New Initiative to Boost ATV Trail Opportunities, Say Causer, Owlett
HARRISBURG – Working to bring more recreational and economic opportunities to the Northern Tier, Reps. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) praised passage of legislation to create a new ATV trail pilot program on state forest lands.
Specifically, the law requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to evaluate department forest districts, including Elk, Moshannon, Sproul, Susquehannock and Tioga, for roads and trails to serve as potential regional connectors and to provide local access or serve as a trail complex for ATV use.
“This is great news for ATV riders across the Northern Tier,” Owlett said. “The pilot program gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how we can safely open up portions of our state forest lands to ATV riders and ultimately build a trail system that is second to none on the East Coast.”
Causer agreed. “Our region has so much potential for ATV riding, but the lack of connectors has significantly limited access and usability of our trails for so many riders. This initiative is long overdue, and I look forward to the additional opportunities it could open up across our region.”
The lawmakers praised township officials across the region for their efforts to open roadways to ATV riders and said the roads and trails on state forest lands are the missing link to a trail system that would not only improve recreational opportunities but also bring more tourism dollars to the area.
Under the bill, once a pilot area is established, DCNR would be authorized to sell tags for access to the pilot areas for the 2021 summer ATV riding season. The riding season is defined as being from the Friday before Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September, in addition to an extended season to be determined based on local conditions.
Fees collected would go into the department’s ATV fund to support ATV activities, enforcement and maintenance on department lands.
The bill was signed into law as
Act 114 of 2020.
Representative Martin Causer
67th Legislative District
Representative Clint Owlett
68th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives