Senate committee backs HB127 to extend OHRV season on 10.5 miles in Pittsburg’s Connecticut Lakes Headwaters

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to recommend HB127, which would keep a 10.5-mile segment of state-owned roads in the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters open to OHRVs through the second Monday in October. The committee passed the measure as amended on a voice vote (consent), after members added clarifying language to limit the change to existing trails.

The measure’s prime sponsor told the committee HB127 is “a very simple bill, but it has great economic impact for the North Country,” saying the Pittsburg trail closure for the two final weekends of the OHRV season effectively landlocks the town and depresses local revenues. Supporters and county officials repeatedly described those weekends as a busy holiday period that brings visitors and spending to businesses in Pittsburg and surrounding North Country towns.

Opponents, including hunting advocates and members of an advisory stewardship committee for the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters, urged caution. Witnesses said the property’s conservation easement and the stewardship plan assign responsibilities for access and that the advisory committee had voted against the extension in a September meeting. Several speakers, including hunters and members of the HB 1188 OHRV study commission, said riders and walkers can conflict on multiuse roads and trails and described safety and wildlife impacts.

County officials and business representatives argued the economic effect is concentrated and significant for the town of Pittsburg. Coös County Commissioner Ray Gorman said the trails at issue are at the southern end of the property and “keeping all of that connected is the important part.” Coös County Administrator Mark Brady told the committee the county patrols trails year‑round and that recent county enforcement statistics show active patrolling and citations.

Committee members asked repeatedly about the legal effect on the conservation easement that governs the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters property. One senator noted the easement references road access under section 5(d) but suggested the stewardship plan is the operative management document; others asked whether legislation could override or be challenged under New Hampshire easement law. Witnesses said the fee owner and DNCR (Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) jointly manage the roads and that the requested change concerns state‑owned roads on the property rather than creation of new trails.

After questions and public testimony, the committee adopted a technical committee amendment inserting the word “existing” before “OHRV trails” and replacing “until” with “through” to clarify that the change would align the listed segment’s season with surrounding trails and close on the second Monday in October. The committee then voted “ought to pass as amended” by consent.

The committee record shows robust public turnout: local officials, business owners and community members spoke both for and against the measure. Supporters emphasized the short segment (10.5 miles) and the local economic impact; opponents emphasized stewardship, safety and potential conflicts with hunting and other quiet‑use recreation. The bill will advance to the next legislative stage with the committee’s recommendation.

The committee’s action was procedural; committee members directed follow‑up questions about enforcement funding and easement language to relevant agencies for the next step in the process.