Not the Right Decision for Public Lands

I have mostly agreed with President Donald Trump and his administration on the actions they have taken with federal lands. They certainly have done away with some unnecessary regulations. 

For public lands uses such as grazing and energy, the administration has eliminated some unneeded regulations, although there are still regulations ranchers, energy and other public lands users have to abide by. 

The administration has eliminated leasing public land for conservation uses which is good, as it was a misunderstood use to do away with the other public lands users.

I have always thought, in order to take care of all lands, whether private, state or federal, someone has to manage them. 

Lands left without management will suffer. Whether it is overuse by livestock, wild horses, invasive species and wildlife or human activity, unrepairable damage will occur.

I recently came across an article in the New York Times which really concerned me. The article was about President Trump lifting all restrictions on off-road vehicles on public lands. I think it is a horrible action because throughout my life, I’ve seen the public cause plenty of damage while using public lands.

Especially with the public involved, there has to be some sort of management or damage will occur. We’ve all seen it. 

Recreationists use a lot of toys to enjoy public lands these days, from four-wheelers and side-by-sides to electric bikes and off-road pickups. Those who make or sell these toys always have an advertisement with people climbing hills or driving fast through a stream. In some fragile soils and waterways, damage and erosion are easy to cause.

We have seen the public turn some public lands near towns into a junkyard for old dryers, washing machines and refrigerators. 

When we owned ranches in Green Mountain, we finally – with the Bureau of Land Management – had to rehab roads where people couldn’t drive on them. We ultimately put up gates to keep the public out from December to June.

Most of the public recreates in a responsible manner, but there are a few who cause damage others have to live with.

An issue I really disagree with the president on is opening up our national parks to off-road vehicles. We sure don’t need our national parks to have roads running everywhere.

When I was in Tanzania visiting the Serengeti, there were no off-road restrictions, so one could drive anywhere – road or no road. 

On the average day, there were around 100 safari vehicles driving everywhere to get close to wildlife, which were so used to all the traffic, one could drive right up next to them and they wouldn’t even get up. It was like driving around in a zoo.

When our national parks were established, the intent was to keep them, for the most part, pristine for generations to enjoy and not to fill them with roads.

Our public lands serve users and the public, and both have a responsibility to these lands. Opening up public lands with no responsibilities is not a good idea at all.