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Governor’s Task Force on All-Terrain Vehicle Trail Initiatives
ATV use is rapidly increasing in Maine, and with registrations now totaling over 70,000 annually, Governor Janet Mills created an ATV task force in 2019 that looked at a variety of issues associated with the growth in ATV use in the state, including a focus on ATV use on private land. The task force was comprised of 14 members that represented landowners, farmers, government agencies, ATV owners and retailers, and snowmobile organizations.
Maine has over 6,000 miles of trails, yet with the increasing interest in ATV riding, there are concerns regarding ATV size, riding on private land without permission, and environmental damage.
The task force looked at expanding the existing trail system with consideration to private landowners, the growing size of ATVs and their impact; discussed maintenance and trail standards for the trail system; developed a communications and outreach plan with a focus on landowner relations; discussed registration requirements based on size and value; and discussed funding for the oversight, construction and maintenance of the trail system.
The task force was charged by the legislature to submit its recommendations to the Governor on or before January 1, 2020.
Public Comment
The ATV Task Force would like to thank those who submitted public comment. The task force received comments from over 1,000 people on the six Task Force objectives. The ATV Task Force has reviewed all of the submitted comments, and incorporated the input into the final report (PDF) to the Governor.
Task Force Meetings
Meetings of the ATV Task Force were open to members of the public. Below is a list of the meeting dates, locations and agendas, and meeting summaries.
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September 5, 2019, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, 205 Church Hill Rd, Augusta
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September 19, 2019, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MDIFW Office, 650 State St., Bangor
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October 3, 2019, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MDIFW Office, 650 State St., Bangor
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October 24, 2019, Time and location to be determined
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November 7, 2019, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
MDIFW Office, 650 State St., Bangor
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November 21, 2019 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
MDIFW Office, 650 State St., Bangor
| Position | Name | Organization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Timothy Peabody | Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) | Timothy.E.Peabody@maine.gov |
| Large Forest Landowner / Task Force Co-Chair | John Bryant | American Forest Management | john.bryant@afmforest.com |
| Large Forest Landowner | Matt Stedman | Irving Woodlands | stedman.matt@jdirving.com |
| Statewide Forest Products Organization | Kyle Burdick | Maine Forest Products Council - Baskehegan Company | kyle@baskahegan.com |
| Statewide Small Woodlot Organization | Tom Doak | Maine Woodlands Owners | tom@mainewoodlandowners.org |
| Large Farmland Owner | Jim Sinclair | Allen's Blueberries | jsatvtf@gmail.com |
| Statewide Farming Organization | Julie Ann Smith | Maine Farm Bureau | julie@mainefarmbureau.com |
| Utility Corridor Owner | Brian Berube | Central Maine Power | brian.berube@avangrid.com |
| Land Trust Organization | David Montague | Downeast Lakes Land Trust | dmontague@downeastlakes.org |
| Statewide ATV Organization | Dick Howlett | ATV Maine - John Raymond is the alternate | northernvp@atvmaine.org |
| Combination ATV/Snowmobile Club | David Jones | Jackman Border Riders Club | jackpowr@myfairpoint.net |
| Maine ATV Dealer | Ian Bourgoin | Fort Kent Powersports | ianbourgoin@gmail.com |
| Statewide Snowmobile Organization | Bob Meyers | Maine Snowmobile Association | snowjob@mesnow.com |
| Maine Dept. of ACF - ATV Program | Brian Bronson | Recreational Vehicle - ATV Coordinator | Brian.N.Bronson@maine.gov |
| Maine Dept. of IF&W | David Chabot | Corporal - Landowner Relations (retired) |