LtE: Better ATV policing needed everywhere

I read with interest the Dec. 29 article regarding the damages done at the Camp Gruber ATV site. This damage will not stop until the area is completely destroyed or closed.

A few years ago I lived near Yellowstone National Park. At that time the Park Service was in the process of banning snowmobiles because the snowmobile crowd ran the wildlife to death. Elk, buffalo, deer, whatever were chased to exhaustion then left to cope with the bitter temperatures. This was in addition to the habitat destruction. The outrage over their "rights" from the snowmobile people was tremendous — no plan to stop the actions, just outrage over their loss of rights.

If one would go look, there are ATV trails in areas in which off-road usage is prohibited.

Routinely these are slob hunters who drive wherever during deer season with a beer in one hand and a firearm propped on their laps.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in its infinite wisdom prohibited Oklahoma game wardens from enforcement on Corps lands. The Corps has no desire to enforce their own laws, therefore, no enforcement. If you want to have a quick conversation try to call a Corps office and discuss this issue.

Look at the shorelines around Tenkiller controlled by the Corps. ATV users have unlimited access at any time and their damage is obvious.

The two most common themes: "I have a right to use my ATV” and “It’s only a few ATV-users."

But hunters, hikers, campers have rights, too, and if it is “only a few,” I shudder to think what the majority looks like.

Bottom line, the ATV industry is rich and powerful.

No one outside the state game wardens are willing to confront these people.

Deer season is the worst time in this area.

Loaded with high-powered rifles, these slobs pose a threat to everyone around them.

There is no fence, sign, designation or “rights” of others that they fear violating.

The Corps and other agencies need to enforce the law(s) or let our game wardens enforce them. Game wardens are overworked but at least there would be accountability.

It is obvious that self-control by ATV-users is out of the question.

Source: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/opinion/local_story_008162254.html

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