Thanks for the head's up Woodsy! I can't find the article online, so here's a copy of what the CCC sent in. Note that I penned it, but the CCC/Board approved it as a message from our entire organization.
---
To: As the Reader See’s It – Muskegon Chonicle
From: Jeramey Valley, CCC Board of Governors
Re: Recent anti-ORV articles
I'd like to offer a slightly different view of motorized recreation in the State of Michigan, in response to Mr. Alexander's article "Boom in ORV riding taking it's toll on land". His article was published by the Chronicle on November 20, 2005. I'm speaking on behalf of 5000+ members of the Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, a family oriented motorized recreation group in existence since 1968.
Is there damage being done by ORVs on our Public land? There is some damage being done, by a minority of careless/clueless riders. As with most things in life from drunk driving to jay walking, there are a small percentage of all groups that insist on ignoring the rules and laws established by society. ORV operators have taken a stance against such negative behavior and even put their money and time where their mouths are. Part of Michigan's ORV Program includes money dedicated to restoration projects which address the carelessness of a few. That money is derived solely from User Fees collected via DNR licenses for ORVs (an ORV sticker). Since that program's inception, over 2.4 million dollars have been spent on restoration projects.
Motorized recreation enthusiasts are also heavily involved with protecting and sustaining our Public lands, as well as fighting to ensure appropriate access for all members of the Public. We take direct action to protect the forests by multiple projects including trail maintenance, Adopt a Forest, Forest Clean-Up and Arbor Day tree plantings. We also stay involved with and help shape Forest Plans and management practices to ensure that the Public is not locked out of their land. Many proposed changes to these Plans, that we disagree with, would close hundreds of thousands of acres to the Public whether they are on foot or ATV. By being involved with the public comment processes and our working relationships with Land Managers we are able to shape the future to everyone's benefit.
ORV enthusiasts have also been successful in opening the county roads to ORV travel in two counties just recently. Those counties join a long list that have already done so, many years ago in fact, including most of the counties in the upper peninsula and three counties in northern lower Michigan. Ogemaw county was the most recent to implement such local legislation in 2005 with Iosco preparing to enact theirs on January 1st. Ogemaw county has found a number of startling facts which are quite contrary to the fears expressed by many USFS and DNR Staff. The local communities have obviously benefitted economically from the tourism dollars brought in by ORVers, they have also found unexpected financial benefits in less obvious areas such as increased Real Estate purchases from those same ORV enthusiasts who now want to obtain property in an area friendly to their choice of recreational pursuits. What may come as a shock to the nay-sayers is that ORV related citations have decreased dramatically since the roads were opened to them in these counties. The feared environmental damage has also not occurred, nor have increases in ORV related accidents both on or off road.
ORVers pay for their recreational pursuits in several ways. Their trails are paid for and maintained by dollars generated solely from the DNR license fee that all ORV operators must pay. This money also pays for law enforcement, both County Sheriff and DNR Conservation Officers. Additionally it provides for the mandatory safety and education training all youth operators must complete. Separately from the ORV Program, an excess of 1 million dollars are paid in State and Federal motor vehicle fuel taxes by ORV operators. That money goes directly to the maintenance of Public roads, the same roads that most ORVs are not permitted to use.
Rider education, responsible riding, sustainable forest management and enhanced recreational opportunity are all items that the motorized community are striving for. These items are reflected well in the ongoing State ORV Management Plan revision. These same values are shown in the US Forest Service's recent policy requiring all Management Regions to implement Recreation Plans that encompass motorized recreation. Michigan is three steps ahead on most all of these items as they already have plans in place which have been in effect for many years.
Getting the remaining 1% of violators on board with the rest of us, as with most things in life, remains a challenge for all. Each time we find a "one percenter" and share our views and values we get closer, especially if they change their ways immediately. As our education, awareness and outreach programs continue to expand, we progressively see the negative behavior decrease while at the same time participation and sheer numbers grow by leaps and bounds. Providing safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities for our friends and families remains a worthy and achievable goal.
Sincerely,
(my stuff in here)