Central Minnesota Private Landowner Attitudes Toward Off-Highway Vehicle Access
When groups of landowners met last year, they discussed their ideas about off-highway vehicle (OHV) use—benefits, negative impacts, and how OHV use can be managed.
The discussions were part of a two-year study conducted by the University of Minnesota to explore perceptions of OHV use among private landowners of seasonal and forested lands in Central Minnesota. Four separate focus groups discussed these issues, and the discussion became part of a more extensive survey that was mailed to a random sample of more than 1,500 landowners of seasonal recreation and private forest lands within an 8-county area in Central Minnesota.
The survey and analysis focused on how these factors-- land use types, benefits of OHV use, negative impacts from OHV use, and management actions -- influence landowner willingness to allow OHV access on their properties, whether by family and friends or the general public.
Results from the focus groups and surveys indicate that landowners recognize the value of OHVs use for hunting, work, and recreational riding. The challenge is managing for the negative impacts such as soil erosion on steep slopes, wetland damage, disturbing wildlife, and damage to driveways. County and state land managers are challenged in providing adequate places to safely ride without interfering with non-motorized activities and from causing excessive environmental damage.
“OHV use continues to be a major issue in the Central Region,” said Linda Ulland, executive director of the University’s Central Region Sustainable Development Partnership. “This study offers insight into landowners response to OHV use on their properties and potential situations in which landowners might be willing to grant access to OHVs.”
“The findings are important for designation of state and local trails and for officials responsible for road maintenance and repair, enforcement, and natural resource management,” said Dennis Becker, PhD, principal investigator in the University’s Department of Forest Resources.
The study was sponsored by the University of Minnesota Central Region Sustainable Development Partnership.
The discussions were part of a two-year study conducted by the University of Minnesota to explore perceptions of OHV use among private landowners of seasonal and forested lands in Central Minnesota. Four separate focus groups discussed these issues, and the discussion became part of a more extensive survey that was mailed to a random sample of more than 1,500 landowners of seasonal recreation and private forest lands within an 8-county area in Central Minnesota.
The survey and analysis focused on how these factors-- land use types, benefits of OHV use, negative impacts from OHV use, and management actions -- influence landowner willingness to allow OHV access on their properties, whether by family and friends or the general public.
Results from the focus groups and surveys indicate that landowners recognize the value of OHVs use for hunting, work, and recreational riding. The challenge is managing for the negative impacts such as soil erosion on steep slopes, wetland damage, disturbing wildlife, and damage to driveways. County and state land managers are challenged in providing adequate places to safely ride without interfering with non-motorized activities and from causing excessive environmental damage.
“OHV use continues to be a major issue in the Central Region,” said Linda Ulland, executive director of the University’s Central Region Sustainable Development Partnership. “This study offers insight into landowners response to OHV use on their properties and potential situations in which landowners might be willing to grant access to OHVs.”
“The findings are important for designation of state and local trails and for officials responsible for road maintenance and repair, enforcement, and natural resource management,” said Dennis Becker, PhD, principal investigator in the University’s Department of Forest Resources.
The study was sponsored by the University of Minnesota Central Region Sustainable Development Partnership.
| Attachment | Size |
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 landownersonorvs_0.pdf | 290.65 KB |
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