VT. ATV SPORTSMAN'S ASSOCIATION ALERT!!
TAKE A MINUTE AND TELL THE AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO GIVE RESPONSIBLE ATV RIDERS ACCESS TO STATE LAND!!
SIGN THE FORM LETTER (just copy & paste) OR CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN LETTER BELOW!
In 2009, then Governor Jim Douglas finally established a rule that set up a three-trail experiment to test whether members of the Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association could successfully ride and manage ATV state lands connector trails. The Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association (VASA) and VASA's 21 local clubs had worked long and hard to prove ATVers worthy of state lands access, and it looked like the public had finally accepted ATVers as deserving at least a trial period of state lands trails use.
Now, Governor Peter Shumlin is proposing to repeal the Douglas ATV rule. Will he replace the Douglas Rule with an alternative means of state lands ATV access? Nobody knows for sure. But there is one way ATVers can let Governor Shumlin know that ATVers WANT AND DESERVE state lands access.
SEND THE LETTER BELOW TO THE VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES EITHER AS IS OR WITH YOUR OWN THOUGHTS INCLUDED BY MAY 3RD.
Written Public Comments should be sent to either of the following addresses:
E-mail: atvrule@state.vt.us
Regular Mail:
Ginny Colbert
Assistant To Secretary Markowitz
Vermont Agency Of Natural Resources
Center Building, 2d Floor
103 South Main St. Waterbury, Vt. 05671-0301
ATV opponents have received alerts from anti-ATV organizations and will be sending their letters. PLEASE SEND YOURS!
Go to this link to easily submit the following letter online;
http://www.vtvasa.org/Submit-Comment.php
Send a Message.
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I Support State Lands ATV Access
Dear Agency of Natural Resources and Governor Shumlin:
I oppose repeal of the Douglas administration's ATV Rule, because I support reasonable ATV access to state land.
The Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association (VASA) and VASA's twenty-one local clubs have established a 600-plus mile ATV trail system throughout the state through building positive landowner and community relations. VASA and the local clubs have reduced ATV management problems through comprehensive programs of enforcement, environmental stewardship, landowner relations, rider education, and public outreach. While there are problem ATV riders, the same can be said for all recreational user groups.
ATV opponents make all sorts of claims that ATVs cause excessive noise, air, and water pollution, destroy ecosystems, run roughshod over land, disturb wildlife, destroy the peacefulness of the countryside, and bother other recreational groups. These claims are greatly exaggerated and not representative of use on managed trail systems.
Why would town and private landowners give VASA permission for trail use year after year if ATVs were destroying the countryside and creating massive disturbances among the local population? The reality is that ATVers are working Vermont families who care about Vermont, just like you. Some have physical limitations that prevent them from getting out in the countryside other than through the benefit of motorized recreation. The majority of ATVers are middle aged or older folks. They have a vested interest in working to minimize impact and illegal riding.
Vermont's public land was paid for by all Vermonters. Vermont includes vast acreages of state land that, in reality, can accommodate everyone. Please give ATV riders the chance to show that there's a place for them on public land along with everyone else.
