Off-road vehicles rev up controversy in public lands
A coalition of former public land managers and veteran rangers is sounding the alarm.
from the July 3, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Enthusiasts of ORV riding say the problem nationally is due to a lack of adequate mapping and signage on public lands to show users where to ride, and that new forest service and BLM rules are addressing it.
But as numbers grow, broader rider education efforts are needed, they acknowledge.
"We recognize there are issues with OHV use on public lands," says Jack Welch, president of the Blue Ribbon Coalition, which represents off-road enthusiasts and vehicle manufacturers. "We believe most of these problems can be solved with better signage and map programs. But we also think the ranger group is not really interested in working together with us – they simply want to eliminate motor recreation on public lands."
Coalition members deny they are just out to eliminate motorized vehicle use, but say they want the ORV problem brought under control.
Penalties that are severe enough to deter violators are badly needed, such as forfeiture of hunting and fishing licenses or confiscation of vehicles when off-roaders are caught ignoring the law, they say. A larger budget for more rangers to enforce the law is also required, they add.
"Land management agencies just don't have a lot of enforcement capability right now," Mr. Baca says.
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