Troopers crack down on illegal ATV use

Written by The Daily Journal

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Tim Zatzariny Jr.

BUENA VISTA -- State police here spent the weekend trying to put the brakes on illegal all-terrain vehicle use.

Between Saturday and Sunday, state police issued a total of six summonses, as well as several warnings, for illegal ATV operation at various locations in Buena Vista and neighboring Folsom. Troopers also passed out more than 30 pamphlets containing information explaining proper ATV use.

The crackdown included troopers on ATVs, and a state police helicopter for aerial surveillance, said Lt. Joseph Shanahan of the Buena Vista barracks.

During the detail, police recovered a stolen bicycle and charged one person with marijuana possession, Shanahan said.

He said the crackdown was in response to numerous complaints from area residents about loud noise, trespassing and property damage from ATVs.

Buena Vista is among rural communities across New Jersey pushing for state regulations that would cover ATV riding on public and private property, as well as establishing a legal area for ATV enthusiasts to ride.

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Source: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20090804/NEWS01/908040344/1002/NEWS01/Troopers-crack-down-on-illegal-ATV-use

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Community Voices

“As a rancher who leases public lands for cattle, I’ve seen my share of cut fences and rangeland damaged by ORV use. I’ve also experienced ORV trespass onto my private lands. But I’ve had no way to identify the culprits when reporting trespass or illegal ORV use to local law enforcement. Congress should require that ORVs used on public lands have visible identification plates or decals. Doing so would remove the anonymity enjoyed by ORV riders who are bent on breaking the rules.”

- Ambers Thornburgh, second-generation rancher from Oregon who grazes cattle on his private land and adjacent lands leased from the Bureau of Land Management