(Host) The state has modified its controversial proposal to allow all terrain vehicles on public land.
The Agency of Natural Resources now says it wants to create a pilot program for up to three trails on state property.
Environmentalists say the proposal still goes too far, and could lead to a surge in illegal riding.
VPR’s John Dillon reports.
(Dillon) The state received almost 2-thousand comments on its proposal to allow ATV trails to cross state property.
The comments ran about four to one against the proposal. Jonathan Wood, is the secretary of Natural Resources. He says the proposal was changed in response.
(Wood) "There were a lot of concerns on the public’s part – I think inappropriate concern – that we would just open state land on this, which is not the intent at all. But I think the public is concerned about what this means and how this would be looked at, and this is a clarification I think based on that input."
(Dillon) The new rule would allow a statewide ATV association to petition for the right to use state trails. The state would review the impact after one riding season before it allowed permanent use.
(Wood) "It really sets it out very clearly that this has to be a one-season pilot for at least two trails that must be successful and evaluated before any official designation would take place."
(Dillon) Environmentalists remain skeptical of the proposal. Anthony Iarrapino is with the Conservation Law Foundation. He says the state doesn’t have the money or the personnel now to crack down on illegal ATV use. And he says the problem will get worse if more land is made available to motorized recreation.
(Iarrapino) "And if you look at the public comments that were filed by more than a thousand Vermonters, many of whom had very specific stories about problems they had experienced and are experiencing with illegal and irresponsible riding on both public and private lands, there’s no question that the problems there are beyond the capacity of the existing enforcement authority at ANR to manage."
(Dillon) Iarrapino says his organization still opposes the rule, despite the modification to start with a pilot program.
(Iarrapino) "Because nothing has changed in terms of the the fact that ANR lacks the resources to fufill all of its core duties. And it doesn’t make any sense for the agency to voluntarily add to its burden now with something that’s really a totally optional program for the benefit of a minority Vermonters who happen to own ATVs."
(Dillon) But Agency Secretary Wood says the state will be able to beef up its enforcement efforts because it will collect more fees through additional ATV registrations. And he says ATV clubs will police themselves if they’re given the right to ride on state land.
For VPR News, I’m John Dillon in Montpelier.
(Host outro:) The ATV rule will be reviewed by a legislative committee next month.