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Here are some notes from the meeting as best I can describe things the way I saw it. I'll try to use some prior (member questions) and give current info for each.

By managing editor
Steve Small

How about asking the DCNR and state officials to create a legal defense fund with one million dollars from the ATV restricted receipts fund. This way we could build a state wide trail system on private property not state land. Also if we were to build a state wide trail system we would not have to rely on one landowner to provide all of the land.

As before, it appears that the state is only going to give out grants as they are doing now. I'm not going to hold my breath for a statewide system. They are seeking Legislation towards opening an insurance policy in order to provide the hard-sought coverage to new grantees. However, the "new" dncr secretary appears to have his #1 goal set on creating new trails for us accross the state. Public???....we'll see in time. He seems to be on "our" side.

Why did the DCNR close part of MY LOCAL TRAIL, in MY County? And how come snowmobile trails aren't accessable to us in the summer months?
If you have a problem with your local state trails, you need to contact the Ranger for that area. These contacts are available on our Trails page. The SAAC committee does not have local information at their fingertips and these items should be dealt with on a one-to-one basis with the local officers.

I used to live in Pa, but now live in North Carolina. Currently there are no provisions for temporary passes to ride the trails in Pa. Would it not make sense to have 1 day, 3 day, and maybe a week long pass in an effort to increase and encourage tourism?
There is nothing in the works, but it is said to be cheaper to register the machine for the 20 bucks (for a whole two years) and get the plate vs. buying a short term pass which will cost as much or more! Keep in mind, this is only necessary if your home state does not register atv's. Pennsylvania recognizes outta state regs in order to ride here if you're registered in your home state.

What will happen to a trail system if the grant recipients of
ATV/Snowmobile funds go belly up......???? Especially the ones that
are doing it for profit. And if they find out that they are not going
to make enough "Cash" to be viable......What happens to the land???

There is a ton of fine print on the applications to prevent this. Long story short, the land returns to the dcnr. If that happens, we'll need to make sure it's kept as an ATV park. Lots of fine print, but things are in our favor to keep the area ATV friendly.

How about the ideas of purchasing more strip mining land for us to ride free on?
There is a current bill that is pending on this. Keep your fingers crossed. Again, the new secretary seems to be on our side with this issue.

Speaking of the Litke tract. When will the trails be marked so we can ride on them?
Nothing has been done, although the public has been riding on this area and will continue to do so. However, there has been no Official opening to the area or trailheads developed.

Will motorcycles be allowed by the State to ride on the trail systems who receive Grants?
This is up to the grantee to decide. Bet your bottom dollar, they'll want the business!

Why it costs over $200 in fees to ride at four seasons.
The grants that were given to this organization are being viewed by many as "a major letdown". Perhaps we can have some insight from a Four Seasons Member on their policy for public access???

Do we get any credit applied to the atv fund based on the Highway Gasoline Tax?
This was recently veto'd for good reason but is going to be re-issued in order for the tax monies to be added to the restricted account for us. So far, so good.

I'm a dealer...must I be licensed?
Legislation has just passed a law that the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons have added ATV's to the list of required licensing including Dealer, Salespersons, Lot, and Facility approval. (this is actually to our benefit on keeping the el-cheepo dealers off the streets)

Can I ride double on dcnr property?
This is a hot issue that we (the atv'ers) are trying to stop from passing. The dcnr is considering the idea, even after it was removed from HB154 last year. Emphasis was stressed on family use, older couples, etc. vs younger wreckless doubles who might increase an accident ratio. No action was passed at this time.

When are there more grants being passed out?
The next round is set between the months of July-October of 2003. Also, Black/Gold trails are having problems with both site soil quality and obtaining insurance coverage...they are in the process of resolving these issues. No other info is available.

Where is the audit showing the accountability of our restricted fund?
The audit is completed and waiting for commenting from the dcnr....we should see it quite soon as public record.

My child needs a safety certificate to ride dcnr trails.
The dcnr is currently activating ASI instructors to host "dcnr approved" youth training for our state trails. Meanwhile, contact the Atv Safety Institute at 800-887-2887 to enroll your child through ASI. No timeline is availabe for the dcnr courses.

Will I be surveyed about my atv usage?
Yes! Penn State is doing a survey to our benefit. Please fill it out. Be sure to add any comments about hunting/fishing use. (that may not be on the survey)

My local dcnr trail markers suck!
There are new signs in the works for existing trails and new trails which will make a unified marking system across the state. Signs are larger and new colors/design, etc.

How much money we got in the kitty?
3.3 million


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