Washington state is screwing OHVers

[Headrope]

Call your local legislator about this one ...

http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernment/story/994671.html

Off-roading groups sue state over $9.5 million budget twist

Off-roading organizations are suing the state to block the transfer to state parks of more than $9.5 million that originally was meant for off-road recreation.

The Washington Off Highway Vehicle Alliance and the Northwest Motorcycle Association said Monday that using money from the Nonhighway and Offroad Vehicle Activities budget to fund state parks violates the 1972 law that created the state's off-roading program.

The program was set up to use off-road vehicle taxes, from fuel and licenses, to "promote and protect" the sport, according to the organizations.

In the spring, the Legislature approved the funds transfer as part of an appropriations bill.

"Now that all the money is going to state parks and state parks is not going to spend the money on off-road vehicle recreation, this is no longer a legitimate refund for the benefit of these taxpayers," the groups said in a statement.

The organizations allege that if the off-roading program loses funding, then the state's off-road trails no longer will be maintained and state workers will lose their jobs. The groups' lawsuit is one of seven related to the state's 2009 budget. All together, the suits have a potential annual impact of more than $115 million.

[Alkire193]

Wow they really want to shut this sport down dont they?

[GregKJ]

It doesn't sound like they're necessarily trying to shut it down... They just need money for the state parks and thought this would be easy pickings.  Hopefully, they were wrong!

[Krandall]

Bummer, But its a tough call. I mean, it's not like they are taking the money and putting it into city roads ect.. State parks still have trails yea?

[Colorado700R]

Colorado, Specifically El Paso County (Colorado Springs Area) has done that before and we have no public riding areas now

[Segkast]

Washington is full of left wing tree huggin hippie ass liberal scum. They don't want anyone here to enjoy the outdoors unless they're walking.

Nothin new, this doesn't even surprise me one bit...

[Peelz]

Really? OHV'ers are getting "screwed"? awesome 

Where do we sign up?

jk. bound to happen. As soon as the economy picks up, it will get worse. 

[Headrope]

Bummer, But its a tough call. I mean, it's not like they are taking the money and putting it into city roads ect.. State parks still have trails yea?

I'm not aware of a state park that allows OHV riding. A couple of state forests have OHV trails but some areas at those have been closed to camping and barricaded off due to funding issues, according to the signs posted there at the time. Others areas are still feeling the after effects of storms and flooding that occurred last winter.

Really the only places I know of that have been maintained are maintained by active 4X4 clubs in the area - not the state.

[Krandall]

Come over to Minnesota! 

quite a few state run trails.

[Colorado700R]

Come over to Minnesota!  

quite a few state run trails.

amazing what stays open in that state when comedians and professional wrestlers represent it

[Headrope]

Sure. As it is I have to drive almost four hours to the other side of the state if I want to ride somewhere other than forest trails.

Seriously though, the trail Washington appears to be blazing is disappointing. We pay a lot of money to ride. Depending on where you go you need (OHV tabs, vehicle registration/tabs, trailer registration/tabs, 21 cents per gallon for fuel is state tax, a wildlife parking pass - yes, really, etc.) The money should go where it's supposed to.

It's not just ATVers either. The state recently voted to double sno-park use fees on the sled-heads: http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure/2009/10/02/state_parks_officials_vote_to_double_sno

[Colorado700R]

that's fucked.

I want Colorado to atleast impose a tag fee on Mountain bikers, and horse back riders (Offroaders are the only ones who pay for our areas)

[Segkast]

that's fucked.

I want Colorado to atleast impose a tag fee on Mountain bikers, and horse back riders (Offroaders are the only ones who pay for our areas)

Agreed !!!

This should piss anyone off as a misappropriation of funds that were imposed, and taxed for a sole purpose, to be completely thrown at something else. WEAK SAUCE.

[Peelz]

Really this sucks, but yeah they closed down our local park because of the riff raff going in there, riding helmetless and drunk. I like having a good time too, but not if it ruins it for others.

one more question: Do we have to pay for said "screwing"? or is it free? DO you have to buy an ORV sticker? 

[Segkast]

Oh, we pay !