Here’s an incredibly disturbing letter from the Resource Management Supervisor of MNR Bracebridge Field Office sent to HATVA’s associate Lake of Bays ATV club (LOB). Basically, in Ms. Collins opinion there are no bush trails on any of the Crown lands that have been used and signed by the LOB club. If this letter reflects the Minister’s stance it spells the end of ATVing in Ontario. LOB was told all lumber roads, including overgrown ones, are considered Highways and ATV use is prohibited; if a trail appears on any map it is considered a road. LOB now has no trails.

If this insanity spreads there will be no where to ride in Northern Ontario and will shut down many of the southern Ontario clubs. For example, HATVA’s 1700 km of bush trails (with the exception of the Rail Trails and a few private properties) all fall on Crown land.

In April 2013 LOB received a letter from the MNR office allowing them to place trail signage, now the same office wants the signs removed. HATVA feels trail signage is necessary, not only to identify the route where you are travelling but also to identify position in the event of emergencies.

We can only hope the long awaited changes Highway Traffic Act will clarify exactly what is considered a highway. Until then I suppose it’s okay to weave through the trees on Crown land as long as you’re not leaving a trail behind you. In this matter, I suspect someone has made a decision far above their pay grade.

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