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?