ATV complaints pour into sheriff's office

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Written by Walton Sun   
Friday, December 04, 2009

Recently, the Walton County Sheriff's Office has received several calls concerning the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the Liberty Community, several miles outside of DeFuniak Springs off U.S. Highway 331. One resident on Harrison Drive says “there's about four or five young people who frequently drive at high speeds, mostly on weekends and holidays”.

Florida Statute allows ATVs to be operated during the daytime on unpaved roadways where the posted speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour by a licensed driver, or by a minor under the supervision of a licensed driver. But unlike Florida Statute, Walton County Ordinance (20-22) prohibits any use of ATVs except on private property.

The ATVs have mostly been seen riding on unpaved roadways, but there are other instances where they've been on the right-of-way along Walton County Highway 1084.  They also have reportedly been seen going into the county dirt pit behind the Liberty Community Center.

Walton County Sheriff's Officials would like to remind residents and visitors alike that any use of ATVs other than private property is not permitted. The offense is considered a second degree misdemeanor which can carry a fine up to 250 dollars.

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Source: http://www.waltonsun.com/articles/one-3896-harrison-walton.html



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“As a rancher who leases public lands for cattle, I’ve seen my share of cut fences and rangeland damaged by ORV use. I’ve also experienced ORV trespass onto my private lands. But I’ve had no way to identify the culprits when reporting trespass or illegal ORV use to local law enforcement. Congress should require that ORVs used on public lands have visible identification plates or decals. Doing so would remove the anonymity enjoyed by ORV riders who are bent on breaking the rules.”

- Ambers Thornburgh, second-generation rancher from Oregon who grazes cattle on his private land and adjacent lands leased from the Bureau of Land Management