The State of Arizona has had a successful and effective off-highway vehicle (OHV) program since the early 1990s. Reflected in the mission of the Arizona State Parks' Off-Highway Vehicle Program has been a longstanding commitment to develop and enhance statewide off-highway vehicle recreation opportunities. However, recent state and local legislation, as well as pending decisions by the State Land Department, now threaten our future enjoyment of off-road vehicle recreation. See news here.

According to a study published in 2003 by the Arizona State Parks Board:

• 21% of Arizonans, or 1.1 million people, consider themselves OHV enthusiasts.

• The average OHV household in Arizona spends 25.4 days per year participating in OHV recreational activities, which equates to 13,983,356 OHV Recreation Days annually.

• 72% of OHV users are satisfied with their overall OHV recreation experience.

This report also states that off-road vehicle recreation creates a statewide economic impact of $4.25 billion, including:

• $3.1 billion to local economies through OHV-related retail sales.

• $187 million to annual state tax revenues.

• $1.1 billion in household income (salaries/wages) for AZ residents.

• 36,951 full-time and part-time jobs in Arizona.

We believe that since the study's publication in 2003, Arizona's population increase and the continued growth in the popularity of off-road vehicle recreation have created an even greater statewide economic impact!

As off-road enthusiasts, we recognize the need at the State and local level to achieve dust control. However, we refuse to bear an unfair portion of the burden and believe that restrictions on off-road vehicle use do not result in a meaningful contribution to improved dust control. According to the EPA, "the primary sources of particulate pollution in the Phoenix area are windblown dust from construction sites, agricultural fields, unpaved parking lots and roads, disturbed vacant lots, and paved road dust."

Off-road travel is a key factor in our decision to reside in Arizona and is critically important to our quality of life as State residents.