ATV Ontario Club - Haliburton ATV Association

HATVA Yamaha Bear Rally

Check out the video of this HATVA event at www.goridingtv.com Everyone had a blast with mud bog, poker run, riding academy, 2009 test bike runs, Rhino track, atv games and more. If you poke around you can see the CanAm event as well. This year alone on top of our usual plethora of rides we have had sponsored rides from Yamaha, CanAm, Car Guide Magazine, All Terrain Vehicle Magazine & Dirt Trax TV. And lots more rides to come summer and fall 2008. You want trails and events ....HATVA delivers.

HATVA Cleans Up!

HATVA has recently cleaned up Gooderham, Anson and Pine Springs trails. Pine Springs included the removal of abandoned appliances. On the Anson trail HATVA removed a burnt out steel trailer. In addition HATVA has been cutting high grass around stop signs on the rail trail and replacing missing signs. If you can help with further trail cleanups we'd love to hear from you by emailing info@haliburtonatv.com

Membership Grows

HATVA continues to grow and now has close to 700 members at the beginning of July 08. This year HATVA marketed ATVOntario Power Pass to it's members as well and there is close to 1000 if we include the participating Power Pass members. HATVA is 1/5 owner of ATVOntario Power Pass and markets that option for riders who want broader options than HATVA's 1700+ km of trails. Power Pass includes Parry Sound, Elliot Lake, Mattawa and Cochrane trails. The catchment area covers most of Central Ontario and it is the closest large wilderness trail area to the greater Toronto area marketplace. In HATVA area most of the roads are open to atving (no 2 up on roads - must have drivers license). In addition HATVA sells 1000's of non member temporary passes for those that want to explore the many trails in the area. Go to the green home page Online Pass button to buy passes or memberships online.

New FOR SALE Page

Check out our new For Sale atv and parts page. If you are a member send us your for sale items for free by emailing info to info@haliburtonatv.com

County of Haliburton Grants New Agreement to HATVA

The County of Haliburton has signed a new agreement with HATVA for atv use management and wardening on County owned land. The agreement is backed up with a bylaw empowering HATVA to insure compliance on the trails including the requirement for HATVA or HATVA supported pass systems on the Haliburton Rail Trail. HATVA also wardens pinch points on private land trails that connect from the Rail Trail to other destinations. HATVA is also entering a third yearly agreement with the MNR for the use of HATVA designated Crown Land ATV trails including signage and insurance on these trails. HATVA now has approx. 20 trained Wardens in addition to 2 County bylaw officers to patrol the trails. Short form tickets and a series of various fines are in place for those who trespass without proper permits.

HATVA Pass Includes Access to KATVA Trails

When you purchase an HATVA membership or temporary pass it includes access to the KATVA rail trail south of Kinmount and any other KATVA trails in the Lindsay/Fenelon Falls area. In addition members of HATVA get access to 60,000 acres of groomed winter trail riding at Haliburton Forest. HATVA is in the process of expanding our more than 1700km of trails to include new trails in Haliburton's Highlands East as well additional trails in Peterborough area. Land Use Permits are falling into place now and some of the trails will be signed this summer 08. They will be included on the 2009 map coming out next spring.

Algonquin West Associate Club Develops New Trails

Algonquin West HATVA Associate Club has been busy mapping and signing trails. They will be producing a stand alone map this year and in 2009 the trails will be added to the main HATVA map as well. HATVA trail access on the western boundary of the catchment area will extend from near the Rama area all the way to South River soon. Continuous trail access by atv from Lindsay to South River is possible with an HATVA pass. Mattawa ATVOntario node is busy connecting there trails from the north at South River to the HATVA trail system. HATVA and Associates provide the best trail value in Ontario by far.

BREAKING NEWS:

HATVA trails officially open April 1st

It's been a long winter but April 1st the HATVA trails officially open. The only trail that is not open is the Haliburton County Rail Trail that opens June 1st. - everything else on both sides of our map will be open. Also keep in mind we have an Alliance with KATVA to the south and you can ride on those trails as well but they open on May 1st.

