Susan Montoya Bryan

Official views ORV impacts in NM mountain

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—The head of the New Mexico Environment Department has joined the debate over whether dozens of miles of routes in northern New Mexico's Jemez Mountains should be closed to vehicles.

A group of environmentalists and landowners has petitioned the U.S. Forest Service to close 27 routes, saying they are concerned that continued use by off-roaders would cause more erosion and have negative effects on wildlife.

Kathy Osborne Draper

I am responding to the letter "Reporter bias" (Forum, May 14), which stated that all-terrain-vehicle riders are "people who have a great love and respect of the outdoors." My husband and I often hike with friends in the Cedar Mesa area of southern Utah. We are careful to "take only pictures, and leave only footprints."

We view these places to be living museums to the point that we avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soils, which are living organisms. Everywhere we hike in this incredible, vast and sacred place, we meet ATV tracks. Most are off-trail and have trampled small plants and dug up rocks and soils, even cryptobiotic soil that takes years to repair itself.

A Cumberland County man who taunted police for several months while remaining on the run was apprehended this week by U.S. Marshals, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Cookeville Police Department. The agencies teamed up to capture a fugitive wanted for committing crimes in a four-county area.

An elusive Charles Eugene Henry, age 44, was captured at 204 Wilson Rd., in Cumberland County by members of the U.S. Marshals Middle Tennessee Joint Fugitive Task Force. Henry had eluded capture several times while running from Marshals and local law enforcement in the Upper Cumberland area during the last several months.

Teresa Jun

Officers with the Arizona Game & Fish Department will start issuing citations to ATV riders who are not displaying a proper OHV Decal on their vehicles.

As of January 1, 2009, Arizona law requires the decal to be applied to the license plates of off-highway vehicles that weigh 1,800 pounds or less. That includes most all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides (utility vehicles), dirt bikes, and some sand rails.

Officers have been operating under a 6-month grace period, issuing warnings to riders who are not in compliance. But starting July 1, they will start issuing citations.

The decal costs $25 per year. It's a user fee that will generate revenue for improving off-roading trails and enforcing safety.

"We're going to be able to hire seven brand new Game & Fish officers," said Gabriel Paz, with Arizona Game & Fish. "And they're going to be 100 percent dedicated to off-highway vehicles."

Source: http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=10413071&nav=14RT

All-terrain-vehicle riders who destroy wetlands in Minnesota face tougher criminal penalties, a year-long ban on riding and, if caught a second time, seizure and forfeiture of their vehicles under a measure signed into law Friday by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Jim Konrad, the state Department of Natural Resources enforcement director, said conservation officers probably will seize only a few ATVs each year but hopes the enhanced penalties will deter the worst offenders.

The law, which takes effect Aug. 1, makes reckless destruction of wetlands a gross misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $3,000. That offense now is a misdemeanor.

CARSON CITY -- With today's deadline looming, Nevada lawmakers continued voting on bills that would otherwise die because of an end-of-the-week deadline for action on the measures.

The Senate voted unanimously for an Assembly-approved proposal allowing civil lawsuits when victims of childhood sex crimes learn there's pornography depicting the crimes against them.

Assembly Bill 88 would allow for civil lawsuits and fines up to $150,000. The measure was sought by Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada lawmakers kept up a busy pace in voting Thursday on bills, including an off-road-vehicle registration plan, that would otherwise die because of an end-of-the-week deadline for action on the measures.

The ORV bill, approved on a 34-6 Assembly vote, requires owners of ORVs to register their rigs with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. SB394 now returns to the Senate for review of Assembly amendments.

While the measure has widespread support from numerous groups, Gov. Jim Gibbons plans to veto it. Jodi Stephens, his legislative director, said the plan includes new registration fees, and the governor won't support such fees.

Brett Hambright

New Holland police filed charges against two men in connection with separate incidents in Earl Township.

Philip H. Martin, 22, was charged with fleeing police on an all-terrain vehicle — at speeds up to 50 mph. He passed moving vehicles on Route 23, police said, before being captured after getting stuck in a piece of farm equipment.

Thumbs up to fuel plan
Thumbs up to Pres. Barack Obama for proposing a new fuel economy plan that will require passenger cars and light trucks to get an overall average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. Remember the little Ford Festiva and Geo Metro that got 30-40 mpg? Where did they disappear to?

Thumbs up to advancing technology
Thumbs up to advancing technology. The Daily Journal’s Web site now allows readers to share online stories without having to register or log in.

Thumbs down to cold spring
Thumbs down to the need to haul annual flowers in and out of the house and to cover and uncover other delicate plants because of the cool spring temperatures.

WINSTON-SALEM -- The highway patrol says a trooper has died from injuries suffered on the job two years ago in Wilkes County.

Kyle Barber, 46, died on Wednesday at Wake Forest Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Officials say he was pinned to his patrol car by an ATV in January 2007 following a vehicle stop. Barber suffered major injuries to his legs and had undergone numerous procedures, including 10 surgeries.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Source: http://www.news14.com/content/local_news/triad/609533/trooper-died-two-years-after-atv-incident/Default.aspx