The Army Corps of Engineers is reminding the public that the use of off-road vehicles is prohibited on Corps property.
People driving ATVs on the government’s property is an ongoing problem, particularly in Luxapalila Creek Park, according to Ralph Antonelli, natural resource manager for the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway.
ATVs cause ruts in the slopes by the creek, Antonelli said, which damages the ground, resulting in soil erosion in rainy weather. It’s costly for the ACE to repair the damage.
“It’s a pretty big issue,” Antonelli said. “It’s an ongoing problem. I think what it is is most folks are not aware that ATVs are not allowed on Corps property.”
Antonelli added that some of the land near the creek is private property, which members of the public should not be riding ATVs on either.
“They’re essentially trespassing against private land to get to Corps property,” he said.
Signs telling the public not to drive ATVs are posted along the road and at visitors entrances on the creek, according to a Corps press release.
The release stated that non-emergency concerns or incidents should be passed on to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788.
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