The damage that irresponsible all-terrain vehicle riders do to private property is so bad that landowners are limiting and closing access to their land.
This is a big concern to Mainers.
An estimated 94 percent of Maine’s land is held in private hands by landowners who graciously permit public access. Most people who recreate on these lands are respectful. But, as frequently happens, the few who are disrespectful are ruining it for the rest.
The problem extends beyond recreation, though.
International Paper, Central Maine Power Co. and other commercial landowners spend piles of money every year to repair ATV damage on their lands. And, as with any business expense, the cost is passed along to consumers.
The public, either through diminished access to recreation spots or increased cost of goods and services, is footing the bill for ATV vandals.
Next Tuesday, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine will hold a statewide conference on ATVs to examine what it considers to be the one of the most controversial and fastest growing segments of Maine outdoor recreation. The topic is so popular that the original conference capacity was increased and available slots are now full.
At the same time, the Legislature is looking at several bills designed to increase rider safety and rein in ATV abuse on private land.
At least a hundred people attended a legislative hearing Tuesday and boiled the issue down to riders’ desire to ride where they want when they want versus landowners’ rights to preserve and protect their land.
While many landowners testified in favor of the bills, two teenagers speaking on behalf of riders more clearly addressed how deep the disrespect runs.
If landowners limit access, the teens said, “people will hit the roads.”
Is this how we solve the problem? Abuse landowners to the point they chain off trailheads? Then watch as ATV riders vandalize public ways?
According to SAM, ATV sales are outstripping sales of snowmobiles because riders like the year-round use.
An important distinction between the sports, though, is that there are about 90 snowmobile clubs actively grooming trails and conducting a little community policing trailside. There are only 40 ATV clubs in Maine, so there are fewer volunteers to perform maintenance and report troublesome riders.
Maine spends thousands more to educate snowmobilers than ATV riders, $21,501 more just in 2002. Unless the Legislature raises registration fees significantly or increases fines for ATV trespassers, the state isn’t likely to be able to afford increasing educational programs until the economy turns around.
Landowners and others who want to preserve public access to private land can’t wait that long.
People on both sides of this issue support the need for increased education. To make that happen, Maine must increase the registration fee from its current $12 to something that more closely matches the cost of delivering education.
At the same time, ATV owners must to do more to establish community clubs and tend to trail maintenance and landowner relationships.
Maine can certainly legislate minimum driving age, can require liability insurance, mandate safety classes and raise registration fees.
It cannot force ATV riders to respect landowners. Until riders, as a group, honor landowners’ rights they should not expect anyone to respect their sport.
jmeyer@sunjournal.com
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