Farmers fear ATVs are tearing up their fields

Written by The Belleville News-Democrat

Monday, April 19, 2004

CHICAGO -- As he gears up for spring planting, farmer Dennis Mueller has taken on another duty -- patrolling his property on weekends to spot riders of all-terrain vehicles who plow up his ground.

"They're not easy to catch, but if we can figure out their ... behavior patterns, we'll have a chance," said the Will County farmer.

Some lawmakers in Springfield are pushing for stricter laws to regulate ATVs, which are already banned in Illinois state parks and forest preserves -- except out on the ice when lakes and rivers freeze.

Under legislation pending in the General Assembly, ATV operators caught riding in a farm field could have their automobile driver's license suspended and face additional fines. Drivers of four-wheelers are currently subject to arrest and fines for trespassing if they drive on private property without permission.

The Lake County Farm Bureau asked state Rep. Kathy Ryg, D-Vernon Hills, to introduce the new measure. Lake County Board member Judy Martini said she's received dozens of complaints from farmers about ATV drivers using their land.

"They rip the crops to shreds," she said.

In Illinois, the use of the vehicles has boomed in the last five years, according to state records. In 2002, the secre-tary of state's office says 29,411 ATV titles were registered with the office, compared with 9,478 in 1998.

Environmentalists from California to New York are trying to enact tougher restrictions or all-out bans of ATVs, contending they damage plants and wildlife and cause disturbing levels of noise.
But ATV enthusiasts contend that the four-wheelers are no more dangerous to the environment than snowmobiles, which are allowed on forest preserve trails in many Chicago suburbs.
Some Illinois lawmakers say that targeting ATV owners for harsher penalties isn't appropriate.

"The real problem is you're starting to see a lot of competing interests for park resources," said state Rep. Edward Sullivan, R-Mundelein. "Not everyone wants to just walk around the park."

Source:http://www.bnd.com/

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“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.” As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM