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There have been a good number of changes in the regulations regarding ORV/ATV use in the Upper Peninsula.

The use of ATVs in the UP has grown significantly over the years. There are reports they have met and may now exceed the sales of snowmobiles in Michigan. New trails and routes are being established in both the state and federal forests, all for the purpose of enabling more ATV riding opportunity. Along with the increased use comes finer definition of what can and cannot be done on the public forest land.

Four years ago, the US Forest Service devised and passed the 2005 Travel Management Rule in the Hiawatha National Forest. The process took about two years to complete and the Sportsmen’s Off-Road Vehicle Association played an important role on the resolve of the plan.

This upset some people who had been using a small tract of land here and there for their own purposes. Not too many other people knew about them and there wasn’t much enforcement of the rules of the day going back to 1986.

Cross-country travel (going off the designated routes within the Hiawatha) through the woods remains in effect since the last rules were established. This means not even for the retrieval of big game or baiting deer blinds. “Hunters must drag game to roads where ATVs are allowed.”, according to Tom Schmidt, Forest Supervisor.

The new plan incorporates over 2,000 miles of roads and trails designated open for off highway vehicles (OHVs) in the Hiawatha. Riders who utilize Forest Service Roads and trails are encouraged to stop at one of the Forest’s local Ranger District offices regarding the Motor Vehicle Use Map, which is updated annually. The April 2009 update is posed on their web-site, and paper copies will be available in the near future.

The State of Michigan is doing pretty much the same thing in the State Forest system and along routes and right-of-ways purchased through the Department of Transportation and turned over to the Department of Natural Resources as part of the Rails-to-Trails Program.

The increased combinations of routes and trails on state designated forest roads and trails, is an advancement of the total system. It is a kind of connect the dots concept that will allow riders to plan whole trips across the UP and enhance safe and proper ATV use and tourism.

Like the USFS in the Hiawatha, the State of Michigan does not allow the use of ATVs for cross country travel on public lands. It is restricted on all trails and routes during the firearm deer hunting season from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and from 2:00 p.m., to 5:00 p.m., except for emergency situations and access to the riders camp. You are permitted to travel off trail or route on public land to retrieve game, unlike the rule in the Hiawatha.

In order for us to see continued growth and acceptance of ATV use in the Upper Peninsula, it will be up to the users to impress the non-participating general public that we are good stewards of the natural resources.

That seems to need a little push.

In a report issued May 1, 2009 by the USFS, “Illegal off-road OHV use and resource damage have increased on the Hiawatha. While responsible users make an effort to learn and follow the rules, some OHV users do not make the effort. Erosion, water degradation, habitat destruction, damage to cultural sites and conflicts between users are commonly the result. In addition, irresponsible OHV users pose a safety threat to themselves and others.”

Land owners along a newly proposed trail system in the central UP have also expressed concern about the same issues. They know the vast majority of ATV riders are safe and courteous, but there is a faction of adults and un-supervised youth that are creating a negative image for all who ride, and that must stop.

A good part of the problem is that until a couple years ago, essentially no one was be taught the general rules or becoming certified in the safe and ethical use of ATVs. The recently established volunteer training program being co-sponsored by the MDNR and Michigan Sheriff’s Association and offered free to the public is showing some results. There will also be more emphasis on law enforcement in these problem areas.

The USFS stated that as part of their recent effort to increase awareness of existing OHV polices, the Forest is committed to increased enforcement of these policies. More law enforcement officers will be present in the field, along with continued cooperation with officers from local and state law enforcement and natural resources agencies.

If you are aware of a problem area in any of the public routes or trail systems, report it to the local law enforcement agency. Repeated claims will assist them in establishing times and patterns that they occur.

It will be up to us, the privileged users who fund the trails and commit to wise use of our natural resources, to make the difference in the examples we present, and to “tread lightly” outdoors.