Sinking Creek 4WD Association

Hi all,

Yesterday while at lunch, I was having a discussion with an avid hiker/ conservationalist about her opinion on OHVs so that I could see how the "other half" thinks. Without boring you with the details, she didn't mind OHVs so much if they would fix the damage they cause on public lands (silt in rivers, accelerated erosion, etc). We came up with the idea of instituting an OHV operator permit. It would be similar to a fishing or hunting permit, but the proceeds would go towards erosion and silt control, and possibly a portion to BRC and U4WDA.

What are your thoughts? I am personally for the idea, and i think it would go a long way to making people recognize that we are passionate about our hobby, and are willing to help alleviate any problems way may cause. Also, it would shoot down any thoughts that we expect to use public lands for free.

hklvette wrote:Also, it would shoot down any thoughts that we expect to use public lands for free.

Why is that a good thing? They are PUBLIC for a reason

There is something like that already, most parks that allow OHV's you have to pay to wheel on their land. It would be hard to keep track of the people that wheel illegally, you just have to remind people to tread lightly and wheel in places they have permission too and punish people that are caught breaking the rules.

Good thought, but shit like that never really works the way it is intended. And it would give legislators a foot in the door to make offroading more restricted. Besides, how much erosion and silt does offroading cause? Is there a number to those thoughts or are you speculating? How much does montain biking cause for that matter? Or horseback riding?

MILLER wrote:Good thought, but shit like that never really works the way it is intended. And it would give legislators a foot in the door to make offroading more restricted. Besides, how much erosion and silt does offroading cause? Is there a number to those thoughts or are you speculating? How much does montain biking cause for that matter? Or horseback riding?

I'm just spek-u-latin. Its a common argument used against off-roading, so i figured it was appropriate to mention it.

The whole kit-n-kaboodle for me is how do we keep land, public or private, that we can wheel on open? In the last month i've read at least a half dozen threads on land/ trail closures on pirate, and wanted to throw an idea out there that i haven't heard about, but have seen implemented in other hobbies.

Arya Ebrahimi wrote:

hklvette wrote:Also, it would shoot down any thoughts that we expect to use public lands for free.

Why is that a good thing? They are PUBLIC for a reason

X2. i pay a number of states every year so i can catch the fish they put in the water that they created.... i would feel better about fishing and hunting licenses if i could actually see where my money goes. same thing would apply for wheeling. but most places now charge a fee anyway.

Hunting and fishing licenses fund most outdoor recreation opportunities and probably some of our offroading.

do hikers pay to hike? do bikers pay to bike? horseback riders to ride?

see where this is going??

hikers, bikers, campers, riders and everyone else accelerates errosion .... do they pay a tax / fine / fee for doing it??

i understand your point ... but you cant negate mine either.