Vermont biologists worry about ATV access

Written by Burlington Free Press

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Candace Page

MONTPELIER — Those who have expressed serious concerns or outright opposition to opening state lands to all-terrain vehicle travel include biologists, ecologists and land managers who work for the agency proposing the change, a review of state records shows.

In comments made between 2004 and this year, the scientists and managers cite the the damage heavy, four-wheeled vehicles can do to vegetation, water quality, wetlands and wildlife habitat.

Natural Resources Secretary Jonathan Wood said last week he expects to create a new regulation that would allow ATV connector trails in state forests, parks and wildlife management areas. Authority to designate the corridors would lie with Wood.

The proposal has prompted enthusiastic support from ATV riders, who dominated a public hearing on the issue. They argue that thousands of Vermonters enjoy riding ATVs and they should not be shut off from land acquired with taxpayer funds.

Wood’s proposal also provoked more than 1,000 letters to the agency opposing even limited ATV access.

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Community Voices

“It’s frustrating having a hunt ruined by people riding ATVs where off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Many ATVs look the same so there’s no way to identify violators when reporting the incident to law enforcement. There should be a requirement that off-road vehicles used on public lands have license plates or large decals. Any ATV user who follows the law and land management directives on where they can and can not use these machines should have no objection to this type of identification.”

- Holly Endersby, hunter from western Idaho