ATVers get bad rap with nature lovers
Date Published | July 27, 2006
While ATVs are fun to ride, they are causing concerns for rural residents and those in the outlying communities.
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BY BILL BRADLEY
Residents and law enforcement officers are becoming increasingly more concerned about the misuse of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) in bush country and Greater Sudbury streets.
"We are seeing a lot of damage by ATVs running rampant all over this area," said Paul Merrifield, a property owner in the Lake Agnew area.
"On some weekends there are hundreds of machines. This seems to be a gathering place for them. They run roughshod over the area and they don't care what they do."
Merrifield said there is a trout stream near his residence that is being affected by ATVs.
"This is a pristine little stream. Around here people really enjoy it for its natural beauty. Now there are these big lumbering ATVs running directly in the stream throwing up sediment and just making a mess out of it. It seems they use the water to clean off their machines but they are probably putting oil and grease into the water too."
Merrifield has tried calling the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, and even the police.
"I made calls but got nowhere. Either officials do not have the person power to police the back country or they don't make it a priority."
However, Greater Sudbury Police say they are definitely concerned about ATVs.
"We are having problems with ATVs in all outlying areas. We are swamped with complaints about careless driving in the bush, on side streets and on roads in Greater Sudbury," said traffic Sgt. Guy Lavoie.
"The public is reminded that all terrain vehicles are not allowed on any road within Greater Sudbury. Any person found operating an ATV on a street will be charged. ATVs must be fully insured, plated and the operator must wear an approved helmet."
ATV riders who think they can just drive off into the bush to elude police may get a surprise.
"Since last year Greater Sudbury police now have two ATVs for our patrols. If we catch you on a highway, you will get a ticket for a $110 fine. Since you will be considered a motor vehicle on a highway, if you don't have insurance you can get a fine up to $5,000," said Lavoie.
What concerns police is the rise in ATV accidents and the seriousness of the incidents.
"Our statistics for ATV accidents are doubling. In 2004, we recorded seven accidents. In 2005, there were 13 accidents with injuries, including two major injuries. Now in 2006, already we have seven accidents with one being a fatality on June 18 where a man, Kevin Romansky was killed.
"For us this is unacceptable."
Lavoie remarked that officers conducted ATV patrols in Valley East and Capreol over the July 10 weekend.
Several ATVs were stopped, resulting in two people being charged with having no plates and one was charged with failing to have insurance. Three other charges were laid relating to documentation offenses.
Canada is second only to the United States in ATV sales worldwide. In 2005, 80,000 were purchased, outselling snowmobiles four to one, according to the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicle Clubs.
Nature Ontario, a federation of Ontario naturalists, is working with its federal counterparts, Nature Canada, to get action on damage caused to trails by ATVs.
"We have nature clubs all across the province and all are reporting concerns with ATVs. We expect the situation is similar across Canada so we are collaborating with groups nationally to get some action on this serious issue," said Jennifer Baker, regional projects co-ordinator of Nature Ontario.
The organization has been documenting ATV damage.
"Research has shown that the churning up of stream sediments destroys aquatic vegetation and alters the habitat for fish and invertebrates. Irresponsible ATV riders who are going up and down stream beds crush vegetation and leave ruts behind. The increased turbidity and sedimentation smothers invertebrates and amphibians, and causes increased predation on eggs and adults, physiological stresses, gill damage, and the list goes on," according to information posted on the Nature Canada website.
The seriousness of the issues regarding ATV use prompted the formation of a local group, which met for the first time earlier this year.
"We did work with the City of Greater Sudbury and local ATV users to help them get organized as a group so they can inform each other of their responsibilities. I think ATV users do want to present a better image of themselves to the public and police," said Deb MacIntosh, co-ordinator of Rainbow Routes, a non-profit group promoting the use of trails for walking and hiking.
"Last February we organized a meeting in Walden. Despite their being a snowstorm at the time, we had more than 70 people attend. Right now a group is being formed, chaired by a former bank manager, with representation from police and other interested bodies.
"I think positive change is coming for all concerned."
Here GG ,I managaed to search the paper and find the article ( at least i think this is what you were refering to )
Wolf
