The state legislature has drawn attention to a growing problem in the state for many ranchers and law enforcement officials: the use of off-road vehicles that destroy private and public property.
“People don’t realize they’re tearing up the land and leaving a lasting impact,” said Becky Ross, a rancher near Sedona in northern Arizona. “There are some horrible wrecks, donuts and speeding vehicles,” she added in the interview. Arizona State Capitol Timeâ– Tuesday.
Ross advocates raising awareness of proper safety and road use among drivers of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and similar vehicles such as quad bikes, dirt bikes and dune buggies. said he has been
When motorists deviate from marked roadways for vehicle use, the impact can cause long-term damage to the private and public property on which they drive. Ross said the tracks also suggested other drivers were driving illegally.
Misuse of OHV can lead to: cause severe and irreversible damage to the landscape, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Service, as well as posing a hazard to drivers. On Friday, the Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Research Committee will hold its first meeting to discuss OHV issues. The commission is tasked with submitting a report on recommendations for administrative or legislative action by the end of the year.
Ed Sanchez, legislative contact for the Arizona Game and Fish Service, said the state’s OHV program hadn’t been addressed since 2008, and increased recreational OHV use is requiring state oversight. .
“It’s just transformed into a bigger market. Now it’s a huge attraction for tourists and a lot of hotspots[of OHV exploits]are happening there,” Sanchez said.
The February issue of the Arizona Agriculture Department magazine cited data from the Arizona Department of Transportation that tracked more than 256,000 OHVs registered in 2022, compared to the 128,000 registered in the state in 2002. It has doubled.
sedona red rock news The Sedona City Council reportedly is considering an ordinance that would: Prohibition of OHVs Accidents occurred on paved roads in the city due to an increase in OHV accidents in the city. Senator Ken Bennett (R-Prescott), Rep. Celina Bliss (R-Prescott), and Rep. Quan Nguyen (R-Prescott Valley) opposed the ordinance, and in June sent a letter warning the city to This ordinance could have violated the Constitution.
Legislative Committee member Roth said he didn’t want the state to take too intrusive steps to limit recreational OHV use, but at this point OHV use is moving toward irresponsible use. He said he felt he was “out of balance.”
“I don’t want it to be a conflict between cattle and recreation. It’s nice to see people enjoying the forest,” Ross said.
Senator Sine Carr (R-Buckeye) earlier this year proposed a bill to establish an OHV Law Enforcement Fund that would distribute a specified percentage of funds to each county sheriff’s office to assist in OHV law enforcement. was a person This fund consists of user fees collected from OHV.
The bill was only discussed at the Senate Transportation and Technology Hearing in February, when Carr said OHV technology had been developed outside of previously enforced regulatory legislation.
Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb reported to a Senate committee that the sheriff’s office does not have the resources to effectively enforce the OHV law.
“We’re just asking the sheriff’s office to allocate some of the taxes already allocated to help with enforcement,” Lamb said at the hearing.
At a public hearing in February, Carr said he did not want to move the bill until a commission of inquiry met and made recommendations.
Former Gov. Doug Ducey Signed law Last year it limited the liability of landlords for OHV accidents and injuries on private property.
Ross also proposed increased funding for education on proper OHV use for OHV drivers.
“It’s like buying a Corvette. You want to get out and drive that thing,” Ross said. “I don’t think our public roads should be used for that kind of use, and if they are run in a harmful way, I don’t think they should take care of the forest.”
