ProtectGeorgia.net
  protectgeorgia.net Tuesday, September 07, 2010  

Stop Irresponsible ATV Drivers from Harming Private Property and Ruining Our Streams and Rivers.

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

Irresponsible ATV use is harming our private property and ruining our streams and rivers.

Background

Current law allows rivers and streams to be used as highways for irresponsible ATV users to gain access to private property and as escape routes from arrest for the damage they cause.

Riding an ATV in a stream causes significant damage. Not only does it inconvenience property owners, it starts a chain reaction of environmental damage, major erosion problems and decreased water quality, which moves both upstream and downstream.

Irresponsible ATV use can:
impact private property;
degrade streambanks;
disturb streambeds; and
destroy fish spawn and habitat.

Although much of the damage occurs on private property, public property is often harmed as well. Public stream and river beds are being used as highways to trespass, and when law enforcement personnel arrive, irresponsible users are fleeing on those same public grounds.

House Bill 1070 provides a sensible solution to these problems by preventing trespassing, protecting rivers and streams and providing consequences for failure to abide by the law.

Message To Be Sent To
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

Representative Austin Scott
Representative Bob H. Smith
Representative Bob Hanner
Representative Bob Lane
Representative Butch Parrish
Representative Calvin Smyre
Representative Carolyn Fleming Hugley
Representative David Casas
Representative David Ralston
Representative DuBose Porter
Representative Earl Ehrhart
Representative Fran R. Millar
Representative Howard A. Mosby
Representative James Mills
Representative Jay Roberts
Representative Jay Shaw
Representative Jerry L. Keen
Representative John Lunsford
Representative Judy H. Manning
Representative Kip Smith
Representative Len Walker
Representative Lynn Ratigan Smith
Representative Mickey Channell Jr.
Representative Mike Jacobs
Representative Nikki T. Randall
Representative Rich Golick
Representative Ron Stephens
Representative Rusty Kidd
Representative Sharon M. Cooper
Representative Tom R. Rice
Representative Vacant
Representative Vacant
Representative Vacant
Representative Wendell K. Willard
Message
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.

Pass HB 1070 out of Rules and Allow a Floor Vote.


Dear Representative Scott,

HB 1070 is a good bill that protects private property rights by preventing trespassing, helps law enforcement by closing a loophole and providing consequences for breaking the law, and protects rivers and streams from increased erosion and the destruction of fish spawn and habitat.

HB 1070 represents a common sense solution to damage being caused by off-road vehicles being driven in streams and waterways across the state.

Eroded stream banks and river bottoms, silted waters, spread of invasive weeds and plants, and destruction of habitat for fish and aquatic life are all potential consequences of irresponsible off-roading in streams.

I encourage you to pass HB 1070 out of Rules and allow a floor vote in the House.

Your name and address here


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