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