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RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITY
It’s often said that dirt-bike riders and all-terrain vehicle operators have a ‘right to ride’. However, I believe that along with that right comes the responsibility to support efforts to better manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation on public lands.
As a national OHV leader, I believe we need to be actively involved in scientific research projects that will help land managers better plan for trail-related construction, reroutes, and staging areas. Also, permitted events such as enduros, dual-sport rides, and poker-runs will benefit from science-based management prescriptions. Several years ago, the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) teamed with the
According to the
Testing occurs once in May while the owls have young in the nest, and again in July when the owls have fledglings. During the simulated enduro events, owl behavior will be observed and recorded by a team of researchers. Physiological response will be gauged by measuring levels of stress steroids in the feces of the owls and comparing them to levels before the simulated enduro and to levels in control owls that are not exposed to riders. The number of young produced at each site will also be recorded and compared between sites near roads with heavy OHV use and more remote sites.
Because of Endangered Species Act related concerns about the NSO in the
I believe OHV recreation suffers from a lack of good scientific research upon which management decisions should be made. This study will replace that void with data that can be used to better manage OHV recreation on federal forest lands.
Many BRC members and others are already involved in club activities that include volunteer trail projects and educational outreach. Looking for ways to partner with the scientific community is just another way that riders may promote a responsible land-use ethic.
*To learn more about this research project go to: www.ohvstudy.com # # # Don Amador writes on environmental and recreation issues from his office in Oakley, CA. He is a consultant to the BlueRibbon Coalition. He may be reached by email: damador@cwo.com
Don Amador |