We get it. That wet, soggy road is tempting for a drive-through. The squish of the sludge, splash of the water, spray of the mud over every nearby surface… even the most reserved folks have probably created a rut or two in their lives. It’s quick, harmless fun, right? Not so fast. If you come across a wet or muddy road, slow down, turn around, and go the other way! The spring thaw and resulting seasonal run-off are on the horizon, and many public access roads will be soaked to the core. Here’s why you should stick to the dust.

Splashing or mudding on wet roads or across country has many negative impacts, like causing serious destruction to roadbeds; forcing new routes around damaged areas; creating impassable routes when conditions dry out; removing rooted plants and grasses that eventually wash away and open the opportunity for noxious weeds to move in; destroying wildlife habitat; and interfering with feeding and movement patterns, sometimes pushing animals into areas where they will not survive.

Also, it’s dangerous. Vehicles handle differently in wet and muddy conditions than they do on dry ground. Even if you’re experienced in the mud, there’s a high likelihood of getting stuck or damaging your vehicle. You could be left stranded and with a hefty repair charge.

Let’s not forget that damaged roads are costly to fix. And it’s not only oversized tires on big trucks with roaring engines that cause the problems. Even lighter-weight 4-wheel-drives, passenger cars (if you dare), Off-Highway Vehicles, and anything with low-pressure tires can do lasting damage.

Think ahead. Be a good neighbor. Those 30 minutes of mudding and splashing could cause a huge amount of work and thousands of dollars in expense for someone else. In the case of public access roads, taxpayer dollars foot the bill. It’s true: there’s adventure in taking the road less traveled. But let’s wait until it’s dry out there.

If you encounter damages on Bureau of Land Management public access roads in Harney County, give us a call at (541) 573-4400. The sooner we know about a situation, the sooner we can fix it.