Hey, I haven't posted much lately. Been off doin' stuff. I apologize for posting something that I put up on another thread in response to an editorial (since lost) in the LA Times about "off-roaders" being nasty folks, but it seems appropriate. Some of you may have already read it. For that, I apologize as well.
[Posted 8/15/04]
Hey Gals and Guys,
I haven't posted anything for several months. Dealing with a family death and a move from CA to AZ, but this topic is near and dear to my wilderness-seeking heart. It must be a testimony to my age that here it is an early Saturday night and I seem to be the only one on this Forum.
Thanks Cecile for posting that editorial. It's not an unexpected POV nor is it singularly different. Unfortunately, many persons who own a 4WD think that it is their privilege, no, RIGHT to take their vehicle anywhere they wish to.
For twenty years I was a faculty member at a college-prep boarding school that owns 2800 spectacularly beautiful acres bordering the Los Padres Nat'l Forest. One of the 'hats' I wore during my tenure was that of Ranch Mgr. and I was responsible for overseeing the egress and ingress of the public through the school property.
There was a so-called 'county' road that transected the school property on its way to the NF. There were many spots where 'off-roaders' were too tempted to drive off the county gravel (it wasn't paved until the early '70's) and test their 4WDs on some attractive hill. The result was many ruts which would erode during the winter rains and damage the terrain for years to come.
One fall I had the extremely good fortune to be driving up this road when I encountered one of these 'off-roaders.' I have owned a 4WD of some type since 1962, so I am well aware of the temptations that we all must confront at one time or another. I believe that I have never, willingly, driven off established ruts and, even when I have found it absolutely necessary to do so, have felt guiltly for leaving tracks.
This kid, though, was having a blast driving his new four-wheeler up and over a small hill next to the road. As I pulled to a stop in my '64 CJ-5 he came down off the hill grinning from ear to ear, and I was certain that he wanted to challenge me to a hill-climb. His grin faded when I identified myself, took down his vehicle license number, and asked for his driver's license. He was reluctant to give me the latter until I showed him my sheriff's authority.
Then I proceeded to give him my sternest lecture on where and when to use a 4WD. In addition, I also schooled him on Trespass Law (the school property is posted along the right-of-way) and the consequences of what he had done.
His response was, 'Well, where am I supposed to try out my 4WD?'
I'm afraid that this is the attitude of many so-called 'off-roaders'. I agree with Bajataco. To some extent, any of us who venture onto dirt roads are 'off-road', and we know some dirt roads are worse than others. (Okay, let's not get into our favorite road south of Puertecitos.) It's unfortunate that the author of the editorial did not take the time to differentiate between those who use the benefits of 4WD appropriately and those who abuse the land because they can.
The outcome of the incident that I described above was beneficial. Instead of citing the kid for trespassing and pressing charges, I convinced him and his companion to come back and help me repair the damage he'd done. It took eight years for the land to recover, and that was with much help from us. In the meantime, that teen-ager matured into a young adult with a much better appreciation for restraining one's impulses. He missed only one or two 'sessions' during that eight years (His companion tired early.) and I believe that he took some pride of ownership in the results.
It's unfortunate that every off-road abuser cannot be confronted and made to serve in this manner.
... We should confront those who are abusing the land every chance we have. If we don't, we stand the strong chance of having many of the backcountry roads closed off.
This may be a personal response to this never-ending problem, but I am the eternal optimist when it comes to human nature and the responses we have a chance to elicit.
Allen R.