#21 – Challenges that Lie Ahead in Keeping Off-Road Areas Open

Threats to Off Roading

• PM10 (dust)
• AZ OHV Air Quality Law
• ISDRA EPA RAMP Comments
• Smoldering campfires – yes, it is being used against us as is the dust we leave on the trails.
• Speed limits on trails
• OHV Speed Limit Thwarted in Mohave County
• Noise pollution
• Moab Implements OHV Restrictions after noise complaints
• Biden’s 30/30 land closure policy
• Reality Check on Biden’s 30 by 30 plan
• Additional species that could be listed under the Endangered Species Act
• 16 Insect Species in the ISDRA – A Petition to list
• Only 5% make us all look bad – don’t be part of the 5%
• Trash- we are our own worst enemy with this one.  Pack it in, Pack it out – take out more than you brought in. Leave it better than you found it. Don’t be part of the 5%.
• Human waste, toilet paper blowing in the wind – again, it’s us – don’t be part of the 5%
• Vehicle emissions.  This is mentioned in many management plans – any wonder why?
• Management plans that close trails/areas
• Capacity Limits at National Parks – coming to an off-road area near you??
• Anti-access groups are well funded and not going to go away in our lifetime. AND they still beg for funds saying that they need MORE. Sierra Club Funding… The Nature Conservancy Funding… Center for Biological Diversity Funding (this is the org that temporarily closed 49,000 acres out of 70,000 at ISDRA).

 “OK, what can you do”?

There are many off road advocacy groups you can join: 

• The American Sand Association (ASA),  
• The Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC), 
• Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA), 
• >Friends of Oceano Dunes (FoOD),  
• >California Four Wheel Drive Association, 
• San Diego Off Road Coalition (SDORC) 

Their websites are full of the information you need. These fine organizations are involved in litigation, lobbying, and filings to keep our riding areas open, but it can’t stop there.

You can help. There are a lot of ways you can pitch in:

• Volunteer your time, money, expertise, goods and services,
• Contact your legislators.  
• Use the Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC) and Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) action alerts. 

All you have to do is sign up to be on their mailing list. 

You get newsletters to keep you informed on the latest threats to off-roading and you get action alerts where all you have to do is click. The work is 95% done for you. It’s all free but you can donate if you so choose.

Become informed — JOIN THE TEAM