Please take note and consider the following:

we had an enormous snowfall this year and the snow is still waist deep in the bush and deeper where there is drifting
we are suppossed to receive 50mm of rain today and tonight so let the floods begin
we expect widespread flooding of rivers and beaver ponds this spring
there is still ice on all lakes & ponds but it will become unsafe very quickly
even mudholes with a few feet of water covered with ice can be dangerous if you fall through
ice bridges on the trails that span rivers are especially dangerous
the nights are down in the minus 10's freezing things up but plus temps thawing things out so expect conditions to change dramatically throughout a days rides
because of the sheer amount of snow to melt it will be very wet here until at least sometime in May
in these kind of conditions many beginner and intermediate trails become expert trails
you may get stopped by deep water and remember if you get wet in these cold conditions hypothermia is a risk
expect deadfall on some trails

PLEASE USE CAUTION AT ALL TIMES. Travel with emergency supplies, extra clothing in waterproof bag, waterproof matches and an axe or chainsaw. Be careful with hip waders as they can drag you under in deep or fast running water. Travel with friends and use the buddy system. Make sure at least half of the atv's you travel with have working winches and bring a tow strap, snatch block and tree strap. RIDE PREPARED

Letter of Agreement - Alliance Between KATVA & HATVA

Assumptions:

both organizations share much in common and want to work together
local politicians expect co-operation between the two organizations
respective atv rider members want maximum value for their membership $
member riders want maximum possible trail opportunities
both communities want to attract atv tourism
the respective club executives want to do more riding and less politics and arguing
that both organizations want to be fair, upfront and assist each other so both can be healthy
that it is in the best interests of both neighbouring organization that atving remains sustainable in the area against many external threats that are not positive towards atving
that KATVA wishes to leave EOTA umbrella but potentially maintain reciprocation trail use with other EOTA clubs
that atv generated revenue support atving and be invested in atving and that both organizations are not for profit
that atv club members/riders should control their destiny rather than non atv interests dictating the outcome or siphoning off resources
that both organizations wish to show leadership and believe atv riders throughout the province need to work together to insure long term survival

Letter Of Agreement:

both KATVA & HATVA will maintain their own brand and identities governed by their own bylaws with their own respective Boards of Directors
both clubs would name each other as additional insured
an Alliance Committee would be formed from three Directors appointed from the respective clubs and reporting back to their own Board Of Directors
the Committee would deal with all matters related to the mutual interests of both KATVA & HATVA including reciprocation with other non Alliance clubs
the Committee recommendations would be joint recommendations taken to both respective Boards to be ratified
both clubs would ride on and help maintain each others trails for the benefit of all member riders in the spirit of cooperation and openness
riders from the respective clubs would travel freely between the two organizations trail system and would carry their membership card and decal identification as proof of membership
non member temp pass riders would buy their pass from the respective areas and we will honour each others temp passes without exchange of money. This will be reviewed by the Alliance Committee at a future date.
neither club will owe or transfer money to another club for annual membership or administrative services
both organizations will price their membership passes at $95 individual and $190 family per year and will ensure equivalent price points for memberships, day passes will be $12, weekend passes will be $20 and weekly passes will be $35
both organizations may warden together if they decide to do so as per the Committee
both organizations may do joint events or attend each others events on the same terms as their own membership and as per decisions of the Committee
both organizations are committed to supporting the health and well being of the other although they are responsible for their own costs, marketing, insurance and member services
neither club organization shall commit the other to contracts, liability or other changes beyond the scope of this Letter of Understanding without mutual consent and the recommendation of the Committee
the Committee will be six equal members who would meet from time to time at a mutually agreeable location(s) but will meet not less than six times per year
both organizations will operate in the spirit of total transparency and honesty with each other, and set aside territorial issues and issues of personal gain for the betterment of both clubs and atving at large in Ontario
this is more than a reciprocal riding agreement, it is an Alliance between both clubs to support each other
both HATVA and KATVA agree that all reciprocal agreements will be joint agreements with other clubs that may want to reciprocate with the Alliance
criteria for clubs to reciprocate will be hammered out by the Alliance committee but would include things like insuring the reciprocal clubs have proper insurance and name KATVA & HATVA insured, that we won't target market each others areas, that existing members would be protected, that reciprocal clubs would have trails to offer in the reciprocation, that reciprocal agreements would be negotiated on a club by club basis etc.
both clubs agree that matters of disagreement will not be settled by litigation but may be worked out with the help of independent mediation if the Alliance Committee deems this to be useful

This agreement would be in place for the 2008 riding season and either KATVA or HATVA may end the agreement with 60 days written notice. This one year agreement could be renewed for additional year(s) by mutual consent of both respective boards.

