Letter: BLM's application is much needed

I’m writing to applaud the Grand Junction field office of the BLM for submitting a very thoughtful application for needed law enforcement to the state Off Highway Vehicle Grant Program. Last summer, new guidelines were unanimously approved by the State Parks Board which paved the way for law enforcement and restoration grant applications to be considered for funding.

The BLM’s grant application underscores the need for more law enforcement patrolling OHV areas and justifies the changes made by the Parks Board. I applaud the BLM’s grant application.
The BLM’s Grand Junction field office manages 1.5 million acres of public land, yet it has not had a commissioned law enforcement officer dedicated to the field office for years. This has led to a feeling among some reckless, off-road riders that anything goes.

The state has stepped up to address the problem of reckless off-road riding by providing resources to the federal government through this $4 million grant program. Now it’s time for the feds to step up. A first step would be to increase the fines and penalties for reckless riders – surely OHV clubs could get behind a strong and consistent set of deterrents to ensure reckless riders don’t ruin the fun for everyone else.

A second step would be to require all off-road riders to have visible ID tags on their machines. This would greatly help officers track riders from a distance and allow peers to report bad behavior, greatly increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of every law enforcement dollar.

I hope that the BLM’s grant is approved by the State Parks Board so the agency can put the needed boots on the ground to manage OHV use on our public lands.

Fruita

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