Impacts of all terrain vehicles (ATV) on National Forest Lands and Grasslands

Foltz, R.B.; Yanosek, K.A. 2005. Impacts of all terrain vehicles (ATV) on National Forest Lands and Grasslands. In Moglen, G.E., ed., Managing Watersheds for Human and Natural Impacts: Engineering, Ecological, and Economic Challenges. Proceedings of the 2005 Watershed Management Conference, July 19-22, 2005, Williamsburg, VA; Sponsored by Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 1 p.

Keywords: all terrain vehicles, ATV

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Abstract: The US Forest Service has identified unmanaged all terrain vehicle (ATV) use as a threat to forested lands and grasslands. Some undesirable impacts include severely eroded soils, user-created unplanned roads, disrupted wetland ecosystems, as well as general habitat destruction and degraded water quality throughout forested lands. More insight on how ATV use affects trails is needed in order to make management decisions concerning ATV use on National Forest lands. Factors which may determine impacts of ATVs include site characteristics, such as soil moisture, soil types, existing terrain, and storm events, and ATV attributes such as vehicle type, tire tread, amount of trail use, and rider attitude.

Moscow FSL publication no. 2005f