CRIT to close areas to off road vehicles

Written by Parker Pioneer

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Joan M. Travis

The Colorado River Indian Tribes will be closing off designated areas around the Town of Parker to off-road vehicles.

According to Acting Chief Game Warden Ray Aspa stated, "It's a safety issue and we have been hearing complaints over the years."

There was a public hearing for the proposed amendments to the CRIT Land Code Dec. 3. Aspa stated those attending supported closing the areas to off-road vehicles.

The four designated areas will include: the Badenochs area; the area around the Parker Indian Health Center, across Agency Road, to Arizona Avenue, to the property line of Lazy D Trailer Park; the third area behind Parker Unified School District's bus barn; and the fourth area, land around La Paz Regional Hospital and the old drive-in.

Aspa also added the area behind the bus barn will be the site of a new Head Start school.

Anyone on an off-road vehicle must stay on existing trails.

Aspa told the Pioneer the areas that will be closed off will have posted signs. Anyone not complying with the land code will be cited.

He added anyone who gets permission to off-road on tribal land by the owner may do so.

In the proposed amendment off-road vehicles impact "soil resources and fish and wildlife, and lead to the deterioration of air quality."

Also, any off-road vehicle "to be operated within the exterior boundaries of the reservation, the owner must apply for a ORV permit for $25, for the calendar year.

According to the proposed amendment there are four exemptions to the ORV permit:

Enrolled members of CRIT;

If the ORV will be used exclusively for farming operations;

During any off-road race sanctioned by CRIT; and

Any law enforcement agency, as authorized by the Tribal Council.

Aspa stressed the importance of the safety issue; especially those under 18 years of age must wear a helmet and have eye protection. Off-road vehicles must be in good repair and have working brake light, taillight, headlight and reflectors.

Also, portions of tribal land on the California side will be closed to off-road vehicles.

Source: http://www.parkerpioneer.net/articles/2009/12/16/news/parker04.txt

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"We can't continue to utilize the Black Hills in the fashion we have, particularly in the past 10 years. Just because the hill is there doesn't mean we need to climb it and produce another trail. Those ruts are there for years."

-- Tom Blair, ORV rider and owner of Whistler Gulch Campground in Deadwood, "Changes coming for ATV riders", Rapid City Journal (10/18/09)