April 11, 2000

Is it a big step in the right direction, or just a "feel good" public relations move? That's the question after a coalition of government agencies pledged to join to tackle the growing problem of off-road-vehicle use and abuse on public lands. News Specialist John Daley has the story.

The number of off-road-vehicles in Utah has skyrocketed. It now tops 100,000, at least twice what it was just a decade ago.

Most enthusiasts obey the rules. The question is what to do about those that are riding roughshod, doing damage to the land?

Here's the problem: Spectacular Utah treasures like the San Rafael Swell are getting hammered by off-road-vehicles. The trailmachines destroy vegetation, cause erosion and pollution.

Most folks ride responsibly, but bullet-riddled signs and threats to rangers are not uncommon.

Proposed wilderness areas, like the Moquith Mountains, are off-limits to ORVs. Here, warning signs have been ripped out and some teens say they weren't aware they were breaking the law.

James Thompson/Dirt Bike Rider: "I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT BIG OF A DEAL. IT DON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO ME."

Today--a move to change that trend. The state, the Forest Service and the Bureau Land Management sign an agreement on managing ORV use.

Bill Thompson/Utah ORV Coordinator: "WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE A POSITIVE STEP. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE CAN DO IT. WORK TOGETHER WITH EVERYBODY AND MAKE IT BETTER."

The deal calls for a multi-agency technical team to meet at least once a year for the next five years.

The goal: Develop better maps and signing for riders, more enforcement and education.

Trailriders say the plan is a good thing.

Bruce Steadman/Utah Powersports Dealer Assn.: "THEY'RE BUYING THE THINGS, BUT THE PUBLIC WANTS THEM. THEY'RE SELLING MORE CARS, SO WE BUILD MORE HIGHWAYS. THAT'S THE SCENARIO, SO WE FIX THAT. THE REASON PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEM IS BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT THEM, SO WE NEED MORE TRAILS."

But conservationists are vocal in their skepticism, asking pointed questions in the press conference, and spotlighting the plan's shortcomings, that there're no specifics, and no new money to implement it.

Steve Bloch/So. Utah Wilderness Alliance: "IT SEEMS TO ME WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING IS A LOT OF HAND-HOLDING AND A LOT OF TALK WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANCE."

If that's true, it's lip service the land can ill afford.

This spring and summer should be a good gauge to see if this effort is working. The BLM has closed some popular trails in the San Rafael Swell, but some wonder if that'll be enough to stop the rogue ORV rider.