Louth County Council has passed new bye-laws to stop scrambler motorbikes and "quads" being used on the Cooley Mountains, where the natural habitat and at least one archaeological site have already been damaged.
The mountains were devoid of sheep, wild mountain goats and other animals after the cull which followed the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2000. Since then intensive efforts have been under way to market it as a tourist destination.
The bye-laws, which come into effect in March, will make it an offence to use an off-road vehicle on the mountain commonage area without authority or a licence from the council.
Local councillor Mr Terry Brennan said: "It will take considerable time to bring part of the mountains back to what they were. I hope we can return them to their high scenic value which makes them a haven for hill walkers and visitors to the Carlingford and Cooley area."
With the exception of the Garda, members of the Defence Forces and local farmers with council-issued licences, anyone caught using an off-road vehicle can be fined and have their vehicle seized.
"People have been driving motorbikes and cars over the mountains and destroying them. The noise and pollution from them is frightening and I hope these bye-laws are properly policed," said another councillor, Mr Frank Godfrey.
The Louth and Armagh members of the Poc Fada committee have highlighted the damage caused by scrambler motorbikes to the course of the annual Poc Fada competition.
The Louth Archaeological and Historical Society has welcomed the bye-laws amid concerns about damage already caused to the Doonan mound at Doolargy near Ravensdale. It is believed to date from early Christian times.
Mr Noel Ross, editor of the society's journal, said: "No one really knows the damage that has been done to it or what is being done elsewhere. Unless these bye-laws are implemented,they are pointless and the damage will just get worse, not just to archaeology but also to tourism in the region."
The councillors have removed the fee of €100 for a licence for local farmers who, for example, would need to check on flocks of sheep grazing on the mountainside. The bye-laws provide for a fixed penalty (ticket) fine of €100, seizure of the vehicle and on conviction in the district court, a fine of up to €1,000 .