This summary has been produced by attendees of the "ATV Solutions"
meeting hosted by the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory
Council on June 27, 2001.

Report of Educational Suggestions for “ATV SOLUTIONS” August 14, 2001

Education Committee:

Problems:
[1]  Manufacturers advertise ATVs as “Ride Anywhere” machines. ATV websites show        photos of ATVs running up streams. These actions and images are inappropriate.

• Advertisers could be asked to voluntarily ‘tone down’ the advertising in Pennsylvania, since those ads incite many people to oppose ATVs.
• ATV dealers should help (educating riders).
• DCNR should distribute Act 68 information, stressing responsible riding with each mailing of ATV registration information.
• Clubs should purchase NOHVCC’s "On The Right Trail" program and distribute it to every ATV dealer.

[2]  ATV riders do not understand the damage that they do.

• Clubs should publish a statement of ethics ex. “We will ride on legal trails only.” “We will not ride up and down streams or through wetlands.”
• Clubs could copy the success story of Quebec snowmobilers; education and enforcement have established a “cultural mindset” not to stray (off-trail). Courtesy patrols by ATV groups could be “self-policing.”
• ATV Organizations should be encouraged to develop rider ethics codes. Promote and support organizations who endorse and implement these ethics.
• ATV Organizations could serve as Trail Head Hosts. Provide education/training opportunities at trailheads.
• ATV Clubs should bring ATV owners into clubs where they can work cooperatively to define acceptable behavior.
• Any group dealing with outdoor recreation should educate their members on Leave No Trace, since everyone has an impact, not only ATVs.
• DCNR “should consider adding an education requirement (to registration)” from a CNRAC report dated 2/13/96.
• PAOHVshould adopt, publicize the Blue Ribbon Coalition Trail Use Standards and each member of every club should sign the agreement.
• DCNR should publish literature, made available to ATV dealers & clubs, that the $ ______ (hundreds of thousands of dollars) that it will take to repair the 2,500 miles of illegal ATV trails comes from the ATV Fund – and could have been earmarked for new, legal riding areas.
• All outdoor groups should be educated on the impacts of disturbances to wildlife.

[3]  The SVIA ATV Safety course it too light on “Tread Lightly”.

• DCNR could develop a new Educational pamphlet; make available at trailheads.
• BOF could develop a 24/7 Hotline, apprising riders of trail conditions; trails should be closed after heavy rains in order to prevent damage to trails.
• Clubs produce pamphlets, placed on windshields of tow vehicles and handed to unaffiliated riders – asking for their cooperation in riding only in legal areas.
• DCNR could provide improved, specific signage at trailheads.
• DCNR should provide positive and negative trail signage throughout the BOF.
• ATV Safety Course could be revised to place more emphasis on Environmental, Rider Ethics.
• Clubs could provide more certified instructors, subsidize ATV Safety training.

[4]  Noise is a major concern and focal point for user conflicts. Education is needed        regarding the aftermarket alteration of exhaust systems.

• BOF could purchase dB testing units, demonstrate standards at outdoor shows.
• BOF could institute random dB tests at ATV trailheads.
• ATV Instructors could emphasize this (noise problem) at ATV Safety Programs.

[5]  Landowners are making huge efforts to protect their private rights-of–way against        trespass. Rehabilitation efforts on these areas are hampered due to illegal ATV riding        and resulting damage.

• Utilities could get the word out (ex. Seneca Resources’ advertising campaign “ So Much Fun It Must Be Illegal” ) to educate riders/reduce trespass.
• Utilities should publicize their expenditures/efforts to block trespass - or the efforts to rehab ROWs are for naught.
• Stakeholders could issue press releases about criminal trespass on private land.
• Pa Landowners Association could use the PGC “Landowner Program” as a model (match up landowners with riders).
• BOF should publicize the large-scale enforcement that took place in FD 09, 10, 13.
• PGC should publicize enforcement activities via press releases, Pa Game News, and on their website.
• PLA could help in getting word out via their members, press releases.
• Seneca Resources (ROW owner) can publicize their cooperative efforts with PGC, PFBC and other enforcement agencies to curb ATV trespass.

[6]  Hunting experience (and resource) damaged by inappropriate/illegal ATV activity.

• PGC could publish an article in Penna. Game News (“fair chase” concept).
• PGC press releases could communicate the enforcement efforts of WCOs.
• Land managers must educate users on the effect of motorized trails on all species, not just game birds and mammals.
• PGC could incorporate the OHV ethics message in Hunter Education Program student manuals (being developed by NOHVCC).
• Agencies & private organizations could utilize the package of ethics awareness tools that will be available from NOHVCC on January 1, 2002 (includes brochures, posters, fliers, PSAs, etc.).
• Agencies should concentrate their educational efforts on damage to wetland habitats, since ATV riders are “attracted to wetlands”.
• DCNR should educate all law enforcement agencies, including BOF, PGC and PFBC on Act 68 of 2001, as well as their responsibility to invoke section 7751(a) as written, that “ALL law enforcement officers of the Commonwealth SHALL enforce the provisions of” chapter 77.
• PFBC and PGC should educate users of the effects of stream bank erosion and streambed destruction.
• District Foresters must close ATV trails during the nesting season and after heavy rainfall, no matter what the season.

[7]  Present education/training activities related to youth aren’t as effective as they
       could be.

• BOF mandatory training for youth should shift from “riding instruction” to “resource protection” and riding ethics.
• BOF rider education should be mandated for registration.
• Allow various entities to provide appropriate or additional rider training – Trout Unlimited, PENNDOT, DCNR, ATV dealers/manufacturers, ATV organizations, etc.
• Require ATV manufacturers/dealers to provide consistent and concurrent training.
• BOF should include Rider Ethics and Environmental Protection information when registering ATVs.

[8]  Method of reporting problems

• Create a 1-800 number to report illegal/inappropriate activity to a central area for appropriate responsive action.
• Sierra Club will have members volunteer to report problem areas.
• PGC’s S.P.O.R.T. program should include reporting of ATV trespass and damage.
• ATV Clubs could institute a program (hotline) ”like 1-800-litter”, as a peer enforcement system; report violations to a central recording area for follow-up.
• Keystone Trails Association will publish a “Trail Damage/Illegal Incursion” report form on their website http://kta-hike.org/