Please take a few minutes to help get an ATV Trail System established in NY!

NYSORVA, New York’s statewide advocacy group focused on issues that affect the off-highway motorcycle and ATV user community since 1993, continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the 1.9 million (or 13.1%) of New York citizens 16 and over who pursue wheeled-OHV recreation in New York State.

Building on the support of the Governor’s proposal to establish an ATV Trail Program as contained in the Executive Budget, NYSORVA has met with key policy makers in state government to secure the establishment of a true ATV Trail Program in New York State.

As you remember, last year’s budget included an ATV registration fee increase from $10 to $25 [learn more here], with a dedication of the increase to a Fund set apart for an ATV Program.  But the end of the regular session came and went, and the ATV community saw yet another year without necessary legislative action to enact a true ATV Program.

The Executive Budget proposal put forth by Governor Pataki this year offers NYSORVA and ATV enthusiasts statewide new hope.  The proposal directs the DEC to develop and implement a program of state assistance payments for municipalities and not-for-profit all terrain vehicle associations for all terrain vehicle safety, education, and training; and the development and maintenance of all terrain vehicle roads and trails which are open to the general public.

But now we need your help!  For us to be successful, every OHV club and every OHV user must take a few minutes to call and write to their Senator and Assemblymember supporting this program.  Even then it won’t be easy.  Environmental groups opposed to ATV access are well funded, well organized, and seasoned in fighting progress of pro-OHV issues.  But this year gives us the best shot we’ve ever had of getting a true ATV trail system in New York State.  So, take a moment right now and write or call your Legislator and ask them to include an ATV Program in the State Budget.

Senate:  518-455-2800               Assembly: 518-455-4100

“Hello, my name is __________ and I live in the Town of  ___________.  I’m an ATV enthusiast and a member of {local club name}.  I’m calling to ask you to work to include an ATV Trails Program in the State Budget.  My ATV registration fee was raised 150% last year to fund this program.  Please make sure that this year my hard earned money can be spent on ATV trails and not swept away into the General Fund.  Thank you.”

For help determining who your Legislative Representatives are, including their direct phone numbers and mailing addresses, see the web site
http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm and search by your ZIP code.

The successful creation of a true Trail Fund, and the funding of a DEC ATV Program, will finally recognize the 1.9 million New Yorkers that comprise the wheeled-OHV community as a legitimate recreational group.  Moreover, a true ATV Program will facilitate safe, legal and environmentally conscious recreation, reduce trespass, and increase rider safety.

NYSORVA is committed to continuing its work on behalf of the OHV user community towards achieving these goals and are now looking to you, the rider community, to help us to enact this program.

THANK YOU!

Team NYSORVA

New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Assn., Inc. (NYSORVA)
PO Box 90
Camden, NY  13316
www.nysorva.org
www.nyatvsafety.net

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The New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association (NYSORVA) is New York’s statewide advocacy group focused on issues that affect the off-highway motorcycle and ATV user community, such as land-use issues and legislation. NYSORVA is recognized for its relevance by national organizations such as the American Motorcyclists Assn. (AMA), National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), The Blue Ribbon Coalition (BRC), and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). NYSORVA is the organization designated by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as the state's conduit for communication with the wheeled off-highway vehicle (OHV) user community. This community of recreationists is estimated by the US Forest Service to include 1.9 million enthusiasts in the state of New York alone, the third largest of such groups in the entire nation.

NYSORVA's mission is to work with all interested parties for increased safe and environmentally conscious OHV recreational opportunities on both public and private lands in NY State.  NYSORVA is a nonprofit corporation that endorses safe and environmentally conscious riding on legally registered and insured machines, and has adopted “tread lightly” practices.

NYSORVA’s primary mission is to facilitate the development and maintenance of legal and sustainable riding trails and areas in New York state for the sizeable constituency that engages in this activity. NYSORVA believes the lack of legal riding areas in the state of New York directly contributes to the problem of unmanaged riding on the private property and farmland of landowners in rural communities.  We continue to hope that the passage of a true Trail Program will change this situation and enable an environmentally sensitive trails network to be developed by utilizing riders’ registration fees already being collected.

More information at:  http://www.nysorva.org