Off-Roading Motorists Vs. Mother Earth
by Kate Trainor on January 2, 2008
In the concrete jungle, off-road vehicles are obnoxious. But, deep in the wilderness, they’re even worse. So-called “sports motorists” (a terrible misnomer, if by “sport” they mean manhandling a gearshift) show their appreciation for nature by polluting brooks and streams, eroding soil, emitting toxic gases, and killing rare plant species—and probably live critters, too. (I can attest to this. On more than one occasion, I’ve nearly been run over while hiking remote trails that were once peaceful, quiet, and car-free. Now, instead of admiring wildflowers, I’m on the look-out to dodge oncoming A.T.V.s.)
Off-roading on public land throughout the Western U.S. is on the rise. No surprise, considering that so many car commercials glorify off-road drivers as rugged outdoorsmen. This ignores the obvious question, however, of why these mud-loving, mountain-scaling “sportsmen” (and women) don’t ever leave the driver’s seat.
Between 1998 and 2006, registration of all-terrain vehicles and motorbikes in four Western states tripled. Off-roading has grown twice as much, and twice as fast, as other outdoor activities popular in the west, like rafting and sightseeing. Given these sad stats, it looks like motorists may run nature-lovers into the ground.
The federal government has been struggling to come up with plans to accommodate the growing numbers of off-highway vehicles — mostly with proposed maps directing them toward designated trails — but all-terrain-vehicle users have started formidable lobbying campaigns when favorite trails have been left off the maps.
Even with the plans, federal officials describe an almost impossible enforcement situation because the government does not begin to have the manpower to deal with those who will not follow the rules.
The NYT also published this
video, which features the fight over public land use in Utah.
Conservation groups, environmentalists, scientists, and regular folk are fighting to preserve what little is left of the nation’s precious public lands, and to keep motorized vehicles from further destroying them. But, despite opposing outcry, motorists are winning the debate—and driving hikers, bikers, and birders out of their element. The problem is further complicated by the
surge in exurban sprawl, as many people now use protected public lands as their personal backyards.
According to the NYT:
Members of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, an environmental group that wants greater restrictions placed on motorized users, have tallied the total miles of motorized trails that would be allowed (about 15,000 miles) and the number of currently roadless acres that would no longer be eligible for federal wilderness protections (more than 2.5 million acres).
Lawyers for the group estimate that 82 percent of the lands in Utah that the Bureau of Land Management said had wilderness character in 1999 are now open for energy, mining or motorized recreation.
Off-roaders are in fits of rage over the restrictions, claiming that their “rights” are being violated because they’ve been denied riding privileges on public land. If they win the fight, the consequences will be dire. Car culture is bad enough on the streets. But in the back country? Birdsong will be drowned out by roaring motors, and nature as we know it will be more like a NASCAR race than a tranquil retreat.
Related posts:
- Bikes Belong Advocates for Cyclist Safety, More Trails
- Tips for Motorists, from Cyclists
- Celebrate Earth Day Sans Car
- Introducing Hummer H8: The Earth F@#ker
- Four Blocks of L.A. Go Car-Free for Earth Day
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I heard a best news about debt cycle. This is really nice post. Cars may kept us in cycle of debt. I hope that we will get more information from you.
There is also a misunderstanding by the public that is propagated by the dealers, and that is the general thought that a car is an investment. It is not an investment and is always bad debt if you didn’t pay cash.
Why is it that something as unfriendly to the owner, the planet and society at large seen as a status symbol? I think the real terrorists are behind the wheel of their four-wheeled weapons of mass destruction. In the last 20 years Australia has lost over 50,000 people to road traffic accidents, in the military this is called “friendly fire” yet cars are still marketed as sexy freedom machines. Is it sexy to kill small animals and children?. Car drivers are the sleeper cells that form the “axles of evil” this is the real war on terror. Overcoming this threat to our freedom and security is made more difficult by the grassroots community support and easy financial entry to the terrorist organisation. Like most evil organisations bent on world domination entry is easy escape is much much harder.
I must side with Mark on this one
It is not an investment and is always bad debt if you didn’t pay cash.
i had to add i a little ,but waht r going to do it is the american way
I must side with Mark on this one
It is not an investment and is always bad debt if you didn’t pay cash.
This is an excellent post. We sold our car recently and I am so happy it is gone! Cars are money pits and horrible investments. Plus they are destroying the planet. I though I would miss my car, but what I feel is a sense of relief. We are debt free and that is a fabulous feeling. http://rowdykittens.com/?p=361
This is good post. Recently i sold my car. I got some profit. I think it’s not an investment.
I must say, I never expected to see the day where I would be talking about anything other than reducing the debt, I’m running into the tyranny of zero, which is where you can’t reduce (the debt) any more
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Marvie
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