Media Release - March 25, 2008
ONTARIO ATV CLUBS FORM ALLIANCE TO BENEFIT RIDERS

Two of Ontario's largest atv clubs have joined together in Alliance. Haliburton ATV Association and Kawartha ATV Association are joining forces and atvers are excited about the move. The Alliance will be managed by a committee reporting back to the respective Boards, of both organizations. The members of both organizations will have full access to each others trails during the atv riding season. Together the two organizations represent a sizeable membership and the collective trails of these organizations cover a large swath of Central Ontario.

While both clubs will still maintain there own club brands governed by their own bylaws the Alliance Committee recommendations would be joint recommendations applying to both organizations in lockstep. Non member riders would still buy temp passes from the local club areas they are riding in. Members would travel freely between the two organizations and would carry their membership card and/or decal identification as proof of membership. The yearly membership rate will be $95 individual and $190 family. Memberships are anniversary dated so they are good for a full year from the date the membership is issued.

One of the premises of the agreement is both clubs believe atv club members and riders should control their own destiny rather than have non atv interests dictating outcomes and siphoning off resources. �We wanted to show leadership and believe atv riders throughout the province need to work together to insure long term survival,� states Steve Lane President of KATVA. �It's a natural fit because it is in the best interests of neighboring organizations that atving remains sustainable against the many external threats that are not positive to atving�adds Hugh Trask President of HATVA.

In addition to riding on each others trails the members will help each other to maintain trails collectively. Both clubs are careful to point out that the Alliance is much more than two clubs reciprocating. �Last year we did two major bridge projects on the rail line in Haliburton. The one trestle over 100 yards long was completely stripped and redecked with 2� hemlock. Obviously projects of this magnitude require many volunteer helpers so blending resources for maintenance makes sense and will further trail riding opportunities for both clubs� says Mark Coles who founded the HATVA organization. �Both clubs will cross insure each other and we both use the same insurance carrier and we may even do some interclub events� adds Mark Stewart VP KATVA.

Full details will be posted soon on the HATVA & KATVA web sites.

HATVA/ATVOntario Attend Sportsman Show

HATVA organizes a number of trade shows each year with ATVOntario. Sportsman Show is one of the bigger shows and a very busy show at that. About 10 cases of brochure information was distributed to show attendees including two cases of HATVA maps sold and three cases of Haliburton Road maps given away. Many Power Pass and HATVA brochures were also put into circulation. Thanks to our contributors for making this show a success including our booth staff, Easy-Stone, All Terrain Vehicle Magazine, Prentice Power Sports and BRP CanAm.

Haliburton ATV Association Offers Winter Trails To Members

Haliburton Ontario
November 1st, 2007

Haliburton ATV Association (HATVA) announced today a ground breaking agreement with Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve to offer groomed winter trails for atv use for HATVA member riders. Only 100 maximum vehicles per day are allowed on Haliburton Forest's 60,000 acres of wilderness atv and snowmobile trails. Haliburton Forest trails are hard groomed on a frequent basis to prevent atv tracks and insure prime winter riding conditions" says Hugh Trask President of HATVA.

Under the agreement HATVA member atv riders will have the privilege of calling in and reserving an advanced spot and by presenting their HATVA membership card that will be cross referenced to the pre approved atv membership list at Haliburton Forest and be cleared to ride Haliburton Forest's 60,000 acres December 1st to April 1st every winter.

Riders are advised to check the trail conditions in advance by going on www.haliburtonforest.com before they reserve their atv ride to insure the weather is cooperating and trails are fully open.

This compliments our existing trail season that runs April 1st to December 1st and means year round atv trails for HATVA member riders. Haliburton Forest covers a massive land area and has some of the most scenic and well groomed trails in Ontario" says Mark Coles, Director of HATVA.

HATVA MEMBER RIDERS DO NOT PAY ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THEIR $95 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE TO USE THESE WINTER TRAILS!

"HATVA already has the largest mapped, signed and insured trail system in Ontario with over 1700km of trails in Haliburton, Muskoka, Almaguin, Madawaska, Kawartha and Peterborough areas and having groomed winter trail access just sweetens the deal" says Eric Christensen a local resort owner and a Director of HATVA.

"I can't wait to get up there and try some winter atving! These folks at HATVA just get better and better every year. More trails every year, lower membership costs, great club organized rides & events and now winter atving! Who knows what rabbit they will pull out of their hat next!" says Joe Shulist a long time member of HATVA from Oshawa Ontario.

