Font Size

Weather
	Hot High: 107°F Low: 68°F

5 Day Forecast

Off Highway Vehicle

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The City of Mesquite recently adopted an ordinance (Bill #415), which permits OHVs to travel on designated public streets in order to reach an area open for OHV travel. The Mesquite Off Highway Vehicle Travel Map, which identifies the designated public streets, can be found by accessing www.mesquitenv.gov or at Mesquite City Hall. OHV riders must meet certain criteria and abide by the regulations set forth in state and local laws. Riders should consult the regulations in the recently enacted ordinance to ensure compliance before operating OHVs on designated public streets. The Ordinance can be found by accessing the City Code at www.mesquitenv.gov or at Mesquite City Hall.

The Mesquite Police Department frequently receives reports of OHVs operating on private property without permission of the land owner. A rider MUST have permission to ride an OHV on private property and may be subject to prosecution if found to be riding on private property without permission.

Police are advising riders to stay on designated streets and established trails. The riders should not ride in areas where native plants and conservation areas could be damaged. All current developments and those under construction have areas of natural habitat, which cannot be disturbed or disrupted. The aesthetics and natural landscaping must be protected and maintained. Some riders are causing permanent damage to these areas, which include the slopes/sides of the washes.

OHV riders should also be aware of the jurisdiction they are in, given the close proximity of Mesquite to Arizona. The Mesquite Police Department has received several noise and dust complaints from Arizona developments that border Mesquite regarding OHVs that are being operated in close proximity to those developments.

Obeying the rules will result in the safe and enjoyable use of OHV’s in an around Mesquite, and help to ensure that additional measures or restrictions won’t become necessary to protect property, or the peacefulness of the community.

Photo courtesy of David Bly

The Desert Tortoise

Like many desert creatures, desert tortoises spend most of their lives "holed up." In spring and summer, they roam grazing on grasses and wildflowers, then head for their burrows when it gets too hot. In fall and winter, when it is cold and there is not much to eat, they stay burrowed in for six months or more at a time.

If you see a desert tortoise, you are seeing an endangered species. Please watch out for them on the roads. Tortoises live in washes and valleys where the soil is soft enough for them to burrow into, yet stable enough so they do not collapse. Remember, desert tortoises are protected under the Endangered Species Act and may not be handled or removed.

Golf in the Desert

The city of Mesquite combines calm, small-town flavour with big-city attractions and championship golf. The Palms and the Oasis Golf Clubs are only two of the half-dozen challenging courses in the area.

Golf Highlights in Mesquite

Golf built on the dramatic Virgin Foothills of Nevada makes for a unique landscape and golf setting.
Enjoy a spa treatment at the Spa at Casablanca or the Spa at the Oasis.
Mesquite serves as a gateway to the national parks of Southern Utah and Zion National Park, which is less than two hours away.

View more information about golf courses in Mesquite

The Speedy RoadRunner

Called paisano in Mexico, the roadrunner is a well-known desert resident that only superficially resembles its popular cartoon portrayal. The greater roadrunner has adapted to life on the run. Though it can fly well, it prefers to use its strong legs and X- shaped toes to run rapidly over the desert landscape. Active predators, roadrunners aggressively chase insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and mammals.

Tolerant of humans, they sometimes nest in protected eaves and garages when they are not building large stick nests in desert trees. Their vocalizations include bill clicking noises and a mournful cooing made during breeding seasons. They do not meep-meep.