Staff and volunteers of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) are busy preparing campgrounds and trails for summer visitors. According to the US Forest Service, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) motorists this year will notice more safety education and sound monitoring activities. These will include courtesy sound checks, sound enforcement checkpoints and sound education programming.

“We are excited to welcome summer visitors to the dunes,” said Central Coast Deputy District Ranger Jeremy Aujero. “As a multi-use recreation area, there is a place here for everyone. With that in mind, we’d like to remind visitors to respect closures, out-of-bounds zones, noise limits, and quiet hours. We appreciate everyone’s help to care for the land and provide a family-friendly place where people can visit for generations to come.”

The US Forest Service says that safety is paramount to ensuring a family-friendly environment at the ODNRA and this season, there will be a greater emphasis on noise safety levels.

Forest Service staff and partner agencies will be conducting a variety of sound outreach, education, monitoring, and enforcement activities on the ODNRA intended to help OHV riders understand what the sound limit is, why it’s important, and how to comply. OHVs found to be in violation of the sound limit may be subject to citation.

Excessive sound poses a potential disturbance to adjacent landowners, other recreationists, and sensitive wildlife. Noise regulation and monitoring are important aspects of OHV management. The Oregon Dunes Management Plan (1994) establishes standards for OHV sound rules and sound monitoring. The current OHV sound limit for the ODNRA is 93 decibels, as measured from an OHV’s tailpipe while the vehicle is stationary.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Several scheduled events at the ODRNA may increase visitation at various times:

• Northwest Raptor Rally: May 18-21. Expect heavy traffic around the Hauser area and south portion of the dunes.
• UTV Takeover: June 21-25. Expect heavy traffic Horsfall and Hauser area and the entire southern portion of the dunes. Some entrances may have restricted access.
• Dune Fest: August 8-13. Expect heavy traffic in the Umpqua Day Use areas. Some entrances may have restricted access.

For more information about recreation opportunities, please visit the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area website or call the Reedsport office at 541-271-6000.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2023-05-20 17:25:53

Last Update: 2023-05-20 21:12:08