Arizona Game and Fish announced on March 10, 2008 that the Arizona House of Representatives had just passed House Bill 2573, (also known as the off-highway vehicle, user fee bill) by a vote of 43 to 13. House Bill 2573 would provide resources to better manage Arizona’s growing off-highway vehicle (OHV) use while protecting wildlife habitat. OHVs have seen a 347 percent increase in usage in Arizona in the last few years, but law enforcement and trail development have lagged far behind. Through this legislation, dollars would be provided by a nominal user fee to create new law enforcement positions, new land and habitat mitigation for damaged use areas, and more trail construction. The bill now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration. As you may remember, last year the bill failed to pass the Senate by just one vote. To learn more about this legislation or to contact your Representative or Senator go to our OHV legislation Web site at: http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreat...islation.shtml. Posted March 11, 2008.


What do you guys think?

 

That's a tough one, in my opinion. If it's a pass that we'd be able to purchase at the start of the year and not have to get out of our Jeep at the start of every trail head to fill out a little form, I'd be OK with it if it were in my area. With a jump in user days like we've seen, there have to be funds allocated to take care of the trails. I'd love to think that all the OHV users would take care of the trails themselves, but that's just not the case. It sounds like most of the wheelers on here are responsible, and it sucks that we have to pay the price for the irresponsible ones, but if that's what we have to do to keep the trails open, that's what I'll do.
I hate seeing things like this have to happen, but it seems to be a necessary evil in many high use areas.

 

x2.

We don't have anything like that that I am aware of in CO. I could see the need for it. A yearly pass would be ok with me, or even a different license plate to designate that we paid for privleges off-road.

But don't let the CO house see this post, it will give them ideas!

 

Yeah... no kidding.

 

I don't get all the legal mumbo jumbo, but basically, if it's like the State land permit that we get today, which is $20 for 12 months, then I'm good with it. Unfortunately the reason for this is mostly due to ATV's & dirt bikes. It seems every other family has them now and I've watched them just tear up the trails.

 

I know what you mean. I know that there are responsible ATV drivers out there, but there is a larger percentage of ham fisted idiots on ATVs compared to other user groups. ATV accidents have replaced Mountain Bikes for the number one cause of Search and Rescue calls in Moab.

 

Scouter I am with you on that one. After a week of exploring around the west end of the state I made my way back to Phoenix and stayed a night at Lake Pleasant. Lots of yahoo’s riding quads on closed areas and all the trash in the back end of the lake made me sick. Sorry to say I agree with this bill and will keep the non responsible on a leash!

 

Be careful what you wish for, you may get it. If you allow them (name the agency or government) to issue passes to access your public land, they could just as easily not issue for whatever reason, and then you are essentially locked out....

 

I know the pass we get in AZ right now for public land use is mainly to help offset the cost of any repairs/overhead to maintain the trails. I know what you're saying here, but without some funding, the trails can fall into disrepair or get trashed by those that don't respect the land and then no one can use or enjoy the trails anyway, so I guess pick your poison. Personally, I'd rather pay a little and know that the trails are & will be in good shape because there is some funding. Another way to look at it is, if you pay nothing to use it know, somewhere funds are being supplied to maintain that land in some way, usually taxes, which they can change how much or cancel alltogether the funds being supplied, then you really have an issue because one of two things then happen to those public lands, they get sold to private owners, which may not allow use of their land, or the trails get closed becasue they can't maintain them anymore.