Oregon Parks and Recreation Seeks Public Input on New ATV Regulations

Oregon's off-roading community is about to have its say on the state's ATV regulations. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is welcoming public input on proposed changes to sound and safety equipment rules for All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) use on public lands. This follows the enactment of House Bill 2232, which transferred rulemaking responsibilities from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to OPRD, streamlining oversight of ATV regulations.

The bill was signed into law back on March 19, 2025, and took immediate effect. OPRD has temporarily adopted the existing rules from ODOT and DEQ for 180 days. Now, they're looking to gather feedback before making permanent decisions on the legislation. Comments are being accepted through several mediums until 5 p.m. August 31, 2025, including an online form, mail directed to the OPRD attention of Katie Gauthier, and via email. All these details were clarified in an announcement recently published by the state's official site.

To facilitate a broader discussion, a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19. Interested parties can register to attend this hearing online, where they'll be able to voice their opinions directly to OPRD representatives. The link for registration and additional details about the hearing is available on the Oregon government website.

Once the commenting period wraps up, OPRD will move forward with analyzing feedback and integrating what it has learned into the proposed rule changes. The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission is expected to review these proposals in September, with the possibility of adoption on the horizon. The public's voice plays a critical role in ensuring that ATV regulations are both safe and suitable for everyone who enjoys Oregon's vast and diverse outdoors.