Off-road compromise

A proposal by the U.S. Forest Service to open trails to off-road vehicles in the Mark Twain National Forest in Southeast Missouri has raised concerns from both nearby landowners and avid off-road riders.

It's a battle that has been going on for years, but the Forest Service wants to attempt a compromise.

The agency held public meetings recently and is conducting studies on the proposal's environmental impact before making any decisions.

And no matter what the agency decides, there are some facts that cannot be disputed: Missourians like to ride off-road. There were 28,000 new ATV and off-road motorcycle purchases last year in the state. And the Forest Service has seen a 600 percent increase in off-road use in the last decade.

But the Forest Service has no idea how many illegal riders are trespassing through the parks. And, the agency says, those off-road vehicles are eroding the soil, hurting the water quality and disrupting natural habitats. They also create noise pollution for hikers, hunters, fishermen and horseback riders who want to enjoy the forest's serenity.

Neighboring landowners agree that the ATVs are harmful. Most dislike the noise and trash that the riders leave behind. Public opposition killed the Forest Service's last proposal to open 300 miles in the Salem and Potosi forest district.

The current proposal calls for opening 145 miles of off-road trails in forests near Potosi, Fredericktown and Poplar Bluff. The proposal would open some trails and stream crossings that were created by illegal off-road use.

The Forest Service knows that there is already a need for off-road trails. It just wants to find the best way to regulate their use on public lands. There's no disputing that off-road vehicles have already carved out their favorite spots in the forest and that the government hasn't the funds to pay for patrols to keep them out.

So it seems like an ideal situation for both ATV riders and environmentalists to work out a compromise. The Forest Service's plan deserves a chance.