They're their own worst enemy!
NEW OHV RESTRICTIONS AT LAKE DEWEESE SWA (Colorado)
Beginning in July 1, 2006, “Off Highway Vehicles” (OHV’s) will no longer be permitted at Lake DeWeese State Wildlife Area. The ban will include ATV’s and dirt bikes that are not licensed for highway use.
Lake DeWeese is located approximately eight miles northeast of the town of Westcliffe in Custer County. The wildlife area is a popular place for fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
In recent years the number of people driving OHV’s at Lake DeWeese has increased, which resulted in a rise in the number of complaints about excessive noise and dust. Frequent traffic violations were reported on the surrounding county roads as well.
“Safety is a big concern for us” said Becky Manly, District Wildlife Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “On any summer day we can find OHV drivers illegally driving on county roads including the road below the dam. This road has poor visibility and is dangerous. Several of the drivers we find are under 16 years old.”
Manly also said that damage to the ecosystem from OHV’s is a growing problem. With no real trails and no “destination” some OHV drivers caused property damage by driving cross country and tearing up the property.
“We tried to discourage OHV drivers from using these new tracks by building big berms, but many of them just jumped them,” said Manly. Destruction of wildlife habitat is one of the primary reasons the number of wildlife species decline.
“I hope that this change will have a positive impact on the wildlife area. There are still several places close by where people can drive OHV’s, much more suited for OHV recreation,” she said.
NEW OHV RESTRICTIONS AT LAKE DEWEESE SWA (Colorado)
Beginning in July 1, 2006, “Off Highway Vehicles” (OHV’s) will no longer be permitted at Lake DeWeese State Wildlife Area. The ban will include ATV’s and dirt bikes that are not licensed for highway use.
Lake DeWeese is located approximately eight miles northeast of the town of Westcliffe in Custer County. The wildlife area is a popular place for fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing.
In recent years the number of people driving OHV’s at Lake DeWeese has increased, which resulted in a rise in the number of complaints about excessive noise and dust. Frequent traffic violations were reported on the surrounding county roads as well.
“Safety is a big concern for us” said Becky Manly, District Wildlife Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “On any summer day we can find OHV drivers illegally driving on county roads including the road below the dam. This road has poor visibility and is dangerous. Several of the drivers we find are under 16 years old.”
Manly also said that damage to the ecosystem from OHV’s is a growing problem. With no real trails and no “destination” some OHV drivers caused property damage by driving cross country and tearing up the property.
“We tried to discourage OHV drivers from using these new tracks by building big berms, but many of them just jumped them,” said Manly. Destruction of wildlife habitat is one of the primary reasons the number of wildlife species decline.
“I hope that this change will have a positive impact on the wildlife area. There are still several places close by where people can drive OHV’s, much more suited for OHV recreation,” she said.
