Tell the WV State Senate to Kill the Off Road Vehicle Bill, SB 676

The bill requires the Division of Natural Resources to map all trails and roads on public land in WV. The goal of the bill is to open currently restricted areas to off road vehicles and to construct new roads for such use on state public lands (parks, forests, wildlife management areas). Eventually, the bill's sponsor, Senator Maynard, wants the federal government to allow the same use on federal public lands, so this bill is a way to begin his vision to open up the Monongahela National Forest to off road vehicles. A WV Senate Resolution also by Senator Maynard, asking the US Congress to allow off highway vehicles and logging on federal lands was just defeated. We need to stop this bill, too.

Off road vehicles cause erosion, damage to streams and fish habitats, soil compaction that adversely impacts endangered flora, and trail degradation. Disturbance to wildlife includes disruption of wildlife breeding and nesting habitats, loss of young, weakened physical condition, and death of vulnerable species. Off road vehicles facilitate illegal hunting and fishing. Air and water pollution is introduced to areas presently in a natural state. Excessive noise disturbs visitors that expect peace and quiet. Litter, vandalism, and fire risks are increased. These are all valid reasons to kill this bill.

If off road vehicles are allowed on more roads and trails on public lands, it will be more difficult to keep them off the areas where they are prohibited, a fact that the bill's author recognizes.

West Virginia already has the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System for ATV and ORV enthusiasts. Our public lands need the regulations we currently have in place to avoid damage and disturbance. There are also serious safety issues for the vehicle users to be considered.

As WV Senator Mike Woelfel stated in reference to building roads for logging and off road vehicles, "What we have to offer in our national forests is an area that is fairly unique to this part of the US, east of the Mississippi – logging and other activities within these pristine and remote areas is counter to tourism in our state."

Please call or write your WV senators and tell them to kill this garbage bill.

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Kill the Off Road Vehicle Bill SB 676

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As your constituent, I am asking you to vote no on SB 676, relating to Off-Road Vehicle Recreation. This bill is an attempt to require the Division of Natural Resources to open currently restricted areas to off-road vehicles and to construct new roads for such use on pristine and remote areas of our state public lands (state  parks, state forests, and wildlife management areas). This could eventually lead to an attempt to open federal public lands in WV to off-road vehicles.

Off-road vehicles cause erosion, damage to streams and fish habitats, soil compaction that adversely impacts endangered flora, disturbance to wildlife, and trail degradation.  Off-road vehicles facilitate illegal hunting and fishing. Air and water pollution is introduced to areas presently in a natural state. Excessive noise disturbs visitors that expect peace and quiet. Litter, vandalism, and fire risks are increased. These are all valid reasons to kill this bill.

If off-road vehicles are allowed on currently restricted areas of public lands, it will encourage more illegal access to natural areas. Our public lands need the regulations we currently have in place  to avoid damage and disturbance to wild places. The mountains, forests, and rivers of West Virginia offer beauty and solitude that is fairly unique east of the Mississippi. This quality should be preserved and is critical to tourism in our state.

Please vote no on SB 676!

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