News Release
| Release Number: | 05-166 |
| Dated: | 12/15/2005 |
| Contact: | Heidi Y. Helwig, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore.--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would like to remind the public that off-road vehicle use is not permitted on the lakebeds or surrounding lands of Corps reservoirs.
During winter, water levels in most of the Corps’ 13 Willamette Valley reservoirs are lowered to create storage area for potential flood waters. Though the low water levels create muddy lakebeds that are tempting to off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Corps managers have good reasons for prohibiting vehicles in the lakebed.
“The noise and action of off-road vehicles can disturb wildlife like ducks and shorebirds that make use of shallow waters during fall and winter,” said Bryan VonBargen, Natural Resource Manager for the Willamette Valley Project. “In addition, off-road vehicles destroy vegetation, disturb the soil and leave oil and gas residues. All these impacts can reduce water quality.”
At some reservoirs, the reduction in water quality may affect endangered fish such as salmon and steelhead. Cultural and historic resources are also at risk from unauthorized off-road activity.
While the Corps attempts to post signs that warn visitors of the restriction, it is nearly impossible to post all possible access points to the lakebed and signs are often removed by vandals.
The Corps asks that people who wish to drive off-road on public lands be responsible for researching where it is and is not permitted. Individuals operating vehicles off of the roadway in violation of these restrictions may be subject to a fine up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
“Our goal is to encourage voluntary compliance with the regulations to avoid issuing citations,” said VonBargen. “We need the public’s assistance in protecting natural and cultural resources at our local lakes.”
The Corps reservoirs in the Willamette Valley where off-road vehicle restrictions apply include Big Cliff, Detroit, Blue River, Cougar, Green Peter, Foster, Fern Ridge, Fall Creek, Lookout Point, Dexter, Hills Creek, Dorena, and Cottage Grove. If you observe vehicles driving in the lakebed of any of these reservoirs or for additional information, please call the Willamette Valley Project office at (541) 937-2131.
To obtain more information about off-road vehicle use in Oregon, go to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department ATV website at: http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/about_us.shtml.