Forest erecting signs to remind riders to stay on designated routes

RUSSELLVILLE — In an effort to help off-highwayvehicle riders stay on Ozark National Forest designated routes, signs are being erected to let visitors know they need to consult a Motor Vehicle Use Map when entering the forest.

All motorized vehicles must stay on designated routes for their type of vehicle use — both licensed vehicles and off-highway vehicles (4-wheelers, dirt bikes and side-by-side vehicles). There are approximately 2,400 miles of designated roads for licensed vehicles within the Ozark National Forest, and approximately 1,000 miles of those designated roads and trails are open for unlicensed off-highway-vehicle use. The designated OHV (off-highway vehicle) routes had to meet multiple criteria, including safety, appropriate rights of way and being environmentally sustainable.

Because there has been such an influx of new OHV and licensed vehicle operators in the forest, signs are being placed at various major entry points into the forest to help inform recreation enthusiasts where they can ride. Operators are asked to check the Motor Vehicle Use Map online at www. fs.usda.gov/main/osfnf/mapspubs to ensure that the route they want to take is designated for that specific use.

For more information, call the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest’s information desk at (479) 964-7200. Motor Vehicle Use Maps can be downloaded from the Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/osfnf/ maps-pubs.