Signs of R.E.S.P.E.C.T - OHV Management in the 21st Century

 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

QWR believes that respect for the resource on private, state, or federal lands is an essential part of any sustainable OHV program.

As you know, QWR believes that a quality signing program conveys the land manager’s commitment to both the resource and the public.  It is then up to the user to respect those management prescriptions that have been developed to enhance and protect the recreational experience for this and future generations.

The concept of designating roads, trails, and areas to reduce environmental impacts has been around since the 1970s.  In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued Executive Order 11644 to control the use OHVs on public lands, to protect the resources, and to minimize conflicts among various uses.

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter issued Executive Order 11989 that directs federal land managers to close areas to OHVs where said use will cause considerable adverse effects on natural and cultural resources. It also orders the mitigation of those impacts before the route can be reopened.

Since those early presidential directives were issued, Congress has passed many laws and regulatory agencies have promulgated numerous rules, including the Forest Service’s 2005 Travel Management Rule, to govern motorized use.

Despite that ever growing list of regulations, there are many units that have robust and growing OHV programs where new trail opportunities are being created, new partnerships are being developed, and long-term plans for managed motorized use are in the queue.

Law enforcement officers that QWR talks with continue to state that even though it appears that OHV access to public lands is a complex issue, the actual rules that govern the sport are very simple and easy to comply with.

Those access tenets are as follows:  Use a sound compliant exhaust system that has a functioning spark arrester, have a valid license or permit, and stay on designated roads, trails, and areas.

This is not to say that OHV has an easy path ahead.  There certainly will be more rules and regulations that will be implemented to address water quality, soil loss, and wildlife impacts over the next 5-10 years.  There will be more meetings to attend, stakeholder groups to join, comment letters to write, and trail decisions to defend or challenge in court.

However, if trail enthusiasts can show respect for the resource and follow those simple three rules, QWR believes our future looks relatively bright and secure.

Signs Indicate Level of Agency Commitment to Trail Management

Signs give the trail user a lot of very useful information.  Signs often tell us what vehicle types are allowed on a certain route, the difficulty of the trail, or a route number that is keyed to a map.  Signs are one of the primary ways the agency communicates with the public.

When doing a site-review of a recreation facility or route network, signs also inform me as to the level of commitment that unit has to its OHV program and public safety.

In the attached photo, you will see on the left a newly installed “mixed-use” sign that identifies what portion of a forest road is open for non-street legal OHVs.  It is well placed and current.

On the right of that photo, you will notice that I had to hold a sign so a fellow rider could see it.  It appeared the post had rotted out many years ago and both it and the sign had been cast to the side of the road.

QWR believe signs are an important travel management tool.  However, they also convey to the public the level of commitment the unit has to managed OHV recreation.  Without exception, you can be assured that a well-signed unit has made a commitment to the trail community.

A management unit with few signs, missing signs, or poorly maintained signs is sending a signal to the user that the agency does not care about the area or you. 

What sort of “signal” have you been getting from the land management agency where you ride? 

# # #

Eureka Access Champion Signs on as Individual Supporter for 2011

Dale Warmuth Pointing to a Trail He Wants to Keep Open on the Six Rivers NF

Quiet Warrior Racing is grateful to Dale Warmuth for his recent individual sponsorship.  Dale continues to be an access champion on the North Coast of California.  Not only is he a strong supporter of the OHV land-use fight, he is a darn good rider too.

QWR Blog with Dale Listed as Individual Member

http://quietwarriorracing.blogspot.com/

Dale and his family support many other OHV and non-OHV local and national charities. QWR is honored to call Dale a friend and is also thankful that he waits for me to catch up to him on trail rides.