Jul. 13, 2016
HARRISBURG – Legislation to boost trail development and ensure fairness in the collection and distribution of ATV and snowmobile funds in the Commonwealth is now on its way to the governor’s desk, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).
The bill would direct the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to maintain separate ATV management and snowmobile management accounts and would prohibit the agency from using money from one fund on activities related to the other fund, except for joint-use trails.
“This is great news for both ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts because it will ensure the registration fees they pay are being used to maintain and develop the type of trails they use,” Causer said. “Right now, we don’t know how much money is being invested in ATV trails and how much is going to snowmobile trails.
“But we do know the number of trail miles on public lands for snowmobiles outnumbers those for ATVs by a 10-to-1 ratio, even though ATV registrations generate nearly six times more money than snowmobile registrations. That clearly needs to be addressed,” he said.
According to a fiscal note prepared by the House Appropriations Committee, snowmobile registrations amount to just over $500,000 annually, compared to more than $2.9 million from ATV registration fees.
“I see no justifiable reason that ATV-riding opportunities should be so limited,” Causer said. He pointed specifically to the example of Cameron County, where ATV owners pay their registration fees but have no opportunities to ride on public lands in the county, even though it is home to more than 131,000 acres of state forest land.
The bill also would change the membership of the existing Snowmobile and ATV Advisory Committee to include a member from the Department of Community and Economic Development and a member from a list of three candidates provided by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.
Causer has introduced this legislation in at least three legislative sessions. His
House Bill 970 was approved unanimously in the House last summer. Senate Bill 648, which is virtually the same as Causer’s bill, was passed by the House on Tuesday and sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Once signed, the law would take effect in 60 days.
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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