How do you deal with 4x4's that trash the forest?

[Tom P]

So I had been hearing rumours of 4x4's pushing farther and farther into one of the main areas our trails are located. Apparently they are coming off a newish logging road, and start up one of the mtb trails, falling trees to make room for their trucks. After they have chewed up that trail they head off through some open rock bluffs and then cross another trail, chewed that up and head further into the woods for over 2 km, crossing and running along a total of 6 trails. Now who am I to bitch about someone building trails, as I am responsible for quite a few unauthorized trails myself. For me the issue is the carnage left in the wake of the trucks. One section of the 4x4 trail runs up a creek, or what used to be a creek. This trail is still new, I can only shudder to think what it will look like after a year of 4x4ing.

On a ride today I found a Jeep and an ATV making their way up the "trail". It's pretty tough 4x4ing and I'm actually amazed they can get to where they are going. I went up and talked to them for a bit, a bunch of half drunk yahoos, so I didnt waste my time trying to explain the environmental impacts of their hobby to them. I got the licence plate of the Jeep.

So what should I do? What can one do?

I know section 46 of the Forest Range and Practices Act states:
(1.1) A person, other than a person described in subsection (1), must not engage in any activity on Crown land that results in damage to the environment, unless in doing so
(a) the person
(i) is acting in accordance with a plan, authorization or permit under this Act,
(ii) is not required to hold a plan or permit because of an exemption under this Act and is acting in accordance with this Act, the regulations and the standards, or
(iii) is acting in accordance with another enactment, and
(b) the person does not know and cannot reasonably be expected to know that, because of weather conditions or site factors, engaging in the activity may result, directly or indirectly, in damage specified by regulation

I have sent an email to the local MoF Compliance and Enforcement Manager, as well as the local MoTSA officer. Would the RCMP care?

If anyone has any experience with dealing with 4x4's, Id like to hear how you have/havent resolved it. I thought dealing with dirtbikes and quads was bad enough, but they got nothing on jeeps.





These next two shots are of the creek crossing. I know its kinda hard to tell there used to be a clean gravelly creek in there.

[skifreak]

fucking hell!

Another rider and I were complaining about the same thing today on Forbidden - there are even a selection of vehicles in the valley now with "Forbidden Fourwheelers" on their windows...

I know depending on the owner of the land - one of them locally did some pretty serious digging to prevent access by vehicles but even still...

What about sanctioned places to 4 wheel?

[Straya]

[Lady Gravity]

wow...what a mess

[trail worker]

You can send the pictures and licence plate number to the local conservation officer. I know they really frown on creek crossings (and most people who 4x4 know this). Usually the CO can issue a fine, but I think it's more of a thing if the perpetrator gets caught red handed. Given that you work in the industry, the local CO might take it seriously enough.

[Tom P]

Originally Posted by Straya

As Bruce Cockburn would say.....
I want to raise every voice -- at least I've got to try
Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a rocket launcher...Some son of a bitch would die

[Tom P]

Originally Posted by trail worker

Given that you work in the industry, the local CO might take it seriously enough.

Yah it will definitely help that I have a lot of contacts within the Ministry. I'll try to hit up the local CO tomorrow. All I want is for them to put in a tank trap on the Forest Service Road the 4x4's are starting from. And maybe send the Jeep owner a nastygram.

[Kossinnd]

man thats crazy.. how bout you show this to that grad student that wrote that rant on mtb's destroying forests.

[Heathen]

Originally Posted by skifreak

fucking hell!

Another rider and I were complaining about the same thing today on Forbidden -

It makes me so mad to see all the destruction they cause and all the litter they leave behind. We ever saw a spot where they had lit a car on fire.

[Tom P]

Originally Posted by Heathen

We even saw a spot where they had lit a car on fire.

a campbell river classic... the car-b-q

[karx]

Originally Posted by .flow.

a campbell river classic... the car-b-q

And here's me thinking Port Alberni had the monopoly on that!

[stillgoing]

Believe it or not, the general 4X4 community also seems to abhor that kind of thing.

For example: BC 4x4 post Fun in BC garbage thread

So, you might want to (nicely) approach some of the people at BC4x4 or FunInBc.com.

BC4x4
Fun in BC

[Shaker666]

Originally Posted by stillgoing

Believe it or not, the general 4X4 community also seems to abhor that kind of thing.

For example: BC 4x4 post Fun in BC garbage thread

So, you might want to (nicely) approach some of the people at BC4x4 or FunInBc.com.

BC4x4
Fun in BC

yeah, I was just going to add that bringing this to the attention of the BC4x4.com community would be good. I suppose I can do this since I'm a member.

[Hunter]

today after a ride at the woodlot we are all changing and stuff at the bottom and 3 jeeps and a samurai roll up and head up the skidder road. they went to the right of the rocks and basically ripped a new line through the trees. i had never seen 4x4s up there before. I know the intendeed use is not to have 4x4s up there and now it just makes everybody look bad and brings the heat on everyone up there.

[Dean W]

Originally Posted by Hunter

today after a ride at the woodlot we are all changing and stuff at the bottom and 3 jeeps and a samurai roll up and head up the skidder road. they went to the right of the rocks and basically ripped a new line through the trees. i had never seen 4x4s up there before. I know the intended use is not to have 4x4s up there and now it just makes everybody look bad and brings the heat on everyone up there.

Anyone in your group have cameras on their cell phones?

Or a pen and paper to write down license plates?

Next time snap a few photos....license plates......we can do things about it when there is actual evidence.

BTW....a few weeks ago I chased off a group of quad riders at the parking area of The Woodlot with a rather nasty verbal exchange. Baldheaded goat-tee toting biker gets out of his truck and I politely told him he's not allowed to quad here. He pipes up and starts swearing, I politely tell him he is wrong and to go somewhere else. He swears some more, I tell him he is wrong and to leave. His buddies get out of their truck, I tell them to leave, not backing down a bit......thinking...okay this is gonna be a dirty fight.....eye gouge him, kick the other in the groin and I throw my bike at the other one. They eventually get in their truck and drive away, but not before I get out my digital camera and buddy poses for me swearing his face off......good times....I'll post pictures later tonight.

There were some mountain bikers around at the time that would not get out of their trucks. When the quadders left the mountain bikers got out and mulled around whispering to themselves all bug eyed.

Either YOU do something, or others will walk all over you and our riding areas.

BTW.......none of this is a joke.