Many of those violators were cited near state parks or in concentrated places such as Little Sahara Recreation Area where 350 citations were issued during the Easter holiday.
The numbers show that irresponsible all-terrain-vehicle users are flagrantly violating rules even in places where officers congregate, driving recklessly and off-roading illegally on closed trails or in off-limit areas. We can only wonder what they're doing in isolated areas where enforcement is sporadic at best.
In fact, we don't have to wonder. Groups concerned with degradation have documented evidence of damage done to fragile public lands by renegade off-roaders who have little regard for vegetation, wildlife habitat, watersheds or, increasingly, cultural resources that include centuries-old archaeological sites. Responsible ATV users have corroborated the complaints. In fact, the Bureau of Land Management says many citations result from complaints of other off-roaders.
A lack of officers to enforce rules and delays in producing BLM management plans with maps showing designated trails are both to blame for rampant abuse by a small minority of off-roaders. Until the BLM has more enforcement funds and begins to do a better job of managing ATV use, the sad reality is the agency must rely on volunteers and other ATV users to police public lands.
The damage being done to archaeological sites is particularly alarming. There is a chance that eroded lands can be reclaimed, if illegal off-roading is curbed. But ancient dwellings and artifacts, once vandalized or looted, are gone forever.
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Great Old Broads for Wilderness have produced a revealing report that ties vandalism and theft at cultural sites to illegal ATV trails. Recapture Wash near Blanding is one such area. So far, the BLM has done little to halt pothunters on ATVs at the wash.
Congress needs to recognize the mounting problem of unmanaged off-road vehicle use, provide funds and require the BLM to better protect public lands and their priceless cultural remnants.
The Bureau of Land Management says many citations result from complaints of other off-roaders.
