Studies and Reports on OHVs

Below are studies and reports which directly address or include the affects that OHVs have on wildlife, wildlife habitats, and ecosystems. If you know of studies which should be added to this page, please send email to: info@glorietamesa.org

ATV SAFETY CRISIS: AMERICA’S CHILDREN AT RISK - At first glance, all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, may seem harmless enough, given their big tires, apparently wide stance, 4-wheel drive, cushy seat – but appearances are deceiving. These vehicles are built and marketed for speed with many ATVs capable of traveling up to 75 miles per hour. They injure, maim and kill more than 111,000 Americans every year, and the real tragedy is that children younger than 16 years old pay the heaviest price. For nearly a decade, the toll on children has been climbing dramatically, while the off-road vehicle industry has aggressively marketed bigger, faster, and more dangerous ATVs.
Best Management Practices for Off-Road Vehicles - Management of off-road vehicles (ORV) is becoming increasingly difficult as more people recreate on forestlands (including federal, state, and private timberlands). While ORVs have a disproportionate impact on the environment compared to many traditional forms of recreation, no universal set of guidelines exists for their management. Wildlands CPR and the Wild Utah Project have established a set of best management practices (BMPs), consistent with current forest management policy and regulations, entitled “Best Management Practices for Off-Road Vehicle Use on Forestlands – A Guide for Designating and Managing Off-Road Vehicle Routes.”
Impacts of Off-Road Vehicles on Native Vegetation - The native flora on New Mexico’s public lands is under assault by the negative impacts of off-road vehicles (ORVs). As the use of these vehicles expands, and as ORVs encroach upon previously pristine and remote areas, the members of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico are becoming increasingly alarmed by the destruction of soils, vegetation, and plant and animal habitats.
ATVs in Wisconsin: An outline of issues regarding the use of ATVs in Wisconsin and their impacts - The economic impact of ATV riding in Wisconsin has not factored the opportunity costs of displacing other users or the costs of repairing the damage caused by ATVs.
Six Strategies for Success - Effective Enforcement of Off-Road Vehicle Use on Public Lands - Public land management agencies are facing these challenges with inadequate enforcement funding and staff. This leaves them unable to protect the lands under their stewardship, and at a loss to turn around the attitude of lawlessness that is alarmingly common among off-road riders. The common perception among off-road riders is that breaking the rules some of the time is all right, especially if someone else has ridden off-route before and cut a visible trail. This has become a significant public problem because of the destructive capabilities of off-road vehicles.
Fuel to Burn: The Climate and Public Health Implications of Off-road Vehicle Pollution in California - Off-road vehicles in California currently emit more than 230,000 metric tons — or 500 million pounds — of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. This is equivalent to the emissions created by burning 500,000 barrels of oil. The 26 million gallons of gasoline consumed by off-road vehicles each year in California is equivalent to the amount of gasoline used by 1.5 million car trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Caught In The Treads: Unethical Advertising in the ATV Industry - Considering the number of ATVs in use today and the environmental consequences associated with improper use. it is imperative that the ATV industry promotes responsible use of their products through their advertising.
Off-the-Track: America’s National Parks Under Siege - provides an extensive investigation into the effects of off-road vehicle (ORV) use in the National Park System. The study presents compelling evidence that lasting damage to America’s Parks caused by off-road vehicle use is incompatible with the National Park Service’s (NPS) mission to “leave resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy - this industry sponsored study of the economic contribution by non-motorized outdoor recreationists shows a $730 billion annual contribution to the U.S. economy.
The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy in New Mexico - In New Mexico quiet recreation contributes $3.8 billion annually to New Mexico’s economy and supports 47,000 jobs across the state and generates $184 million annually in state tax revenue.
Environmental effects of off-highway vehicles on Bureau of Land Management lands - It is apparent from the literature identified and discussed herein that the effects of OHV activities on ecosystems are diverse and potentially profound, if poorly understood. Studies have revealed a variety of effects on soil properties, watersheds, and vegetation resulting from one to multiple passes by OHV vehicles. Likewise, research has shown a variety of OHV effects on both OHV users and non-motorized recreators.
Off-Road Vehicle Impacts on Hunting and Fishing - ORVs can indeed have negative impacts on hunting and fishing. A growing body of evidence in the scientific journals point to this, stories from the field of hunters and anglers corroborate this, and the state fisheries and wildlife managers confirm these impacts.
U.S. Forest Service Selected Off-Road Vehicle Law Enforcement Incidents by State, April – November 2007
First Ever Survey of Federal Rangers Show ORVs Out of Control, Need for Tougher Penalties - According to one BLM respondent, "90% of ORV users cause damage every day they ride. Most will violate a rule, regulation or law daily." Another from the USFS wrote that "the numbers of off-road vehicles on public lands… are creating resource damage at an alarming rate. This damage is resulting in adverse effects to the land and the wildlife." View the survey data.
Status report on USFS management of off-road driving exceptions in the travel management rule: Motorized dispersed camping and big-game retrieval - November 19, 2007
The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) -released a new survey of managers of state fisheries and wildlife agencies from around the nation, which clearly shows negative impacts on hunting and fishing from various types of off-road vehicles (ORVs). Furthermore, these agency managers strongly indicated that more enforcement of standards is needed to protect hunting and fishing from ORV impacts. View the FAQ for this study.
Habitat Fragmentation and the effects of roads on wildlife and habitats - this document is intended for use as a resource to assist in assessing the potential impacts of roads and highways on terrestrial and aquatic habitats, species, and ecosystem processes.
Wildlife, habitat, and hunting: New Mexico's roadless areas - the national trend of increasing use of off-road vehicles is quickly exceeding the ability of public lands and wildlife managers to protect other public natural resources. The cascading effects from increased roads and traffic also overwhelms the ability of intact roadless areas to provide the level of ecosystem services that we have come to expect, but often take for granted.
Rutted and Ruined: ATV damage on the Adirondack Forest Preserve - This report looks at the growing threat of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use on the Forest Preserve. The Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks (RCPA) sees ATV use as perhaps the greatest threat to the ecological integrity and public enjoyment of the Adirondack Forest Preserve in the last forty years.
Shattered Solitude/Eroded Habitat - The Motorization of the Lands of Lewis and Clark - Off-road vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATVs cause major impacts to wildlife and fish habitat and native ecosystems in the remaining wild areas of the National Forests. These machines also create major conflicts with the quiet, slower-paced recreation of pedestrians and other non-motorized users. The machines can permanently harm trails, soils, and native plant communities
Shredded Wildlands: All- Terrain Vehicle Management in Alaska - With rare exceptions, the use all-terrain vehicles on federal public lands in Alaska violates applicable federal laws, regulations and policies. The severity and extent of negative impacts generally exceeds established environmental protection standards. Responsible agencies fail to fully enforce regulations designed to protect public lands and resources. Guidelines for promulgating special regulations and processes for formally designating ATV trails are frequently ignored. Land management officials knowingly permit ATV use resulting in significant environmental deterioration.

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