Our Story
In the late 90's, ATVs were an endangered species. Because of the bad behavior of some riders, there was an explosion of proposed legislation that would have prohibited ATV riding just about everywhere -- and with good reason! The environmental damage caused by ATVs and the disrespect shown towards landowners was the catalyst for much of the proposed legislation aimed at curbing the problems caused by people riding their ATV anywhere they felt like going.
1997
In 1997, Brian Bronson of the Department of Conservation joined forces with a small number of ATV Clubs he mentored, and formed ATV Maine as a statewide organization representing all affiliated ATV Clubs in Maine. ATV Maine is a 501(c)(3) membership organization. Our purpose is to promote education regarding the safe and responsible use of ATV’s and to be a unified voice on legislative issues regarding ATV use and to share information with our affiliated clubs and the general public.
2003 - 2009
In 2003, Governor Baldacci formed the ATV Task Force resulting in the Landowner Permission Law. By 2009, more than one hundred and forty clubs formed statewide as a direct result of the requirement to have verbal, and in some cases written, permission to operate an ATV on private property. Clubs around the state began a systematic approach to gather landowner permission and build long term relationships with landowners. This activity produced 6,000 miles of interconnected ATV trails here in Maine.
These landowners had some very fundamental expectations of the clubs when they granted permission to use their land. One of the expectations was for law enforcement to do their part to make sure ATV’s operated where they had permission, and to hold those accountable that operated on private land without permission.
We've repeatedly seen clubs dissolve when they lose connectivity to its neighboring clubs. No amount of effort put forth by ATV Maine, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Warden Service, or even a local town council has been able to get another club started in those areas.
Through the grace of private landowners who allow access, and the volunteer efforts of thousands of club members, the entire state of Maine benefits from the creation of the largest interconnected ATV Trail system in the country. Many of the long sought after connections that make it possible to go on multi-day ATV Trips have come to fruition. This benefits not just the riders but the businesses along the trail. ATV riders don’t just want to ride in a circle! We stop at restaurants, gas stations, campgrounds, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, you name it.
Many towns are opening their doors to our industry. In fact, the money spread around by ATV riders ends up in the hands of the small rural business owners who need it the most. Businesses and sporting camps are turning towards the ATV industry for business to make up for the hunters and other sportsmen they have lost over the past decade. Others are more obvious like the ATV dealers and rental businesses and the contractors we hire to maintain the trails.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is now training clubs how to perform proper trail construction using their manual of “Best Management Practices” combined with hands-on training sessions. The result of all of this is a trail system that is safe, sustainable and fun for the whole family. The (220 million dollar) economy that is generated by this sport is held in a very delicate balance of private landowners allowing access, and the ATV Club volunteers that build relationships with the landowners. It only takes one misunderstanding, one broken promise or a change in ownership to create a disconnect, that in some cases cannot be rerouted.
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
Please remember, without private landowners allowing us to use their land, we would not have a place to ride.