Ann Davis | Oppose HB1095

TO: Robert Harb, chairman, House Resources, Recreation & Development Committee CC: Ron Dunn, vice chairman, and members of the committee – Brian Taylor, Heather Baldwin, Nicholas Bridle, Thomas Buco, Will Darby, Arnold Davis, Tanya Donnelly, Pierre DuPont, Linda Gould, Allison Knab, Linda Ryan, Gregory Sargent, Marcy Tremblay, and Suzanne Vail FROM: Ann Davis, NH Timberland Owners Association (NHTOA) and NH Farm Bureau Federation (NHFBF) representative on the HB 1188 Commission to study Off Highway Recreational Vehicles (OHRVs) RE: Kill House Bill 1095 and any potential amendments My name is Ann Davis. My husband, Marc, and I own a 530-acre Tree Farm in Springfield and Wilmot. We maintain eight miles of trails that are open to hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc. The Woods Without Gile also is open to hunting and fishing. We actively manage the timber on our property and use an ATV in areas our tractor can’t access. Please vote to kill HB 1095 and any amendments the bill’s sponsor or others might present to your committee. This bill proposes to increase the weight limit for Off Highway Recreational Vehicles from 2,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds on any state trail in Coös County and the Ammonoosuc recreational trail from Haverhill to Bethlehem and the Warren recreational trail in Warren in Grafton County. I oppose this proposal for several reasons. 1. These are “state trails”; they are commonly designated along woods roads on private property. Therefore, anything negatively impacting these roads (e.g., heavier OHRV traffic) also negatively impacts private landowner access. 2. Negative impacts on roads cost landowners time and money to repair. Heavier vehicles will cause greater wear and tear on private property. 3. Although the bill limits the weight increase to trails in Coös County, and the Ammonoosuc and Warren trails, OHRV enthusiasts will not understand nor want to restrict their travels to just one county or specific trails. 4. Advocates for the bill argue the weight increase is justified since NH Fish and Game currently does not enforce this law. This is not a good reason to remove a law designed to protect landowner assets and natural resources. 5. Advocates for the bill argue OHRV tires have low ground pressure and therefore we can “afford” to increase the allowable weight limit. Landowners, including members of the NHTOA and NHFBF, already see significant negative impacts with current weight limits and traffic. Increasing weight limits will only make the negative impacts worse. Please vote to kill HB 1095. Thank you to all members of this committee for your service to the people of New Hampshire. Respectfully submitted, Ann Davis, forest landowner Wilmot and Springfield