Not an ATV rider, but i know several people here are.
Corps proposal would limit use of vehicles off-road
The widespread use of off-road vehicles around Oklahoma's lakes exacerbates soil erosion and leads to increased sedimentation in the reservoirs. Both cause problems to the natural habitat.
To address these problems, officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Tulsa District have proposed a policy that would provide limited exceptions to its prohibition of off-road operation of motorized vehicles.
"It's always been a violation of the rules to operate motorized vehicles off the roads," said John Tennery, a natural resource management specialist with the Corps' Tulsa District. "But there are legitimate reasons to allow the use of vehicles off designated roads."
In the development of this policy, Corps officials are accepting public comments for off-road vehicle use at all 38 of its Tulsa District Lakes. The district covers all of Oklahoma and parts of southern Kansas and northern Texas.
Under the provisions of the proposed policy, the operation of motorized vehicles on Corps of Engineers roadways would be governed by the prevailing state and local laws.
Off-road operation of any motorized vehicle -- golf carts, all-terrain and sport utility vehicles, and motorcycles -- would be prohibited except in designated areas or by special permit. Volunteers approved locally to perform certain work and contractors working for the government would be eligible for permits that would exempt them from the prohibition.
Under the proposed policy, the disabled could apply for permits that would allow off-road access to lakes for specific areas
and periods of time. Permits would require medical documentation or the standard blue placard and must be approved by local lake managers.
According to the policy proposal, lake managers would work with local officials and homeowners associations to identify areas where lake access is limited and additional access points could be established without damaging the environment or impacting protected shorelines.
The public comment period closes April 21. Tennery said the agency hopes to implement the policy before the summer recreation season begins. The full text of the policy may be read online at www.swt.usace.army.mil. Comments may be submitted to Tennery at [email protected].