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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| fourwheelin |
Posted - 10/30/2009 : 9:24:20 PM
The US Forest Service has issued the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for too many areas that will CLOSE the Forest Floor to Public Use. Also, USFS is trying to "control" Private Lands that provide for OHV.
QUESTION; Has anyone in their area heard of this going to happen to their trails? If so - PLEASE post here for others to be aware and then go to
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/public-land-use-rights.html
and sign the Petition so we may STOP USFS/USDA/BLM and those other people from taking our Land Rights. You may also check out our club site on the first page with many links to explain about the closures.....www.ouachitaatvadventureclub.org |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| fourwheelin |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 12:10:05 PM
The trails that I ride.....I keep them up. I think myself and many in our clubas well as those riding in the group have more hours taking care of trails than USFS. We are not bashful when it comes to those who think that "someone else" will clean it up or repair it - for us to inform them to take out more than they brought in or repair as needed. We have spent days just picking up trash left behind from visitors and then just as much time fixing problems.......the trails belong to all of us.....instead of complaining to USFS to do it......we get it done faster and correctly.
The US Forest Ranger District for Mena/Oden (out of Hot Springs,Ar.) is attempting to close the forest floor from all of us. The ATV Trail System Wolf Pen Gap, will even loose ATV Trails. That system is only 31 miles of trails/roads now. Many people from surrounding states are members of our club and they travel too far just to help repair or clean up trails. This brings revenue to the local economy. Closure will have a great impact if the USFS closes access from the public.
It shouldn't matter where you ride, we ALL need to stick together. Once USFS/USDA/BLM sink their teeth in and make many closures......getting them opened again is impossible. Filing a suit will exhaust the public long before the government gives in.
We all have the same interest - riding the trails......so we need to become ONE to Save the Trails.
Maybe sign this petition so it can be presented to the House Committee - USFS - USDA- BLM and save All the Trails
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/public-land-use-rights.html |
| astynax |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 11:39:02 AM
Kisatchie and Red Dirt Districts still have trails available. I just drove some last week. They're seasonal because hunting is also allowed but they're there. Some "mudders" have been chewing up the Sandstone trail so the ranger has had to close it the past couple of weeks. The ranger and I went and looked at some of the damage together (turns out my heap was better suited to getting around in the mud than his FS issued vehicle).
I spent some time talking to the people who run Kisatchie about the problem last Thursday (too much rain to do anything else) and at least in the districts they run they're having to manage a catch 22 situation. Everyone wants the lands to be open, but they also want comprehensive wildlife conservation to maintain the quality of hunting available (Red Dirt is one of the few areas you see deer, turkeys AND quail in numbers). Unfortunately, you can't have yahoo's running their ATVs where ever they want and be able to allow for a good breeding season. So... ATV and dirt bike use is limited now to specified trails during with some "closure" dates to prevent people getting shot while riding past rifle hunters.
The FS went as far as creating a new multi-use trail called Sandstone (and Juliana, I need to update my review. That is one seriously nice trail. Only vehicles with <50" wheelbase alas). Trail use is free but some induhviduals have been making their own *significant!* mud holes on the trail driving up the cost for the FS to maintain the trail. So now, the trail is being closed when there are more than 2 - 3 consecutive days of rain. Obviously most people aren't morons who go around tearing up the landscape for fun, but it only takes a few to destroy what people work pretty hard to build and keep.
So... when we talk about trying to keep public lands open for use, we also need to talk about taking responsibility for maintaining those lands and being realistic about what is and is not practical. You can't have everything, there has to be some compromise amongst all the users and not everyone is going to get their way. Also, when you see someone going out an ripping up a trail or leaving trash behind say something. Those people are the prime reason we've been losing access to both public and private lands. Hunting was on it's way out as a pastime until hunters became conservationists. We have to do the same if offroading is going to survive.
Ok, off the soap box. |
| juliana |
Posted - 11/01/2009 : 02:44:36 AM
hmm... we don't even have any public lands open to motor vehicle use in IL... 
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