California

The state Department of Finance has stated its opposition to S.B. 767, which would declare the 3,100-acre Alameda-Tesla Expansion Area of the of Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area “surplus property,” making it available for sale by the Department of General Services.

The Finance Department stated in a June analysis that the state would lose money on a sale, because the bill restricts any sale to local agencies and nonprofit organizations for use as a park or other open-space purpose.

Therefore, the department says a sale would not result in a price approaching fair market value.

The analysis also concluded that the proposed sale is inconsistent with the approved General Plan for the Carnegie SRVA.

The land in question was purchased more than 20 years ago with money from the state’s Off Highway Vehicle Trust Fund.

At that time, adjacent landowners agreed to the future use of the land for motorized recreation.

The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area near Ukiah has reopened to the public following repairs related to 2018’s Mendocino Complex fires.

Fire damage was worsened by winter rains. Some motorized-use trails will remain closed because of burned bridges, washouts and hazard trees.

Visitors are cautioned to pay attention to signs and stay off of closed routes for safety and to protect natural resources.

Visitors should use only designated roads and trails and avoid driving on bulldozer fire lines. Visitors can expect to see fallen trees on some trails.

The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area provides more than 100 miles of trails for riders and drivers of all abilities using motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, four-wheel-drive trucks and utility vehicles.

Maryland

Motorcycle tolls would be cut in half under a plan to modernize Maryland’s toll system in 2020.

A public comment period was extended from Aug. 1 through Oct. 3 for the new tolling options proposed by the Maryland Transportation Authority board.

A final report will be submitted Oct. 31 for review by the MDTA board and will be posted at mdta.maryland.gov for additional public comment.

The board is scheduled to vote on a final recommendation at its Nov. 21 meeting.

Gov. Larry Hogan said the toll relief package would save Marylanders more than $28 million over five years.

New Hampshire

A memorial is being planned for the seven motorcyclists killed in a June crash caused by a pickup truck that crossed the centerline of a highway.

American Legion Post 82 in Gorham hopes to create a memorial near the crash site in Randolph, N.H.

The memorial would include a granite slab with the Jarheads Motorcycle Club logo on it, as well as benches and a parking area.

The Jarheads is a New England motorcycle club that includes Marines and their spouses.

The pickup driver, 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, of West Springfield, Mass., has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide. Officials say Zhukovskyy’s license should have been suspended because of a previous drunken driving arrest.

Oregon

The Union County Board of Commissioners voted in August to allow ATVs on most of the roads under county jurisdiction.

Supporters of the move said it would provide more business to local restaurants, fuel stations, motels and stores.

At a meeting on the issue, more than 50 people spoke in favor of allowing ATVs on the roads, while only five objected, according to a report in the La Grande Observer.

Pennsylvania

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced grants to expand ATV and snowmobile trails around the state, including: $58,000 to Rock Run Recreation Inc. to rehabilitate portions of the 140-mile trail system in Cambria and Clearfield counties; $70,000 to Elk County Riders Inc. for a study on connecting ATV trails in Elk County; $80,900 to Landing LLC for a master plan for development of a 252-acre ATV facility in Pine Township; and $198,000 to the Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority to design a box culvert under State Route 125 in Coal Township.