Big Ed wrote:
> While we are being honest about the issues, let's point out
> that traveling across an unmarked, unposted, and unfenced
> portion of open desert land is not necessarily "damage".
And Rick responded:
Well now, that attitude is exactly why the OHV crowd is so disliked.
Here are some other reasons the OHV crowd is so disliked. Please keep in mind that these are all fact stating the impacts of OHV's:
1) Harming archaeological sites , cultural areas, and destroying historical artifacts
2) Tearing up hiking/horseback trails
3) Crushing animal burrows and running over wildlife, including Endangered species
4) Facilitating fossil poaching
5) Trampling and destroy sensitive vegetation thereby increasing erosion rates and potential for flooding.
6) Running over wildlife including endangered species such as the desert tortoise
7) Frightening wildlife with ORV noise and preventing them from hearing sounds important for mating, avoiding predators, and finding prey.
8) Producing 118 times as many smog-forming pollutants as automobiles.
9) Destroying important riparian areas
10) Leaving behind leaking oil, transmission, brake, and other noxious fluids into the water and soil making the habitat toxic to wildlife
11) Creating illegal trails on public lands
12) trespassing on private property
ORVs create conflicts with almost every natural resource and resource user on public lands. 38 of 59 National Parks have reported serious damage to their resources from ORVs.