CONCORD, N.H. – Some backed building an off-road vehicle park in Berlin to boost the poor city’s economy.
Others testified Monday that ATV riders have paid fees unfairly to build state trails when few have been built.
And some – who said they don’t like ATVs – said they hoped building a 7,500-acre park with 350 miles of trails will ease the pressure to allow the noisy machines in parks and forests near them.
“After developing the Berlin park, there should not be any other on state lands,” said Andrew Walters of ATV Watch, which opposes allowing ATVs on public lands.
The Executive Council plans to vote Wednesday whether the state should buy 7,200 acres near Jericho Lake in Berlin from a Maine logging company for $2.16 million. The money would come from ATV registration fees and some federal funds.
Berlin also would give the state almost 300 acres if the deal goes through. Nonmotorized recreational activities, such as cross-country skiing, also would be allowed in the park.
The council postponed a vote at its last meeting, saying it wanted to allow North Country residents a chance to have their say.
At a hearing last week in Berlin, Mike Fortier of Milan called the proposal a tremendous opportunity for the region, saying it will bring tourism farther north.
That sentiment was repeated at a second hearing Monday.
Berlin Mayor Robert Danderson noted it would be the only ATV park in New England and provided a much-needed boost to the city’s economy.
“You have a city that’s planning for it,” he added.
ATV enthusiasts said they’ve waited a long time for the state to build them a place to ride.
“Every year, I pay out my registration fees and leave with a bitter feeling. What are they doing with my money?” said Richard Hapke, a frustrated ATV owner from Deerfield.
Buddy Dionne of Nashua said he had been asked if driving to Berlin would be too much trouble.
“I’ve been all the way to Utah,” he said. “It would be so close to me it would be like a blessing.”
State Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond, said a park is overdue as a matter of fairness.
“These ATV people have been stiffed,” said Barnes.
At the same time, Barnes stressed that he opposes building trails for them in Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown.
Armand Verville of Allenstown, a longtime opponent of ATVs in Bear Brook State Park, said he supports the Berlin park because the city wants it.
“It’s totally different from what was trying to be forced upon us in Bear Brook State Park,” said Verville.
Bruce Clendenning of the Appalachian Mountain Club also urged the state to restrict ATV development to the one park. He said the state no longer should pursue trails in Bear Brook State Park and Gile State Forest, and should consider reducing ATV and motorized trail bike use in Pisgah State Park.
Clendenning also said the state’s plan should ensure ATVs stay within the park and not stray into the adjoining White Mountain National Forest, where they are prohibited.
Parks and Recreation Director Allison McLean said the state has ruled out – for now – several other areas considered for trails because they meet the criteria laid out in state law.
The deal would give the sellers, loggers Tom and Scott Dillon of Anson, Maine, the right to harvest timber from the land for the next four years and a permanent right to remove gravel from three gravel pits, though the removal would be restricted. George Pozzuto, a trails specialist, said timber has been heavily harvested on all but a section of the property. He said timber harvesting probably would be completed by this time next year.
McLean said the remaining gravel probably would be extracted within a couple years. Pozzuto said two of the gravel areas eventually will become flat play areas for ATVs.
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