The bill presented is based largely on Michigan law, which was strong in many areas. Other parts are taken from California code and some recently adopted guidelines in Iowa for new ORV facilities. A small section comes from HB 154, a bill that passed recently in Pennsylvania.

Federal Actions

U.S. Representative Mark Udall (CO) introduced the “Responsible Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement and Response Act (ROVER Act).” This Act would authorize the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to assess fines of up to $10,000 or the costs of restoration, whichever is greater, for violation of ORV regulations. The current provisions for imprisonment of up to12 months in jail would be retained. It would also authorize the Secretaries to apply any funds acquired from recreational ORV violations to the costs of enforcing off-road violations, increasing public awareness of the problem, and repairing damages to lands affected by such violations. Source: “Udall Introduces Federal Package to Expand and Protect Open Lands in Colorado.” 3 April 2001. Washington, D.C.: United States House of Representatives, Congressman Mark Udall. Viewed 18 June 2003 <http://wwwa.house.gov/markudall/press/pr_UdallPackage2001_040401.htm>.

The ROVER Act failed to pass following its first introduction into the 107th Congress in 2001. Representative Udall reintroduced the measure into the 108th Congress in February of 2003; and, as of May 5, 2003, it has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. You may track the status of the ROVER Act by going to the Library of Congress’ Thomas web site <http://thomas.loc.gov> and running a search for HR 751.

Due to a lawsuit filed by Earth Justice, the U.S. Forest Service agreed to ban ORVs from grizzly bears’ core habitat in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. Source: Lazaroff, Cat. “Forest Service Restricts Vehicles in Grizzly Habitat.” Environmental News Service 27 Sept. 2001. 18 June 2003 <http://ens-news.com/ens/sep2001/2001-09-27-06.asp>.

State actions are summarized on SERC’s “Responsible ORV Use” State Activity page.