Off-Highway
Vehicle Fact Sheet
Q: Where
are Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts allowed to ride on the
Ozark National Forest?
A: OHVs are allowed on designated trails and routes.
OHVs are rarely allowed in recreation areas. Check the regulations
posted on the bulletin board in the recreation area or call ahead
before unloading an OHV in a campground.
Q: Are there any trail systems specifically designed
to accomodate OHVs?
A: Currently there are four designated multi-use
trails on the Forest:
• Brock Creek Trail (near Jerusalem)
• Huckleberry Mountain Horse Trail (near Midway)
• Mill Creek Trail (near Combs)
• Moccasin Gap Horse Trail (near Dover)
Q: What areas are closed to OHVs?
A: Forest areas closed to OHVs are:
• The general forest area.
• Lake Wedington.
• St. Francis National Forest.
• Roads closed by earthen mounds, gates, signs, or other reasonable
barriers.
• According to state law, OHVs are generally not allowed on
county or state roads. See Arkansas Traffic Law Manual for the following
statutes covering OHVs, 27-21-102, 27-21-103, 27-21-105, 27-21-106,
27-21-107, 27-21-108.
• Any road or trail not classified as a designated route or
trail.
Q: Why is this being done now?
A: One of the key threats facing the nation’s
forests today is unmanaged recreation, especially natural resource
impacts from OHVs. Concerns are increasing about the number of unplanned
roads and trails, soil erosion, watershed and habitat impacts resulting
from OHV use. Implementation of the National Off-Highway Vehicle
Policy requires Forests to designate roads, trails and/or areas
for motor vehicle use.
Q: How is OHV use considered “unmanaged recreation”?
A: A variety of recreational-focused groups share
National Forest roads and trails. In many places, OHVs are becoming
the predominate use. OHV use and other recreation activities have
increased significantly in the last few years, which has resulted
in the following concerns:
• Resource Damage: Most OHV riders are very conscientious
about the environment; however, resource damage is occurring. Increased
levels of stream sedimentation have been found, ruts are deepening
at stream crossings and on steep hillsides, and vegetation is being
lost from some fragile soil types. Trash and litter are increasing
in widespread locations across the forest.
• Safety Issues are a primary concern, especially when OHVs
have the ability to accelerate and maneuver quickly, as well as
travel at high rates of speed. This can be exhilarating, but can
pose problems on trails shared with hikers, horseback riders, mountain
bike riders, other OHV riders, and large trucks. Numerous OHV accidents
have been reported, including collisions with vehicles or natural
obstructions, such as trees or hillsides.
• User conflicts are also occurring. Visitors desiring non-motorized
solitude have reported a conflict with the intrusion of OHVs into
areas not designated for their use.
Q: Is the Ozark National Forest banning the use
of Off-Highway Vehicles on the Forest?
A: No. The forest is prohibiting unauthorized use
off designated routes. Forest personnel will continue to work with
OHV groups to provide trail opportunities in the future.
Q: Is the Ozark National Forest closing other areas?
A: Not at this time. However, if resource damage
occurs and other ways to correct the negative effects are not working,
closure may be necessary.
Q: How can Forest visitors and neighbors know which
roads or trails to use?
A: It is the rider’s responsibility to be
informed of the designated routes and trails available for use.
Visit www.aokforests.com or contact any district Forest Service
office to obtain maps of designated riding routes.
Traveling the Backcountry, a brochure providing designated route
information, will be available by Fall of 2007.
Q: Do
OHV enthusiasts and the general public have any input into which
roads and trails will be designated for OHV use?
A: Ozark National Forest personnel welcome input
from individuals and groups on all issues including OHV use and
the availability of open riding areas. A series of pubic meetings
will be held during 2006. The public is welcome to attend and provide
comments and offer suggestions to Forest personnel. A schedule of
meetings can be found on this site.
For more information contact the Forest Supervisor's office at 479-964-7200.
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
use is rapidly increasing on public lands in Arkansas. Providing
safe, enjoyable recreation opportunities is a priority for forest
managers. To ensure the safety for both you and other visitors to
the national forests, please adhere to the following state, federal
and OHV manufacturer guidelines.
State Regulations
Arkansas residents must have their OHVs registered with the Arkansas
Department of Revenue. Upon registration, the OHV will be assessed
and the owner will be charged a one-time fee of approximately $10.00
for title, registration, and a decal that will be placed permanently
on the OHV. Call the Department of Revenue office in your county
to find out specifics about Arkansas Motor Vehicle and Transportation
Laws and State Highway Commission Regulations (27-20-201 through
27-21-109). This rule holds true for every OHV with an engine over
50 cc, whether the vehicle is driven on state lands or national
forests within Arkansas.
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) Regulations
This applies ONLY to AGFC OWNED Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
such as Gulf Mountain, Cedar Creek, Point Remove, Gene Rush, Harris
Brake, etc. The AGFC does not allow OHVs on state-owned WMAs EXCEPT
to those people who can prove permanent disability and have received
a Mobility Impaired Program card from the AGFC. These OHV permits
are not applicable to Forest Service lands and do not entitle the
rider to go onto closed roads or the general forest area.
National Forest Regulations
Visitors can have OHVs in some recreation areas, but only for entry
and exit—in other words, riding around in the campground is
not permitted. Visitors are encouraged to check the bulletin board
where they are camping for specific information regarding that particular
recreation area and/or surrounding area before unloading their OHV.
Ozark National Forest:
Effective January
1, 2007, any road or trail not classified as a designated route
or trail is closed to OHV use.
The Forest’s current policy states that an area is closed
unless it is an open road or trail and that OHVs are not allowed
on roads that are closed by earthen mounds/ berms, signs, and/or
gates.
Riders are responsible for knowing which routes are designated and
refraining from illegally riding in any other area on public lands
managed by the USFS. Official designated route maps are posted here,
and will be available at your local National Forest office.
Other rules and regulations
for operating an OHV on designated routes include:
* Persons less than 12 years of age are prohibited from operating
OHVs on any road unless accompanied and under the direct supervision
of an adult 18 years of age or older.
* Operating an OHV at speeds greater than reasonable is prohibited.
* Headlights and tail lights must be utilized when operating an
OHV between ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
* Each OHV must have a factory-installed muffler in good working
condition and be equipped with a factory-installed spark arrester.
* When two or more OHVs are operating together on a road, they should
be operated in single file.
* All OHV operators must comply with applicable Arkansas state laws
governing the use of motor vehicles.
* Operators are prohibited from operating any vehicle while under
the influence of alcoholic beverages or narcotics.
Proposed OHV Fees
Numerous individuals and groups suggested during plan revision public
meetings that the Forest Service begin charging fees for OHV use
on the Ozark National Forest. After thorough research, the Forest
is proposing an annual OHV pass (~ $40) that riders would need in
order to operate any OHV on designated forest trails. It is not
inteded to be a fee for the use of roads through the Ozark National
Forest.
Approximately 90% of fees collected will go back into the OHV system
of designated trails. This funding will help pay for:
1) Area-specific maps and brochures
2) Trail maintenance
3) Increased visitor contact through OHV Rangers
4) Increased patrols by law enforcement
5) The possibility of increased trail construction
6) Better signing and blazing of trails
7) The possibility of increased facilities
8) Rehabilitation of overly used areas and establishment of a monitoring
system
National Forest administrators hope to implement this fee proposal.
This will give the Forest a tool in which it will be able to inform
users of the “Ride 4 Keeps” program and their legal
responsibilities.
Motorized Vehicle
Use Definitions
Most National Forest System trails and roads are designated for
specific use--either OHVs and/or motorcycles or regular passenger
vehicles.
The Ozark National Forest has separated these roads and trails into
four categories:
- Nondesignated roads: roads open only to highway-legal (licensed)
motor vehicles.
- Designated roads: roads open to all motor vehicles.
- Designated trails: trails open only to motor vehicles less
than or equal to 50 inches in width.
- Designated single-track trails: trails open only to two-wheeled
vehicles.
These four types of routes will be clearly marked and identified
on future Forest maps and publications.
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