Eastern Trail

UPDATE:  The final report of the Governor's ATV Task Force was delivered in December 2003 - click here to view a copy (a 47-page PDF file)

Gov. John Baldacci's 15-member ATV Task Force released its initial recommendations October 6th, 2003.

The task force set four goals:

1. To protect landowners and their property from disturbances or damage caused by ATVs.

2. To improve law enforcement response to complaints about ATVs.

3. To 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. To insure ATV riders are aware of ATV laws, ethics and safety issues.

To meet those goals, the task force has 46 recommendations, including:

* Requiring landowners' permission to operate an ATV. Permission is presumed only on authorized trails or riding areas;
* Mandatory liability insurance for all ATVs;
* Higher fines for ATV violations, including a mandatory $1,000 fine for failing to stop for a law enforcement officer;
* Establishing a damage mitigation fund to repair environmental damage or to reimburse landowners for damage to crops, trees or orchards caused by ATV  riders, when those riders cannot be identified or prosecuted;
* Making ATV violations count as points against a driver's license and an ATV OUI part of a driver's motor vehicle record;
* Making any violation of a criminal ATV law result in automatic impoundment of the ATV;
* Authorize a mud season closure for ATV trails similar to the road posting process, so it can be done at the local level;
* Encouraging increased ATV enforcement by creating a three-tier grant program, available by application to all law enforcement agencies in the State;
* Encouraging membership in ATV clubs by offering a discount registration for ATV club members;
* Distributing state ATV revenues in the same categories as snowmobile revenues: to the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department for law enforcement and safety education; to the Conservation Department for trail
grants and equipment; to Maine towns, in lieu of excise taxes.

The full text of the recommendations are available on the ATV Task Force's website. Printed copies can be requested by calling 207-287-8000.  

UPDATE:  The final report of the Governor's ATV Task Force was delivered in December 2003 - click here to view a copy (a 47-page PDF file)

Click here to return to ETA's main ATV Page

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office