LEGISLATION is being introduced in both houses in Albany that would ban the use of ATVs in a number of New York’s most treasured forest preserves.
The bill, A.8480/ S.5073, introduced by Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) and Sen. Kenneth Lavalle (R-Port Jefferson), would ban the use of all-terrain vehicles in the Adirondack Park’s Forest Preserve, the Catskill Park’s Forest Preserve, the Long Island Central Pine Barrens, and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
I have mixed reactions about this bill, because while many abuse the privilege of being able to use ATVs on public lands, often taking them through environmentally sensitive areas and tearing up the land with little or no concern, there are just as many who use them cautiously and with respect for the environment.
There are also the handicapped and the elderly who use ATVs to enjoy hunting and fishing in areas that they would not normally be able to access otherwise.
“It’s quite clear that all four areas have suffered tremendous damage from the operation of ATVs and local officials need additional assistance in getting them under control,” Englebright said.
The problem of ATVs in the Long Island Pine Barrens is so bad that Suffolk County has passed several local laws dealing with illegal ATV operation on public and private land
This legislation would apply only to the state-owned portions of the Adirondack Park, Catskill Park, Long Island Central Pine Barrens and Albany Pine Bush Preserve, which account for only nine percent of the land in the state.
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I guess it was only a matter of time before reality television came to my world. Coming to ESPN this September is a show called “Totally Hooked.” It’s “a fishing show built within the framework of reality TV,” said coordinating producer Dan Bowen.
The program, scheduled for 13 episodes, will capture the daily lives of men and women living and fishing aboard a luxury yacht for nearly two months.
“The cameras are rolling non-stop, every day, as we capture sport-fishing adventures,” Bowen said. “At the same time, we’ll delve into our passengers’ daily lives while they learn about each other and hopefully a bit more about the world they live in.”