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The Nation's Pulse
The Eternal Quest
Check out the wilderness trash operations of the Bureau of Landfill Management.
I was recently out hiking on what I call “The Bureau of Landfill Management” and came home with a grocery bag full of beer and soda pop cans. That’s the limit I can stuff in my day pack. I could have retrieved more. Hiking friends perform the same chore. We always ignore paper and fast food trash. Paper will eventually degrade and go away. This is an eccentric hobby; the trash collection, that is. The detritus comes from folks driving pickups and “All Terrain Vehicles” (ATVs).
The public lands in the West are remote, yet accessible. The 192 million acres maintained by the United States Forest Service (USFS) are honeycombed with dirt roads, the result of a century of timber harvest and public works projects. The total mileage length of these roads is 375,000, or roughly eight times that of the Interstate Highway System. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has 40,000 miles of “maintained” roads (there’s much more), mostly the result of cattle ranching and energy development. Road building in the West — like bridge and dam building — has always been something of a fetish, public policy as an uncontrollable urge. Generations of Western politicians have made their careers with these huge projects.
Wherever one happens to be on a backcountry dirt road in the Northern Rockies, one is never so remote as to be more than forty miles from a paved road, therefore a link to civilization. National Parks such as Yellowstone, while projecting wilderness attributes, are covered with paved roads. The only “unroaded” places in the public domain are designated wilderness areas, the Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, for examples.
In the last twenty years ATVs have become popular. These four wheelers with heavy-duty tires are designed for rough terrain, and therefore easily driven over bumpy dirt roads and off them, the latter often resulting in impromptu-made trails and thus ruts and erosion. For instance, there have been problems in Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains with the trashing of their high elevation wetlands home to migratory waterfowl. And desert terrain in the Southwest near large cities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix is popular with the ATV crowd, with the aforementioned negative results.
Beyond the littering and the ruts, a tiny percentage of ATVers enjoy chasing wildlife, such as deer and elk. These ungulates need to conserve body fat, especially in the autumn and winter months, and any such stress results in increasing the odds that they won’t survive a hard winter. It takes a real idiot to try to run down a deer with an ATV.
We hear much in the media about the so-called national obesity epidemic, where a large percentage of Americans are considered overweight, and this is apparent to most of us. The problem seems to be that many people have simply abandoned walking. I have a friend in Wyoming who once jokingly told me that when he travels his feet “don’t touch the ground,” meaning that he’s either driving his truck or riding his horse. Once while out with fellow hiking enthusiasts miles up a mountain road we encountered some ATVers who inquired: “Did you walk all the way up here?” To their amazement, the answer was yes.
The folks driving these toys are a mostly law-abiding group. But a minority are responsible for the trash problems and other outrages when they go “off road.” There are calls from environmentalists to ban ATVs from the public lands, and complaints from ATVers that federal land managers are working toward that end. The same goes for snowmobiles, the wintertime version of the ATV, though snowmobiles are mostly reviled for noise and sooty exhaust, the result of their two-stroke engines. Yellowstone National Park has for years been mired in controversy over its winter policy on snowmobiles, which changes with the coming and going of successive administrations in Washington.
To their credit, national organizations including the BlueRibbon Coalition work hard to promote responsible motorized recreation on the public lands. But if ATVers ever lose their access to these lands, it will be because the general public tires of the garbage and the ruts and the gratuitous harassment of wildlife. In other words, they can blame themselves. In the meantime, along with other people I bring home the trash.
So, I wander along without hope or despair while picking up those aluminum gems shining in the sun. They’re always there.
About the Author
Bill Croke, formerly of Cody, Wyoming, is a writer in Salmon, Idaho.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (23) | Leave a comment
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Kitty| 6.29.11 @ 6:54AM
I've noticed since the economy has been steadily slipping, there are fewer empties littering the area because there are more people picking them up for the nickle refund.
ray bob| 6.29.11 @ 8:33AM
classic sign in national forests; Public land, keep Out!"
the nuts who claim to 'protect' the forests do not want any use of the public lands, they start with motorcycles (and yes ATV's), then they come after other users, hunters et al, then the bicycles, ultimately to hikers and horse back users too. it is a shame the few who treat the forests as a landfill make the other responsible users look bad to often. we must preserve the right to use the forests in all manners and fashions for responsible activities.
Patzer| 6.29.11 @ 9:09AM
Mr. Croke:
Thank you for your efforts. Especial thanks for NOT calling for a big government "solution."
Back in the 1980s at the University of Illinois, the lefties had a protest called "Hash Wednesday," during which they took to the Quad to smoke dope. A local bar seized the opportunity to sell case upon case of Little Kings Cream Ale in an attempt to "set a World Record."
As might be imagined, the Quad was thoroughly trashed, except for a 10 x 12 foot area occupied by a bunch of College Republicans. A Birkenstock-wearing, bearded Lefty came over and congratulated us "for having the cleanest party." When I asked him if he wanted to know WHY our area was so clean, he was eager to know.