"You can count on HATVA to provide excellent value for Ontario atv riders and they bring mega bucks in Ontario atv tourism dollars to Haliburton County and surrounding areas - vastly improving the economic prosperity of the region" says Mark Lester publisher of All Terrain Vehicle Magazine - North America's most popular audited circulation atv magazine.

The program only applies to annual HATVA members in good standing and it does not include member snowmobiles or other off road vehicles - strictly atv's. Although ATVOntario Power Pass holders from other regional node areas of Elliot Lake, Mattawa, Parry Sound and Cochrane can use the Power Pass to ride HATVA trails during the non winter months, the winter trail system agreement excludes Power Pass at this time. It also does not include HATVA temporary pass holders for day, weekend or weekly permits - annual members only. "We're going to look at ways that would allow us to include other regional node ATVOntario Power Pass riders in the future but for now it is strictly HATVA annual member riders that will share this benefit." says Coles

HATVA has 500 full time members and thousands of pass purchasers in the province of Ontario. HATVA is a regional member node of ATVOntario.
Contact Info:
HATVA Hotline (705) 286 2368
www.haliburtonatv.com
info@haliburtonatv.com

ATVONTARIO RELEASES POWERPASS - North America's First Dual use Trail Pass

Parry Sound, ON - September 19, 2007 - ATVOntario Tourism Initiatives Inc. announced today that it has released PowerPass Ontario™. The pass is unique in North America and sets a new standard for trail stewardship, sustainability, ease of use and flexibility.

Dual Use
On ATVOntario trail systems a PowerPass Ontario™ subscription card permits holders to ride ATVs other than their own by providing a simple proof of identity. It also allows others to drive any ATV provided the make and license number on the rear of the card matches the ATV make and license plate number.

No Artificial Year Ends
PowerPass Ontario™ permits are valid for one full year no matter when purchased.

On-Line Purchase - Instant Use - Plastic Card
PowerPass Ontario™ is purchased online at atvontario.com and is immediately activated with a printed receipt that serves as validation until the personalized plastic credit card sized pass arrives in the mail.

Affordable and Family Friendly
PowerPass Ontario™ is priced at $120 and a family subscription of up to 5 riders is capped at $240.

Trail Sustainability and Equitability
ATVOntario's alliance partners and trail systems benefit equally from revenues of PowerPass Ontario™. Each ATVOntario community will receive equal funding regardless of the customer's home address, thereby ensuring continuous predictable investment in infrastructure and tourism value.

Provincial in Nature - Reciprocal in Practise
PowerPass Ontario™ is a reciprocal trail pass subscription. All 5 ATVOntario communities recognize it as valid for use on their trail systems. Community passes, including daily, weekly and annual passes co-exist with PowerPass Ontario™ in ATVOntario communities.

"We have listened to what ATVers want." stated Andrew Ryeland, President of ATVOntario. "We received an overwhelming number of emails and telephone calls encouraging us to offer a trail pass that could be used across our partner's systems." ATVOntario offers several thousand kilometres of signed, mapped and insured trails that traverse the most spectacular geography on the continent. We have been offering world class ATV trails, accommodations, packages and welcoming communities for several years now and it was time to stitch those experiences together. PowerPass Ontario™ is part of our continued effort to deliver compelling destinations to the nearly 300,000 ATVers in Ontario and ten times that number immediately beyond our borders.

PowerPass Ontario™ is available on-line at atvontario.com

ATVOntario Tourism Initiatives Inc. is a not-for-profit marketing alliance established as a public/private initiative with the communities of Elliot Lake, Mattawa, Parry Sound (Georgian Bay) , Cochrane and the Haliburton ATV Association. The alliance is enacting a community-based model for Shared-Use Trail tourism throughout the province of Ontario. PowerPass Ontario™ is a registered trademark of ATVOntario Tourism Initiatives Inc.

HATVA Reduces Membership Rates

HATVA has reduced it's regional node Individual Membership rate to $95. from $120. It has also reduced the Family Membership rate to $190. from $240. HATVA has had a good year and we want to pass on savings to our members rather than increase the bank account. We are a non profit organization. This price change will be effective Sept 1st 07.

