New DNR policies navigate first House committee

An amendment that would allow all-terrain vehicle operators between the ages of 12 and 15 to ride on some public roads and streets met opposition Wednesday, but was ultimately adopted as the Department of Natural Resources policy bill, HF1329, was heard by its first House committee.

Rep. Denny McNamara

Sponsored by Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings), the bill includes a number of policy changes and updates sought by the DNR after working with various interest groups, legislators, government agencies and citizens during the past several months.

The House Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee learned more about what the bill would do from Bob Meier, DNR assistant commissioner, before approving an amended version of the legislation that now travels to the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee that is chaired by McNamara.

The ATV language in the A15-0195 amendment provoked the most discussion among committee members. It was included because some families are running into trouble on trail rides. The problems arise if the riders would like to leave the trail and enter a town for food, fuel or another reason. The current law allows riders between the ages of 12 to 15 to ride on the trail, but not on a roadway.

“You come in and you need to get gas or dinner, basically you’ve got a town sitting in front of you, but you can’t get there,” said George Radke, president of the ATV Association of Minnesota. “So you end up literally turning back around again.”

HF1329 would change the law to allow those riders to operate on a public road or street to access businesses, residences or make trail connections in counties and cities that have an ordinance which also permits it. Those riders would also need to be accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older.

Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township) said the new language was simply an attempt to provide clarity to conservation officers and ATV riders. He called it “a big deal” for riders and for the small communities that could use their business.

“All we want to do is allow the young people, who are trained, who are supervised, to ride their machine the extra three blocks to get to the café to have a Coke and a hamburger,” Anzelc said.

There were some objections, however. Rep. Jack Considine Jr. (DFL-Mankato) said he would be more comfortable if the language specified a parent or guardian rather than someone 18 or older. Rep. Barb Yarusso (DFL-Shoreview) questioned why young ATV riders should be allowed to operate on city streets when 12-year-olds wouldn’t be allowed to operate a car on those same streets, even with a parent sitting beside them.

“I can understand why you would want to do this, I get the motivation,” Yarusso said. “But the public roads are the public roads. It’s a different deal. The other people that use those roads have an expectation of safety.”

Other provisions

HF1329 would also:

• Give the DNR authority, as it is checking for aquatic invasive species at wayside rests or boat launches, to require decontamination of water-related equipment before it is placed in waters of the state. This decontamination could include the use of hot water or high-pressure equipment when available on site.
• Provide DNR with the authority to tag water-related equipment and issue a notice that specifies a timeframe for completing decontamination and re-inspection.
• Require the purchaser of an ATV to transfer the title rather than the seller.
• Give the DNR the authority to adopt, by written order, water surface use controls at public construction and maintenance sites that cross or are adjacent to state waters for the duration of a project. For example, establishment of a no-wake zone where work is being done.

The companion to HF1329, SF1430, is sponsored by Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville) and awaits action by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.