Arkansas Senate Committee Opens Study on Expanding ATV Trails; Agencies, Riders and Neighbors Weigh In

The Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee convened to begin an interim study on expanding all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) and off-highway-vehicle tourism in Arkansas, hearing agency briefings, industry pitches and numerous public comments that alternated between economic promise and local-safety worries.

Representative Tom Capp, who sponsored the enabling bill during the recent regular session, told the committee the study’s goal is “to increase all terrain vehicle tourism and economic development in the state and promote the economic well-being of small businesses catering to all terrain vehicle tourism.” Capp said the panel should bring Forest Service, state parks and local officials together to identify practical, coordinated steps.

Local riders and business owners described tourism benefits. Chris Muldoon, an insurance agent and cabin-rental operator from Johnson County, said roughly 40 percent of his rentals are for people who come to ride, many from out of state, and estimated his county has about 86 miles of Forest Service-approved trail segments that are not yet linked into continuous loops. “We would like to see continuous loops to, you know, take your family out…