Recent Developments

Colorado: Local Coalition Supports Balanced ORV Fund

Currently, 95% of the user fees collected for the Colorado OHV Program are being used for creating and maintaining trails. Meanwhile, the Program dished out about $525,000 more than was requested by grant applicants.  This comes in the midst of a state budget crisis and with greatly increased ORV use in the state resulting in more illegal off-trail use.  A coalition of 40 Colorado organizations representing over 100,000 law enforcement officers, sportsmen, and other trail users has come together to support a proposal to allocate 40% of the fund to law enforcement, 30% to habitat restoration, and 30% to maintaining existing trails, signage, maps, and education.  Read what the Denver Post and Durango Herald have to say about this commonsense plan.

9 out of 10 Sportsmen Agree: Tougher Penalties for Illegal ORV Riding

A survey conducted by Eastmans’ Hunting Journal found that nearly 94% of sportsmen support tougher penalties for ORV riders that illegally ride in closed areas. The most common response was also the most severe – nearly 38% of respondents believe ORVs should be confiscated in addition to loss of hunting privileges for a year. Read the entire poll results along with candid quotes from sportsmen here.

Local News Catches Off-roaders Trespassing on Rancher’s Property

A Bakersfield, CA news station caught off-roaders illegally riding on the property of ranchers Jeremy and Brandie Dunn.  Below, you can see the damage they’ve done to the Dunns’ property and watch Brandie’s encounter with an off-roader trespassing on her property. Read the whole story here.

Rider's view: Common-sense ORV management needed

Garrett Veneklasen, an outdoorsman from Taos, NM, wrote in the Albuquerque Journal about his experience riding ORVs in New Mexico and concerns about reckless riders:

"I've been riding my quad on much of that land over the past 15 years. But the irresponsible behavior of a growing contingent of reckless off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders is not only threatening to limit my access to those trails - more importantly, it's threatening wildlife and wildlife habitat."

Click here to read the full story.

Hunter's view: Overuse of ATVs threatens backcountry hunting

David A. Lien of Colorado Springs, Colo., a big-game hunter, life member of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, and the acting chairman of Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers wrote in the Duluth News Tribune: 

"We believe there is a place for off-highway vehicle routes on public lands but that greater controls and better enforcement are necessary in the face of growing human population and ever-more-powerful machines."

Click here to read the full story. 

GAO Releases First ORV Investigation Since 1995

7/30/09 - The investigative arm of Congress issued its first review of ORV management in over a decade today, finding widespread habitat damage from reckless riding, mounting enforcement challenges and evidence of conflicts with other users. Their survey of federal land managers from across the country found:

• ORV damage has occurred on almost 20% of federal lands and in some areas as much as 80%. 20% of federal lands is roughly the size of California.

• Conflicts are occurring with other trail users, private land owners, and irresponsible ORV users.

• Enforcement is the top challenge to ORV management.

• Current penalties do not deter reckless riding.

• A majority of land managers said they cannot sustainably manage ORVs, citing lack of human and financial resources.

The GAO recommended implementing better planning at BLM and USFS, enhancing communication with the public though user-friendly maps and trail signs, and examining current penalty structures.

To view the full report, please Click Here. 

Montana