What's New!

This bill was enacted on July 1, 2020 and deals primarily with creating a commission to study the on-road usage of non-traditional motor vehicles and funding many state safety projects.  Laws would be changed to allow “Roadable Aircraft” and Off-Highway Recreation Vehicles (OHRVs include dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, Side-by-Sides, and golf carts) to use public roads in any part of the state with some restrictions.

The study commission consisting of 12 members will meet virtually on October 20 at 1:00 PM with their first report due November 1, 2020, with the final report due November 2021.

BWANH, NHRTC, and the GSW are on record with the commission as strongly opposing OHRV operation on public roads.  We will be waiting for comments after the November meeting.

HB-1426 from 2019:  “Fugitive Dust” still in the news

The very dry conditions in NH this year made the dust created by so many OHRVs on rail trails so bad that drivers could not see where they were going and crashed.  They wear masks and goggles in an effort to protect themselves but that does nothing to protect non-motorized trail users and nearby residents.  Dust clouds could be seen from miles away and local residents could not leave their homes.  In addition to photos and videos, three privately-funded electronic air quality monitors have been installed in problematic areas.  The 24×7 recordings will be analyzed by professionals to determine the health hazards created by the dust.  A new piece of legislation is being drafted to address concerns of residents and the “quiet” trail users.  A trail designated as “multi-use” that is over-run with OHRVs and dust keeping everyone else off the trail makes it for one use only:  OHRVs.  This is contrary to state law and must be addressed.

State Rail Trail Plan Advisory Stakeholder Committee updates

NHRTC provided the Advisory Committee with additional information about rail trail funding as used in Vermont and Connecticut.  The Rockefeller Research Center at Dartmouth, a sub-contractor working for free under the Advisory Committee NHDOT contract, has started their rail trail funding research with a report due in March 2021.  For the latest info and meeting minutes, please visit the project website at https://www.nhrailtrailsplan.com.

Open Chief of NH Bureau of Trails position

With the long-time Chief Chris Gamache having left NHBOT for a position with Polaris, NH Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR) Commissioner Sarah Stewart is seeking a waiver to fill that slot ASAP.  BWANH and NHRTC met with Commissioner Stewart on September 28 with the intent of the “new person” helping both the motorized and non-motorized community.  The Commissioner asked us to help draft the revised job description, help post it when released, and she will seek a procedure for private funds to be used for improvement or maintenance of state-owned rail trails.  Too often bicyclists, hikers, XC skiers, and equestrians are viewed as “freeloaders” since registrations and licenses are not issued.  Rail trail groups have spent thousands of dollars in just the past year to improve state-owned trails used by “everyone” by directly paying contractors since the state has no way to channel private money toward public projects.

Federal money for rail trails (and more) reportedly “left on the table”

The national Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) monitors how all states expend allocated Federal funds on targeted Transportation Alternative (TA) projects.  NH has reportedly not filed reports for the past two years but FHWA records indicate a lot of available money was not spent therefore it will or did go back to the Feds.  A detailed review is underway with the RTC and NHRTC taking the lead for NH.  Once the figures are confirmed this month, the matter will again be brought to the attention of NHDOT being the overseer of these Federal funds.

WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE NH LEGISLATIVE PROCESS WORKS?  Here is a primer to help you.   http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/misc/leg_process.htm