Houston Regional Group - News

For the past year, the U.S. Forest Service (FS) has expanded its law enforcement staff from one (Yes, you read that right!) to three in the 163,000 acre Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF), an area about 40 miles by 20 miles in size. Aggressive enforcement of the laws, regulations, rules, and orders that apply to off-road vehicle (ORV) use in SHNF is bringing needed relief to the natural resources we all enjoy and own. Illegal ORV use damages vegetation, soil, water, wildlife, solitude, and quiet.

Last fall the Sierra Club contacted the FS about illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use on the Lone Star Hiking Trail that was reported by one of our members. District Ranger Warren Oja contacted FS law enforcement and the Sierra Club got a call from Officer McGallicher. Officer McGallicher told the Sierra Club about some of the illegal ATV use that he had encountered and what had been done. In addition to citing and arresting people caught illegally riding, Officer McGallicher stated that some ATVs had been confiscated at the time of arrest. This means that the person not only has to go to court, but has to settle the case before getting the ATV back.

In another instance, illegal riding was occurring at Kelly's Pond, an undeveloped recreation area that is popular with ORV riders. All ORV use must occur in Kelly's Pond and the rest of SHNF on designated trails, called permanently maintained trails, which are part of the "motorized multi-use trail system". People were riding their motorcycles off trail through the Kelly's Pond Recreation Area and not on designated trails. Several people were cited for this illegal use.

A meeting was requested by a local ORV club with the FS and was held at the District Ranger's Office in New Waverly. The representatives of the ORV club were upset because some of their members were cited at Kelly's Pond. The FS made clear what was legal and the ORV club representatives stated they understood, would abide by the rules, and would spread the word.

Recently, District Ranger Oja contacted the Sierra Club via email. District Ranger Oja stated that FS law enforcement found two people riding illegally in the Little Lake Creek Wilderness Area (motorized vehicles are not allowed in wilderness) on June 23, 2007. The driver of the ATV was issued several citations and then arrested when it was determined that there were several outstanding warrants for his arrest and was taken to jail. The passenger was cited and the ATV was impounded. In another incident, an ATV rider was caught riding his ATV on FM 945 and was issued several citations. ATV's are not street legal vehicles and cannot be ridden on public roads.

If you visit SHNF and see illegal ORV use or fresh evidence of illegal use contact the FS on weekends at 936-294-8224 or during the weekdays at 936-344-6205.

For years the Sierra Club has encouraged the FS to expand its law enforcement force and aggressively attack the illegal ORV use problem. The Sierra Club is happy to see that this is now occurring and salutes the District Ranger and law enforcement officers for their "zero tolerance policy" for illegal ORV use. Thank you!

September 2007

Last updated:  07/08/2007.   Content © 1999-2007 by the Sierra Club.