This
page created 11 August 2007
Modified 20 August 2007
Off-road
vehicles destroying the environment,
and others' enjoyment of the outdoors
Deliberate 4WD damage to alpine bog in Te Papanui Conservation Park, Otago.
Photo: Department of Conservation, 2006.
Wilful or unintentional damage to the outdoors from off-road vehicle use is reaching a crisis point. Increasing sales of ATV's, SUV's, trail and dirt bikes is overwhelming the outdoors.
Not only does this have obvious physical impacts. Other recreationists are having their experiences in the outdoors sullied, to the point of being displaced to ever-diminishing havens from the noise, dust, sights, and smells of motorised invaders.
There is a clash of cultures between those who have become dependent on their machines to, literally, go everywhere, and the rest - those who wish to recreate and enjoy the outdoors in peace, on its own terms and without mechanical props.
Many recreationists are in both camps but are content to just use their vehicles for access to their favoured recreation spot, park, then head off to engage in walking, fishing, bathing, mountain biking, or other minimal impact recreation. The inevitable restrictions that will come as a result of the damage inflicted by the thoughtless and the hoon will impact on everyone.
The authorities appear inept in addressing the conflicts, and the environmental and social costs. The wider public interest is being lost as a consequence.
Public roads, unformed roads in particular, are being wrecked by thoughtless use, with no consideration of the rights of others.
Parallel rutting to a public road along the crest of the Rock and Pillar Range, Otago, caused by vehicle use when wet. Photo: Bruce Mason, March 2007.
The Department of Conservation, at Head Office level, seems to have reached a political accord with organised 4WD groups by failing to act to stop the damage, by pretending that they are powerless to intervene. It appears that there is a crude political imperative at play, to encourage all-takers to use the conservation estate by any means, no matter what the adverse consequences. Repeated cop-out statements from DOC, and erroneous advice about unformed roads to Government's Walking Access Consultation Panel, prompted RANZ to investigate.
A 10-page report, plus appendices, has been produced setting out the law that is currently available to roading authorities and DOC to control irresponsible vehicle use, given a will to do so.
The report reveals that one influential national 4WD organisation, at least, hides behind a well-polished PR facade of environmental responsibility while trashing the countryside. Their published record of activities shows their claims of 'Treading Lightly' on the environment to be absurd. The RANZ report publishes photographs of their wheel-spinning, mud-wallowing, rut-gouging pastime. Photographs from throughout Otago provides stark evidence of the extent and intensity of damage from four-wheel drives and trail bikes. Such impacts are becoming nation-wide.
The report presents a range of policy considerations that local authorities and DOC should address. It concludes that for public lands vehicle use must be confined to 'on-road' - that 'off-road' motoring is inherently incompatible with their protected status. For public roads, local authorities are duty-bound to ensure that they remain suitable for use by everyone.
The report is viewable as pdf and jpg files:
Recreational off-road vehicles destroying the environment (304K) Essential download
Appendix 1 Tread Lightly Org (28K)
Appendix 2 Tread Lightly NZ to Greater Wellington Regional Council (28K)
Appendix 3a NZFWDA Web Site (264K) Essential download
Appendix 3b NZFWDA Safaris (240K) Essential download
Appendix 3C NZFWDA Club Trips (268K) Essential download
Appendix 4 Official information request - DOC response (104K)
Appendix 5 Official information appendix DOC to NZFWDA (188K)
Appendix 6 DOC to NZFWDA (208K)
Appendix 7 DOC to NZFWDA original (208K)
Appendix 8 Essential downloads
Gallery of 'Treading Lightly' on the Environment (jpg)8a Rock and Pillar Conservation Area bog (190K)
8b Te Papanui Conservation Park bog (190K)
8c Pisa Conservation Area bog (190K)
8d Pisa Conservation Area bog (190K)
8e Macetown Historic Reserve (160K)
8f Piano Flat, Waikaia Bush (190K)
8g Pisa Conservation Area cirque (160K)
8h Carrick-Nevis Road (190K)
8i Rock and Pillar Conservation Area sign (160K)
8j Rock and Pillar Conservation Area hut (160K)
8k Rock and Pillar Conservation Area bog wet (160K)
8l Rock and Pillar Conservation Area bog dry (190K)
8m Rock and Pillar mud-pugging (160K)
8n Rock and Pillar mud-pugging (160K)
8o Rock and Pillar mud-pugging (160K)
8p Rock and Pillar mud-pugging (130K)
8q Rock and Pillar Range road damage (160K)
8r Rock and Pillar Range road damage (160K)
8s Rock and Pillar Range road damage (190K)
8t Waikaia Bush Road (190K)
8u Waikaia Bush Road (190K)
8v Waikaia Bush Road (160K)
8x Old Man Range conservation area (160K)
