N.J. hits hurdle in curbing illegal ATV use

In New Jersey, public lands are off-limits to ATVs. Nor can they be ridden on public streets.

To deal with the entire situation, state legislators drew up a bill, signed into law in January, that presented a sort of carrot-and-stick approach: It aims to deter illegal off-road recreation by setting larger penalties - fines are now $75 to $100 - and a new registration fee. But its provisions will not go into effect until the state earmarks land for at least one public riding area. So far, that hasn't happened because residents near potential sites - fearing noise, rowdy behavior, and a loss of nature - have opposed ATV parks.

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