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NOHVCC AND SVIA SPEAK BEFORE
CONGRESSIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE STAFF
A great opportunity to inform lawmakers on
the current status of OHV recreation in America
Representatives from the
National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC),
the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and Weekly
Reader met recently with staff members of the House and
Senate Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C.
"It was a great opportunity to help
the member's staff understand some of the facts surrounding
OHV recreation as it relates to families and the economy,"
said NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes. Joining Ehnes was
Tim Buche of the SVIA and Katy Dobbs of Weekly Reader.
ATV DEMOGRAPHICS & RESPONSIBLE USE
Twenty five to thirty House and twelve
Senate staff members attended the presentations. Buche spoke
on the current demographics of ATV riders, describing ATV
distribution in the states, rider profiles, economic data,
and trends. Also included was a report on the ASI ATV Public
Awareness Campaign and the increase in the numbers of folks
trained in the ATV Riders Course (SM). The presenters also
spoke on the current status of the ARRA Trail Act that is
still looking for passage. The Act creates consistent fines
and penalties for various crimes committed against federal
lands.
FAMILY RECREATION
Ehnes followed with a presentation that
focused on the various family aspects of OHV recreation and
the ambitious volunteer work programs performed by OHV clubs
throughout the country. He specifically cited a fire
restoration project in Arizona and a bridge building
construction in Washington, both of which were taken on by
OHV clubs. Ehnes also detailed the economic benefits of
successful trail systems by using the Piaute (Utah) and
Hatfield/McCoy (West Virginia) as examples.
WEEKLY READER ATV PROGRAM
Katy Dobbs from the national school
newspaper Weekly Reader ended the presentation with a talk
on their upcoming ATV program entitled "Protect Yourself,
Protect the Planet". The program is designed to educate
schoolchildren and their parents on how to ride ATVs safely
and responsibly, focusing on their own safety as well as
protection of the environment. The ramifications of this
program stand to be quite impressive as the Weekly Reader
has a potential reach of 1.8 million students and 3.6
million parents and guardians.
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