Where would one learn about a "no off-road vehicle use" day?
too bad it has been two "no burn" and "no off-road vehicle use" days in a a row
Maricopa County Air Quality (1 Viewer)
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Never mind, I found it:
Not sure why you would want to drive off-road in the Greater Phoenix metro area...?
Not sure why you would want to drive off-road in the Greater Phoenix metro area...?
Outreach | Maricopa County, AZ
look at the round icons: if green, it's o.k., like today
Outreach | Maricopa County, AZ
it applies to Maricopa County, and the 4 Peaks, The Rolls, Sycamore, Sugarloaf, Bulldog Canyon are all in Maricopa County - these areas are closest to Fountain Hills
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- #5
Yep, I found that, then followed some more links to get what I posted above. The restrictions only cover the greater Phoenix metro area (there's a map). There is not a legal reason to stay off the trails in the vast majority of the Tonto National Forest or other unimproved areas, although perhaps a person might avoid off-roading out of a sense of duty. I'm pretty sure that would be misguided, as the point of the restrictions is to reduce air pollution in areas that are already stressed by other forms of pollution. The particulates we kick up with our vehicles off-road are impacting the air quality of that area the same way whether there's a problem in Phoenix or not, so if you are a person that believes that's a bad thing, you should probably stay off the dirt all the time. (Please don't take my words the wrong way- I'm not trying to be combative, just trying to clarify the rules and reasons for them. I literally work off-road, so I was concerned that I might be breaking the law by not paying attention to the air-quality alerts with regard to the days I'm going out. I'm relieved to see that's not the case.)Outreach | Maricopa County, AZ
cleanairmakemore.com
look at the round icons: if green, it's o.k., like today
Outreach | Maricopa County, AZ
Gotcha. I don't think the restrictions cover all of Maricopa County, but that's just my take on it. It definitely does include some of the edges of the Tonto NF, but I can't tell exactly what areas.it applies to Maricopa County, and the 4 Peaks, The Rolls, Sycamore, Sugarloaf, Bulldog Canyon are all in Maricopa County - these areas are closest to Fountain Hills
From the link I posted: "On days when a High-Pollution Advisory (HPA) has been issued for particulate matter (PM10), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) prohibits the use of recreational off-highway vehicles in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area on an unpaved surface that is not a public or private road, street or lawful easement" This seems to exclude forest roads, no matter where they are located.
For more details, https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCe...orated-Areas-of-Maricopa-County-Ordinance-PDF
The section that pertains to off-road vehicles reads:
MARICOPA COUNTY ORDINANCE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS P-28 OFF-ROAD VEHICLE USE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF MARICOPA COUNTY
SECTION 1 – GENERAL
A. PURPOSE: This ordinance limits particulate matter (PM10) emissions into the ambient air from unrestricted operation of any vehicle on unpaved property.
B. APPLICABILITY: This ordinance applies to the operation of any vehicle in unincorporated areas within Maricopa County.
SECTION 2 – DEFINITIONS: For the purpose of this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:
A. DESIGNATED, MANAGED OR OPENED TRAIL SYSTEM: Roads, highways, multiple use corridors, trails or routes that are part of a system of trails and routes that are designated, managed or opened to public motor vehicle travel by a government land management agency by rule, order, travel management plan, sign, and/or map approved by such agency.
B. ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: A person who enforces rules, ordinances, codes, or regulations including, but not limited to, Maricopa County Air Quality Department Inspectors, Building and Zoning Code enforcement, Certified Peace Officers including, but not limited to, Maricopa County Sheriff Deputies.
C. ROAD OR HIGHWAY: The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained by the federal government, a city, state agency, town or county if any part of the way is generally open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. For purposes of this ordinance, the term “road or highway” also includes designated, managed or opened trail systems; service roads regardless of surface composition; and any private property dedicated or otherwise reserved for public or private street uses, as evidenced by a recorded document providing vehicular access to more than one property, or having thereon a public easement for such use.
D. VEHICLE: A self-propelled device and its appurtenances, excluding devices moved by human power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.
SECTION 3 – RESTRICTIONS: Vehicles operating on either unpaved public or private properties in the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County shall remain on roads or highways.
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- #6
My sincere apologies to the board, club, and OP, but I found this subject interesting and wanted to clear up any possible questions that this thread brought up. Mods, feel free to split this into a separate thread, as I believe there's good info here that would benefit from being searchable under a different premise than 'Merry Christmas everybody!'. 
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