Following is copied out of our handbook to give a general idea of what we are about. The State of Utah is, for the time being, underwriting this effort but we hope to be self-sufficient once it gets going. There are already more than 300 members state wide but this is only a drop in the bucket to what we need. This is a chance to work with our land managers and have work or patrol duties documented.
We are at a point now that if we don’t all get involved we won’t have any place to recreate. The directive from Washington to the FS and BLM is to work with user groups to manage recreation. If there is no involvement from us the managers have been instructed to close areas that are being abused.
There are just insufficient funds for the agencies to enforce rules and that is why they have been instructed to use user groups to help with this enforcement. Don’t get me wrong, the Utah Trail Patrol is just the eyes and ears of the land managers. We have no jurisdiction in enforcing the rules. Peer pressure is our means to control the abusers by setting example and education not by issuing tickets.
In a nutshell a charter group consists of 10 or more individuals that act as a trail patrol and work with land managers to patrol or do service projects. The time you serve as a volunteer is documented and if you inure any expenses they can be written off on your taxes.
The commitment is this: a minimum of 10 hours a year of volunteer work and always set an example to others by staying on an approved trail. Know before you go to know that you are on an approved trail.
To become a Utah Trail Patrol member it will be necessary for you to receive training in the form of a training class. This class has been shortened to about an hour. You will receive a handbook as well as a shirt to identify yourself to others as a Trail Patrol Member which is worn while doing volunteer work or while on patrol.
Todd
Your interest in the OHV Trail Patrol is greatly appreciated. If you are looking for an organization that is taking responsibility for our public and private OHV recreation areas, you have come to the right group. Please take the time to read through this manual, and then read it again later for a review. It is our hope you will support our mission statement and join with us to achieve our goal of promoting OHV Safety, Service, and Education!
The Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Patrol is a volunteer organization for people who are concerned about maintaining our natural resources and recreational access for future generations.
You are the key to a pleasant recreation experience; your concern for other recreation users and the areas we share is the difference between reduced animosity between users, continued access, and area closures. A few individuals and agencies have made attempts to educate the public and provide trailside assistance, usually resulting in frustration or burnout. By relying on the assistance of Patrol members, the responsibilities can be shared between agency representatives and individual Patrol members to increase awareness and improve the quality of experience for everyone.
Our efforts to enhance the safety of OHVers and the other land users are critical to our success. We actively seek opportunities to assist host agencies and landowners to improve our recreation opportunities while maintaining our recreation areas. As OHV Patrol members, we assume responsibility for our conduct and attempt to positively influence the actions of our fellow OHV users. In the long term, the OHV Trail Patrol’s role will be perceived by outdoor recreationalests as being a critical element of support to motorized recreational opportunities.
The goal of the OHV Trail Patrol is
Safety – Service - Education
Organizational Overview
Mission
The mission of the Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Patrol Is:
1 Set an example, support and assist all land users and managers; Promote and facilitate education, responsible, safe and enjoyable use of off-highway vehicles (OHV)
Our mission is embodied in the following three goals; Safety, Service, and Education.
We will provide assistance to land users, enhance their recreation experience and provide critical support during a crisis. The OHV Trail Patrol will help conserve environmental resources, encourage ethical recreational behavior, and manage impacts. Through education the OHV trail Patrol will make an impact on recreational opportunities for future generations. Together with land managers and landowners, we will develop, maintain, and rehabilitate recreation areas for sustained use. Our role in achieving the mission is critical; our participation and the example we set as individual Trail Patrol Members will help inspire our fellow OHV user’s to recreate responsibly.
Values
We hold the following values to be vital to OHV recreation:
o Recreational use of OHV’s is a legitimate use of public lands
o Every operator of an OHV has the obligation to participate safely and responsibly.
o We obey the laws governing the use of OHV’s
o We respect the rights and privileges of others.
o We apply the principles of Tread Lightly.
o Voluntary service is necessary to ensure the future of OHV use.
o Safe and responsible use f OHV’s promotes good citizenship, physical fitness, and family values.
o OHV’s provide a recreational opportunity that enables people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the great outdoors and to partake of the physical, mental, emotional, and spritual values found there.
o We believe in sharing knowledge and information with others.
o We believe in having fun
Duties
The Utah Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Patrol is an organization formed to serve as goodwill ambassadors to all public land users with whom we come in contact. Duties of Trail Patrol members include the following
o Provide information and education to users.
o Work with and educate other groups interested in environmental conservation.
o Provide assistance to users, i.e. call for emergency help, troubleshoot mechanical problems, provide emergency assistance, water, etc.
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o Identify, document, and report areas/facilities damaged by vandalism, negligence, or weather.
o Report any environmental problems to the responsible agency or landowner.
o Assist in rehabilitation work.
o Install and maintain signs and perform light trail maintenance work in cooperation with land managers.
o Help maintain other facilities, such as cattle guards, fences, gates, restrooms, etc, in cooperation with landowners and managers.
o Document all work done.
o Participate in search and rescue only when requested.
o Develop and maintain positive relations with other recreationists and promote good ethics.
o Establish and maintain a positive working relationship with public agencies (BLM, USFS, NPS, State Parks, etc) and educate others regarding the laws they uphold.
o Promote programs such as; Adopt-A-Trail, Adopt-A-River way, Adopt-A-Highway, Know Before You Go, and Pack it In Pack it Out.
o Participate in private and public planning for OHV use and annual recreation funding plans (Local, County, State, USFS, and BLM).
o Organize and/or coordinate activities with other Trail Patrols.
o Conserve natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations.
o Offer other appropriate assistance to recreation users to enhance the image of OHV users as good citizens.
Trail Patrol members must be familiar with educational and informational resources available to the public. Maps are usually available through the local land agency office, and specialized maps are available through various map stores and Internet sites. Knowledge of other programs such as volunteer programs, management programs, recreation fee demonstration programs, will enable Trail Patrol members to accurately educate the public.
Knowledge of resources available to the public in form of clubs, associations, and interest groups is critical to completely support all OHV users. Call Utah State Parks and recreation’s Know Before You Go center at 1-800-648-7433 for:
o “Know Before You Go” OHV training for Off-Highway Motorcycles, ATV’s and Snowmobiles.( mandatory for youth ages 8 through 15 and those who have never had a drivers license).
o A list of OHV related groups.
o Summer and winter OHV riding area information.
o Winter trail grooming information.
o Utah avalanche conditions
o Check for this information on the web at; parks.state.ut.us
I will post up when the next training session will be. You can contact me at (801) 631-7993 if I don't pick up leave me a voice mail. If you have a group of 10 or more we will come out to your meetining and do the training for you all you have to do is let us know.
Todd
