In Maine, as in many other states across the country, the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has catapulted itself into prominence. It has become, on the one hand, a popular pastime for recreational riders and, on the other, a pest and a plague for landowners, law enforcement personnel and emergency room physicians.

The statistics related to ATV use and sales are eye opening. From 1997 to 2002, there was an 89 percent increase of ATV sales nationwide. There was also a corresponding increase of 67 percent in ATV accidents. One third of all injuries happened to youngsters under 16 years of age, and 14 percent of ATV related fatalities were kids under 12 years old.

In Maine, ATV registrations have increased 136 percent in the last 10 years. ATVs are now outselling snowmobiles at many Maine dealerships.

According to an executive summary from the Baldacci administration, ATV use in Maine “has the potential to equal or even surpass the $300 million annual economic impact of the snowmobile industry, since ATVs can be used year-round.”

Because of this, the governor wisely saw fit to create an ATV Task Force. Chaired by Maine’s Deputy Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Paul Jacques and made up of dozens of “stakeholders,” the task force was charged with finding solutions to the problems associated with Maine’s ATV boom. High injury rates and landowner relations problems were at the top of the trouble-shooter’s list. In Maine there have been more death and injuries on ATVs than from snowmobiles or personal watercraft combined.

The goals of the task force are:

1. Protect landowners and their property from disturbances and damage caused by ATVs.

2. Improve law enforcement response to complaints about ATVs.

3. Develop a high quality trail system that protects the environment and the rights of landowners, while offering ATV riders a chance to enjoy multi-day trips, sport riding areas and access to popular destinations.

4. Insure ATV riders are aware of ATV laws, ethics and safety issues.

What resulted from the task force was a timely and comprehensive study that is an excellent blueprint for solutions to Maine’s vexing ATV headaches. Of course putting things on paper is one thing; bringing proposed remedies to fruition is usually quite another. Still, Jacques’ task force is off to a running start. Much of the report is being converted to legislation that is expected to become law sometime this spring. In fact, other states with big ATV problems are watching Maine’s approach with great interest.

Included in the 50 page task force report is a thorough 7-page plan of action that envisions completion by the end of this year. Included in the ladder of recommendations are:

1. Improve ATV safety by offering ATV registrants an economic incentive to join a sanctioned ATV club. Registration fees for residents will be $50, but $33 for those belonging to an ATV club.

2. Mandatory ATV safety training for all operators between the ages of 10 and 18 years.

3. Make all ATV violations, including OUI count as points against state driver’s licenses.

4. Offer state, municipal and county law enforcement officers special training on ATV laws and enforcement.

These are just a few of the many task force recommendations designed to address various aspects of Maine’s runaway ATV problems. And not all of the ideas are restrictive or regulatory in nature. One of the key findings of the task force was that there is a critical shortage of sanctioned ATV trails in Maine. For example, Maine has 12,000 miles of designated snowmobile trails, but only 2,200 miles of similar ATV trails. There is reason to believe that an elaborate ATV trail system in Maine would go a long way toward reducing both ATV accidents and conflicts with landowners. A study by a state policy institute found that given Maine’s rate of ATV ownership and operation, the state needs at least 7,000 miles of designated ATV trails.

Jacques and his team are to be commended for their insights and hard work. Their blueprint for solving Maine’s serious ATV problem holds great promise. In the past, the problems were exacerbated when ATV enforcement funds were diverted to other non-ATV uses. ATV organizations and officers have reason to be miffed about that and to lobby hard to prevent this from happening in the future. Meanwhile, ATV owners and operators can help their own cause by joining and supporting local ATV clubs and by driving responsibly and treating the land of others as if it were their own.



V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is paul@sportingjournal.com.

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