Nature crossing
Regarding Bob Gattis' March 30 My View, "Off-roading gets youth outdoors": Declaring that closing public lands to motorized vehicles cheats our children our of experiencing and developing a love and respect for the outdoors is ludicrous. We have many friends with children who are actively engaged in their communities through rodeo, 4-H activities, theater, sports, etc. My parents raised their four daughters with a focus on camping, hiking and water skiing, which taught us a reverence for the outdoors that I cherish today. Being an equine enthusiast, and having spent a few summers exploring Rowe Mesa on horseback, I can attest to the ravages that off-roading is having on that area.
I suggest a healthier, more peaceful alternative to motorized travel for the youth — a quiet interlude without a motor wherein they might truly enjoy their outdoor surroundings at a leisurely pace, as opposed to zooming by it all on a machine. The ability to enjoy the outdoors is not limited to motorized vehicles.
Denice Pruett
Galisteo
Fund enforcement first
Richard Montoya, the rancher interviewed by Staci Matlock in "National Forests: Reining in off-roaders" (March 30) is right. There is no problem with off-roaders enjoying their ATVs, as long as they respect private property. It seriously bothers me that people do not feel safe on their land.
My biggest issue is enforcement. I, personally, don't feel safe approaching a stranger when I see one blatantly disregarding the law on public land. We need to give rangers sufficient funds to enforce the rules. If we don't care for the land, who will? I own an all-terrain vehicle and use it on my own land for jobs that are too big for me, but too small for the tractor. ATVs are powerful vehicles that require the same level of skill and thoughtfulness as a car or truck. When riding and exploring on public lands, we must recognize that this is not "just" land. These beautiful places are our homes and heritage. We must protect them.
Dawn Fischer
Stanley
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