During the summer and fall of 2007 the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Conservation and Recreation assembled an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Enforcement Working Group to advise the Commonwealth on a variety of issues related to OHV use on public and private lands in Massachusetts. The Working Group identified more than forty actions that it believes will enhance public safety; protect property and resources; support increased, effective and consistent enforcement; and mprove conditions for responsible OHV users across the Commonwealth.

Key recommendations include:

• Expand law enforcement capacity to provide consistent and effective enforcement of OHV laws and regulations.

• Strengthen fines and penalties for OHV offenses including trespass.

• Require safety and responsibility training for all OHV operators eighteen (18) years of age and younger.

• Simplify the registration process and require registration for all OHV’s with revenues directed to increasing enforcement capabilities and the development, maintenance and restoration of OHV trails.

• Reduce allowable OHV noise levels to the national standard 96dbA at 20 inches.

• Reinforce efforts to protect children by strengthening requirements for adult supervision of young operators, restricting the sales of adult sized ATV’s and integrating Consumer Product Safety Commission rules for OHV use into state regulations.

• Strengthen communication among enthusiasts, land managers, enforcement agencies and other stakeholders by establishing an OHV Advisory Group similar to those in other states.