| My husband and I live in a recreational area in central | | | | Everything seemed to be going well, until one |
| Minnesota. As with most recreation areas throughout | | | | particular day. Recently our path system was |
| the country this means many frequently use 4 | | | | discovered by a group of 4 wheelers that are now |
| wheelers around us. We have 4 wheelers ourselves | | | | using it as a connection from one racing area to |
| that we use to plow snow from our driveway, haul | | | | another. The racing causes an excessive amount of |
| wood from the wood pile to the house and to travel | | | | noise and some serious damage to the wooded area, |
| the recreation trails of the area. We also use our 4 | | | | which prompted the interference of the department |
| wheelers during the deer hunting season to get back | | | | of natural resources which stepped in and banned the |
| to our deer stands and to transport the deer out of | | | | use of ATVs in this wooded area. |
| the woods. I think they are a useful and fun vehicle; | | | | This has been a great disappointment to those of us |
| however there are so many people who use their 4 | | | | who were using our 4 wheelers responsibly. When I |
| wheelers to destroy the natural beauty of our State | | | | mentioned this to some of my co-workers I was |
| unknowingly or purposefully. | | | | surprised to find out a majority of them thought that |
| It all starts from the fortunate fact that there are | | | | all ATV trails should be closed. Many people see |
| several paths in the acreage behind our home for 4 | | | | these trails as dangerous and harmful to the |
| wheelers. We normally use these paths to go from | | | | environment. I was amazed that they saw the 4 |
| one neighbors home to another and to simply walk in | | | | wheelers as a bad thing per se. A close look at the |
| the beautiful woods. The wooded area where the | | | | situation should reveal that the real culprits are those |
| paths are located has quite dense vegetation filled | | | | irresponsible people driving them. |
| with very old beautiful hardwood maples and ash | | | | The woods behind our house are much quieter now. |
| trees. This wooded area is classified under tax | | | | People still use the paths for walking and |
| forfeited land, so it is collectively owned by the State | | | | nature-gazing. The thing that still bugs me is that |
| of Minnesota. There is an agreement among the | | | | others are getting the message that 4 wheelers are |
| neighbors that we will all do our best to keep the | | | | bad for nature, when the true message should be |
| paths clear of brush and fallen debris. However, there | | | | irresponsible people are really what are bad for |
| are no rules or guidelines whatsoever about the use | | | | nature. It is unfair that thoughtless behavior by some |
| of 4 wheelers on the paths. Everyone used common | | | | people is over generalized and affects the entire |
| sense and was courteous to each other as well as to | | | | community. I love Nature. I love my 4 wheelers, too. |
| Mother Nature. | | | | They can co-exist. |