• 25 percent said someone in their household owns an off-road vehicle, and 21 percent said they off-road on southern Utah public lands at least occasionally, up from 18 percent in 1999.

Dan Jones surveyed a random sample of 438 people in May from around the state. The results have a tolerated error of plus or minus 4.7 percent.

McIntosh also criticized the BLM, saying it is soft on enforcement and allows too many beaten paths to be designated as roads.

"Their trend is to put every mark on the ground as a trail on the map," she said, adding that part of the problem is that the BLM is making maps using data provided by off-road groups, rather than gathering the information themselves.

But Robin Fehlau, outdoor recreation planner at the BLM, said criticism of its policy is premature, since it is in the process of revising the policy. New plans have been released for two areas, and six others are in planning stages.

And yes, she said, the BLM does receive information from off-roading groups and is required by law to take that information into consideration.

Currently, the majority of the BLM's public lands are open to cross-country travel, no roads required, she said. What the BLM is considering, and has already done in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the San Rafael Swell, is to limit travelers to existing roads in most places and to only allow true off-roading in a few designated areas.

"There will be thousands of miles or roads and trails open to off-highway vehicles," she said. "Trail riders will have lots of opportunities. But those folks who don't like to stay on roads and trails will be least happy with the direction the BLM is taking."

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E-mail: dhinckley@desnews.com