My reply, "It's because we're Republicans, and we believe in picking up after ourselves rather than expecting the government to do it," pissed him off greatly.
Dave Williams| 6.29.11 @ 12:46PM
Game, set, and match to you, sir! Well done!
CharlieEcho| 6.29.11 @ 2:16PM
Patzer; In recent years the Quad has proved insufficient and the crowd has grown. There is now what is called "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day". The entire campus between Neil and Race streets are privy to the revelry. Though the city officials of these "twin" cities make noise to the fact, I'm not sure they want it to end. Kids come from colleges across the nation to spend money and brain cells.
I participated in neither of the events. I was into my thirties in the 80's and raising a family. Though we still hiked and camped. If you pack it in? Then pack it out? I'm teaching my grand-kids those goals regarding stewardship of the planet.
Ken (Old Texican)| 6.29.11 @ 9:15AM
Bill,
I'm with you, guy.
Conservative Bob| 6.29.11 @ 9:33AM
Love my ATV, Love my 76 Land cruiser. Love riding trails in the county /woods.
Regardless of activity I have always wondered why anyone feels the need to drop their trash where they play. IF you can carry it into to the woods what is so difficult about carrying it out with you. I spend a great deal of time on the water as I live on a lake... same holds true there as well people willing to throw their trash in the lake.
I suspect that some people’s mothers brought them up differently; I was always expected to pick up after myself. I have made my own way in life in general; wonder if there is a connection?
Aquanomics| 6.29.11 @ 10:30AM
Former hiker/mountain biker here. Never owned an ATV, likely never will. In my perfect world there'd be no BLM/USFS and ATV riders would pay to use land much like they do in TN and other southern states. Off road parks are common, just not out here where we (the big we) can abuse land to our hearts content.
So we either privatize and cut my taxes waaay back or keep all those public lands open, even if it means open to a##hats.
Petronius| 6.29.11 @ 11:38AM
We used to have more terracide in St Francis and Iron Counties than the rest of our entire state. The favorite "sport" of some owners of those enormous 4x4 pickups was driving through the riverbeds and larger creeks in these areas to the point where the Mo. legislature had to prohibit any vehicle entry through any stream except at desginated crossing points and low water bridges. One poor vacationer was brought into the old Bonne Terre clinic bruised and bleeding, and when the desk nurse asked what happened, he told her "I was on a float trip on the Black River and got hit by a truck." This made news in the Conservationist as I recall. The Suttons Bluff area was in a state of ruin for years because these goobs would drive into the shallows there under the afternoon shade, drink most of their beer, and send the empties downstream. Some would even change oil over the once clear water.
In the late 60's we used to see those PSA's with Iron Eyes Cody witnessing a littering public in rural areas and other acts of natural vandalism, which these 4 wheel jockies get off on. Putting an end to it was simple prudent conservation. The old lead mining tailings are now assigned for recreational use for 4x4 and ATV enthusiasts by the state and county authorities as a bigger mess cannot be made of this land. These guys should have a place to play, but scenic areas should be off limits more than 5 yards off the trails and roads unless you're on foot.
All in all, let's return to common sense about things. Streets are for motorized traffic going from point to point. Cyclists who are courteous in traffic are no problem. Runners and joggers belong on the sidewalks with other pedestrians. As for the 4x4 weekender with full tanks and coolers, your truck may be designed for off road use, but tearing up streams and countrysides is not one of them unless you own it and have no interest in maintaining your investment. Just have some class other than lowest middle. I end with a question to all the yobs out there. What is so amusing about committing wanton destruction?
Ned the Red| 6.29.11 @ 11:49AM
Forty years ago I used to go camping almost every weekend, winter and summer. Back then the ATV thing was just starting up. I never owned one. I preferred walking, shooting, and just being outdoors. I was in Western Utah and it was not uncommon to have a whole valley and the small mountain ranges surrounding it to yourself. It was only on the big holiday weekends that the noise makers invaded.
We drove a pickup and stayed on the roads already established, and we still found very out of the way places to camp.
Many times after the holiday campers left I would go to their temporary abodes and clean up the garbage; either burning it or burying it on the spot. My upbringing and the Boy Scouts had taught me to respect the land. Some would leave their areas clean, some did not.
Being young and immature I developed a distain for these folks, thinking they shouldn't be allowed on my desert. I thank God that I grew up and realized that it was their desert also; not just mine to do what I approved of.
I liked to shoot guns and enjoyed the freedom to do so without formalized restrictions or rules. I like to be able to camp wherever I chose and build a fire pit of my own. I knew if the BLM (we called them Bud L. Martins) don’t ask me why, started to restrict the behavior I didn’t like, soon the behavior I enjoyed would come to an end. (Think crypto-biological soil) I didn’t walk on trails, there weren’t any established. Anyway, I had to accept the folks who enjoyed different activities than I did, but at the same time not condone bad behavior. I learned to avoid them (stayed home on the big weekends) and as I said clean up the messes left by the dirt bags while keeping my disgust bottled up.
