Jefferson City, Mo. - Misusing off-road vehicles (ORV) on public land in streams has long been illegal in Missouri. It can be expensive, too, with fines running into the hundreds of dollars. Now, however, state officials have raised the ante, adding the possibility of hunting and fishing privilege suspension to the penalties for taking vehicles into streams where they don't belong.
The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the new incentive for ethical ORV behavior at its August meeting. The policy change went into effect immediately. Dennis Steward, Protection Division administrator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said damage to streams from all-terrain and four-wheel-drive vehicles is a growing problem.
"We see it more in the Ozarks, particularly on streams like the Black and other clear streams," said Steward, "but it is a statewide problem."
In-stream ORV use is a problem for several reasons. Vehicle tires tear up stream bottoms, destroying fish habitat and stirring up mud that chokes out aquatic life. This reduces streams' recreational value. Running vehicles in and through streams also causes bank erosion, which damages public and private land.
Conservation agents spend many hours each year patrolling streams and writing citations for illegal use of ORVs. During the past three years, more than 250 people have been ticketed for ORV violations in streams. However, the average fine is less than $100, and the problem persists.
"We think this new tool will help get violators' attention," said Steward. "Having to pay a fine is one thing. Losing your ability to hunt deer and turkeys or go fishing is quite a bit more painful to most violators."
Under the new policy, the Conservation Department will recommend that the Conservation Commission suspend hunting and fishing privileges following procedures already in place for other wildlife-code violations. One-year suspension recommendations will be the rule, but the periods can vary according to the seriousness of the offense.
Missouri's participation in the Interstate Wildlife Violator's Compact makes the new policy even more attention-getting for those ticketed. Under the terms of the compact, all 20 participating states may honor other members' suspensions. An irresponsible ORV user in Missouri could lose his or her chance to hunt elk in Wyoming or fish for muskellunge in Minnesota.
Steward said there are some times and places where ORVs can be taken into streams legally. These are explained in Section 304.013 of the Missouri Revised Statutes and include fording streams at recognized, customary road crossings or for agricultural purposes within the boundaries of land owned by the operator.
"The law recognizes that there are times when it is necessary and reasonable to take a vehicle into a stream," said Steward. "People going about legitimate business in appropriate ways don't have anything to worry about. What concerns us is people taking pickup trucks and ATVs running up and down streams for no good reason."
Missouri has public areas set aside especially for ATV riders. These include:
The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the new incentive for ethical ORV behavior at its August meeting. The policy change went into effect immediately. Dennis Steward, Protection Division administrator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said damage to streams from all-terrain and four-wheel-drive vehicles is a growing problem.
"We see it more in the Ozarks, particularly on streams like the Black and other clear streams," said Steward, "but it is a statewide problem."
In-stream ORV use is a problem for several reasons. Vehicle tires tear up stream bottoms, destroying fish habitat and stirring up mud that chokes out aquatic life. This reduces streams' recreational value. Running vehicles in and through streams also causes bank erosion, which damages public and private land.
Conservation agents spend many hours each year patrolling streams and writing citations for illegal use of ORVs. During the past three years, more than 250 people have been ticketed for ORV violations in streams. However, the average fine is less than $100, and the problem persists.
"We think this new tool will help get violators' attention," said Steward. "Having to pay a fine is one thing. Losing your ability to hunt deer and turkeys or go fishing is quite a bit more painful to most violators."
Under the new policy, the Conservation Department will recommend that the Conservation Commission suspend hunting and fishing privileges following procedures already in place for other wildlife-code violations. One-year suspension recommendations will be the rule, but the periods can vary according to the seriousness of the offense.
Missouri's participation in the Interstate Wildlife Violator's Compact makes the new policy even more attention-getting for those ticketed. Under the terms of the compact, all 20 participating states may honor other members' suspensions. An irresponsible ORV user in Missouri could lose his or her chance to hunt elk in Wyoming or fish for muskellunge in Minnesota.
Steward said there are some times and places where ORVs can be taken into streams legally. These are explained in Section 304.013 of the Missouri Revised Statutes and include fording streams at recognized, customary road crossings or for agricultural purposes within the boundaries of land owned by the operator.
"The law recognizes that there are times when it is necessary and reasonable to take a vehicle into a stream," said Steward. "People going about legitimate business in appropriate ways don't have anything to worry about. What concerns us is people taking pickup trucks and ATVs running up and down streams for no good reason."
Missouri has public areas set aside especially for ATV riders. These include:
- Finger Lakes State Park in Boone County, 573/443-5315.
- St. Joe State Park, 8,238 acres in St. Francois County, 573/431-1069.
- Sutton Bluff Recreation Area in Reynolds County, 573/729-6656.
- Chadwick ATV and Motorcycle Area in Christian County, 417/683-4428.
