HARRISBURG, PA — Outdoor enthusiasts in Pennsylvania have reason to rejoice as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced the extension of its ATV Regional Trail Connector program through the 2025 riding season. The continuation of the pilot program, which concluded in 2023, comes in response to increasing ATV registrations and public demand for enhanced riding opportunities.
The DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry implemented a comprehensive monitoring system to gauge the pilot program’s social, environmental, and economic impacts, culminating in a detailed legislative report. Key findings suggest that a multi-jurisdictional authority will be necessary moving forward to ensure the trail connector program is adequately staffed, funded, and equipped to meet the needs of the trail system.
Notably, the short-term impacts of the pilot were found to have minimal effects on state forest resources. Riders expressed general satisfaction with the program, with the DCNR issuing a total of 10,779 passes over the three seasons of the ATV pilot. These riders hailed not only from Pennsylvania but also from 19 other states, underscoring the program’s broad appeal.
However, the pilot did not please everyone. According to the report, 71 percent of non-motorized recreationists expressed dissatisfaction with the pilot, while 46 percent of residents cited issues such as dust, noise, and law enforcement resource availability as reasons for their discontent.
Despite these concerns, the economic benefits of the pilot program are undeniable. In 2022 and 2023, the program was estimated to have contributed $8.2 million and $11.7 million respectively to the economies of Potter and Tioga counties.
The 2023 pilot route spanned a total of 374 miles, comprising township roads, state forest roads and trails, and PennDOT-administered roads. This route was made possible through the active involvement and cooperation of local townships, which opened their roads to ATV use. According to the DCNR, the 2024 route will remain the same, with further information on routes, passes, and maps expected to be released in early spring 2024.
The extension of the ATV Regional Trail Connector program marks an interim administrative measure prior to the establishment of a multi-jurisdictional authority, as mandated by the Fiscal Code in the 2023-24 state budget.
As Pennsylvania continues to balance the increasing demand for outdoor recreation opportunities with the need to preserve its natural resources, the ATV Regional Trail Connector program offers a compelling model. By providing long-distance riding opportunities, it not only meets the needs of ATV enthusiasts but also contributes to local economies, all while preserving the multifaceted uses and values of the state forest system.
For more information about ATV riding opportunities in state forests, or to find events on public lands, visit the DCNR’s website.
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