I am a sorta tree hugger who rides motorcycles, SXS's and hikes and bikes as well, and I live in Utah. I am better described as a conservationist.
I know I will get slaughtered for this, but so be it...
I spend lots of time in the out of doors on all kinds of public land. Motorized activities have more impact on the environment than hikers or bikers, I want to say its not even close but I am wanting to save some face in this community.
There are tools from every group for sure, but I am here to tell you, I find way more tools out there on motorized stuff, and I might even argue from SXS owners than anything. I simply don't find off trail damage, litter, parts of belts, etc on hiking trails like you do on OHV trails. I have been using these OHV trails since before Rhinos came out and it is not like it used to be. Trails are blown out, erosion is way worse, anywhere there are washboards or water there is a new trail around it, anywhere there is a cool rock feature, there is a new trail to it, as well as garbage and a blown up belt on the ground by it. The noise and emissions of our machines are another issue, that you can not put a dollar on, but try enjoying these trails on foot and you have a different perspective on noise and exhaust.
I know none of you do any of these things, but someone in a RZR is doing it and it costs us money. There might even be a component of this to actually try to discourage some use. The trails are jam packed, the trail heads are full, the garbage cans are full, frankly I think we all wish there were less people out there.
It makes some sense to me that as a whole OHV users need to pay a little more than hikers and bikers.
Government waste is a totally different discussion.