Phil Parker

SANTA FE - In the latest step toward limiting vehicle use , Santa Fe National Forest officials presented management proposals Thursday that could dramatically reduce the portion of the forest's 1.7 million acres that are open to motorized travel.

"It's going to be a big change for a lot of folks," said Deputy Forest Supervisor Erin Connelly.

April Reese

A travel management plan for a popular hunting area within Arizona's Kaibab National Forest would restrict off-highway access to designated roads -- except for hunters who need to travel off-road to retrieve big game.

That provision is drawing fire from environmental groups, which last year appealed a similar policy on a neighboring district within the Kaibab forest, citing concerns about impacts to endangered species.

Dale Bowman

This is not a good story, yet bizarre: Clay A. Reeves was indicted today for reportedly running over several deer with an all-terrain vehicle in DeWitt County in February.

Reeves was taken into custody by Illinois Conservation Police and was transported to the DeWitt County Jail, where he was held on $15,000 bond.

John E. Usalis

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Several residents of the Butler Township village of Big Mine Run strongly voiced their complaints Tuesday against all-terrain vehicles producing excessive noise during the monthly meeting of the Butler Township supervisors.

The issues of noise and safety concerns involving ATVs and off-rode motorbikes were raised during supervisors' meetings about two years ago. The main complaints were the constant noise, particularly on weekends, when the recreational vehicles are in use in nearby Reading Anthracite mining areas, and ATVs driving on state and township highways, which is illegal.

Dave Buchanan

It’s now officially permissible to use state grants from user-funded off-highway vehicle programs for law enforcement and landscape restoration, following recent action by the Colorado State Parks Board.

While such grants in the past have been used for law enforcement, particularly by federal land-management agencies using state grants, the move by the parks board clarifies that use as part of the grant process.

Keith Trout

Lyon County Sheriff's Lt. Rob Hall reported to those present at the Dayton Regional Advisory Council meeting that the department is actively working on bringing members of the community together on the issue of off road vehicle noise and fugitive dust.

Resident Stacy Patterson said she attended the meeting specifically because of an article on the subject in the Dayton Courier: "I know there's a lot of angry citizens --I grew up here and we stayed here --and we don't want to loose the privilege of riding (off road vehicles). Is there a way to work together as a community to work on this issue and keep our riding freedom?"

Jennifer Smith

The death of two piping plover chicks earlier this month at Robert Moses State Park has prompted an investigation by federal wildlife officials - and a new protective fence that, for now, blocks off-road vehicle access to fishing spots on the bay side of Democrat Point.

Piping plovers are small, federally protected birds that nest on the open beach, leaving them vulnerable to predators and disturbance from beachgoers and vehicles.

For years, we've championed the need for public access to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area.

Sharon McBrayer

Morganton -- Commissioners will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposed amendment to the county ordinance regulating off-highway vehicle use on private property.


The Burke County Board of Commissioners’ hearing also includes a zoning text amendment to the ordinance regarding commercial racetracks. 
Off-highway vehicles are ATVs or off-highway motorcycles or other vehicles used for recreational purposes. 
The ordinance proposed to regulate riding on private property addresses noise and dust levels. The ordinance says sound levels can’t be above 65 decibels at any point on a property.