I don’t go camping anymore, but looking at the Google satellite view of my old stomping ground I see more ATV trails, but not as bad as I expected. I have seen some real damage done by the few who are irresponsible, but I suspect in a thousand years, a blink of geologic time, all traces will be history.
The folks who ride ATVs do and need to educate and police themselves if they want to keep their freedom to ride. I know many of them have formed groups and do just that. That will solve the problem not the BLM.
Old Utah Ham| 6.29.11 @ 1:56PM
You are right. I am an avid dirt bike and ATV rider who also enjoys the Utah west desert and the mountains too. My theory about the trashing of the west is to look at the trasher’s home. Same, same. They think that mama is there to clean up after them, or not.
LindaF | 6.29.11 @ 12:40PM
It's the concept that some "other" - mom, government, the serfs - will pick up after someone who clearly considers himself too important to be bothered.
It's true, Conservatives generally take responsibility for their actions, including picking up their own trash, paying for their own children, and taking the time and energy to minimize the effect their actions have on others.
kennyg| 6.29.11 @ 12:50PM
Riding atvs in the wood is one of the most injoyable things you can do.
Foxfier | 6.29.11 @ 1:23PM
Don't forget the moron "mudboggers" who go out and destroy any place that has enough damp soil to "get some mud on the tires." (to quote the @#$@# bumper sticker)
If someone wants pictures, here's an example:
http://sailorette.blogspot.com.....-play.html
My folks do some of the cattle work that the author mentions, and they regularly have to go up before putting the cattle out and photograph the damage done so they don't get blamed for destroying these areas.
There was a beautiful little three-sided stone "wall" build-up around this spring, with a nice little pool and lovely green meadow plants all around it.
Kitty| 6.29.11 @ 2:05PM
Back in the 70s, we lived on a postage stamp-sized lot in a quiet neighborhood. Behind our home was an empty lot. One winter day we came home to find snowmobilers had buzzed the dog's pen and circled our home, over and over again. There literally wasn't a square foot of snow untouched by tracks. It looked like they spent quite a while on our property.
TheRightIsAnythingBut| 6.29.11 @ 2:03PM
Speaking of trash - from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Madison - A GOP candidate from Green Bay running in a Senate recall race has been convicted of two misdemeanor counts, arrested on other occasions, and now faces another probe by the Oconto County Sheriff's Department.
The incidents involving David VanderLeest, which were raised by Democrats Wednesday, stem from domestic violence allegations. VanderLeest, 34, helped organize the recall against Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and is the only Republican on the ballot challenging Hansen in the July 19 election.
"It's an open investigation at the current time. It has also been shared with our human services department," Clark Longsine, chief deputy at the Oconto County Sheriff's Department, said Wednesday of the latest investigation. Longsine said he couldn't provide more details.
VanderLeest, a Green Bay wind farm developer with a history of other legal troubles, pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges in 2007 as part of a plea deal. Also Wednesday, Democrats pointed to at least two other dates in which VanderLeest was arrested for alleged domestic abuse involving his ex-wife in 2006 and 2009 but was not convicted.
His former wife also obtained restraining orders against him in 2005 and again in 2006.
Quartermaster| 6.29.11 @ 8:35PM
And your point is? That WI Demonrats are actually angels and not taking kids from their classrooms, where they belong, and taking them to protests in Madison, or writing fake notes for teachers to lies about being sick instead of deserting their posts and going to Madison to protest?
Surely not. Demonrats are pure as the driven snow.
jim kroc| 6.29.11 @ 3:09PM
They should go after the jet skiers who litter our seas and harass the sea life too
jim kroc| 6.29.11 @ 3:10PM
They should go after the jet skiers who litter our seas and harass the sea life too.
Conservative Bob| 6.29.11 @ 6:49PM
Who is they??
LiveFreeOrDie| 6.30.11 @ 8:19PM
Anyone suggesting ATV's ought to be banned I couldn't disagree more and the thought process is quite liberal. Take a drive down any highway and look at the amount of trash. Ban automobiles? I notice a lot of litter seems to be beverage containers. Ban beer? Ban soda? Bottled water? The problem is people and their behavior, not an inanimate object incapable of committing crime.
Anywhere people gather, regardless of their mode of transportation, you will find litter. Blaming ATV's is ignorant. Campers, hikers and fishermen litter all the time. Enjoy the outdoors however you like and have some respect for others who do the same.
weddingdress | 7.1.11 @ 12:36AM
I've noticed since the economy has been steadily slipping, there are fewer empties littering the area because there are more people picking them up for the nickle refund.
johnhenry| 7.5.11 @ 5:25PM
Next time walk the highway's, they have just as much trash along side them as there is in the hills. Or is this just another ploy for you environmentalist's to close everything down that you can???