In addition those that had membership before Sept 1st 07 can receive ATVOntario Power Pass for the duration of their current membership at no extra cost. Members joining after Sept 1st have two options. They can join HATVA which includes the Associate clubs of HATVA for $95. and ride HATVA's 1700km plus trails OR they can get ATVOntario Power Pass for $120. and ride trails in various regional nodes like Haliburton, Parry Sound, Cochrane, Mattawa, Elliot Lake. HATVA supports both pass options.

To obtain your HATVA regional membership you can order online from this site using PayPal or Visa or print off application copies from our Membership page and mail them in.

HATVA will also continue to offer day, weekend and weekly temporary passes at last years rates. These to can be ordered right off this site or purchased at local retailers in the Haliburton area.

Adventure Trail CD & Workbook Safety Training

HATVA has the interactive Adventure Trail CD and Workbook available FREE for youngsters and parents who want to learn about ATV safety and trail ettiquite. Colour cartoons were drawn by local Haliburton artist Robert VanNood. We will send this out with all family memberships. If you want to trigger a copy now simply send an email with request to admin@haliburtonatv.com

HATVA Completes Major Bridge Renovation

HATVA and many volunteers completed the stripping and redecking of the large railroad trestle on the Haliburton Rail Trail corridor. Approx. 30 volunteers came out in extreme heat and did exceptional work to complete the task in about 9 hours. BBQ lunch was supplied. Workers were drained by the end of the day but the job got done. HATVA has decided to provide free memberships or extensions for those that helped due to the massive amount of work and effort that was put forward by volunteers. Thanks to all who helped.

Letter to HATVA re Reciprocation

Dear HATVA,
This letter will confirm the agreement ATVOntario attempted to reach with the Eastern Ontario Trails Association (EOTA) and its partner the Ontario Trails Council (OTC) late in 2006 and early 2007.

ATVOntario offered to reciprocate with EOTA/OTC to accept each others pass system. This was offered by ATVOntario in the spirit of cooperation and ATVOntario's principle to encourage Regional Pass retention and autonomy. In ATVOntario's case this would be through PowerPass™ and in the EOTA/OTC case we would honour their proposed Trillium Trails Network (TTN) Gold Pass. To-date EOTA has rejected any proposal that would create a reciprocal agreement.

ATVOntario's offer remains in effect and if EOTA/OTC agree to exchange pass use on the trails we can quickly put together an agreement that will benefit both organizations. The pass systems PowerPass™ and TTN Gold would therefore be equally recognized on each others trails. Ideally we would like to have this agreement in place before June 1, 2007 to benefit the EOTA clubs that seek access to ATVOntario trails.

Sincerely,
Andrew Ryeland
President
ATVOntario Tourism Initiatives Inc.

Haliburton ATV Association Adds New Associate Club

Haliburton ATV Association (HATVA) already boasts over 1700 km. of mapped, signed and insured ATV trails in Ontario. The trails range from beginner to the knarliest deep woods wilderness trails you can imagine. Algonquin West ATV Club (AWATV) has now joined the HATVA as an Associate club and they too have fantastic atv trail opportunities. So in addition to the existing HATVA trails in Haliburton, Kawartha, Madawaska, Peterborough and Muskoka - HATVA/AWATV trails will extend from the Huntsville area north to South River. The systems will be linked at the Dwight/Oxtongue Lake region and together will cover a huge swath of central Ontario's prime atv territory. Let there be no doubt, this is one big interconnected trail system that atvers are going to love.

Under the Associate arrangement HATVA will insure the AWATV trails and a common regional pass system will be in place. HATVA is also a member node of ATVOntario and is committed to the new upcoming ATVOntario provincial one pass system in addition to the regional node pass option. The AWATV area know as the Almaguin Highlands is anxious to capture the kind of atv tourism business that HATVA has been able to develop under their atv tourism model.

HATVA and AWATV have already been working together to open roads in the towns and municipalities of Almaguin so that atv's can connect with the trails and access accommodation & supplies and are meeting with great success so far. Initially AWATV will develop a simple trail map that will integrate with the full colour large format HATVA trail map for the 2008 riding season. HATVA is a not for profit volunteer driven organization and it looks like more great news for Ontario atv riders along with the potential of the ATVOntario one pass system announced recently.

