off highway vehicles: management and issues in the east valley presented by: officer kriselle colvin...
TRANSCRIPT
Off Highway Vehicles:Management and Issues in the East Valley
Presented By:Officer Kriselle Colvin
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Background• AGFD responsible for OHV management• Huge increase in OHV use, very limited
resources to manage that use– A 347% increase since 1998
• Legislation in 2009 requires OHV decal on any public lands– Registration and decals administered by DMV– Funds allow for education, enforcement, grants,
habitat damage mitigation etc.
OHV Issues• Safety– Helmets– Riding double– Speed
• Dust• Know before you go• Cross Country Travel and Habitat Damage– Road proliferation and widening– Kiddie areas– Riding on stock tanks
Livestock tank that unlawful OHV use has essentially destroyed from livestock and wildlife perspective.
Route proliferation and widening. This used to be the intersection of two, two-track roads that livestock operators use to maintain range improvements.
This “OHV track” was forged in one weekend in January 2014 by unlawful cross-country travel. As of January
2015 two more loops have been added.
Described as a “Glamis Camp”, many of which can be found most weekends from November – March. Note wildlife habitat loss and cross-country travel affiliated
within short distance of the camp.
Another “Glamis Camp” (note fire ring bottom center). Adults in these camps typically let children ride cross –
country from camp resulting in significant adverse effects to the desert
What Can We Do?
• Educate users about the consequences– Closures!!!
• Advocate for designated routes– Designated routes facilitate
enforcement and keep areas open
• Be a safe, ethical and responsible operator
How to Get More Information
• https://azgfdportal.az.gov/OHV
• http://www.azstateparks.com/ohv/ambassadors.html
• http://treadlightly.org/quick-tips-for-responsible-atv-riding/