Environmental Groups Join Forces to Voice Concern Over Damage Caused by ATVs


From Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
Tuesday, June 04, 2002

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA — There is an environmental crisis in Nova Scotia: All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are causing extensive damage to the natural environment. The problem is rapidly getting worse and government action is urgently required. Recreational use of ATVs should not be permitted in natural areas designated for protection. This was the unanimous consensus of a group of organisations that met on May 25th to address the problem, led by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Nova Scotia Chapter (CPAWS-NS).
The government of Nova Scotia has set aside certain public lands as “wilderness areas”, “parks”, “special places”, and “protected beaches.” These protected areas have been established so that their natural character is retained for wild species and as heritage for future generations. A key component of the various pieces of legislation governing these protected areas is the prohibition of the recreational use of motorized vehicles, including off-road vehicles such as ATVs. Unfortunately, this has not stopped riders of ATVs from using and damaging these places. At the May 25th meeting it was reported that there have also been lobbying efforts by ATV users to obtain lawful access to protected areas. Chris Brackley, of the Ecology Action Centre said: “Our members are very concerned about the damage they are seeing in wilderness areas, caused by unauthorized use of ATVs.”

Those who attended that May 25th meeting unanimously agreed to call upon the government of Nova Scotia to uphold the legislation prohibiting vehicular use in protected areas. The groups will also call on the government to develop a plan for the management of ATVs on all public lands, based on two main principles: that recreational use of ATVs be allowed only on specifically identified trails in less environmentally sensitive areas, and that ATV users be held responsible for the environmental damage they do.

Martin Willison, President of CPAWS-NS, said: “Loss and degradation of habitat is a major threat to biodiversity in North America. Off-road vehicles cause damage to sensitive habitats by crushing vegetation, scarring bogs, and causing erosion and sedimentation in streams. We have seen several examples of rare and endangered species that have been killed by careless use of ATVs. Many opportunities exist for the legal use of off-road vehicles outside of protected areas. Let’s keep protected wilderness areas in a natural, wild state, as the law intends.”

Other groups in attendance at the May 25th meeting included: Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists, South Shore Paddlers, Sierra Club - Atlantic Canada Chapter, Tobeatic Wilderness Committee, Annapolis Field Naturalists, Wildflora Society of Nova Scotia, Five Bridge Wilderness Heritage Trust, Ecology Action Centre - Wilderness Committee, Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization.

The groups ask that members of the public speak up for Nova Scotia’s natural heritage and contact their local MLA, the Minister of the Environment, and the Premier to ask them to support the prohibition of ATV use in protected areas.