Illegal off-roading is a national problem

Joshua Tree resident Victoria Fuller has the Guest Soapbox in the Hi-Desert Star this week and writes about her experience testifying last March before a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on this issue:

The emphasis of my testimony was the impact on private property owners. I found that my concerns and the concerns I have heard from other members of the Morongo Basin were mirrored across the country.

The use of ORVs has grown exponentially over the past few years. Information to parents on the risks has not been disseminated and the impact to the community and local property owners is just being assessed.

Legislation that was discussed included: License plates for identification the same size as those used on cars; for children under age 16, limiting the use of ORVs to age-appropriate ORVs; suggested by the American Pediatric Association was not allowing use by any child under the age of 16.

Read the rest of Victoria's Soapbox here.


MORE INFO ON THESE ISSUES: On Community ORV Watch and on the Off-Road Vehicle page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Off-Road Vehicles.