The issue of access is consistently muddied by individuals who don't care one way or the other about anyone but themselves. For example,
With the off road driving group, there are very good organizations that promote responsible driving and the 'tread lightly' concept, and then there is the huge group of offroaders who really don't think about any of that stuff.
I don't think there is any easy answer. The only solution that comes to my mind is self policing, but that has not happened.
So as a result, roads keep getting closed. A shame really, but what other options are there?
There is so much emotion involved, and arrogance, and self entitlement attitudes it seems hopeless.
A great personal example is: Some time ago (on this forum) I questioned someone who, while on an 'expedition' climbed up on a relic and removed an artifact. Ostensibly for taking a picture.
So here is a member of this community altering the environment that they are driving through. Now you could say that it was done in a responsible way etc etc. But the fact remains that they did something that can be construed as damaging. When I asked why, I was slammed very hard and told to mind my own business.
So what happened? The net result is me going away thinking that even this responsible group promotes activity that is damaging to our history and environment. So now take the clueless person (read rabid environmentalist) who effects law changes and road closures. They see this and only have their ideals confirmed.
I think that we need to self police, and always, I mean always, be ready to answer to our actions in a responsible way.