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Off-road park will fight OHV abuse, lessen impact
By Bruce Squires
Joshua Tree
I'd like to address some of the points made in a recent opinion letter opposing the construction of a facility for local off-road bikers.
€ Increased dust and noise, loud speakers and day and night stadium lighting: If the writers of the letter had been at the town council meeting when the idea was presented, they would have found there is simple and effective solution to the issues of dust and noise. They also would have noticed that no mention was made of loud speakers or day and night stadium lighting.
€ Air pollutants, trash, loss of habitat, increased traffic" Had they attended the meeting, they would also have learned that the State of California provides money to fund environmental impact studies to address all these issues. Incidentally, this money comes specifically from the fees paid by off-road riders when they license their vehicles. Perhaps it would be prudent to await the details of such a study before speaking of "environmental degradation."
€ N.I.M.B.Y.: Let's address the issue of "Not in my backyard." Folks, the problem already exists in your backyard. That's the reason this idea was presented in the first place. It is part of a three-prong solution, the other two being increased enforcement and rider education (which has already been implemented and is beginning to show positive results). Whether they're riding by on your street or cutting across your property, the resulting noise, dust and environmental damage have become widespread. At one time we had similar issues in town with skateboarders. Though it hasn't completely eliminated the problem, the construction of a skateboard park has drastically reduced it. It only makes sense to do the same thing with an off-highway vehicle facility. Even some of the national environmental organizations are starting to recognize that this helps minimize the damage to the environment.
€ (The off-road park will) provide the town with only $6,000 (10 percent of gate fees). The writers of the letter admit this is a conservative estimate. What they failed to consider are the additional revenues to the town that would come from the sales tax paid on the increased business that would be experienced by local restaurants, gas stations, stores, hotels, etc.
The author of the letter labeled the idea of the park an "abomination." It's time we replaced such inflammatory rhetoric with informed reasoning.
I'd like to address some of the points made in a recent opinion letter opposing the construction of a facility for local off-road bikers.
€ Increased dust and noise, loud speakers and day and night stadium lighting: If the writers of the letter had been at the town council meeting when the idea was presented, they would have found there is simple and effective solution to the issues of dust and noise. They also would have noticed that no mention was made of loud speakers or day and night stadium lighting.
€ Air pollutants, trash, loss of habitat, increased traffic" Had they attended the meeting, they would also have learned that the State of California provides money to fund environmental impact studies to address all these issues. Incidentally, this money comes specifically from the fees paid by off-road riders when they license their vehicles. Perhaps it would be prudent to await the details of such a study before speaking of "environmental degradation."
€ N.I.M.B.Y.: Let's address the issue of "Not in my backyard." Folks, the problem already exists in your backyard. That's the reason this idea was presented in the first place. It is part of a three-prong solution, the other two being increased enforcement and rider education (which has already been implemented and is beginning to show positive results). Whether they're riding by on your street or cutting across your property, the resulting noise, dust and environmental damage have become widespread. At one time we had similar issues in town with skateboarders. Though it hasn't completely eliminated the problem, the construction of a skateboard park has drastically reduced it. It only makes sense to do the same thing with an off-highway vehicle facility. Even some of the national environmental organizations are starting to recognize that this helps minimize the damage to the environment.
€ (The off-road park will) provide the town with only $6,000 (10 percent of gate fees). The writers of the letter admit this is a conservative estimate. What they failed to consider are the additional revenues to the town that would come from the sales tax paid on the increased business that would be experienced by local restaurants, gas stations, stores, hotels, etc.
The author of the letter labeled the idea of the park an "abomination." It's time we replaced such inflammatory rhetoric with informed reasoning.
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mydoit2002 wrote on Jan 7, 2009 11:29 PM: