As a landowner in the northern tier of PA for 40 years, I’ve read with interest most recently about the promotion of ATVs and the development of trails on state forest lands in PA. It’s hard to argue that ATV’s are one of the fastest growing forms of recreation, with approximately 1 million new off-road vehicles purchased annually in the U.S. That said, that kind of growth and usage can have a significant consequential impact on our state lands without momentous advanced forethought, planning and regulation.

ATVs can cause an extraordinary amount of habitat degradation and pollution, often in the most fragile of habitats. It has been demonstrated time and again by various state and federal land manager’s - ATVs off-road use on most public lands is poorly planned and managed, with the potential of causing significant harm to the states natural resources. Technological advances in ATV’s have given them more power and control, allowing more experienced and also beginners the ability to more easily access remote areas.

o Soil displacement, ruts, damaged root systems, and compaction, erosion and stream sedimentation. ATVs compact soil which creates mudholes and gullies that alter water flow patterns and increase erosion and hinder habitat regeneration.

o Spread of non-native weeds into areas otherwise not accessible (for example - a Montana State University Extension Service study found that one dirt bike can distribute 2,000 seeds over a 10-mile radius)

o Disruption and displacement of wildlife, especially impacting the young during the birthing season, and adult recovery after winter

• Ruin the quiet natural experience for non-motorized users and increase conflicts between off-roaders and non-motorized users, such as hikers

• Access that can cause lasting damage in the more wild and natural areas of our state lands, including formerly inaccessible places to non-motorized vehicles like wetlands, bogs, beaver ponds, native trout streams

• Extension beyond approved trails creating a web of illegal motorized paths and roads on both state and private lands resulting in landowner conflicts, potentially posted private property, and restricted access to non-motorized vehicle users

It’s easy to say that self-policing or state policing of regulations will prevent many of these issues from happening. Its’ been proven in other states and is obvious here in Pennsylvania that law enforcement officers, conservation officers and state enforcement agencies are vastly outnumbered and not adequately funded to properly manage and control ATVs use on our state lands and municipal roads. Self-policing alone is not a viable option.

There seems to be a simple argument for opening state lands to ATVs - promotion of tourism and economic gain in the more rural areas.

Any decisions to move forward with opening state lands for trail expansion for ATV use should involve stakeholders beyond those who are merely looking at the economic impact to the county and businesses within it. I would hope that the Keystone Trail Association would be on the forefront in informing your members of this situation so they may contact their representatives and senators to express their thoughts and opinions.

It's pretty simple, really: By definition, off-roading puts motorized vehicles in areas not designed for motorized vehicles. For those of us who enjoy the peace and solitude of the state forest and streams – hikers, hunters, fisherman, photographers, campers, bird-watchers, this is just the opposite of why we travel to the state forest lands.

PA LANDOWNER SHARES ATV CONCERNS WITH KTA