N.H. report calls for ATV restrictions

CONCORD, N.H. – All-terrain vehicle and trail bike operators should be required to join a trail use club by mid 2004, a special legislative panel is recommending.

The panel also recommends nearly doubling registration fees to pay to maintain trails, buy land and rights of way for new trails and step up law enforcement. The panel recommends increasing fees for residents to $67 from $37 while nonresidents would pay $87, a $40 increase.

A hearing will be held next week on legislation containing some of the recommendations.

The committee was created to look for ways to improve the state’s management of ATVs and dirt bikes – a booming industry. Lawmakers are responding to complaints the vehicles are loud and invasive. The large, knobby tires dig up the trails, causing soil erosion and washouts, according to environmentalists.

State law does not require hunters to get written permission from landowners to walk onto their property as long as the land is not posted against hunting. But the law requires people to get permission before they drive onto the property.

The committee’s chairman, Rep. John Alger, said requiring riders to belong to clubs and making ATV dealers tell buyers about the law requiring landowners’ permission should help ease abuses. The state also may have to buy land for ATV use since their use isn’t appropriate on all public land.

“It’s a nice piece of equipment,” said Alger. “Unfortunately, it goes a lot of places it’s not supposed to go.”

The committee recommends penalties for misuse include increased fines, confiscation of machines and loss of operating privileges on public trails and roads.