Forest Watch -- Saving and re-creating wild forests, advocating for wilderness in Vermont and the northeast, protecting imperiled species

ATV HOME | Oppose ATVs on Public Land Action Alert

Not long ago you went to the woods. Maybe to hike. To fish. To snowshoe. But in addition to exercise, fish, or photographs, you wanted relaxation. Spiritual renewal. Tranquillity. Serenity. Remoteness.

Instead, you found dirt bikes. All-terrain vehicles. Four-wheelers. Four-wheel-drive trucks. Noise. Speed. Exhaust. Churned-up trails. Muddy ruts.

You were angry. Recreational machines could force noise, stink and ugliness on you. You couldn't force silence, clean air and beauty on them. There was nothing you could do.

But you can do something. You can describe your experience to Forest Watch. We'll add your information to our database to prove that more and more motor vehicles are illegally destroying the special qualities of the Vermont outdoors. And we'll add your voice to the multitude of others that show people care

REPORT ILLEGAL MOTORIZED USES

If you wish to remain anonymous, we'll post your information, but not your name. Or we can simply record your information without posting it. But we'd like to post your report with your name if we can, to encourage other people to speak up.

Don't worry if you can't tell us precisely where or when you saw vehicles or their tracks. Do the best you can. Every bit helps. And please tell us even if your experience is not recent.

Here are some facts dirt bikers like to pretend they don't know. All-terrain vehicles--also called ATVs or four-wheelers--are legal in Vermont only on private land where they have permission. Period. They are not legal on any public highway, road or street. They are not legal on public land, whether state or federal.

Registered motorcycles and four-wheel-drive vehicles are legal on highways and on private land where they have permission. They are legal on public land only on roads or trails specially designated for them.

Recreational machinery always damages land, air and water. Its noise shatters peace and quiet over immense tracts of land. Its recreational use by able-bodied people has no more place in our parks and forests than in cathedrals or cemeteries.