Legislature tackles off-road vehicle use

Written by Cibola Beacon

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Rosanne Boyett

Referring to recent legislation Municipal Judge Corrine Padilla stated, “I don't handle very many off-highway vehicle citations but I think the information should be out there for the public to know.” She said during the past 11 years in Grants there has not been a marked increase in OHV cases. The judge identified summer vacation months as the season when most of these citations are issued.

Last year the state legislature updated the original 2005 OHV legislation. Current law describes types of OHVs, mandates Motor Vehicle Division registration for operation on public lands, protects natural resources, lists safety requirements, defines prohibited uses and stipulates penalty categories.

Thousands of acres are public domain in Cibola County. Much of this land is managed by three federal agencies. The U.S. Forest Services is responsible for the Cibola National Forest. The Bureau of Land Management is in charge of El Malpais National Conservation Area. The National Park Service administers El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments.

According to Mount Taylor Ranger District's Arnold Wilson, recreation coordinator, “Federal regulations generally take precedence over state laws and local ordinances. Cross-jurisdiction between entities and agencies does apply on federal lands.” He remarked no OHV restrictions apply in Cibola National Forest except for some specific areas. Wilson recommended checking with District Ranger Matt Ridey for current details.

The ranger district is completing a travel management plan, which includes environmental analysis of OHV usage. Public review of the proposed plan will occur late February or early March.

BLM Chief Ranger Ken Jones, El Malpais National Conservation Area, stated, “All vehicles are restricted to designated roads. A different set of rules applies to BLM-managed designated wilderness areas.” He noted all vehicle use must comply with state laws. Jones recommended checking current policies with local BLM offices.

The limited size of El Morro monument property prohibits OHV use, according to Leslie DeLong, chief of visitor services. Roads within El Malpais monument are primitive backcountry dirt roads. Legally licensed vehicles, including OHVs, can use designated roads within the property. All vehicles must meet state licensing and insurance requirements. Vehicles cannot be operated off designated roads and must be parked within 10 feet of the roadbed.

For additional information on specific public lands off-road vehicle policies contact:

Mt. Taylor Ranger District, District Ranger Matt Ridey. 287-8833; El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments, Chief Ranger Dana Sullivan, 285-4641; El Malpais National Conservation Area Chief Ranger Ken Jones, 287-6603

Source: http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2010/01/19/news/doc4b55e74467b48598050694.txt

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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