Arizona

Mark Trautwein

This month marks the 25th anniversary of the Arizona Wilderness Act, the first of Mo Udall's two landmark statewide wilderness bills that define much of Arizona 's dynamic landscape. Mo was justifiably proud of these achievements, and it's a good time not only to look back but also, as Mo always did, to look forward.

Mo's vision was informed by what he often referred to as his "love of the land." It was both his starting point and his destination - the ethic he hoped would inform others to carry on great conservation work.

Luther Propst

 "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." — Neil Armstrong, 1969
The American experience is rich with stories of frontier exploration. From the extraordinary journey of Lewis and Clark in search of the Northwest Passage to the legendary adventures of John Wesley Powell in his quest to conquer the mysteries of the Colorado River — the country and especially the West have been defined by frontier adventures.

This summer, we marked the 40th anniversary of another major milestone in America's quest to push boundaries and explore new frontiers — the Apollo moon landing. The television images of Neil Armstrong descending the ladder onto the moon's surface captivated the attention of the world, rekindling the exploration spirit that lies within us.

Peter Corbett

Peter Corbett

Off-road-vehicle riders are battling to regain access to trails in Scottsdale's Granite Mountain area as the city reviews managing the land.

Preservationists and equestrians are adamant that Scottsdale permanently ban motorized uses on 16,000 acres of state trust land northeast of Pima Road and Dynamite Boulevard. The city intends to add the area to its McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

"There is no logic to allowing motorized uses in a preserve," said Tracey House, a longtime Scottsdale horse rider.

Jason Barry

It's a problem Ron and Monica Procunier would like solved.

"I would say it's a daily occurrence and on the weekends it's pretty much all the time," Ron Procunier said. The Peoria homeowner has had enough of all the off-road vehicles rolling through his neighborhood, then revving it up in the desert next door, which happens to be restricted state land surrounded by no trespassing signs.

Eric Bontrager

The Forest Service will re-examine plans for vehicle access on roads near the Grand Canyon in light of environmentalists' concerns about the proposal's hunting provisions.

Officials at Kaibab National Forest agreed last week to take a second look at its plan designating roads for off-highway vehicle (OHV) access in the Tusayan Ranger District, in particular looking at alternatives that would limit damage caused by the increased access for hunters in the forest south of the canyon.

Sean Dieterich

The Fourth of July weekend means more people coming up for a chance to relax and have fun. And the White Mountains allow for plenty of that, especially for ATV riders.

However, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office wants riders to be aware of state laws when riding so they can have a good time and avoid a potentially costly ticket.

Teresa Jun

Officers with the Arizona Game & Fish Department will start issuing citations to ATV riders who are not displaying a proper OHV Decal on their vehicles.

As of January 1, 2009, Arizona law requires the decal to be applied to the license plates of off-highway vehicles that weigh 1,800 pounds or less. That includes most all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes, and some sand rails.

Officers have been operating under a 6-month grace period, issuing warnings to riders who are not in compliance. But starting July 1, they will start issuing citations.

The decal costs $25 per year. It's a user fee that will generate revenue for improving off-roading trails and enforcing safety.

"We're going to be able to hire seven brand new Game & Fish officers," said Gabriel Paz, with Arizona Game & Fish. "And they're going to be 100 percent dedicated to off-highway vehicles."

Source: http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=10413071&nav=14RT

Felicia Fonseca

FLAGSTAFF — Kaibab National Forest officials plan to close about one-fifth of the roads in the Tusayan Ranger District in an effort to reduce damage to natural resources.

Officials point to scarred hillsides and meadows, roads marked with ruts and destruction of archaeological sites as reason to remove 143 miles of road from the district's 709-mile system.