It's that time of year again, we have scheduled 2 clean-ups.

The first one will be Chester Turnpike, on Sat. MAY 10th at 9:00am, Hooksett end of turnpike. 

 The next will be on Sat., May 17th, Rockingham Trail, Fremont Parking lot (rt. 107) at 9:00 am.  We will supply refreshments for volunteers, bring the kids, get involved

Annual Franconia Notch ATV Ride - Sunday February 24 Click Here for more info.

HB 1264 relative to prohibiting ATV and trail bike use on state-owned rail trails acquired using federal funds. -
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008

The House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee today held its public hearing on HB 1264 relative to prohibiting ATV and trail bike use on state-owned rail trails acquired using federal funds.

I spoke and presented opposition on 3 points; are federal rules and the federal government should decide, this change will make enforcement difficult based upon a decade of legal use, and snowmobile users are not at the hearing asking for the bill. Jack Wheeler spoke well and forthrightly on behalf of the New Durham Valley ATV club. In response to a question about shrinking mileage of trails in NH, said private land owners are removing permission as a result of a few “renegades” who misuse the land and permission.

Several people spoke for the bill, including a hospitality business owner in Hinsdale (Craig Weed?) who is a constituent of Rep. Parkhust, a member of the committee, and Dick Lemieux, retired from the Federal Highway Administration. Mr. Lemieux’s testimony was most damaging to DRED’s presentation.

The hearing lasted an hour and a half.

Killing this bill will be an uphill battle. Ranking Republican Harry Merrow of the Committee, a consistent supporter of our position, even declared that he has no doubt that we are now operating in violation of federal law. Some of the testimony presented in support of the bill was the typical rubbish (ATVs on rail trails are to blame for bad apples who ride on private property without permission. Also, Sen. Jacqueline Cilley, a Democrat form District 6, is sponsoring legislation in the Senate that would accomplish much the same as this bill. Any success we have on this bill will be because members of the committee are contacted by users and others in their districts.

Rep. Christopher Ahlgren of Wolfeboro has been appointed Chair of the sub-committee and has some ideas for an amendment which we may like by his first indications, but that still will be an uphill battle.

The House RR&D Committee also heard HB 1440, relative to reciprocity with the state of Maine for registration of OHRVs and snowmobiles. The Committee seems of the mind to pass the bill, but they were informed of the history behind Maine’s retraction of reciprocity via legislation at the request of the Maine snowmobile association. Chris Gamache explained to the committee that the state of Maine could lose $170,000 per year if reciprocity were reinstated, and that the Maine Snowmobile Assoc. receives a portion of the registration money. When asked by a member of the committee if then this was about money, he answered “yes”. ; This bill only directs Fish & Game to seek reciprocity, so there’s no harm in passing it but given previous efforts on the part of the State of NH, unlikely to have any affect on the State of Maine.

Curtis J. Barry
The Dupont Group
Concord, New Hampshire
603-228-3322 ext. 102
www.dupontgroup.com

The Top of Mt Washington 2007 - Click for a larger picture.

ATV Trail System Plan and Berlin - Click Here! for the NH ATV/Trail Bike Trail System Plan. Click Here! for more information on the new Berlin ATV Park.

Map and Compass Classes - The New Hampshire ATV Club will be holding map and compass classes at the end of our monthly club meetings starting in January. Classes should be approximately one hour or less, depending on participation and class input. Those interested should bring a lenstatic compass, note book, and pencils. If you have a special map you would like to use please bring it with you. Classes will be conducted by Dick Burnes, the LandNav Instructor for the search and rescue team.

The Mile Slip Trail in Milford is closed until further notice. - This trail will most likely not reopen this year. We have been working very hard to address the issues out there thanks to the efforts of Mark Wojtkun.

• Jericho Lake ATV Park
• New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association
• OHRV and Trail Revised Statutes
• OHRV Code of Administrative Rules
• ATV/Trail Bike Trail System Plan
• How to Effectively Communicate With Your Lawmakers