WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Rules of the Ride: Lawmakers Review ATV Plan

Rules of the Ride: Lawmakers Review ATV Plan

Montpelier, Vermont - November 3, 2009

Debate over ATV use seems to be growing louder by the week.

The Agency of Natural resources has posted its proposed rules that would open up small portions of state land to ATV use, but on no more than three parcels of land.

It's a pilot program that could then be expanded after a successful first year.

"This is a very limited amount of land that could be involved in this," explained Jonathan Wood, the secretary of the Vt. Agency of Natural Resources. "This is a very specific purpose of connector trails alone."

Supporters and opponents debated the proposed rules at a hearing today.

Some argue the Agency of Natural Resources doesn't have the authority to impose the new rules.

"It's a big waste of money," local attorney Kevin Leahy said. "It's a big waste of time, and it's going to get thrown back and be a big waste of the court's time."

Others say the rules fail to implement safeguards. Specifically penalties that ensure ATV riders stay on the trails.

"There's not adequate enforcement," said Jamey Fidel of the Vermont Natural Resources Council. "There's limited funds to pay for property damage. There's insufficient fees. The penalties are $300 and there's not enough... that's not really a deterrent."

"If you start charging everyone $500 to register their car-- you think they're going to stop driving? No, they're going to stop registering their car," said Danny Hale of the Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association.

So far, only one trail proposal has been submitted to the Agency of Natural Resources.

ATV riders want to join two trails in Brighton-- a project that requires a connector trail just a couple hundred feet long.

Secretary Wood says other trail projects would be of a similar scale.

All would connect existing trails using as little state land as possible-- although the rules offer no limitation on trail length.

"Just the nature of a connector trail, I can tell you, would make us want to keep it as short as possible," Hale said.

That's not enough to appease opponents.

And that's why debate over ATV use will likely only grow more heated as it moves closer to actual implementation.

The legislative rules committee did not issue a decision on the proposed rules at Tuesday's hearing. Another hearing has been scheduled for November 17.

Keagan Harsha - WCAX News

Related Stories:

State May Allow ATV Riders Limited Access to Public Lands

ATV Riders Push for Access to State Land