Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Access to the river keeps on decreasing

Access to the river keeps on decreasing

Sep 06, 2008 - 04:06:29 CDT

By LARRY CAVENDER
Bismarck

Access to river keeps decreasing

Do the people of Bismarck realize that public access to the recreational areas along the shores of the Missouri River is decreasing at an exponential rate?

Two, maybe three times a year, my son and I plan a day of trail riding. This past week, we spent Friday night in planning, loaded up the motorcycles on Saturday and headed to the Christmas Tree Island recreational area. This is the area just south of the Misty Waters development.

As we pulled into the parking lot, my son said, "What? Oh, just great." I stopped the vehicle and stared, in shock, at a chain barring the entrance and a sign stating, "No motorized vehicles allowed." The sign had the seal of the North Dakota State Engineer on it.

My son then asked, "What are we going to do now, Dad?" This was a very good question. I soon realized that the only other place to go was the Desert.

I was not about to take my son, on a weekend, to a place where people have little or no respect for others. If you have spent any weekend time at the Desert in the last five years you understand what I am talking about.

My point is: There is absolutely no reason to ban motorcycles from the Christmas Tree Island recreational area.

Each and every time I and/or my family have been in the area the operators of off-road vehicles have been extremely courteous of others. I have always, as others should, taught my son to stay as far away from people as possible.

It is approximately ½ to 1 mile from the parking lot entrance, to the island. The only way now is on foot or by boat. The land owners to the east have no jurisdiction, legally or any other, over the area.

Is it true, as I have heard advertised more that once, that we have an abundance of recreation available by the river? Or, do you have to be a select few who either own land or a boat to enjoy the recreational areas along the river?

I have been in contact with the North Dakota State Engineer's office, which is under the North Dakota State Water Commission. I was directed to the director of sovereign land, John Paczkowski.

Paczkowski claims to have given both the Burleigh County Commission and the North Dakota Park Board, (yes there is such an entity), an opportunity to manage this area. Both declined. I was told by a member of the Burleigh County Commission that the rules of the state are too cumbersome.

Since no entity would take responsibility for this area, Paczkowski ordered it to be off limits to all motorized vehicles. I also understand that areas south of Bismarck have recently been barred from all motorized vehicles.

Up until about three years ago, you were able to drive your car to the island. Paczkowski stated that the Desert is an exception to the rule because it has a known history of off-road vehicle use. Isn't the same true for the Christmas Tree Island recreational area?

News > Opinion

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Comments

chad wrote on Sep 15, 2008 7:18 PM:

" Are the trails at christmas tree island filled with walkers now. I'd say no. Has anyone here complaining about the atv's ever walked out there. I'd say no again.
If I remember right you can hunt on the trails out there I think unless that has changed to. Isn't a gun loud and would scare wildlife also.
Just had to put my two cents in. See you in the ditches. "

Jonny B wrote on Sep 11, 2008 7:10 PM:

" ATV's should be outlawed on all public lands!!! Have you ever tried walking? "

schwaney wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:01 PM:

" They shut christmas tree island down because off the constant complaining off a couple people that live down there. Certain individuals down there brought upon themselves to install 2X4's with spikes buried in the sand to try and stop people from riding. My nephew was one the unlucky ones that ended up finding one. It only takes 1 person complaining now days to shut things down. "

Mandan wrote on Sep 6, 2008 4:02 PM:

" to tired of the blame YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is it that the surrounding states have accessible trails and they can coexist with people walking or biking but here the government likes to pass the buck to others! Boaters and campers cause alot more problems then off roaders do that I have seen! "

Bono wrote on Sep 6, 2008 3:57 PM:

" Isn't Andy at Huff Hills trying to get motorcycle trails going there? That would be a perfect spot for atv'ers to ride in the summer. "

Tired of the blame wrote on Sep 6, 2008 2:17 PM:

" I for one am tired of everyone always blaming ORV riders for the garbage and destruction at the Desert. There are plenty of people who go there and make a mess that do not have an atv. The park rangers and sheriffs that already patrol the area should fine anyone they see littering, not just check to see who has their machine licensed. You pay tax and license fees for your cars, trucks, etc. to drive on the streets. I am required by law to pay tax and license fees to use my atv. What am I paying this for if I can't ride it anywhere? My tax money goes into the highway fund just like everyone else's and is used for road improvements but I'm expected to pay the fees and reap none of the benefits unless I have my own land? The Desert is the only place in Burleigh county where it is legal to ride an atv. You want me to buy my own land for riding, then you should buy your own land for camping and your own lake for boating; not only is this ridiculous, but it's also unrealistic. Campers and boaters leave just as much garbage as anything else. Fishing hooks, old fishing line and dead bait aren't left on the sandbars by me. Car loads full of people who leave their pop and beer cans and dirty diapers laying around make far worse an impact on the area than I do tearing up a little dirt and weeds on my atv. Everyone needs to have respect for the area, you bring it in with you - you take it back out with you. "

jh wrote on Sep 6, 2008 2:06 PM:

" Let's bash Larry because he chooses to enjoy motorized recreation with his son. I hope you all feel good about yourselves. Riding dirt bikes is legal and fun so don't knock it until you tried it.
The reason the desert is a garbage dump isn't solely the off road crowds doing. If we could restrict the desert to legitimate off roaders who wear helmets and other protective gear it would be a lot cleaner. "

The other side of the coinD wrote on Sep 6, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Hey Larry Cavender you will not get a smidgen of sympathy or support from me. Your off road vehicles are noisy, you chase game when you have the opportunity, tear up the land, leave a filthy mess and are just plain obnoxious. Get a good spacesuit, a rocket and we will give you a piece of land the size of Texas on the far side of the Moon. "

SE Forty wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:21 AM:

" You won't get any sympathy from me. The desert looks like a dump and it is because of people with their motorized vehicles and their no care attitude. "

Right is right wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:41 AM:

" Larry, it's easy, just go ask a farmer to ride on his pasture, wait, maybe not! I guess he doesn't want his land destroyed either!

What was stated in the last exhaustive forum on this topic is that it is not the governments obligation to provide you and your son land to ruin. I don't care how well mannered you and your son are your motor machines are NOT!

When I read your headline I was worried, after reading just a few sentences I realized the heading should have read "more enjoyable river front property is now available to the public".

One more time, you people need to organize a club, buy property, and then you will have a place to ride and I am sure you will keep it clean! "

no fan wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:36 AM:

" Interesting. However, the days of unlimited use of public lands by ORVs is slowing fading. Thank God. These people could care less about their impact to the environment or to others around them. I love to bowhunt and I can't tell you how many hunts have been ruined by some grown men on ATVs or teenagers on dirt bikes. I need to call the state and thank them for putting this off limits. "

Dubbles wrote on Sep 6, 2008 6:18 AM:

" The desert looks like a dump. If everyone cannot take responsibility in taking care of the land they ride on, then yes, close it down. Go take a look at any parking lot in town and youll see tons of garbage laying all over it. People cant even clean up after themselves in a parking lot I cant imagine how they would even take care of a large recreational area. "

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