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Illegal Off Roading

Illegal Off Roading. A threat to forest ecosystems Luke Parr Lwp5031@psu.edu . Introduction. Off Roading : A term for driving a specialized vehicle on unpaved roads, such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Also known as: Mud bogging Trail riding

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Illegal Off Roading

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  1. Illegal Off Roading A threat to forest ecosystems Luke Parr Lwp5031@psu.edu

  2. Introduction • Off Roading: A term for driving a specialized vehicle on unpaved roads, such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. • Also known as: • Mud bogging • Trail riding • Four-wheeling • Wheeling

  3. Why is it a problem? • Illegal and irresponsible off roading can cause: • Soil erosion • Soil compaction • Increase water turbidity • Decrease overall water quality • Introduce pollutants (Oil, gasoline, coolant)

  4. Who is to blame? • Off roaders who: • Don’t know they’re trespassing • Ride around blocked roads • Ride on open previous timber sale roads • Intentionally create trails on state forest lands

  5. Where is this happening? • Primarily in and around the Michaux State Forest in Adams County, Pennsylvania on: • Previous logging roads • ATV trails • Snowmobile trails

  6. Soil Erosion • Soil Erosion: The movement of topsoil from one location to be settled in another. • Accelerated by human activities • In the case of off roading the vehicle’s aggressive tires are what cause soil erosion (ruts, holes, slopes).

  7. Soil Compaction • Soil compaction: When soil is compressed, causing it to lose pore space. • Caused by repeated vehicle activity on forest roads. • Damages plants: • Less pore space for water • Less pore space for air • Inhibits growth and • development

  8. Reduced water quality • Contaminants can seep into the water table, such as: • Oil • Coolant • Gear oil • Transmission fluid • Water turbidity = increases • (cloudiness of water)

  9. Responsible Off Roading • How? • Requires proper trail design/vehicle maintenance/techniques • Grating at all water crossings (reduces turbidity) • Vehicle maintenance (no leaks) • Design to avoid water sources (if possible) • Repair trails (level-off/remove ruts) • Prevent soil erosion (barriersand vegetative cover)

  10. What can you do? • Attend informational meetings • Volunteer to help repair old logging trails • Support responsible off roading organizations such as: • Blue Ribbon Coalition • Tread Lightly!

  11. Alternatives • Practice responsible off roading on your land or a neighbors (with permission!) • Start a petition! • To start a legal off road park in your area! • Visit a legal off road park – Two in PA! • Rausch Creek • Paragon Adventure Park • Or…make your own! • Create and manage your own off road park!

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