A new proposal in the West Virginia Legislature is once again taking aim at our state parks and forests. Senate Bill 711, which will be discussed in the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m., would remove protections that currently keep off-road vehicles (ORVs) from expanding into many of our public lands—including state parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and rail trails.

In 2023, the Legislature made the ATV/UTV trail network at Cabwaylingo State Forest permanent but clearly stated it was an exception, not a precedent for additional ORV expansion. Senate Bill 711 would now open the door to additional ORV access throughout West Virginia’s state parks and forests by eliminating the very protections that limited expansion in the first place. Early reports from Cabwaylingo suggest that as ORV traffic has increased, traditional park users have been driven away. We cannot let this happen statewide.

Please contact the committee members today and urge them to safeguard our state parks and forests by voting NO on Senate Bill 711.

The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy believes that the environmental, social, and economic costs of allowing ORVs on public lands far outweigh the benefits. The destruction of fragile ecosystems, the disruption of wildlife, the conflicts with other land users, and the added strain on public land management are unacceptable consequences of motorized recreation in areas that should be preserved for future generations.

We call on policymakers to reject proposals to introduce ORV use on public lands in West Virginia. Instead, we urge the state to invest in sustainable, non-motorized recreation opportunities that respect the natural environment and ensure the long-term health of our public lands.

What You Can Do

• Contact Your Legislators: Call or email members of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and urge them to protect our state parks by voting NO on Senate Bill 711.
• Spread the Word: Share this alert with friends, neighbors, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
• Support Alternatives: Ask decision-makers to invest in sustainable, non-motorized recreation—like hiking, biking, and fishing—to protect our public lands for future generations.

We’ve stopped similar bills before, and we can do it again. Let’s stand together to protect the wild and wonderful places that define West Virginia—now and for years to come. Thank you for taking action.