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The trails of the Adirondack Park, in recent years, have endured increased damage on account of all-terrain travel.

Although illegal in most of the park's six million acres, ATVs rip through trails, leaving eroded, parallel tracks in their muddy wake. As a result, the trails of the Adirondack Park region are deteriorating and flora and fauna are suffering.

The inadequate exhaust systems of these recreational vehicles--equal to that of more than 100 automobiles--are also destroying peace in the park. Executive Director for The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, David Gibson claims that there is an associated disturbance of sensitive wildlife species. Other pollutants, such as food, garbage, weapons and dogs can also camel-back illegal ATV use and further pollute the Adirondack ecology.

With this, comes an innate loss of respect for the wilderness. The park loses its element of character and aesthetics, and also, its sense of civility. Unswerving to this, comes an invasion of privacy, followed by an increase of potential vandalism. The most extreme problems can include public health threats due to poor handling, excessive speeds and failures to yield.

This is a problem for both the Forest Preserve and the private landowners. According to the New York state constitution, the Forest Preserve is to be protected and the wilderness inside is to remain "forever wild."

For Gibson, this has been a problem for a long time. Now with the popularity, the manufacturing, the price of ATVs, and the prevalence of advertising, their existence in the park is more pervasive.

Yet, Gibson believes that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other enforcement agencies are finally beginning to take this problem seriously.

"We've successfully, I think, got the attention of the DEC," Gibson admits. He sees that the DEC and other authoritative organizations are beginning to implement airplane reconnaissance to get a better scope on the problem, both on private and state lands.

Gibson said that many people want to get to their favorite pond, lake or stand of trees. "It's just too easy to take off with an ATV," he says.

There isn't an organized trail system for ATVs because there is no organized stewardship for off-road recreation. Whereas snowmobilers have their own club hooked into a statewide organization that has some communicative ability with its membership.

Gibson said that his organization is opposed to the idea of an ATV trail system. "I don't think its legal, I don't think its constitutional and I think the department [DEC] agrees with us on that."

Peter Constantakes, a spokesperson for the DEC, agrees. He says the department has no plans "to treat the trails for ATVs." The only place that ATVs are allowed legally is where signs are posted. DEC law says that general use of ATV's and ORV's (off-road vehicles) are not permitted on or off the trails in the Forest Preserve. This ordinance applies to both the Catskills and the Adirondack Mountains, with the exception of existing public roads.

Ernest Parent, a Plattsburgh resident and an ATV rider, is upset with the exclusion of ATVs in the park. "It's unfair that snowmobiles are allowed in there, but ATVs aren't," he says. Parent also laments that people can no longer ride on railroad beds . He says the DEC is monitoring these areas strictly, ready to pounce on potential offenders.

"Now when I go riding, I have to bring my trailer because everywhere around here has posted signs. You can't go anywhere; there's no sense in owning an ATV up here," he laments.

The inclusion of county police, state police, rangers, and the DEC, makes for a stronger association of patrol and reprimand of the park. However, Gibson still thinks that the lax penalties given to ATV offenders by state judges are the main reason park violations continue to be committed. "When these people are allowed off Scott-free by the judiciary system in the park or the North Country, that's a problem," he concedes.

Fines usually range from $0 to $250, and although these tickets can add up, Gibson believes more could be done. The tickets usually entail trespass, lack of registration, lack of insurance, lack of helmets, along with any other violations of unauthorized entry onto public lands. Whether it's suspended licenses or vehicular impoundment, he would like to see stronger laws enforced.

Share your thoughts about ATVs.

 

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks asks that people do a few things to curtail the uses of ATVs in the park or on private property: 1.) Immediately contact the State Police and County Sheriff about illegal entry of ATVs on your property or in the Park. 2.) Ask for a greater law enforcement presence in your area, as well as ticketing violators through both the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Environmental Conservation Law. 3.) Remind the law enforcement agencies that part of the registration money for snowmobiles and ATV riders is to go toward local law enforcement. 4.) Encourage your local snowmobile and ATV dealer to sell low emission and best-muffler-technology machines. 5.) Encourage Forest Rangers to maintain gates at all times of the year on points of actual and potential ATV entry in the Forest Preserve.