It's all the rage to gang up on OHV users! Off-highway vehicles are an easy target but is it justified? Environmentalists constantly refer to contamination of the watershed as one of their concerns. But isn't the Ghost Dam part of the watershed? Are motorboats allowed on the reservoir? The majority of boats are fueled on the water with "jerry cans" and engine exhaust is emitted directly into the water. The oil-filled stern or drive on most engines is also completely submerged in the water! How can this be? People are still drinking and swimming in the reservoir and, believe it or not, there are still fish - alive! How about cattle grazing rights? No one ever talks about this group. Ever see a muskeg field trampled by cattle? They completely destroy the field but that's not all, take a look at the trees around any cattle grazing area, bark is rubbed off the trees and the trees never recover. Cattle and horses make trails, which can cause soil erosion. But now the best part: fecal contamination. That's right it's "OK" for cattle and horses to contaminate our streams so badly that they have to be closed to swimming or drinking. Where are the environmentalists? I guess they like hamburgers. Let's look a little further. Every winter our streets are treated with pickling solutions which contain salt, chemicals, sand and gravel and who knows what else. All types of vehicles use the roads and those vehicles contain antifreeze, oil, transmission fluid and other fluids that make their way onto the streets. Every time the snow melts all of those contaminates drain directly into our rivers – unfiltered. Oh yeah, I forgot, environmentalists drive vehicles, so that's why you don't here anything about this. What about logging in these areas? No, logging doesn't cause any damage or erosion at all! It only takes 25 to 50 years or more to recover from the massive destruction they cause. It's safe to say that most of us live in houses made of wood, including environmentalists! If these areas can handle the total destruction of the forest through logging then I'm sure they can handle OHVs crossing a creek or using trails. Don't get me wrong I'm not against motorboats, cattle grazing, cleaning our streets or logging. I am against so-called environmentalists who vilify one group over others just because they don't like it. Now let's get real. What will happen if OHV areas are closed? Is the OHV industry going to go away or disappear? Will OHV users stop using their vehicles? No, in fact the problem will be exacerbated because without designated OHV areas they will ride wherever they possibly can which may include truly environmentally sensitive areas. That's right, you will make it worse – far worse! There has to be designated areas for these types of activities. Of course we all have to be stewards of the environment. No one should be leaving garbage, beer cans, etc. and these offenders should be held accountable. But this doesn't mean that all designated areas for recreation should be closed down. In conclusion, if the government plans to close OHV areas, then they should also close down the same areas to hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, cattle grazing, logging and all other human activity. All lakes and streams should be closed down to boating, swimming, etc. Every one of these activities leaves their mark to some degree. Let's keep the OHV areas open and increase the size of recreational areas to keep pace with population growth so all user groups can enjoy them! Parks are for all Albertans – not just environmentalists. Darryl Park
