Private Property Owner Voices

Private property owners across America are expressing concern over the growing problem of reckless ORV riding and are looking for common-sense solutions like visible identification and stronger penalties for illegal riding. Read what they’re saying:

"We have reached a point of desperation as we witness our rural communities taken over by off-roaders who have no respect for our private property rights. Many of our calls for help are ignored because there is insufficient funding and support for law enforcement who are often overwhelmed by the problem. In our communities, ORV trespass and nuisance is a major complaint to law enforcement both local and federal." -- Victoria Fuller, Private Property Owner of Joshua Tree, Speaking Before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Public Lands (3/13/08)

"I'm asking the City Council to please consider this again, because at this point my life is a nightmare. I listen to this noise for hours every day. I can't even go into my own backyard because I can't breathe." -- Kim Ormond, homeowner, "ATV ban issue returns to council", Braidwood Journal (9/14/10)

"We have almost 100 homeowners who are pretty upset. We are really, really concerned. The Forest Service wants to take nine miles of illegal trails and legalize them, reward people for doing something illegal." -- John Fitzgerald, president of the Summerwood Homeowners Association, "Tenderfoot trail plans stir criticism," Summit Daily News (1/6/09)

"A person has the right to use their land, but the neighbor has a right to be protected from excessive nuisance noise," -- Wayne Perreault, homeowner, "Warrant article aims to put a lid on noise", Union-Leader, (2/12/11)

"It's very disruptive when they come zipping down the road. They're here all the time. Some day somebody is going to have a terrible accident. There is no way this is going to stop unless something terrible happens." -- Tina, property owner, only identified by her first name because she fears vandalism from neighbors who ride ATVs. "All-terrain vehicles plague Pocono roads", Pocono Record (5/17/10)

“I chose to live in a rural area for the peace and quiet, country lifestyle...Why are the rights of the ATV club superseding my rights as a property owner? I’m not against ATVs. My dad has one. We have snowmobiles. Are you going to listen to the voice of the people who will have to deal with this trail every day? Ask yourself this, if this trail was going within 150 feet of your front door – would you still be in favor of it?” -- Angie Hins, property owner, "'Don't tread on me:' ATV trail foes again attend meeting", Brainerd Dispatch (4/28/10)

"They ride up and down the street, rev their engines repeatedly before entering the woods and upon exiting. The noise is so loud that they could be in my living room/den, which is at the back of my home. I am often awakened by the noise in the morning." -- Dawna Koretsky, property owner, Haverhill, MA, "Crackdown on ATVs on rural road gets result", The Eagle-Tribune (12/16/09)

"When I take people back there on foot or on horseback, they are uniformly awestruck by the beauty and silence that is woefully lacking in their lives. Without this additional layer of protection, the Indian Creek Area will eventually fall prey to the same abuses and destruction, in the form of unauthorized or additional authorized off-road traffic, that other public land in our area has fallen prey to." -- Dan O'Brien, rancher, "S.D. senator hopes to garner rancher support for grasslands bill", Land Letter (7/8/10)

“It’s so aggravating to think they could care less. All I want to do is keep people off my property and keep them from driving up and down the  river, which is illegal.” -- El Pruitt, Brazos River, TX property owner, "A line in the sand — made of boulders", Mineral Wells Index, (10/12/09) "They like to race back there, and the noise is incredible. It just sounds like a race track, and as dry as it's been, it's just a big dust bowl...What I would consider the most troublesome part is, we've heard gunfire. I have two small children, and that scares me to death." -- Brian Cagle, Homeowner, "Police to crack down on off-road vehicles," The Decatur Daily (6/10/07)

“If they keep abusing this privilege, we can lose the whole damn thing. We are not about to let that happen. We know there are people abusing it, and when we catch them, they are going to pay. All they are going to do [if the illegal acts continue] is ruin it for everybody. It breaks my heart that people even think about doing this,” -- Brian Wiley, a Millinocket Area Trails Committee member, "Dumping, trespassing threatens ATV trail network", Bangor Daily News (5/20/10)

"I'd like to see one strike and you're out. If they run over your beans, you should be able to take their ATV." -- Dwight Beery, farmer, "Ross County farmers want to toughen ATV legislation", Chillicothe Gazette (6/16/10)

"Him mistaking my yard for a field would be like mistaking a field for a jetlanding strip." -- Tom Hyde, resident of Camas who recently spent $4,600 on a fence to keep off-roaders off his property, "Couple: Off-roaders make peace and quiet elusive," Lewiston Morning Tribune (9/4/08)

"These ATVs are so fast that you can't catch them. I yell and holler at them, but that doesn't do anything." -- Tom Torrans, Co-Chair, Crocker Pond Recreational Area Committee, "Some wonder how ban on ATVs can be enforced", Sentinel and Enterprise (8/15/10)

"All we want is our quality of life back on Saturday and Sunday and to enjoy it. It's every weekend until its pitch dark. There's underage drinking going on. It's only a matter of time that someone is going to get hurt on that mountain." -- Big Mine Run resident Michael Dross. "ATV/motorbike noise rattles Big Mine Run Residents", Republican Herald (7/22/10)

"They're aware that there were complaints. Now, we're just getting retaliation. Last Saturday they were near my house constantly from the morning. There are two and three going up at a time. I heard through a friend of mine that they know we're complaining and they're basically going to give us hell." -- Butler Township resident requesting anonymity for fear of further retaliation, "Crackdown on ATV nuisance noise at Big Mine Run," The News-Item (8/22/08)

"With the population increasing and the level of maturity dropping, I feel it is time for the community to do something about these riders. There’s no excuse to use the roadways as raceways.” -- Roberta Rothwell, property owner, "Community member asks for action on ATV regulations", Silver Pinyon Journal (6/16/10)

“We've had people trespassing, running over crops, running over fences, and running over places that they shouldn't be. When you run over beans and mash them in the mud, you can't pick them up with a combine, so you lose that crop." -- Tunica farmer Abbott Myers, "ATV Trespassers A Nuisance For Farmers", WPTY-TV (3/11/10)

“Just walking our dog has been dangerous when they fly by at 50 miles an hour,” -- Amy D'Angelo, lives along the Hojack trail, "ATV club seeks access to county trail", The Citizen (1/21/10)

"We are property owners. We wish to live in peace and get along with our neighbors. We are the ones who live here year-round, pay the taxes and maintain our home…The ATV and snowmachine riders use it at will. We were getting 'visited' at all hours of the day and night by unwanted strangers, so I blocked it, legally, with bright orange pallets, orange flagging tape, barbed wire and very visible 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property' signs, logs and big rocks. When I first placed the barriers, they were thrown aside and run over. I actually have 'No Trespassing' signs with tire marks on them! I have also been accosted by ATV riders who call me foul names and say they are going to keep on riding through my property whether I like it or not." -- David W. Asche, "'Hard nosed' ATV enforcement needed; Points of view from the community," Anchorage Daily News (7/20/07)
 
“We never touched him. We are not violent people, we are professional people. We're just sick and tired of these ATV-ers coming up to our area.” -- Leroy Rupert, land owner, "Couple sentenced in ATV ambush", The Record-Courier (4/9/10)

“I have property up here because of the peace and quiet. They are cutting trees, trespassing on adjacent property and driving the wildlife away.” -- Dean Kusiak, property owner, "Neighbors, developer spar over Motomania", The Claire County Revie (4/9/10)

"You can't go in the back yard from all the dust, and it's noisy. It's deafening when they rev up their engines, and dust goes into the house. We can't open our doors." -- Benjamin Cabuella, Vallejo property owner, "Off-roaders stir up dirt, problems," Vallejo Times Herald (11/7/08)

“If we’d wanted to live a few steps away from a busy street or a noisy, smelly, muddy eyesore of a racetrack, I would not be living where I am.” -- Thomas White, property owner, "Lincoln residents oppose ATV trail proposal", Bangor Daily News (4/14/10)

“If you want peace and quiet to reign in our neighborhoods call your supervisor and demand that Ordinance 3793 remain unchanged. If you want to return to the days of orv lawlessness in our neighborhoods don’t say a word — let the supervisors cut the guts out of the law. The ordinance is up for discussion soon. Act now!” -- DS Wenzel, property owner, "Your view: Another vote for piece and quiet", The Desert Trail (1/27/10)

"As a resident and property owner in these areas, I have lost track of the times that I have had close calls with quad riders coming around blind curves at very high rates of speed and almost crashing into my truck or Jeep… Also, many riders do not respect posted private property…Maybe if the considerate responsible riders will lean on the rest, you might be able to slow the loss of riding areas." -- J. Davis, Clipper Mills. LtE, "Rude off-roaders tarnish reputations," Appeal- Democrat (10/20/08)
 
"How much can we take?" -- Nancy Ross, Bartow resident responding to a new ORV park, "County OKs Off-Road Vehicle Park," The Ledger (10/8/08)
 
"The operation of motor vehicles to travel upon the lake beds is an improper use no matter how you wish to look at it. The upland owners are... tired of being awakened in the middle of the night by parties where they should not occur in the first place." -- Harry Hazen, "Residents want unruly off-roaders kept out of nearby lake beds," The Florida Times Union (6/30/08)
 
"I have been a property owner in the town of Middleborough for over 35 years and, until the advent of the ATVs, have envisioned my property (30 beautiful and wooded acres full of wildlife and bridle paths) as a sanctuary for the use of friends and family...So, I'm afraid I have little sympathy for these people who ride indiscriminately through private land. I've confronted several - and there is a significant age range, from 10 to 30-plus - who shrug off my outrage and return another day. Last summer, my 2-year-old grandson ran into the path of two ATVs driven by thirty-somethings. When confronted by my irate daughter, the men merely shrugged indifferently and sped away. To this day, my grandson is fearful of the woods, and asks constantly, 'Will the big trucks come today?' What happened to simple respect for the rights of others? I feel powerless as a property owner. I don't know how to stop these people from destroying my land. I hardly feel that it is mine anymore." -- Patricia Ryan, Middleborough Resident's Letter to the Editor, "ATV riders show disrespect to land," The Boston Globe (9/11/08)
 
"It's gotten out of control...They go within feet of my deck and rev their engines as loud as they can. I've complained to police and now I'm here to ask for your help." -- Elise Hoffman, North Andover Resident, "Dirt bikes, ATVs draw ire of Haverhill residents", The Eagle-Tribune (6/26/08)
 
"People are sick of seeing and hearing them all day and half the night. Where I live, they go flying up and down the streets. They go on private lands and don't wear helmets…All the ATV and snowmobile clubs have to help with this. If we don't, we will lose all the trails. The land owners will take back the lands." -- Gerald Booth, Deering - Letter to the Editor, "Quieting ATVs," The Concord Monitor (12/13/08)
 
"Why are so many people, public servants included, so badly informed about landowners' rights, off-road vehicles, and the so-called privilege of trespass? The landowner has the absolute right of deciding who can or cannot be on the land. The absence of "No Trespassing" signs does not automatically imply that wheeled access is allowed. The laws clearly state that anyone wishing to use another's land for wheeled recreation (i.e., ATVs) must have explicit permission." -- John Harrigan, New Hampshire Union Leader Columnist, "John Harrigan: Items from mind, mail," New Hampshire Union Leader (6/29/08)
 
"Who wants to spend a weekend listening to those machines (ATVs) revving up? Also, there's dirt, dust, exhaust. When you live in the country, you expect to enjoy the peace and quiet. A chain saw is OK once in a while, but not this." -- Priscilla Bailey, Madison property owner reacting to proposed ORV park, "Neighbors Sling Concerns about ATVs," The Post Standard (10/13/08)
 
"I don't understand. When you pay taxes on your land, that is your land and your land only. It's not for vigilante's to take advantage of. It's not public property and I don't want them out here." -- Ray Alberty, Surry County property owner, "Trespassing problem near Mitchell River," Mount Airy News (10/12/08)
 
"It's hard to live with on a daily basis, it's depressing, it's just a horrible thing to see right in your back yard." -- Ann’s Butte resident on reckless ORV use, asking to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, "Ann's Butte Closed to Off Road Vehicles," KOHD-ABC News (1/14/09)
 
"It's become very adversarial. They'll come up right on your tail. They know we're frustrated and have contacted the police, and it's become a game with them." -- Kathy O'Neill, Property owner, "Dirt bikers disrupt peaceful Amy Hart Path," East Bay Rhode Island (3/12/09)
 
"We also have the issue, especially up here in Diamond Hill and the surrounding reservoir area, of teen-aged drinking, speeding and the absolutely out of control rampant, arrogant and obnoxious use of ATVs on our public roadways, especially on Reservoir Road, where on Thanksgiving morning, approximately 23 ATVs came tearing up Reservoir Road, all at least two- to three-times over the speed limit, not giving a damn about the noise, turmoil and disregard of our laws or showing any respect for the properties of those that they ripped across or the peaceful quality of life that most people seek on such a day as Thanksgiving." -- Tom Letourneau, Cumberland Resident - Letter to the Editor, "Waste haulers, teen ATV-ers, trashing our neighborhoods," The Valley Breeze (12/11/08)
 
"It's Grand Central Station...They're going at 6 in the morning and coming back at midnight...They're hootin' and hollerin' and having a good time." -- Becci Rowe, Resident of High Meadows, "High Meadows Off-roaders hope to curb 'outlaws'," Rapid City Journal (4/5/07)
 
"They [ORVers] rip our fencing in half and ride through anyway. They come up in trucks and haul our firewood right out. They steal our "No trespassing" signs. And there is major dumping. It is unreal what they are dumping -- wood, mattresses, barbecues, old washers, all kinds of crap. We've had them come right in and shoot. We've had bullets going through our trees, shooting over at our house with shotguns." Marcie Taylor, Eagle Mountain property owner, "Eagle Mountain considers trails for off-roading," Daily Herald (1/28/09)
 
"I can't open my windows because the dust will get into my home, and now is the time of year that people like to open their windows at night." -- Perry Lynch, 21-year resident of southeastern Chesterfield County, "A 'balance of rights'; Chesterfield considers ways to control privately owned dirt tracks," Richmond Times Dispatch (10/7/07)

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites