May 09, 2008 - 08:51 AM

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG - As sure as the arrival of spring brings rain, it also elicits renewed -- and unwanted -- interest in the East Cross Forest, says Kawartha Conservation Authority officials.

"We had anticipated this, it didn't catch us by surprise," says the KCA's Kristie Virgoe, referring to a recent rash of trespassing at the East Cross Forest Conservation Area, which resulted in charges against seven individuals.

With the long-awaited arrival of spring weather, continues Ms. Virgoe, the KCA's manager of environmental protection and restoration, the conservation authority was ready and waiting for inevitable showing of off-road enthusiasts. However, over the past couple of weeks, the conservation authority had a surprise for those piloting ATVs, dirt bikes and four-wheel-drive vehicles through the environmentally-sensitive lands located in the southeast corner of Scugog Township.

Durham police officers, as well as officials with the private security group Canadian Shield Anticrime, spent five days patrolling the large tract of forest land over the past two weeks, on the lookout for trespassers. As a result of their efforts, seven people were charged.

The charges range from trespassing and driving without a license to having open liquor in a vehicle, says KCA officials.

In one instance, one of the off-roaders charged with trespassing claimed that he didn't see any of the no-trespassing signs. A quick search of his vehicle by authorities, however, uncovered three of the signs in his trunk, says conservation officials.

In another case, a stolen vehicle was found burned-out on the property.

"A lot of it is the fact that it is spring and it's human nature to see if we really mean what we say," says Ms. Virgoe of the KCA's efforts to keep folks off the lands.

"We do still consider those activities trespassing and charges will be laid accordingly," she added. "Hopefully, the off-roading community will realize we still mean business and will stay out."

It's hoped, explains Ms. Virgoe, that by closing the property off to the public for a lengthy period of time, the KCA can convert the lands into an environmental jewel for Durham Region. Currently, conservation authorities are working to rehabilitate and manage the area to protect its important water features, a variety of plant species and cold-water fish habitat after years of ecological devastation due to illegal off-roading activities.

Currently no one, not even those wishing to take a leisurely stroll or ride horses, are permitted on the grounds.

If all goes well, KCA officials hope to open the land up to the public sometime in spring 2009.

Ms. Virgoe stresses that while it may seem unfair to point fingers at the off-roading enthusiasts, it's their actions that cause the most ecological damage. Dirt bikes and ATVs ripping through the area spray up sand and expose soil to erosion while disturbing plant life.

As well, those in the wheel-drive-vehicles tend to favour wet, muddy areas, which cause damage, she says.

Perhaps most disturbing, continues Ms. Virgoe, are the vehicles that are torched in the area. The fluids from the destroyed vehicle, as well as melted materials such as rubber, could possibly release toxins into surface water and ground water which feeds neighbouring wells.

"We want to advise the community that we're not giving up, we're still there and we mean business," she says.

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