Mining operation

After a four-year suspension that began with the coronavirus public health lockdowns, a celebrated motorcycle ride through Riverside and surrounding locations that's intended to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services will return this Memorial Day.

West Coast Thunder is slated for May 29 — the first ride since Memorial Day 2019.

Riverside Harley-Davidson hosts the events, which began in 2000 when the dealership belonged to Skip Fordyce and operated under that banner.

In the past, the rides have attracted upwards of 7,500 motorcycle enthusiasts, joined by area political figures.

The 2020 ride was nixed due to Riverside County's and the state's COVID-driven prohibitions on mass public gatherings, and ongoing concerns about exposure risks led to cancellations in 2021 and 2022.

However, organizers said the ride will resume for the upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies, though specific details regarding the route and where the motorcyclists will end their journey after leaving Riverside HarleyDavison on Indiana Avenue have not been finalized.

The rides often draw thousands of people, mainly along streets running between Riverside and Moreno Valley, to watch as the participants head over to Riverside National Cemetery before turning south. In the past, riders have rendezvoused for a finale barbecue and musical celebration at the Soboba Casino or Perris Fairgrounds.

A large share of proceeds raised from the rides and musical shows are donated to the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee, which relies on contributions to build monuments and make other improvements at the hallowed grounds, where nearly 300,000 U.S. military veterans, police officers, firefighters and others are interred.

More than $1 million has been generated over the past two decades, and even when the rides weren't held, the West Coast Thunder Foundation continued with donation drives to support the cemetery, with $25,000 going to the American Indian Veterans Memorial in 2021.

More information about the rides is available at https:// www.westcoastthunder.com/.

Planning staff are recommending that the board deny RRM's confirmation of vested rights on 657 of the 792 acres, saying in a report that the company "has not shown by a preponderance of evidence that their predecessors in interest manifested an intent to extend surface mining activities ... to the entire proposed vested rights area as of the 1949 vesting date."

Stone quarries were first established in the area in the 1930s. According to county staff, changes in ownership of the parcels at issue raise doubts as to the legitimacy of RRM's claims.

"The lack of mining on the property for the past 30 years, and the substantial investments exploring residential development constitute clear and convincing evidence of an intention ... to abandon mining operations (on the 657 acres)," according to the Department of Planning.

The California Surface Mining Control & Reclama- tion Act of 1975 and Riverside County Ordinance No. 555, approved in 2019, are the primary laws governing mining operations locally and provide guidelines for determining vested rights.

RRM said in documents submitted to the board that "the geological and historical context of the mineral region" is vital in recognizing a vested right, and according to the company, the area in question has been rich in pit mines for almost the last century.

"Under the well-established principle that vested rights are property rights that attach to and run with the land, RRM ... has succeeded to the vested rights derived from the surface mining operations established under (prior) ownership," the company said.

Residents with homes surrounding the existing mine expressed dismay that it might be expanded.

"We are original homeowners at Dos Lagos and have had to tolerate and endure RRM's mining business for 16 years," Bob Schuch wrote in an email to the Department of Planning. "The mine blasts have cracked our concrete, stucco, pipes and have caused considerable damage to our homes. The constant dirt we breath in, the construction noise around the clock is nonstop."

Della Sewell said her home backs up to the Dos Lagos Golf Course, and "we have had several problems and damages to our home due to the current mining, which include a $10,000 bill due to broken water pipes."

"There are several cracks in concrete due to mining in this area, not to mention the monthly earthquake-like activity," she said.

Justin and Cynara Hutchinson, who reside on Cabot Drive, wrote an extensive email, stating the "mining and explosions unreasonably interfere with the health, safety, welfare, use and enjoyment of our property and the surrounding public at large."

"When we first purchased the home, we were told they would only be mining once a month, yet Robertson's Ready Mix oftentimes mines and creates explosions several times a week," the couple said. "My wife and I work from home, and this disturbance substantially interferes with the enjoyment and use of our property."