Anti-Hobbyist Snorkel Bill Moves Through Minnesota Legislature

[Raven]

SEMA LEGISLATIVE ALERT



         A bill (SF 2793) has been approved by the Minnesota State
Senate's Environment and Natural Resources Committee to prohibit
operation of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) on public land or public
waters with an air-intake pipe or snorkel that is more than six
inches above the manufacturer's original air-intake pipe.  The bill
was introduced as a proposal for a study on the impact of OHVs on
wetlands, but was amended in committee to now include the proposed
ban on snorkel use.  The bill is now pending in the Senate Finance
Committee and could soon make its way to the floor for a vote by the
full Senate.

We Urge You to Contact Your Minnesota State Legislators Immediately
to Oppose this Bill

-  Existing law in Minnesota allows use of snorkels on OHVs,
permitting responsible access to trails and wilderness.


-  SF 2793 would prohibit installation and use of any snorkel that is
more than six inches above the manufacturer's original air intake,
essentially banning the snorkel and causing OHV engines and filters
to ingest more dirt and dust, rendering them inefficient with gas and
possibly causing the engines to produce greater amounts of emissions.

-  The purpose of SF 2793 originally was to merely study OHV impact
on wetlands, but it has been converted into a platform for curtailing
OHV use on public lands.

-  Existing Minnesota law already protects the wilderness and
wetlands.  Those laws should be enforced first before more laws that
seek to further restrict off-road hobbyist rights are enacted.

         Please contact members of the Minnesota State Legislature in
St. Paul to oppose this bill.  If you need assistance in determining
who your state legislators are, contact the Minnesota State
Legislature's general information line at (651) 296-0504 or (651)
296-2146.  This information can also be obtained by calling the SEMA
Washington, D.C. office at (202) 783-6007, ext. 38.  You also can
access this information via the Internet at
<<http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=SEMA>http://www.congressweb.com/cweb4/index.cfm?orgcode=SEMA>.

Please fax a copy of your letters to us at (202) 783-6024, or mail or
e-mail to:

SEMA Washington Office

1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 500

Washington, D.C.  20004-1105

Attention:  Steve McDonald

[email protected]


--
John Stewart
Director, Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations, http://www.ufwda.org
Natural Resource Consultant
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, http://www.ca4wdc.com
Recreation Access and Conservation Editor, http://www.4x4wire.com
Moderator, MUIRNet - Multiple Use Information Resource Network

To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to MUIRNet, send email to [email protected].

[Yota87Truck]

That is gay!!!

[unclejpl4x4]

wow thats messed up

[TacoRunner]

What a bunch of A----HOLE's

[Yota-Freak]

freakin tree huggers.

[V-Man]

  That bill would also mean that I can't drive my 4Runner through MN on my way to or from western Canada.  I would have to drive across IA and come up I-29 to Canada or simple drive all the the way around Highway 17(transcanada) in Ontario adding a good day or more to my travel time.  I am only one person, but think of all the Hunters and fishermen coming from other states and Provinces that would be fined for having a Snorkel, even if they are only passing through.  I can see it now a group of three or four trucks with Quads on trailers in a parking lot, and the guys getting tickets for the snorkel on the quads..." but officer Honda makes that snorkel as option for this quad!"  " ..A snorkel is a snorkel and you can can't have one on a OHV in MN even if you are just drive through to some were else.  Here is your copy of the ticket, payment of the fine must be arranged with the County clerk with in seven business days."  I know how I would feel    . and I don't think I would be coming back to MN again.  They could kiss my  I was sure made to feel  .

[Thomas P]

did anyone notice this post is 4 years old 

[unclejpl4x4]

did anyone notice this post is 4 years old 

  im just now

wonder what happend 

[V-Man]

That is gay!!!

   We have the guilty party right here..     
Guess we all been recovering from the eggnog.

[Yota87Truck]

Just cause a post is 4 years old doesn't mean I can't post....  But if it makes a difference, I didn't realise it was that old...

[unclejpl4x4]

i still would like 2 know if it was passed or not

[V-Man]

i still would like 2 know if it was passed or not

X2

[Prismo]

May 2004
Anti-Hobbyist Snorkel Bill Dies As Minnesota Legislature Adjourns

Legislation (SF 2793/SF 2831) that would have prohibited operation of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) on public land or public waters with an air-intake pipe or snorkel that is more than six inches above the manufacturer's original air-intake pipe died when the Minnesota Legislature adjourned. SF 2793 was introduced as a proposal for a study on the impact of OHVs on wetlands, but was amended in committee to include the proposed ban on snorkel use. We will be on alert if and when the bill is introduced again next year!