DNR reminder: It's illegal to operate OHV on unfrozen public waters

Written by KFGO-AM

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds off-highway vehicle (OHV) owners that it is illegal to operate OHVs on unfrozen public waters. That includes off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, and recreational vehicles capable of cross-country travel on natural terrain without the benefit of a road. This includes motor vehicles licensed for highway operation which are being used for off-road recreational purposes.

Operating an OHV in wetlands or public waters in a manner that carelessly upsets the natural and ecological balance of a wetland or public water and/or exceeds minimal limits on wetland destruction can be misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors and lead to civil citation, fines, restitution and/or forfeiture of the vehicle. The DNR encourages anyone operating an OHV
to review the laws prior to recreation.

For more information, contact Steve Enger, Aquatic Plant Management Program, 651-259-5092, or your nearest regional fisheries office. Phone numbers are available at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/permits/water/index.html or by calling 651-296-6157 or toll free
888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

For more information on OHV regulations, contact the DNR Information Center 651-296-6157 or toll free 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

Source: http://www.kfgo.com/regionalnews_Detail.php?ID=10484

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Community Voices

“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