Greetings,
The Senate Environmental Committee has scheduled a hearing on two(2) OHV bills for tomorrow 5/14/09 @ 1 PM and we need to show a strong representation at this meeting. The hearing is on S-1059 which calls for DEP to designate one (1) site in a State Park or Forest where ATV`s , Dirt Bikes and Snowmobiles may be used. We believe in order to accommodate the growing population of OHV`s in NJ that a minimum of three (3) sites need to be provided and should be in the north,central and south of the state. So unless the bill is amended or changed to read three (3) parks we strongly appose this bill.. Also the bill as written gives DEP an easy out it reads " if the commissioner of DEP is unable to designate and make available site for use , the commissioner shall submit a report to the Governor and to the Legislature detailing the reasons why a site has not been designated. THAT IS WAY TO EASY OF AN OUT FOR THEM !!! We want that removed from the bill.
So to recap we accept nothing less than three (3) safe and legal OHV areas and there must not be any excuse clauses for them to back out of providing them.
The second bill is S-2055 which regulates operation of snowmobiles,atv`s and dirt bikes. It establishes new penalties, forces registration of all 3 types of vehicles, doubles to triples current registration fees, triples to quadruples penalties for illegal riding. Under this bill , the Commissioner of DEP will have great authority and control over the use and operation of these machines. Registration will be required for all but those solely used on a farm, where presently the law exempts those used only on private property. There are many more requirements and fines.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1) READ THE BILLS , note your concerns and write or call the Senate Environmental Committee.
Smith, Bob - Chair 732-752-0770
Van Drew, Jeff -
Vice-Chair 609-465-0700-856-696-7109
Bateman, Christopher
908-526-3600
Beach, James 856-489-3442
Ciesla, Andrew R.
732-840-9028
Gordon, Robert M. 201-703-9779
2) Pass the word around to those you know who own or use or are sympathetic to ATV, Snowmobile & dirt bike users. Especially dealers..
3) Attend the Committee meeting or send me a letter which I will present to the committee at the hearing.
This bill has already been endorsed by the Assembly Committee, so the buck stops here. Do not waste time ...Get involved or you will be stuck with the consequences...
Thanks
JP
