OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Patrol
Within Deschutes County are thousands of miles of established motorcycle and 4x4 trails and roads. Several large OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) areas are located east of Bend near Pine Mountain in the Millican Valley. These areas draw thousands of outdoor enthusiasts every year.
With that use, there are often issues of careless operation and innumerable accidents, some often serious or fatal in nature. Without having regular patrols in these areas, a response to an accident might easily take an hour or more. This response is often compounded by the fact that many incidents occur in areas accessible only by 4x4 vehicles or other specialized equipment.
Three seasonal deputies patrol these areas, looking for safety, registration and operation violations, and generally promoting safe and sane use of these areas. They also educate where needed, ensuring that operators are in compliance with Oregon state law.
Funding for the OHV program comes from an annual contract with Oregon State Parks. This funding helps provide personnel and equipment for the local program.
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