Letter: No place in this natural state park for ATVs

Written by Idaho Statesman

Monday, March 29, 2010

I am opposed to allowing ATVs at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park. There are legitimate places on "public lands" for the use of such vehicles. Units of the Idaho state park system should be the best examples of Idaho's natural and historic heritage. As "one of the largest sand dunes in North America," Bruneau Dunes is worthy of state park status.

If the director of Parks and Recreation has the authority to make such a radical change to the management parameters of such a state park, then there is an obvious flaw in the statutes that define what a state park is or isn't. Perhaps a legislative proposal to clarify the definition of "state park" is necessary to end the madness and prevent further aberrant proposals.

If ATV use does get approved, then it would be better if "state park" is removed from the title and the land be given back to the BLM. I will mourn the loss of a great piece of Idaho protected landscape and never camp at Bruneau Dunes again.

DENNIS MCLANE, retired BLM, Boise

Source: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/29/v-print/1134006/letters-to-the-editor.html

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“During the past decade, I have personally had six out of seven elk hunts ruined by the careless intrusions of ATV operators. This epidemic has forced me to abandon one prime hunting area after another, only to encounter the same situation elsewhere. The shameful part of this picture is that the overwhelming majority of these ATV’ers are young and healthy, not decrepit or physically challenged. Maybe these riders would be more respectful of other people's outdoor experience if they knew we could ID them."

- Bill Sustrich, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers