Triggers For OHV Closures

[Grumpy]

Setting triggers to curb illegal off-road vehicle use
By Bethanie Walder


December 22, 2009

I was intrigued and pleased to see an article in the Spokane, WA Spokesman-Review the other day highlighting potential snowmobile closures as a result of illegal activity. Since beginning to research off-road vehicle enforcement issues nearly 5 years ago, Wildlands CPR is always on the lookout for off-road vehicle enforcement changes that impose real consequences for bad behavior. In our Six Strategies for Success Enforcement Report, for example, we discussed the importance of setting triggers for closing areas based on illegal activity:

Set triggers for closure orders based on violations.
Especially for routes through sensitive areas or where illegal activity is a problem, set and publicize parameters for keeping routes open.

While it makes a lot of sense theoretically, land managers have not been quick to take such action – often blaming problems on “a few bad apples.â€

[Danny]

Sounds a lot like trail watch to me. Kind of a drastic approach, but if it works, great.

But, those that are fonding one illegal way in are going to find another illegal way in. And if they can't do that they'll go somewhere else their not supposed to be....keeping with the "few bad apples" idea.

[OldGreen]

I like it in theory. . .

Who wrote that?

[iaccocca]

I like it in theory. . .

Who wrote that?

http://www.wildlandscpr.org/blog/setting-triggers-curb-illegal-off-road-vehicle-use

Bethanie Walder Wildlands CPR

Wildlands CPR revives and protects wild places by promoting watershed restoration through road removal, preventing new wildland road construction and stopping off-road vehicle abuse.

[Grumpy]

Actually, they want to stop OHV use, period, if you really get into looking at the site. I use them as a source quite a bit...

[iaccocca]

Yeah, that seems to be obvious, they just play at being moderate.

[Grumpy]

Glad someone besides me is looking at some of these other sites...I've posted some of the "better" stuff over on PNW, and didn't get so much as a thank you for caring on some of them. Pretty annoying, when that's the outfit 'sposed to be the head of our efforts to stay in the woods

[iaccocca]

You trying to draw me in on a PNW fight.

[iaccocca]

Our members include hunters, hikers, cross-country skiers, photographers, business owners, anglers, scientists, students, teachers, parents and many others.

Italics mine.

They love to add the Cabelas crowd. "See, it really isn't all us REI guys and gals. We must be moderate."

[Beep Beep]

In order to increase peer-pressure within the off-road community to reduce illegal activity, one approach may be to close the legal areas or access routes that lead to the illegal use. In practice, then, not only would those who violate the rules be impacted by the closure, but those who don’t violate the rules would be as well. This should encourage law-abiding off-road vehicle riders to pressure their fellow riders to also follow the law. While we think this is a smart approach, we know of very few examples, if any, where it’s been tried. The point of an approach like this is to tie responsibility to recreational access. If the off-road vehicle riders want access, then they have to follow the rules and ride responsibly, if they don't, they'll lose their access.

Dave did you let these guys know about ORV Trail Watch? Also this should be posted on the ORV Trail Watch forum. If it is, I missed it.

The DNR has started a program to do the same thing. I am one of many that has became a DNR Forest Watch Volunteer for the Ahtanum State Forest.

[Grumpy]

Clay do you really think we'd be able to talk to these folks?? Go look at the site Lee posted. They are not going to be receptive to us...

[Beep Beep]

Clay do you really think we'd be able to talk to these folks?? Go look at the site Lee posted. They are not going to be receptive to us...

Most likely not but they should know we are out policing out own.