Management Guidelines for ATV Recreation
June 29, 2011
Author Tom Crimmins, in association with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), are pleased to announce the release of their new book, Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation. Crimmins, retired from the U.S. Forest Service, spent many of his 32 years with the USFS as an OHV recreation program manager. Written primarily for OHV program and land managers, as well as OHV leaders and enthusiasts, the resource guide is designed to assist in the planning, development, operation, and maintenance of environmentally sustainable and quality OHV trails, trail systems and areas.
With annual OHV sales and use continuing at an all-time high, the need for more and better OHV trails is stronger than ever. "After meeting with OHV program managers from around the country we quickly saw a need for a publication such as this," explains NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes. "Getting copies of this book into the hands of as many OHV program and land managers as possible will not only help them perform their jobs more efficiently, but should also result in higher quality trails and trail systems for off-highway motorcycle, ATV and 4x4 riders and drivers. In addition, trail systems that are designed correctly and are properly managed also tend to be less susceptible to off-trail abuse. This in turn helps keep the trail system open as well as encouraging land managers to develop new ones."
Ehnes adds, "This book would also be a valuable tool for the leaders of OHV clubs and associations. I feel that they will become a much more effective partner in any OHV management planning process if they knew and understood the principals in this book. And this applies to both public and private lands."
Much of the material in this book was gleaned from the popular NOHVCC OHV Recreation Management Workshops that have been held for nearly a decade and includes information that is useful for managing OHV recreation anywhere in the nation. Some of the featured sections in Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation include;
- User Needs and Desires
- The Four Es of OHV Management; Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation
- Developing the Vision
- System and Route Planning
- Trail Design
- Active Management
Thanks to financial support from the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration for the development, the cost of the book is only $10, which includes shipping. To receive a copy of Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation call the NOHVCC at 800-348-6487 or e-mail them at [email protected]