Senate File 1094 (and House companion 1127) proposes limitation of "four by four truck" use on state lands. Under this proposed bill, development for truck use must either pass the legislature or occur in "designated off-road vehicle use areas." This proposal takes a small but important step toward protecting Minnesota's precious public lands and reinforcing that these lands are worthy of our continuing respect, and not simply a consumable to be used up and thrown away. Tell your legislators to modify the definition of "four by four truck" (see below), and to vote YES on Senate File 1094 and House File 1127.
Senate File 1094, by chief author Mary Olson, and House File 1127, by chief author Frank Moe, take an important step in recognizing that decisions concerning motorized recreation need to be made in the open. As laid out in MRR's Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota, all sustainable motorized route development must meet basic public and environmental review standards. The recognition that legislative approval should be required in decisions to designate routes for these potentially destructive vehicles should help to spotlight motorized route proposals that, in the past, have blindsided local citizens and peace-and-quiet loving constituents whose first knowledge of any trail proposal was literally looking out the window and seeing the bulldozers on their property. Please support this legislation as an important step in affirming that open public process is crucial in all motorized recreation development.
While this bill certainly deserves our support, it creates a confusing definition of "four by four truck" that could potentially provide loopholes for certain types of vehicles. This definition, " a four-wheeled motor vehicle that was manufactured to operate primarily upon public roads and highways and that is subsequently modified with special tires, suspension, or other equipment for cross-country travel on natural terrain," does not limit the use of trucks or other large and heavy vehicles specifically manufactured and designed for off-road use. With vehicle manufacturers consistently increasing the size and weight of machines due to public demand for these types of vehicles, there is a real danger that this bill as currently worded could be circumvented. MDNR has recently recognized Type 2 ATV's that weigh up to 1500 pounds (up from the previous 900 pound limit)--a weight approaching that of a small car. This bill needs to include a more solid definition of "four by four truck": this language should be changed to be consistent with DNR's current vehicle class designations and should read "off-road vehicle" (which currently means, basically, off-highway vehicles over 1500 pounds), or "off-road vehicles and Type 2 ATVs" (which are ATVs between 900 and 1500 pounds). Minnesota's motorized recreation terminology certainly does not need to be more confusing.
Tell your legislators that you support legislation that respects and protects the rights of all Minnesotans to the benefits derived from perennially healthy and undamaged public lands. Also let them know that open process and straightforward definitions are necessary for sustainable motorized recreation policy. Tell your legislators about the need to implement all five of MRR’s Five Standards for Protecting Minnesota as required to protect peace, quiet and healthy trails and waterways in Minnesota.
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Senate File 1094 is currently scheduled to be heard in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Monday, April 11, 2007. Call or e-mail committee members and tell them to modify the definition of "four by four truck" to mean "all off-road vehicles and Type 2 ATVs", and to vote YES on Senate File 1094.
House File 1127 is currently awaiting action in the House of Representatives Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Call or e-mail committee members and tell them to modify the definition of "four by four truck" to mean "all off-road vehicles and Type 2 ATVs", and to vote YES on House File 1127.
