Plan for ATV access to Vt. land stirs debate

Written by Associated Press

Sunday, August 02, 2009

HARDWICK, Vt. (AP) - Vermont state officials are wrapping up a proposal that would establish a rule that allows ATV access to public lands. But the proposal has triggered a furor, with opponents concerned about potential land erosion caused by the vehicles' tires, water pollution, wetland destruction and noise.

The Agency of Natural Resources has received nearly 2,000 letters on the issue, and the topic has been debated in letters to the editor at newspapers across Vermont.

Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood said opening up state lands will cut down on renegade riders. He compares it to snowmobiling, saying instead of being everywhere and uncontrolled, snowmobilers now use the trail system.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=10833242

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“Farmers as a group rarely tend to want more government regulation. But the growing problem of trespassing caused by illegal riders spurred our membership into action to pass common-sense visible identification and ORV enforcement measures. We are proud that we were able to work with rider groups to find a solution that all sides could agree to.”

- Christopher Henney, Director of Legislative Relations, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation