New law to increase opportunities, costs for NJ ATV operators

Those caught steering their quads, snowmobiles or dirt bikes into state parks and wildlife areas face impoundment of their machines, fines of more than $1,000 for a third offense, and penalties equal to five times the cost of any damage left on trails or fields.

But the law also gets tough with the state agency that was pushing to punish errant drivers: the Department of Environmental Protection.

Under legislation Jon Corzine signed a day before leaving the governor's office, the DEP must make good on an 8-year-old promise to create public riding parks for the increasing number of people buying off-road vehicles.