WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS: Do?s and Don?ts of Driving in the Outdoors

[Eric]

CO4x4.org is a "Media Member" of Tread Lightly. A printable PDF copy of this article is attached (right-click, save-as).

With the explosion of off-highway vehicle sales in the last few years, more and more Americans are wanting to take their SUVs and trucks out to scale more than just their office parking garage.

Four wheeling in the backcountry can be a great way to bond with nature and the family, but it can have a damaging effect on the environment if not done responsibly.

The need for this type of education has become greater since the US Forest Service?s recent proposal to crack down on unmanaged OHV use and restrict off-roading to certain trails designated by land managers.

The national nonprofit organization called Tread Lightly! provides some practical tips to minimize impact on the outdoors while driving off-highway.

1. Stay only on trails, routes, and areas designated for off-highway vehicle use.
2. Cross streams only at designated fording points, or where the road crosses the stream.
3. Cross large rocks and other obstacles slowly, at an angle, one wheel at a time. Always know where the differential or lowest point on the vehicle is.
4. Avoid riding in mud. In soft terrain, go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting.
5. Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.
6. Don?t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain, or unstable ground. Backup until you find a safe place to turn around.
7. Don?t ride in meadows or marshy areas and remember that areas designated as ?Wilderness? do not allow motorized vehicles.
8. When winching, attach the towing cable, tree strap or chain as low as possible to the object being winched. Let the winch do the work; never drive the winch.
9. Pack out what you pack in.
10. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites, camping 200 feet from water resources and trails, and minimizing use of fire.

For more information on ways to minimize outdoor impacts, Tread Lightly! can be reached at www.treadlightly.org or by calling (800) 966-9900.


Tread Lightly!? is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Tread Lightly!?s strategic educational message, along with its training and stewardship initiatives are designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with the needs of the environment. Tread Lightly! offers unique programs and services to help remedy current recreation issues.

This press release is also available at www.treadlightly.org/news.mv.

[DaJudge]

For $20 a year you can be an individual member. Every year when you renew you get one of their T-shirts for 5 bucks, a good deal to support their efforts.

Tread Lightly! provides a way for individuals to express their concern and commitment toward responsible use of outdoor recreation resources. They take an active roll in preserving the great outdoors for future generations by helping build a positive public image for outdoor enthusiasts.

Individual Member - $20 annually

Tangible Benefits:

A member gift

A member decal

A copy of Tread Lightly!'s "Trails" bi-annual newsletter

Discount coupon for a WARN? Winch ($25 off a 2500 lb or higher WARN ATV
Winch or $50 off a 9000 lb or higher WARN Truck Winch)

Membership discount on Tread Lightly! apparel, educational & promotional
materials such as trail maps, bumper stickers and similar materials, all
included in the Tread Lightly! product catalog.

Eligibility to receive our one-page tips for the cost of shipping and handling
only.


Intangible Benefits

An opportunity to act on beliefs in the values and principles of responsible
recreation

An opportunity to be involved in something important and feel good about it

An opportunity to be affiliated with others who have the same values

An ?insurance policy? against future regulation (by demonstrating
commitment to responsible recreation)

Resource protection for private land owners

A conduit to land management agencies and user groups