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Residents urge borough to enforce commercial ATV rules and collect fees as trails expand near Otter Lake
Summary
Local residents told the Assembly that commercial ATV and ‘fat‑truck’ tour operations have expanded trails around Burrell Lands and Otter Lake, degrading habitat and private property and raising safety concerns; residents urged the borough to collect existing permit fees and create or enforce non‑motorized trail designations.
Residents who use trails outside Otter Lake and Burrell Lands told the Millerborough Assembly the area is now encircled by commercial all‑terrain vehicle (ATV) operations and fat‑tire truck tours, and they urged action to protect non‑motorized access and recover revenue from commercial users.
James Gaughan, who identified himself as a Dry Creek resident, told the assembly the commercial vehicles are now using established trails near his cabin and that trail widening has made horseback riding, cross‑country skiing and walking less safe. “So we are completely 100 percent circled by these activities,” Gaughan said. He described riders and vehicles progressively widening trails by literally pushing out existing track, and said some operators are not meeting prior standards that were in place when the land was managed by the state.
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