Crowdog
10-10-2002, 04:14 PM
Inyo National Forest
Thu, Oct 10, 2002
Forest Cracks Down on Illegal OHV Use
Most people with off-highway vehicles (OHVs) follow the rules and regulations and use their machines appropriately and responsibly. However, there are people who violate laws governing OHV use in the Inyo National Forest.
With growing numbers of OHV recreation enthusiasts in the Eastern Sierra, there is a concurrent increase in the number of people who do not wish to follow the rules established to protect the natural resources. As a result, OHV recreation activity is an increasingly high-profile management issue on the Inyo National Forest.
Some trespass is unintentional. For example, tracks are sometimes found that go a short distance into wilderness and turn around. With the recent opening of deer-hunting season, a record number of four-wheel-drive, all-terrain vehicles, or "quads," have been observed in the forest. Most quads are being used to access remote hunting locations and to transport camping equipment. In effort to prevent unintentional trespass, the Forest Service is monitoring wilderness-boundary signs and making improvements where needed. These actions, combined with increased use of global positioning system equipment by hunters, appear to be reducing the amount of unintentional wilderness trespass by OHVs.
Other efforts have been launched to address the violation of laws governing OHV use. The Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Land Management have joined forces, with the support of motorized and non-motorized local recreation groups, to increase patrols and public presence in popular areas. Particular focus is being given to areas where wilderness trespass and natural-resource damage are occurring. Increased patrols and monitoring by this partnership have resulted in increased citations. During the opening weekend of hunting season, citations were issued in the McGee Mountain area for illegal off-road travel.
Special enforcement patrols will be used during the remainder of the fall season to protect wilderness boundaries, prevent natural-resource damage, enforce California vehicle codes, and provide information, education, and direction to the public about where to ride safely and legally. In addition, local OHV groups are continuing to actively self-monitor and educate their members and visitors about appropriate OHV use. "The Mammoth Lakes/Eastern Sierra Four-Wheel Drive Club does not condone the illegal use of our wilderness by unscrupulous four-wheelers or hunters ignoring local wilderness boundaries," said Brian Hamilton, president of the Club. "They are threatening the use of our lands and our home area."
Trespass by OHVs into Congressionally designated wilderness and causing natural-resource damage on public lands (mainly through creation and proliferation of trails) are Class-B misdemeanors under Federal law. Citations for wilderness trespass and natural-resource damage range from $250 to $500. Repeat offenders face fines up to $5,000 and/or seizure of their vehicles.
For information on appropriate use of OHVs on National Forest lands, please contact Forest Service Patrol Captain Jerry Cimino at (760) 873-2513. - INF
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Copyright 1990 - 2002 Mammoth Times
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/OHV_Crackdown10-10.html
Thu, Oct 10, 2002
Forest Cracks Down on Illegal OHV Use
Most people with off-highway vehicles (OHVs) follow the rules and regulations and use their machines appropriately and responsibly. However, there are people who violate laws governing OHV use in the Inyo National Forest.
With growing numbers of OHV recreation enthusiasts in the Eastern Sierra, there is a concurrent increase in the number of people who do not wish to follow the rules established to protect the natural resources. As a result, OHV recreation activity is an increasingly high-profile management issue on the Inyo National Forest.
Some trespass is unintentional. For example, tracks are sometimes found that go a short distance into wilderness and turn around. With the recent opening of deer-hunting season, a record number of four-wheel-drive, all-terrain vehicles, or "quads," have been observed in the forest. Most quads are being used to access remote hunting locations and to transport camping equipment. In effort to prevent unintentional trespass, the Forest Service is monitoring wilderness-boundary signs and making improvements where needed. These actions, combined with increased use of global positioning system equipment by hunters, appear to be reducing the amount of unintentional wilderness trespass by OHVs.
Other efforts have been launched to address the violation of laws governing OHV use. The Forest Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Land Management have joined forces, with the support of motorized and non-motorized local recreation groups, to increase patrols and public presence in popular areas. Particular focus is being given to areas where wilderness trespass and natural-resource damage are occurring. Increased patrols and monitoring by this partnership have resulted in increased citations. During the opening weekend of hunting season, citations were issued in the McGee Mountain area for illegal off-road travel.
Special enforcement patrols will be used during the remainder of the fall season to protect wilderness boundaries, prevent natural-resource damage, enforce California vehicle codes, and provide information, education, and direction to the public about where to ride safely and legally. In addition, local OHV groups are continuing to actively self-monitor and educate their members and visitors about appropriate OHV use. "The Mammoth Lakes/Eastern Sierra Four-Wheel Drive Club does not condone the illegal use of our wilderness by unscrupulous four-wheelers or hunters ignoring local wilderness boundaries," said Brian Hamilton, president of the Club. "They are threatening the use of our lands and our home area."
Trespass by OHVs into Congressionally designated wilderness and causing natural-resource damage on public lands (mainly through creation and proliferation of trails) are Class-B misdemeanors under Federal law. Citations for wilderness trespass and natural-resource damage range from $250 to $500. Repeat offenders face fines up to $5,000 and/or seizure of their vehicles.
For information on appropriate use of OHVs on National Forest lands, please contact Forest Service Patrol Captain Jerry Cimino at (760) 873-2513. - INF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1990 - 2002 Mammoth Times
http://www.mammothtimes.com/times2002/OHV_Crackdown10-10.html