MEDIA RELEASE
Algonquin West ATV Club to become an Associate Member Organization

Algonquin West ATV Club has made its move to join Haliburton ATV Association (HATVA) as an Associate member organization. Algonquin West takes in the area of Perry Township, Kearney Township, Burk's Falls, Magnetawan, Strong, Town of Sundridge, Armour & Ryerson Townships. Many of these areas already have their roads open, while some still have Highway Traffic Act #316 bylaw road openings pending. HATVA is working with Algonquin West ATV Club to ensure all roads are open in the area for atv tourism. Local business owners feel that "HATVA was very helpful in presenting the case for atv tourism in the area".

As part of the HATVA/Algonquin West agreement, HATVA would provide insurance, administration and membership support for the Associate Club. The terms of the agreement call for $80 of every HATVA membership from Algonquin West to go back to the club to support trail development and local initiatives. HATVA would pay for the insurance and administration and promote atv events in the area. Algonquin West will have their own club brand and identity as part of the HATVA family of Associate Clubs. The local club will be responsible for identifying and signing trails. HATVA will assist and work together with Algonquin West to ensure a seamless trail product stretching from Sundridge to other HATVA catchment areas of Haliburton, Madawaska, Muskoka, Peterborough and Kawartha. Currently HATVA encompasses 1700km of signed, mapped and insured trails. The Algonquin West area boasts unlimited trail riding opportunities as well, and it is expected to create a major economic boost to the area. HATVA will add the new Algonquin West system to the map once the trails are identified and the map would continue to include new trails as they become available. Local Resort owners state they "are delighted at the possibility of a new tourist draw to the local area - we all desperately need this new growing form of recreational tourism"

HATVA is also a member node of the province wide ATVOntario group of clubs and communities. ATVOntario provides additional marketing exposure through extensive collateral advertising, trade show and stakeholder promotions. The Algonquin West Club area will benefit from this relationship. Other ATVOntario nodes include Elliot Lake, Parry Sound, Cochrane, Mattawa and EOTA.

HATVA is a well known brand in Ontario and features the provinces largest mapped, signed, insured trail system. HATVA is known for its responsible and professional approach to atv trail use. "HATVA was the organization that we felt could provide the best value for Algonquin riders" says Chris Ratcliffe club V.P. "The HATVA trails are just about on our border so it makes sense to work together" says Jim Altseimer newly elected club President.

Contact: Algonquin West ATV Club
Jim Altseimer - President 636-1474
Judy Vagg - Treasurer/Membership 636-5652

One Pass Trail Permits

HATVA fully supports ATVOntario one pass trail permits. HATVA members will have two options. Buy the HATVA membership to ride HATVA trails including trails in the Haliburton, Muskoka, Kawartha, Peterborough, Madawaska and Almaguin areas OR in the future you will be able to purchase one pass that will allow access on all ATVOntario participating node trail systems. HATVA members will be able to buy their HATVA club membership and top up to acquire one pass should they wish to ride trails outside of our catchment area. We are also hopeful that OFATV might consider also partnering on one pass using there own brand of course. HATVA will of course also continue to sell daily, weekly, and weekend trail passes for shorter duration atv rides.

One pass will ensure broader riding opportunities and real value for atvers wherever they ride. HATVA offers 1700 km (not including the brand new Algonquin West Almaguin area HATVA associate club awaiting signage) of signed, mapped and insured atv trails in Ontario. All of HATVA trails are joined to offer apparelled ATV touring excursions over most of central Ontario.

Questions call (705) 286 2368

To the Hon. David Ramsey,

As a tax payer in Ontario and Publisher of Canada's #1 audited circulation ATV enthusiast magazine and North America's largest audited Snowmobile Enthusiast Publication I would appreciate justification and full disclosure of the motivation for the MNR to restrict motorized recreational activity on future Crown Land Logging Roads.

There is no broad based scientific data supporting any such move while there is overwhelming data showing these logging roads have become - and will continue to be - the backbone of a multi-million dollar tourism industry which the Province of Ontario collects immense tax revenues from. It is our intention to inform our readers of this inexcusable, ridiculous and one sided attempt at closing access to our land by a few self serving, over-zealous and misinformed bureaucrats who have obviously been given too much authority. The MNR is in a financial crisis and yet it continues to champion wild, ridiculous and one sided actions like this with the little money it has left? This is a text book example of a bureaucracy out of control. I implore you to reign in the public servants behind this nonsense and get back to doing what the MNR once did very well - making sure everyone has reasonable, responsible access to Ontario's Crown Lands.

You can expect a swift reaction to any attempt to restrict motorized recreational activity on any future or current logging roads on Crown Land in Ontario.

