Off-Road Vehicles News

July 24: We encourage public input into the LRMP process requesting a provision continuing the prohibition of ATV use in the Finger Lakes National Forest. If you'd like to read our position and submit your comments, we've prepared a form you can download here.

ATVs and Other Off-Road Vehicles

Currently, the use of off road vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited in FLNF. The 1985 Forest Plan lists the primary reason for the decision to exclude ATVs from the Forest trails as the small size of the Forest and conflicts with other trail users.

Illegal off road vehicle use is a continual problem in the Forest and if ATV use is authorized, there will be an increased need for law enforcement to restrict motorized recreation to designated trails. ATV game retrieval and access to remote camping are also activities that will require regulation. ATV's are loud, dangerous and toxic. Soil erosion, trail damage, degradation of wildlife habitat and noise pollution are just a few of the negative effects off road vehicle use could bring to the Forest. Invasive plant species are rapidly distributed by seed transported in mud caked ATV treads.

The Forest Service presently has insufficient budget for law enforcement, invasive species control, and trail maintenance. The introduction of ATV use in FLNF use can only drain the insufficient budget available for restoration, education and wildlife protection.

Forest Watch opposes 4-wheeled motorized recreation in FLNF.