ORV On The Arizona Strip
BLM, NPS, and Arizona Game and Fish Department Law Enforcement Agents Seek to Work with Public to Ensure Safety with Off-highway Vehicle Recreation
St. George, Utah — The onset of spring leads people to the outdoors for a variety of recreational pursuits on public lands. Along with hunting, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and myriad other recreational activities comes Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) season. In order to help ensure a safe and enjoyable time for all riders and public lands users the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), and Arizona Game and Fish Law Enforcement Officers (LEO’s) will be working to educate, monitor and enforce safety rules and regulations throughout the season. The interagency LEO group will also be conducting special OHV patrols in various locations on public lands. “Our goal is to better educate OHV users and to work cooperatively to ensure and promote safe and responsible OHV use of our public lands” said BLM Arizona Strip District LEO John Sims.
Special patrol efforts help detect and deter violations, including off-road travel, wilderness incursions, ATV registration and safety equipment, vandalism, dumping, resource damage, archeological damage, and other issues that routinely occur.
Law enforcement officers most commonly see the following OHV violations which typically result in citations issued:
- No OHV decal or registration. In Arizona, a vehicle designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain and having an unladen weight of 1,800 pounds or less requires the annual purchase of an OHV decal to operate on public and state lands. Non-residents of Arizona may operate an OHV in the state without an AZ OHV Decal as long as their vehicle displays a current OHV decal or registration from the person’s home state of residency.
- Operating on county or paved roads without proper registration. OHV’s must be street legal to operate on county dirt roads, paved roads and within NPS administered lands. In Arizona, this requires a motorcycle plate for OHVs. Generally, other dirt roads only require an RV plate (title plate) with OHV decal affixed.)
- Driving off-road/cross-country is prohibited. All riders must stay on designated roads at all times.
- Operating on closed roads, routes or areas is prohibited.
- Riding double is prohibited unless the vehicle was built for multiple passengers and is part of the manufacturer's specifications. Adding an after-market seat to the back on an ATV is not legal.
- Lacking proper safety equipment. Riders under 18 years of age are required to wear a helmet and safety goggles. All riders must wear eye protection if the vehicle does not have a windshield.
- Driving while impaired is prohibited. DUI laws apply to OHV’s too, including open containers of alcohol.
For more information regarding Arizona OHV laws and info go Here»
For information regarding Utah OHV laws and info go Here»
The Tread Lightly! Principles
Travel and Recreate with Minimum Impact
- Travel on designated routes only.
- Travel only in areas that are open to your type of recreation.
- Don’t create new routes or expand existing trails.
- Avoid sensitive habitats like wetlands, meadows, and tundra.
- Cross streams only at fords where the road or trail intersects the stream.
Respect the Environment and the Rights of Others
- Respect and be considerate of other users so that all can enjoy a quality experience in the outdoors.
- When driving, yield to horses, hikers and bikers. In a personal watercraft, be cautious around canoes, kayaks, and other boats.
- Respect wildlife. Be sensitive to their life
sustaining needs by keeping your distance.
- Comply with signage.
- Always obtain permission to cross private land.
Educate Yourself, Plan and Prepare Before You Go
- Know local laws and regulations.
- Have the right information, maps and equipment to make your trip safe, and know how to use them.
- If driving, be sure your vehicle is compatible with road and trail conditions.
- Know which areas and routes are open for your type of recreation.
Allow for Future use of the Outdoors, Leave It Better an You Found It
- Take out what you bring in.
- Properly dispose of waste.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize use of fire.
- Restore degraded areas.
- Avoid the spread of noxious weeds by washing your gear after every trip
Discover the Rewards of Responsible Recreation
- Do all you can to help preserve the beauty and inspiring attributes of our lands and waters for yourself and future generations.
Guidelines for OHV riders when encountering horses on the trail
Pull to the side of the trail far enough for horses to
pass safely as soon as you see them.
Pull to the downhill side of the trail if possible
since horses tend to perceive unknown threats on
the uphill side as predators.
Shut off your motor as soon as possible and
remove your helmet. The horse will be more likely
to recognize you as a human.
aa Speak to the rider and horse in a friendly, relaxed
tone.
When approaching horses from behind, stop, call
ahead and make yourself known to the rider. Ask
them if it is OK to pass and the best way to do so.
aa Horsemen may pull to the side of the trail a safe
distance if they hear an OHV approaching, but
this does not necessarily mean it is safe for you
to ride by. Stop and wait for instructions from the
horseman.
Ask the horseman how he/she would like to
proceed.
- The horseman will know his/her horse and how the horse reacts to other trail enthusiasts.
- The horseman may ask you to stay put and ride past you.
- The horseman may ride to the side of the trail and ask you to ride or push past them.
If you ride by a horse, keep your rpm’s low and
steady and your sound as low as possible.
Sudden movements or sounds can startle horses.
Be alert – be aware and on guard for oncoming
traffic.
BLM
St. George Field Office
Arizona Strip Field Office
Arizona Strip Interpretive Association