626, 1992)