We’ve added to our ATV Trails info. on our ATV trails page at http://www.kyorvpark.com/atv-trails.htm . Go and check out the ATV riding areas. Now onto the latest news, all of which can be read in more detail at OHV, ATV, and Off-Road Info.
- WA ATV Riders Look For New Regulations - At least one news organization feels that all of the ATV related injuries and deaths could lead to new laws banning ATV use by kids. As this article states “Richland emergency room doctor Steven Kincaid supports banning children from riding ATVs”.
- Another ATV Park for Kentucky? - Some southeastern Kentucky private land owners have been reported as having said that they want to organize the largest ATV park in the nation. We think they may be a little late! There is a group of 16 Kentucky counties looking to create a multi-county OHV trail system that would tie into the Black Mountain park as well as….would definitely become the largest ATV trail system in the nation.
- Its Like We Said, ATVs Are Good For The Economy! - As this article’s title says “ATVs are boosting small town economies”. In West Virginia they are reaping the benefits of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. An economic impact study ……
- OK Politician Says Forest Service Went To Far - The U.S. Forest Service’s recently adopted new policy limiting ATV use to 40 miles of designated trails in the Ouachita National Forest in LeFlore County drew some fire from Senator Kenneth Corn. The Senator was reported saying, “Hunters won’t be able to park their four-wheelers on the road and walk to a hunting location, and they won’t be able to use a four-wheeler to drag a kill if it isn’t on the designated trail. The new policy presents plenty of problems and no apparent benefits…..The fact that they didn’t allow the public to have input into this policy decision is just wrong…
- Greene, RI May Get New ATV Park
- OHV Users Create Some Noise - If the anti’s want a say in how forest lands should be used then let them pay a fee as well! Every time they want money to manage the land they want to pass fees onto OHV users. As the article states we already pay fees. As the author puts it “Williams and other “recreation purists” are so blinded by their anti-motorized bias that they can’t fathom why Colorado’s motorheads would oppose new fee areas. The reason is because OHV users are already paying a fee…” We say to the “purists” put up your money or shut up!
- Colorado BLM Area’s Proposed Travel Management (See Trail Closures) - Four travel management alternatives for surrounding Bureau of Land Management land, including one proposed option, were presented at a public meeting in Poncha Springs. The 3-year-in-the-making travel management plan outlines travel methods allowed on the 75 mile stretch of BLM land between Canon City and Buena Vista for motorized and non-motorized travel. The four alternatives range from no action (this is by far the one we favor!), a supposedly high-impact alternative (we could live with this one), a low impact (drastic trail reductions which we hate) and a between the two extremes option (which we hate but not as much as the low-impact one). The public is invited to provide written comment on the alternatives up to August 3, 2007. Let your voice be heard! Let’s put it this way in only one of the four alternatives do we not lose a significant amount of trails, and we’re not betting on that one!
- Oregon House Passes New ATV Regulations - The new set of regulations is set to go into effect in 2014. The regulations includes a permit process requiring adult ATV riders to pass a training course and obtain a user permit before riding on public land, unless they have at least five years experience and pass an equivalency test. The new regulations also will require riders under 16 to go through training and obtain a permit beginning in 2009. It also requires ATV riders under the age of 18 to fasten the chin straps on the helmets they are required to wear by existing law.
- Battle O ATV Use and Laws Wages On In Minnesota - As this article puts it “Contentious, might be the best word to describe ATV issues the past few years.” We agree. The Minnesota legislature has been busy this year battling over ways to control what ATV-antis have called runaway environmental abuse (what do you expect form these people? Everything is going to end the world! We ought to go out and by them signs that says “The End of the World is Near!”) by ATVs. The lawmakers made a new set of laws regarding ATV use, but just about everyone is unhappy with the end result.
- Finally A Journalist Sticks Up For Us! - Ray Grass writer for the Desert Morning News wrote a very good article, which points out the negative campaigns against OHV riders citing that there is no positive news about OHV enthusiast or clubs from those for conservation with “supposedly no ax to grind!” Mr. Grass may not be in our corner, but he at least has given us a fair chance for a change. As he puts it about the Wildlands (a conservation group based in Montana), “What struck me, too, was the whole report focused on what it called “lawless” riders, yet its very likely at least two of the Utah photos were taken where off-road riding is legal. What troubled me, too, were the disclaimers. That all of the information collected was by phone and that there was no on-the-ground follow-up, so some of the examples … may not be exactly indicative of conditions on the ground. …..Nowhere did I find a positive note with respect to the good work of off-road riders, like trail restoration, re-vegetation and self-policing.”
Go to Off-Road, ATV and OHV items of interest to read more!
