Tread Lightly

A 2005 study led by the U.S. Forest Service estimates that Americans own more than 8 million motorized off-highway vehicles. USU natural resources professor Fee Busby says that Utah is one of the highest states in terms of residents out riding these vehicles. Busby says recreational off-highway vehicle use needs to be done responsibly to protect public lands. Off-highway vehicles cause damage quickly, with greater intensity than other land uses such as hiking or mountain biking because of the vehicle’s combination of weight, power and daily travel distance. Self-enforcement rules, use of designated trails and adherence to ‘tread lightly’ pledges may be answer, Busby says.

For more information, contact Fee Busby [feebusby@cc.usu.edu], professor of wildland resources in the College of Natural Resources, 435-797-2319.