The Issue

Twenty four years ago, in 1986, the legislature passed into law Connecticut General Statute Chapter 447 Section 23-26 a-g, that required the DEP to provide space in Connecticut for the riding of ATV's. During these years nothing has happened which has led to:

• lost revenue for the state - sales tax, registration fees, riding fees, etc. that are estimated in the millions
• lost revenue for powersport dealers (if an ATV enthusiast cannot ride in CT why should he buy an ATV here)
• nowhere for ATV riders to go so they go to other states or ride illegally.

It is clear that DEP has not lived up to their obligations under existing legislation.

Again have a bill (proposed bill 5078) that attempts to address this impasse. This bill clarifies some issues not clearly addressed in the existing legislation and we would like your support to address this issue.

ATV enthusiasts are tired of being treated like second class citizens and since we can't fire the DEP we may take their frustrations out on those we can fire (it is an election year!).

So we encourage you to comment (comments will be edited for appropriateness) and to help get the word out that we are going to make sure this issue is heard.