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Public Hearings on Proposed ATV Rule, Sept. 16 and 24

Two public hearings will be held to receive comment on a new rule proposed by the Agency of Natural Resources that would allow the Agency Secretary to designate connector trails for use by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on public lands owned by the Agency of Natural Resources.       

The designation of trails for ATVs would be specifically for connecting key links between established Vermont All Terrain Vehicle Sportsman’s Association (VASA) trails on adjacent private or public lands. It would establish criteria for designating connecting trails and outlines the process of petitioning for designation of those connectors.       

The proposed rule would also establish an ATV connector trail on a portion of the 7,988-acre Les Newell Wildlife Management Area in Stockbridge.       

The hearings will start at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday September 16 in the Pavilion Auditorium 109 State Street, Montpelier and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 at Bethel Elementary School, 237 Pleasant Street, Bethel.       

A site visit will be held on September 24 at 2 p.m. at the Les Newell WMA. From the South, take 100 north through Pittsfield to Route 107E, take a right onto Stoney Brook Road, follow Stoney Brook for approximately 4.5 miles. Look for the Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation truck in the pull out on the left. From the North, take 107W from Bethel, take a left onto Stoney Brook Road, follow Stoney Brook for approximately 4.5 miles. Look for the Vermont Forest Parks and Recreation truck in the pull out on the left. Parking is limited, so car-pooling is suggested.       

The proposed rule may be downloaded from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website.       

The public comment period is open until October 1, 2015. Comments or questions may be submitted by email to ANR.FWPublicComment@vermont.gov regular mail to:       

Catherine Gjessing, General Counsel
Vermont Fish & Wildlife
1 National Life Building, Davis 2
Montpelier, VT 05620-3702