News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Gorman – (520) 243-7446
Kent Nicholls – (520) 591-7557
Kirk Rysdam – (520) 762-8771
Tucson, Arizona (June 3, 2008)– School is out and that means there may be more inexperienced riders out on quads or ATVs. The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is encouraging responsible Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riding to improve public health and protect the environment. PDEQ urges OHV riders to avoid residential areas and publicly-owned washes to decrease the frustration level of residents living near the OHV activity and to reduce complaints to PDEQ from affected residents.
“By no means are we asking OHV enthusiasts to stop riding,” stated Karen Wilhelmsen, Program Coordinator for PDEQ. “We are asking them to ride responsibly to protect the quality of life of the neighbors,” she continued. Riding OHVs too fast or on dry or powdery soil can raise excessive amounts of particulate matter into the air we breathe. “Particulate pollution can cause breathing difficulties, reduced lung function, heart attacks, and even premature death,” Wilhelmsen stated. Airborne dust affects all individuals, especially the elderly, children, and people with respiratory or heart disease. The department has received various OHV-related complaints including dust interfering with backyard barbecues, people having trouble breathing, homeowners not feeling safe walking in their neighborhood, and pets being frightened by the loud, fast moving vehicles.
Responsible riding may also ensure that OHV use does not become such a controversial topic as to warrant stricter rules and regulations to inhibit their use. “Part of the responsibility that comes with OHV use is the respect of non-users rights,” stated Kent Nicholls, President of the Southern Arizona Off-Road Coalition. “Non-OHV users have as much right to have clean air to breathe as the OHV riders do to use their vehicles,” he continued. Keeping out of residential areas and washes for the health and safety of neighbors, wildlife, and wildlife habitat, will reduce public objection, and build a more positive attitude towards OHV use.
OHV enthusiasts can ride on the many miles of designated trails on BLM, State Trust, and Arizona Game and Fish lands. They can also ride for enjoyment and competition at the Pima Motorsports Park located at 11700 South Harrison Road near the Pima County Fairgrounds. “As OHV usage continues to grow, so does the need for a dedicated place to enjoy those activities,” stated Kirk Rysdam, President of the Pima Motorsports Partners, Inc. “Our organization,” Rysdam continued, “is a non-profit group that operates Pima Motorsports Park, providing a family-oriented environment where users can enjoy their off-road motorcycles and four wheelers.” Rysdam states that the facility was developed with safety and environmental responsibility in mind. Their website, www.pimamotorsportspark.com, lists a schedule of activities at the facility.
Riders in the Tucson area might find the following websites helpful in determining appropriate trails to ride on, OHV rules, laws, and responsibilities.
www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/arizona_ohv_trails.shtml
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/ohv/ohv.shtml
www.azstateparks.com/partnerships/ohv/ohv_info.html
PDEQ has a Fugitive Dust Program incorporating outreach and education as well as compliance aspects. The PDEQ program strives to respond appropriately to public complaints regarding airborne dust sources, and educate the community on how to minimize airborne dust. Citizens may call PDEQ at 243-7400 or click on www.deq.pima.gov to file a complaint or for more information. Current air quality data can be found at www.AirInfoNow.org.
###
