Limiting debate on ATVs
Toolbox
Published: July 3, 2009
Re: The public hearing of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources on the use of state lands — parks, forest and wilderness management areas — by ATVs:
I want to thank the Rutland Herald and the press in general for giving the public a chance to speak in your pages about the proposed change in public policy to all ATVs on state lands. Public hearings are part of the democratic system, not to be taken lightly. It is there, at the hearing and after all commentary, that the government obtains the information and public consensus for governing effectively. The right to speak at a public hearing is as important as the right to vote.
A single public hearing (June 15) on a major change in public policy that affects the whole state is not appropriate. When that hearing was held in Montpelier at 7 p.m. on short notice, those who live hours away, have jobs or couldn't drive at night got the message that we weren't wanted, our opinion and information was not being sought. The doors were closed. The decision had already been made.
If the Agency of Natural Resources decides to pursue this issue, they ought to provide better public participation and involve the legislative committee on natural resources and the participants in the ATV Collaborative Report (2004).
The part played by the newspapers in giving the public an opportunity to speak on this issue demonstrates again the importance of the press in a democracy.
BETTY A. LITTLE
Rutland
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