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Sven Berg The battle over off-road vehicle use on public lands is quickly becoming a key front in the larger war over the West's great supply of natural resources.
Off-road vehicle registrations in Idaho have increased in every year since 1980, growing nearly 200-fold from a statewide total of 747 to more than 135,000 in 2008. The frenzy to enjoy the state's public lands on the back of an internal-combustion machine has coaxed off-road vehicle users out of the shadows and into an increasingly politicized debate about the use of motorized trails.
Like nearly all disputes over use of the West's public resources - grazing rights, wolf hunting, livestock-wildlife in-termingling - the use of motor vehicles on trails on public lands pits users against conservation groups, with federal judges and agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in the middle. And, as in other public-resource disputes, the financial stakes have risen as well-funded organizations on both sides lobby for influence.
Often, agency decisions don't satisfy either side. Trail users want more trails; conservationists want more trails closed. A particular flash point involves trails created by off-road vehicle users.
Last year, two conservation groups, The Wilderness Society and Prairie Falcon Audubon, sued the Forest Service for incorporating several user-created trails in the travel plan for the Minidoka District of the Sawtooth National Forest.
""The physical closure, obliteration, and restoration of non-system routes is critical to water quality protection, wildlife security, environmental protection in general, reduced user conflicts, and the minimization of adverse impacts caused by motorized recreation,"" the groups' complaint said.
But ORV users contend that many user-created trails have been in existence for years, if not decades, and are now integral to their recreation. They compare the trails to ski runs, saying the object isn't to move from one place to an-other, but rather to enjoy the ride. Some user-created trails even lead to popular destinations, such as campsites, said Brian Hawthorne, public lands policy director for BlueRibbon Coalition, an ORV advocacy group.
While he'd like to involve conservation groups such as The Wilderness Society and Prairie Falcon Audubon in the process of laying out travel plans on public lands, Hawthorne said, he's concerned their ideology is driven by contribu-tors who just want to see more trails closed.
""As long as their funding keeps up, they will continue to push for this philosophical view,"" he said. ""The money goes with the philosophies.""
Hawthorne said BlueRibbon isn't fully satisfied with the Forest Service's trail-use plan, but prefers the plan to the restrictions proposed by The Wilderness Society and Prairie Falcon Audubon.
""(The Forest Service plan) doesn't fall into the absolutely unacceptable,"" he said. ""On the other hand, there are some problems.
""'Minor' might not be the right word, but the point is, (objections to the plan) didn't rise to the level we couldn't ac-cept it.""
Meanwhile, public agencies are spending time and money to keep ORVs on sanctioned trails and reclaim unauthor-ized routes.
Their efforts include installing barriers and signs encouraging riders to stay on trails, as well as planting new grass on the unauthorized trails, said Ron Dickemore, a ranger at the Forest Service's Palisades District.
Used recklessly, ORVs can disrupt wildlife, especially during calving and fawning seasons, and lead to erosion. But with just one enforcement agent for the entire district, catching violators in the act is almost impossible, Dickemore said.
""Sometimes as fast as we do the rehab (off-trail riders are) right back there,"" he said. ""If you're a good rider, you can go most anywhere, but that's what we're trying to discourage.""
Ironically, when it comes to keeping riders on trails, riders' groups are often the Forest Service's best ally, because they educate their members about the importance of sticking to the trails, Dickemore said.
A group of public lands agencies in Idaho, including the Forest Service, BLM, Idaho Department of Lands and Idaho Department of Fish and Game, has also developed the Idaho Off-Highway Public Education Campaign, aimed at helping riders treat public lands with respect.
""That's the whole centerpiece of our campaign - to stay on trails,"" said Steve Stuebner, spokesman for the cam-paign. ""That's really the most basic thing in terms of trail ethics.""
Dickemore said the Forest Service's efforts to close and reclaim unauthorized trails shouldn't be taken as hostility toward ORV users. Like all users of public lands, he said, riders are accountable for their actions.
""People need to enjoy the national forest, but they also need to take care of it while they're out there enjoying it,"" Dickemore said.
Sven Berg can be reached at 542-6755. Comment on this story on Post Talk at www.postregister.com/posttalk/.
Ten tips
The Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle Public Education Campaign offers the following 10 tips for staying safe on off-road vehicles:
1. Stay on established trails: Cross-country travel can increase soil erosion, ignite wildfires, spread noxious weeds and damage wildlife habitat.
2. Ride in control: Ride within your abilities and your machine's capabilities. Never attempt anything that is beyond your skill level.
3. Wear appropriate safety gear: At a minimum, this should include a helmet, shatter-resistant eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and boots that cover the ankle.
4. Only carry passengers if your vehicle is specifically designed to do so: ATVs and off-road motorcycles are gen-erally designed to carry only one rider. Carrying passengers can alter the balance of the machine, causing a loss of con-trol.
5. Riders younger than 16 should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
6. Be prepared for an emergency: Always carry a tool kit, spare parts, a first-aid kit and survival equipment when you ride.
7. Respect closed areas and private property: The future for OHV access is in your hands.
8. Avoid wet areas and waterways: They are a vital resource for plants and animals.
9. Don't cut through switchbacks: Taking shortcuts damages trails and causes erosion.
10. Share the trails and make friends with other trail users: Stop or slow down and lower the noise and dust levels when approaching horses, hikers and others. -- Source: http://www.postregister.com/ |
