March 2006 ATV-Industry News

In mid-January, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and the BlueRibbon Coalition took action to protect traditional off-highway vehicle use currently allowed in approximately three dozen units of the National Park System. The three groups, representing the off-highway vehicle industry and enthusiasts, have filed to intervene in pending litigation aimed at barring this use.

In November, plaintiffs led by the Bluewater Network filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., alleging that the National Park Service actions to allow these uses are illegal. The suit named the Department of Interior and the National Park Service as defendants. The MIC, SVIA and BRC sought to intervene on the side of the federal agencies and defend OHV use on these public lands. Allegations by the plaintiffs disregard the law, history and facts about regulated OHV use, according to a press release.

There is a long history of recreational OHV use in many areas under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. In many cases, OHV use in these areas predated the designation of the area as a unit of the National Park Service and the designations were made with the understanding that OHV use would continue to be allowed.

A Keene, New Hampshire man has been charged with reckless conduct in the death of his 6-year-old son, who was killed in an ATV crash last October, according to a story in the Union Leader Correspondent newspaper. Jarrad Morgan and his son, Chandler, were riding ATVs along a recreational trail that terminates just past the West Street overpass at Route 12. The two were out after dark with no headlights. According to the indictment, Morgan urged Chandler to cross the highway. The lane onto which Chandler entered the road is the one used by traffic to get from Routes 12 and 101 from West Street: next to it are the north and south lanes of Route 12. Chandler was struck by a passing vehicle and died a half-hour later, despite rescue efforts. According to the report, Jarrad Morgan had been warned, by the Department of Fish and Game not to ride his ATV in that area and had been told that children under 12 shouldn’t operate the vehicle. State law bars children under 12 from driving across roads and also bars ATVs from crossing Route 12 in that area.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has reportedly designated 90 miles of ATV trails in northern Minnesota. The trails are said to be within Aitkin, Beltrami and Marshall Counties and are in or adjacent to Consolidated Conservation Lands, state wildlife management areas. Some of the trails will be open this spring, while others need work and will come on-line later in the year.

The US Smokeless Tobacco Company is reportedly giving away 50 Polaris Ranger ATVs to law-enforcement and first-responder agencies nationwide. Several constabularies have filed for grants, to receive one of the units. Buchanan County, MO is applying for such a grant, from the Copenhagen and Skoal producer, through its Operation Ranger donation program. Volusia County, FL had the same idea and filed for a grant as well. Unfortunately, the County Council refused the request, due to the fact that tobacco foes criticized the program and company. Concerned that such a gift might be misinterpreted as implied support of smokeless tobacco, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office dropped plans to apply.

Firearms and hunting equipment maker Browning, has reportedly provided Polaris Industries with a three year licensing agreement to offer limited-edition Polaris/Browning ATVs and Ranger models. Bow Crosby, product manager for the Polaris’ ATV division, is quoted as saying, “Polaris is excited to offer exclusive Browning vehicles as part of our 2006 limited-edition line up. Coupling Browning’s position amongst sportsmen with exclusive Polaris features, such as Lock & Ride, EFI and on-demand all-wheel drive, provides sportsmen with the ultimate hunting vehicles.” Select Sportsman ATV models and the Ranger XPs, in Mossy Oak, are said to be slated for the limited-edition design. These models are reportedly going to be available, in limited quantities, this spring and summer, at select Polaris dealerships.