AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST February 2020

California

The Superior Court decided in November in favor of the current management plan for the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area, which had been challenged by the Connolly Ranch.

A jury found that California’s Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division’s OHV program—which covers casual trail use and permitted motorized events—did not interfere with the Connolly Ranch’s use or enjoyment of its land, according to Don Amador, director of government affairs for AMA District 36.

Trail practices at Carnegie SVRA include OHV exhaust-sound compliance education, respect for private property and cultural/natural resource protection programs.

“I believe this court outcome recognized the strong commitment by the OHV Division and rider community to manage Carnegie and other SVRAs in a responsible manner by using state-of-the-art trail construction techniques, exhaust noise controls, soil erosion measures, wet weather travel management closures, law enforcement, land restoration and user education programs,” Amador said.

Also in California, state officials closed part of the Oceano Dunes area to meet a Jan. 1 air quality requirement. About 48 acres of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area were closed “to improve air quality conditions for nearby communities.” A San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District standard went into effect Jan. 1.

Colorado

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is improving the Grand Valley OHV Open Area near Grand Junction with a new access road and gravel parking area, according to a report on the Grand Junction Sentinel.

The project is funded by the Grand Junction Regional Airport as part of a land transfer from the BLM that will allow the airport to build a new runway. The airport provided more than $200,000 to the BLM for the staging area project, according to Eric Coulter, BLM spokesman.

The new parking area should be ready for recreation enthusiasts by spring.

Coulter said the improved staging area will better accommodate groups that apply for Special Recreation Permits with the agency for events like motorcycle races, other races that are part of a series, or when motorcycle or mountain bike companies want to host demo days.

Future development could include a motocross track.

New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) vetoed a bill that could have lifted state restrictions on electric scooters and bicycles, but that also would have allowed local jurisdictions to regulate or ban them.

Cuomo wanted the bill to include a helmet requirement, according to a report in the New York Post.

The veto means the vehicles will continue to be banned in New York City.

Pennsylvania

New all-terrain vehicle trails are planned for five projects funded by $647,300 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ATV grant program. The projects include:

Cambria and Clearfield counties, Rock Run Recreation Inc.: $121,300 to buy equipment to build and maintain about 140 miles of trail at Rock Run Recreation Area in Chest Township;

Lawrence County, Mines and Meadows LLC: $390,600 to help buy about 213 acres in New Beaver Borough for the expansion of Mines and Meadows ATV Park;

Luzerne County, Earth Conservancy: $62,000 for a feasibility study for an ATV facility in Newport Township;

Northumberland County, the Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority: $19,000 to develop about 4 miles of trail on the Western Reserve of the AOAA in Coal Township; and

Susquehanna and Wayne counties, Northeast Pennsylvania Sno Trails Inc.: $54,400 to prepare a trail study for the development of about 13 miles of the former Ontario and Western Railroad corridor for ATV use.

Washington

Effective Jan. 1, residents must pass a basic knowledge and skills test to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit and pass advanced knowledge and skills tests to get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses.

Those caught riding without an endorsement could face a base fine of $48 that could rise to $136 with fees and assessments. Under the new rule, an additional penalty of $250 for operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement is instituted.

The new law also creates a subsidy program intended to make rider training more affordable.