Zookeeper
August 29th, 2005, 01:42 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2005
Contact: Lt. Jeff Gaither, 989-732-3541, ext. 5100, or Mary Dettloff,
517-335-3014
ORV/ATV Riders Reminded to Heed Trail Designations
Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officials today
reminded off-road and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who are planning a trip
to the northern Lower Peninsula this Labor Day weekend that not all
state forest trails are open to motorized use.
The reminder comes in response to continued problems with motorized
vehicle operation in Cheboygan County's Black Mountain Forest Recreation
Area, which is a very popular destination for ORV/ATV operators.
"Many of the motorized vehicle operators we have cited this summer are
not aware that in the Lower Peninsula, ORV operation is permitted only
on designated trails, in designated areas and on a designated route
such as forest roads that are signed for ORV use by the department," said
Sgt. Greg Drogowski, DNR Law Enforcement. "The general rule is that
trails and forest roads are closed unless they are posted open."
Operators are reminded that ORV/ATVs not licensed for highway use may
not be operated on the roadway, shoulder or right-of-way of a state or
federal highway or a county road that is not covered by specific county
ordinance.
"Cheboygan County is one of several counties in this part of the state
that allow people on their county road shoulders and roadways,"
Drogowski said. "People know they are driving legally and just assume that any
forest trail they come to must be open as well. Most of the time they
are not."
Earlier this month Drogowski organized a work group of DNR employees
from the Law Enforcement and Forest, Mineral and Fire Management
divisions to put up a number of new signs in the Black Mountain area to
identify illegal trails. About 40 posts were installed with signs that state
"NO ORVs" and another 20 of these signs were added to existing posts.
Several illegal ORV trails also were bulldozed closed and posted with
signs.
DNR law enforcement officials said they will be concentrating their
patrols in the Black Mountain area over the Labor Day weekend.
"We will be utilizing department aircraft to help support our group
patrols on the ground," said Lt. Jeff Gaither, Gaylord District
supervisor. "We urge all ORV operators to stay on designated trails."
State land rules also prohibit the operation of an ORV or any motorized
device in a designated state forest campground, except for entrance to
and departure from the campground.
"Courtesy and respect for other campground users is a matter of
safety," Gaither said. "Our goal is to increase compliance with state ORV
regulations."
For more information, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.
The ORV/ATV page can be found by clicking on the Recreation & Camping
link.
The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations.
###
August 29, 2005
Contact: Lt. Jeff Gaither, 989-732-3541, ext. 5100, or Mary Dettloff,
517-335-3014
ORV/ATV Riders Reminded to Heed Trail Designations
Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officials today
reminded off-road and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who are planning a trip
to the northern Lower Peninsula this Labor Day weekend that not all
state forest trails are open to motorized use.
The reminder comes in response to continued problems with motorized
vehicle operation in Cheboygan County's Black Mountain Forest Recreation
Area, which is a very popular destination for ORV/ATV operators.
"Many of the motorized vehicle operators we have cited this summer are
not aware that in the Lower Peninsula, ORV operation is permitted only
on designated trails, in designated areas and on a designated route
such as forest roads that are signed for ORV use by the department," said
Sgt. Greg Drogowski, DNR Law Enforcement. "The general rule is that
trails and forest roads are closed unless they are posted open."
Operators are reminded that ORV/ATVs not licensed for highway use may
not be operated on the roadway, shoulder or right-of-way of a state or
federal highway or a county road that is not covered by specific county
ordinance.
"Cheboygan County is one of several counties in this part of the state
that allow people on their county road shoulders and roadways,"
Drogowski said. "People know they are driving legally and just assume that any
forest trail they come to must be open as well. Most of the time they
are not."
Earlier this month Drogowski organized a work group of DNR employees
from the Law Enforcement and Forest, Mineral and Fire Management
divisions to put up a number of new signs in the Black Mountain area to
identify illegal trails. About 40 posts were installed with signs that state
"NO ORVs" and another 20 of these signs were added to existing posts.
Several illegal ORV trails also were bulldozed closed and posted with
signs.
DNR law enforcement officials said they will be concentrating their
patrols in the Black Mountain area over the Labor Day weekend.
"We will be utilizing department aircraft to help support our group
patrols on the ground," said Lt. Jeff Gaither, Gaylord District
supervisor. "We urge all ORV operators to stay on designated trails."
State land rules also prohibit the operation of an ORV or any motorized
device in a designated state forest campground, except for entrance to
and departure from the campground.
"Courtesy and respect for other campground users is a matter of
safety," Gaither said. "Our goal is to increase compliance with state ORV
regulations."
For more information, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.
The ORV/ATV page can be found by clicking on the Recreation & Camping
link.
The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations.
###