Stiffer penalties
might be better
I agree with the June 20 Enterprise editorial advocating greater penalties for transgression of OHV laws.
Our legislators are adept at passing laws, but seem unable to include adequate funding for enforcement, while the penalties meted out to those few scofflaws who may be caught in the weak enforcement net have little or no deterrent effect on other potential violators.
I understand how the struggle of unlimited competing demands for limited state governmental dollars leads to enforcement needs getting short shrift. However, there is a solution to this problem - Draconian, attention-getting penalties.
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Permit me to illustrate with the issue of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The penalty for transportation of any aquatic plant is a $50 civil fine. The penalty for transportation of zebra mussels or other prohibited species is a $250 civil fine.
Anyone caught placing or attempting to place a boat or trailer bearing any aquatic plant in a water body is subject to a $100 civil fine; if the plant material qualifies as a prohibited invasive, the fine is $500. Anyone caught transporting water or plant material from a lake known to be infested is subject to fines ranging from $50 to $200.
What are the consequences of the infestation of a lake with Eurasian water milfoil or curly leaf pondweed? The result is a permanent problem requiring continuous infusions of money and effort forever after. Without it, the infected water becomes recreationally useless.
Penalties for illegal actions that risk creating permanent environmental damage should be extremely severe, with a first infraction entailing a heavy fine, say $1,000-$2,000, and any subsequent infraction, confiscation of equipment, i.e., boat, trailer, possibly vehicle.
Potential penalties should be publicized with responsibility for knowing the law placed clearly on the user. Penalties actually meted out should also be publicized as a deterrent to future infractions.
It only takes one irresponsible boat user, ATV rider, etc. to cause irreparable, irreversible environmental damage that penalizes all other users thereafter. The penalties for violating our laws need to do everything possible to minimize the risk of that happening.
Edward Mutsch
Nevis