We are anxious to hear this process of wasting public money in an attempt to justify a one sided decision - which will net nothing but huge problems and a continued erosion of the respect all recreationists once had for the MNR - will be immediately scrapped.

It would be great to hear money earmarked for public hearings is being re-channeled to do something legitimately valuable for Ontario's Crown lands.

Thankyou.

Mark Lester
Publisher
SUPERTRAX & ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE MAGAZINES

MEDIA RELEASE
ATVOntario Launches Common Trail Pass

Parry Sound, ON - February 26, 2007

The Board of ATVOntario Tourism Initiatives Inc. (ATVOntario) announced today that it will offer a common trail pass that will permit ATV Riders an opportunity to ride thousands of kilometres of its trail systems for one price.

"ATVers have consistently asked us to develop a One Pass system that consolidated the passes of the best trails in Ontario." said Andrew Ryeland, President of ATVOntario. "We listened to our patrons and I'm pleased to announce that we will indeed be offering a One Pass solution this spring. We expect this initiative will create a tremendous surge of interest in our sport and attract 'ATV tourists' from across the province and beyond."

ATVOntario leads the ATV trails initiative by offering a pass system that will go a long way to consolidating trail riding opportunities and associated community products. ATVOntario is also in serious discussions with other ATV organizations and Trail interests to broaden the scope of the trail offerings in the spirit of its Shared Use principles. ATVOntario is intent on reaching agreements with other organizations that will allow for incremental investment in trail systems throughout Ontario.

The new pass is planned to be on sale in April 2007 through the atvontario.com website. Pricing has not yet been finalized but it is expected to be very attractive to ATVers and substantially less than similar passes offering multi-trail system access in Ontario. ATVOntario Regional pass systems will remain available to users that only wish to ride local trail systems.

Where Can I Ride?

ATVOntario offers an answer to the over 250,000 ATVers in Ontario and ten times that number in the bordering US states. Increasingly outdoor enthusiasts are turning to the thrill of discovery aboard an All Terrain Vehicle. More and more tourism destinations are being developed to accommodate their unique and varied interests. ATVOntario offers adventurers a consolidated, destination based source of information on where to ride, where to eat, where to stay, where to be entertained, where to mingle and many more 'where's. To tour our 'wherehouse' visit atvontario.com.

ATVOntario is a not-for-profit alliance established as a public/private initiative with the communities of Elliot Lake, Mattawa, Eastern Ontario Trail Alliance (Tweed), Georgian Bay (Parry Sound) ,Cochrane and the Haliburton ATV Association. The alliance is enacting a community-based model for Shared-Use Trail tourism throughout the province of Ontario.

Don't Be Fooled!

Haliburton ATV Association is such a strong brand and others are trying to capitalize on our success. By example there is a web site that pretends to be an HATVA site. And there are other clubs and so called associations that have designs on HATVA trails and pretend to be associated with the HATVA organization.

Don't be fooled! If your not sure about something where some organization or individual has told you their pass works on our trails, call our dedicated hotline at (705) 286 2368 to get a straight answer. We are one of the few atv clubs in Ontario that is 100% volunteer driven, 100% not for profit, 100% working for atvers (and not trying to line our pockets with your hard earned cash) and we are all active riding atvers that want the same things you do - the most trail riding opportunities at the lowest possible cost. We represent value and we deliver the goods.

It is wise for any group considering joining any organization to do the following:

ask to see the insurance policy with their name on it.
do not be fooled by invalid or mocked up insurance certificates that can be produced by anyone.
ask for the insurance companies contact info and validate the insurance promise with the insurance company and make sure atv's are covered crossing and using roads that belong to counties or municipalities i.e.. the land owners are named insured.
ask for proof of road openings and endorsements and bylaws from municipalities/counties or regional governments.
ask them to PRODUCE A MAP OF THEIR TRAILS.
ask them to back up their trail access claims with valid Land Use Permits.
be suspicious when they list events and rides that include land and roadways that are not legally open to atv's.
be suspicious when you see content, tables, forms copied from our HATVA web site as we do not allow or endorse others to use our web site content as it is our "intellectual property" as defined by law.

Buyer beware. Unfortunately there are a number of clubs and organizations that are marketing smoke and mirrors. Many have not done their homework and have put little or no effort into developing trails. Check it out carefully - it's your $ - don't join a hollow card house.