Make State Land ATV-Friendly in Vermont

The state of Vermont is in a hotly contested battle to decide whether or not to allow ATVs on state land.

It's a no-brainer. ATVers pay taxes just like other people in Vermont and they have every right to use State land. If you want it closed to ATVs, you need to close it to everyone, including hikers, bikers and equestrians.

The old-and-busted "ATVs do too much damage" is getting tiresome. They don't do any more damage when ridden respectfully than horses do, and that damage horses and ATVs do is highly temporary. Perhaps more importantly, they don't leave small large piles all over the trail for everyone else to step in or ride through.

As someone who has been involved in ATVs AND hiking for a long, long time, I can tell you with a good amount of accuracy that hikers leave more trash on trails than ATVers do.

If you're in Vermont and ride ATVs, contact the Agency of Natural Resources and tell them that you fully support this proposal. Comments can be submitted to ANR by e-mail to warren.coleman@state.vt.us by June 22.

Image © Matt Finley