Bonacic Announces Public Meeting On Dec's Proposed Atv Regs For State Lands

State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) announced today that, at his request, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will hold one of several public meetings on draft ATV regs in the Catskill region. The hearing is scheduled for May 12th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ulster County Community College.

"I am pleased to announce that one of these meetings will be held in the 42nd Senate District and that the residents of our area will have an opportunity to review and comment on DEC’s draft policy for ATV access on public lands," stated Senator Bonacic. "Access to the thousands of acres of state lands in the Catskills for residents and visitors alike are an important part of the region’s economy."

DEC’s draft policy will establish the criteria for determining which roads or trails on state-owned land, should be open to ATVs. DEC has already determined that ATV access must conform with Vehicle and Traffic Law, Environmental Conservation Law, DEC Rules and Regulations, Adirondack and Catskill State Land Master Plans and must not encourage trespassing on private lands or degrade the environment.

A link to DEC’s Draft Policy for ATV access on public lands is available at Senator Bonacic’s website at www.senatorbonacic.com or by contacting Robert Davies, Director of Division of Lands and Forests, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233.

Senator Bonacic concluded, "I encourage residents to review and provide input on DEC’s draft policy to help shape the State’s ATV policy."