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.
