If you posted in the first link please post again with support of motorized use, please do not be confrontational or emotional in your posts.
http://www.maccweb.org/emacc/emacc_04_27_07.html3. HELP COUNTER THE PRO-OFF-ROAD VEHICLE LOBBY
By Ken Pruitt, MACC Executive Director
As you may know, Governor Patrick has established an on-line forum for discussion of public policy issues to allow for input by the public. Presumably, the more input on a topic posted at the Governor’s website, the more the Governor will pay attention to the issue. Recently supporters of off-road vehicles (ORVs) created a location on the site where supporters could support allowing ORVs in more state parks. It is obviously a coordinated campaign, as more than 250 people quickly posted messages of support. While MACC does not oppose ORV use in state parks outright, it does oppose any increase in such allowable use at this time. Its opposition is due to the rampant abuse of public (and private) lands by ORV users, whether or not the abusers are in the minority of all users. ORV use has caused tremendous damage to wetlands, including vernal pools, across the state, and currently there are few viable enforcement options.
MACC urges you to log onto Governor Patrick’s website to add your support to a competing message of caution against significant expansion of ORV areas in state parks (see below). To support this issue, go to:
http://www.devalpatrick.com/issue.php?issue_id=7622027.
You will have to create an account to log in. When you comment on an issue, only your initials and town will show on posting.
Here is the full issue statement (copied directly from the above link):
Title: ORV/ATV Use Needs Stronger Regulation & Enforcement
Coordinator: S.M. of Fall River
Stronger laws and enforcement are needed to prevent deaths, injuries, damage and nuisance from Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) collectively known as OHVs (Off-Highway Vehicles). ORV/ATV use (both legal and illegal) is causing severe negative impacts in Massachusetts far out of proportion to the the small percentage of the public for whom this is a pastime.
Children are injured and even killed; water quality is impaired by serious erosion, hunting areas are deserted by frightened game; trout streams & wetlands are turned into stagnant mudholes; air and noise pollution afflict quiet rural and suburban neighborhoods; farmers' crops are destroyed; hiking and walking trails are made impassable; threats and violence by out-of-control riders are increasingly common; and peaceful refuges for people and wildlife to enjoy a quiet, clean environment are irreparably damaged.
These problems are impacting privately-owned land just as severely as state parks and other public land. Private landowners are losing control of their constitutional right to control access to their property and all taxpayers are stuck with the bill for damage to public lands.
A recent poll by the Campaign for Conservation and Recreation found that only 6% of the public thinks that it is very important for public lands to set aside for motorized vehicle use, whereas large majorities favor public lands for conservation purposes and less intrusive recreational uses.
We need more effective laws for ORV/ATV use and greatly increased penalties for illegal use. Currently, law enforcement officers are unable to catch or identify illegal users, and courts are unable to apply effective sanctions. We need to provide law enforcement officials with more resources and private landowners with better ways to control ORV/ATV use on their own lands.
If ORVs here to stay, then safe and legal places to ride could be provided by private enterprise and even by the state, but the public demand for an outright ban is growing because of illegal, irresponsible and reckless use. Legislators who take money from the ORV manufacturers should be aware that they will be exposed and voted out.
