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Show Keep off -road vehicles in place Despite the unpredictability of Utah Valley weather, there's no doubt that spring is here, and soon the hills will tie alive with off-road vehicles. And sometimes, those vehicles will be operating in areas that should be left alone. Off-road vehicles have their place in the local recreation scene. But too often, operators take the vehicles out of their place and into a more fragile, and visible, environment. When that happens, everyone pays a price. The motorized vehicles, with their high-powered engines and knobby tires, erode terrain that is crucial to Ihe watershed, stripping hillsides of their natural protection against heavy-run-off and causing even more erosion. The noisy machines harrass big game animals in Iheir natural habitat and near watering areas. And careless off-roaders damage private property. in addition to this, off-roadin?. in 'tricted areas such as the front slopes of loca. hillsides, creates eyesore that will last for years. hnrdering If anyone doubts this, look at the hillside bordering Pleasant Grove on any clear day. ,. . f The Forest Service, in an effort to PrevejVv, Cad misuse of public property, has initiated the Lightly" program. r om.,.t The program will include increased law enforcement of off-road vehicle prohibitions on front slopes, a education program to inform off-roaders where tney can operate their vehicles and a conservation eiton 10 repair hillsides damaged by careless off-roaders. These efforts deserve the support of everyone interested in-terested in maintaining the local environment. Keeping off-road vehicles where they belong win benefit everyone, off-roaders included. |