Putting emotions aside for a moment I think the debate is simple. The DNR or any Federal Agency for that matter is charged with controlling access to areas and ensuring that those areas meet applicable environmental standards. This goes for any land use; logging, grazing, ORV etc. If those environmental standards are not being met (ie. Sediment levels) then it the responsibility of those federal entities to rectify the problem. If the problem is people driving trucks through steams or creeks and increasing the sediment levels to unacceptable standards then the solution is stop the trucks from driving through the creeks. I don’t know the details but it seems to me that a mutually beneficial solution could be reached. With budget shortfalls I don't see DNR or another agency throwing a lot of money or time towards these issues that are simply solved by closures. I honestly believe that they have larger issues at hand and that situation is isn’t going to change any time soon. In my opinion those of us who drive our vehicles off road are a minority. A VAST minority. I also believe the minority "rights" should be protected. But, it isn't a right to drive off road if doing so is violating environmental standards. To me, it's that simple. If water crossings are the issue the ORV community needs to find a solution along with the responsible government agencies. Once the violation is rectified the right to drive there returns. Threading Lightly is our responsibility.
