Pat Manus wrote on April 04, 2008 05:21 PM: where around las vegas can I ride my dirtbike with out being hassled by blm officers. Are there marked areas?? If not, how can they write tickets when areas aren't clearly marked/designated?Is it up to officers to make judgements on all riders?? There are very large dry lake beds around that are great for casual riding, is the3re anything wrong with these areas? Please let me know where I can find info on this, the blm website offered no help what so ever. Thank you,concerned recreational biker trying to enjoy "public" lands.

Phil Klasky, Community ORV Watch wrote on March 24, 2008 09:31 AM: Please note that we are organizing a conference on ORV abuse of our private and public lands on Saturday, April 5th at the Joshua Tree Community Center. Visit our web site www.orvwatch.com for more information. ORV abuse is an national problem that has reached a crisis point. Communities are organizing to protect our private property, businesses and public lands from widespread destruction. We also need to educate our youth to respect the environment and the rights of others.

Ed Patrovsky wrote on March 17, 2008 10:51 AM: As a retired BLM Ranger, I am appalled at the escalating damage ORV's are doing to Public Land. I recently went hiking on a BLM and Forest Service foot and horseback trail near my home, in an area clearly posted as closed to ORV's. A gate designed to prevent ORV intrusion had been vandalized and broken, with numerous ORV tracks inside. The trail tread has been damaged by cross-riding from illegal ORV's. Not an officer from either agency anywhere around. From personal experience, I know that ORV violators are far more than a "Small minority" of riders. During this explosion of ORV use, the law enforcement staffs of BLM and Forest Service have shrunk, and officers have been shifted away from resource-related duties to exotic details. BLM does not have 196 Rangers as Asst. Director Bisson claims; I doubt they can field 150, with all the vacant positions that are unfilled. Without adequate enforcement programs, the agencies' new route designation systems are doomed to failure.

Dave wrote on March 17, 2008 09:57 AM: I struggle with this issue, one side I use my truck and ATV off road for access to hunting, fishing, to clear snow, for transportation in rural areas and for fun.
The other side I have been “dusted out” by jerk riders have had hunts/shots/photo shots spoiled by riders, seen first hand the damage they cause when the don’t stay on roads (it is massive), the damage they do to fences and blocked roads trying to go around. I hate bans on ATV’s and off-road travel because it usually limits access to good areas for the majority of law abiding people. The ATV crowd and lobby are doing themselves a disservice by not addressing this issue. If they don’t the anti's will.

Dc

Dan Heinz wrote on March 17, 2008 09:55 AM: Although they are many,ORV users are still very much in the minority of federal land recreation users. Only about 5% of National Forest visitors go there to ride ORVs. Only about 18% of BLM visitors go there to ride ORVs.(see agency web sites) ORV users are relative newcomers with very expensive toys, impacting large amounts of land environment and wildlife per day, . In addition, administering ORV use is far more expensive per visitor day than administring non-motorized use. All that and ORVers degrade or displace all traditional public land recreations. Hunting,fishing, family camping, hikers, horseback riding etc outings are all damaged by people there just to ride their vehicle. Use of ORVs to tour federal lands on carefully located and limited designated routes is legitimate. If ORV users do not stay on those routes then total ban may be needed. Some National forests have been forced to do just that. (USFS retired)

Roger wrote on March 17, 2008 08:16 AM: While there are some ethical off roaders, thirty to fourty percent of them have little respect for private property owners. I live in Amargosa Valley and I have had to call the sherrif on about 5 of these idiots in the last year for tresspassing on my property. They ride right by the posted signs. Sometimes I wonder if they can actually read. They leave their trash and unsightly tire tracks everywhere. I am tired of seeing their scars all over the desert. I am totaslly for regulating these irresponsible people.

Jamey Thompson wrote on March 17, 2008 07:08 AM: Sid,
Would you explain to me how an ohv destroys open desert miles from any city? Any tracks left behind, which are not destroying anything, are smoothed out with the next rain and wind storm, or have you never ventured out into the desert far from town? Acutally you are illiterate and un-informed just like all the non ohv users who bitch and know nothing about what they are talking about, just like you.

Sid wrote on March 17, 2008 05:30 AM: Shut em down. The five percent illiterate are destroying the place.