But fairness is only part of the equation. BLM managers must also act quickly as they weigh the often-devastating effects of uncontrolled OHV use on Utah's natural outdoor treasures and the complex issue of how the delicate ecosystems of the state's deserts and mountains can survive and co-exist with OHV users and non-motorized recreationists.

Smart's office is responding to a petition from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, but BLM managers shouldn't wait for conservationists to prod them before taking action to protect public lands.

Traditionally, BLM field offices go through a complicated process to adopt new use plans that include designating public lands as open, closed or limited for off-highway vehicle use. Five of the state's 11 planning areas are currently undergoing revisions that will include OHV trails. But the process of updating those plans takes years, and areas that are popular with off-roaders can't wait that long.

BLM field offices that oversee threatened areas like the Vermilion Cliffs should follow Smart's example and consider emergency restrictive orders to get a jump-start on closing some areas to off-road vehicles.

Right now, the sensitive Vermilion Cliffs area near the Arizona border is classified as open in the current land-use plan that dates back to 1978. That means the popular vehicles, which have sold in the tens of millions in the past decade, can go anywhere, destroying sensitive plants and soils that depend on a critical balance to maintain clean air, watersheds and habitat for wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in 1999 that "with an increase of off-highway vehicle traffic, i.e., motorcycles, four-wheel-drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service have observed the spread of noxious weeds, user conflicts, soil erosion, damage to cultural sites and disruption of wildlife and wildlife habitat."

It is vital that the BLM educate OHV users regarding both the effects of unrestricted OHV travel in sensitive areas and the trails where they can safely ride their vehicles so that those effects are kept to a minimum.

We believe that most people, once they know that there are many miles of trails that are appropriate for OHV riding, will obey the law and keep to designated trails.

Of course, there will always be some who feel it is their right to destroy public lands and don't care what damage they do. The BLM, ideally with the help of pro-OHV organizations, must act quickly to rein in those irresponsible riders and preach to everyone the importance of responsible recreation.