Expansion of Off-Road Park Opposed by Livermore City Council

The proposed expansion of the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area was voted down 3 to 2 last week by the Livermore City Council. The decision left off-road enthusiasts from around the East Bay feeling frustrated while Councilman Stewart Gary criticized fellow councilmembers for the motives behind their votes, according to the Independent News.

The land, located west of Tracy in the southeast corner of Alameda County, is owned by the State of California Parks Department. Environmental groups oppose the 3,000 acre expansion of the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area. Supporters say the land was purchased in 1998 to be used for off-highway vehicles.

Livermore Mayor John Marchand said the decision will ultimately be the State’s.

“The City of Livermore has no jurisdiction or authority over the lands of the Carnegie State Recreational Vehicle Area (SRVA) or the adjacent Tesla area. The entrance to the Carnegie SVRA is in San Joaquin County. Personally, I absolutely support the preservation of open space but this was a matter of jurisdiction. The proposed expansion is on State-owned lands in Murray Township in Alameda County, in lands over which LARPD has jurisdiction, not the City. The vote last Monday was simply an opinion by the City with no force of law. There are other important issues that the Council has to deal with, over which we do have authority.”

Details of the controversial vote found here.

Photo courtesy Carnegie SVRA Facebook.

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