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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of off-highway vehicle use in Utah
12 state parks.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ describes the purpose and history of Utah's Off-Highway Vehicle Act;
16 ▸ describes the achievements of the Division of Parks and Recreation's Off-Highway
17 Vehicle Program;
18 ▸ discusses the importance of responsible off-highway vehicle recreation to the state;
19 and
20 ▸ celebrates 2021 as the Year of the Off-Highway Vehicle Program.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
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24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, it is the stated policy of Utah's Off-Highway Vehicle Act to "promote
26 safety and protection for persons, property, and the environment connected with the use,
27 operation, and equipment of off-highway vehicles, to promote uniformity of laws, to adopt and
28 pursue a safety education program, and to develop trails and other facilities for the use of these
29 vehicles";
30 WHEREAS, the Utah State Legislature passed the Off-Highway Vehicle Act in 1971;
31 WHEREAS, the Off-Highway Vehicle Act was an important step in creating motorized
32 recreational trail infrastructure, developing safety and education programs, and protecting the
33 natural resources of Utah;
34 WHEREAS, since 1971, the Division of Parks and Recreation's Off-Highway Vehicle
35 Program has successfully:
36 • developed and coordinated over 80,000 miles of designated off-highway vehicle trails;
37 • educated over 250,000 youth and adults;
38 • created and recommended local community off-highway vehicle trail connectivity;
39 • implemented 13 statewide snowmobile trail grooming complexes that groom over
40 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails;
41 • participated in local, state, and federal Travel Management Planning for appropriate
42 off-highway vehicles' use;
43 • promoted the economic importance of off-highway vehicles as a sustainable form of
44 outdoor recreation in Utah; and
45 • created a grant program to support long-term maintenance, sustainable trail
46 construction, and off-highway vehicle infrastructure;
47 WHEREAS, the Division of Parks and Recreation's Off-Highway Vehicle Program has
48 committed to educational and outreach opportunities by partnering with off-highway vehicle
49 clubs, dealers, rental companies, land managing agencies, private sector businesses, and
50 individual enthusiasts;
51 WHEREAS, the Off-Highway Vehicle Program is vital to the success of our growing
52 state and it is the responsibility of government agencies, the Legislature, and industry leaders to
53 promote, practice, and educate others in responsible off-highway vehicle practices;
54 WHEREAS, the health, education, and economic opportunities of Utah families are
55 directly impacted by where they recreate; and
56 WHEREAS, a diverse statewide off-highway vehicle trail system provides Utahns with
57 stronger opportunities to access public lands and fosters future development of off-highway
58 vehicle trails:
59 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
60 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Off-Highway Vehicle Act.
61 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature declares and celebrates 2021 as the
62 Year of the Off-Highway Vehicle Program.