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Damn.  It was too good to be true.  Up until and through this year, my total fee to ride on the local desert trails was a whopping $20 for a State Trust permit.  This allowed me to legally ride on land which the State leased to private parties such as ranchers.  As of late, these areas have fallen victim to the EPA’s air quality control (specifically dust) and are being shut down for ALL OHV use.

Twenty bucks per year to ride everything legally.

A friend I work and ride with forwarded me a link to the following information - the new Arizona OHV regulations:

INTRODUCTION

Thanks to a collaborative effort between a broad coalition of OHV enthusiasts, sportsmen, conservationists, elected officials and the public, new laws that will help better manage Arizona’s rapidly growing OHV use will take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Among other provisions, the new law requires an annual purchase of an Off-Highway Vehicle Decal for the operation of any ATV or OHV in Arizona that meets both the following criteria:

Designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain.
Has an unladen weight of eighteen hundred pounds or less.
Why is the new law needed?

OHV use in Arizona has exploded (347 percent increase since 1998), outpacing the existing funding to manage that growth, protect wildlife habitat, and help maintain recreational access. Revenues generated from the new OHV Decal user fee will be used to help ensure sustainable opportunities and natural resource protection by bolstering funding and grant programs that pay for trail maintenance, signage, maps, facility development, habitat damage mitigation, education, and enforcement.
What does the new law do?

It specifies OHV Decal, title, license plate and registration requirements.
It specifies equipment requirements.
It specifies regulations for safe, ethical and responsible operation.
OHV DECAL / TITLE/ LICENSE PLATE / REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

What is the OHV Decal?

The OHV Decal is a sticker that must be purchased annually to allow your OHV to be operated within Arizona. The decal will need to be applied to the upper left corner of your license plate, and your license plate will need to be visibly displayed on the rear of your OHV. The dollars collected through the purchase of the OHV Decal are considered an OHV user fee and apply to all OHVs meeting the bulleted criteria in the following paragraph. The OHV Decal should not be confused with “registration.” Registration is required if you want to your OHV to be “street legal” (i.e., operate it on paved and improved roads and streets.)

…

How do I obtain the OHV Decal and what does it cost?

The OHV Decal will be available for purchase starting January 1, 2009 on-line at www.servicearizona.com or at a Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The cost is yet to be determined but will be posted at www.azgfd.gov/ohv when available. The decal is valid for one year. It is the ATV/OHV owner’s responsibility to purchase subsequent year decals.
Title, License Plate, OHV Decal and Registration: What steps do I need to take to be in compliance with the law?

• Your OHV/ATV must have an Arizona Certificate of Title in your name. If the vehicle is not titled in your name or you have an out-of-state title, you will need to visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider to obtain an Arizona Certificate of Title. All ATV/OHV owners must obtain an Arizona Title for their vehicle(s) by July 1, 2009. Vehicles with an engine displacement less than 49cc’s are not titled in Arizona.
  The vehicle must have an Arizona license plate. The license plate must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle and clearly visible.
  If you need to confirm the vehicle has been issued a license plate and title, you may request a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) online at www.servicearizona.com or visit an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The vehicle identification number (VIN), your driver license number and a $3.00 fee is required to obtain an MVR.
  Purchase the annual OHV Decal for your OHV on-line at www.servicearizona.com or at an MVD Office or Authorized Third Party Provider. The OHV Decal shall be affixed to the upper left corner of the license plate.
  The OHV Decal is valid for one year from purchase. You will NOT be sent a renewal notice. It is your responsibility to renew and display a current OHV Decal on your vehicle license plate annually.
  If you want to ride on improved and maintained roads, your OHV can be registered for “street legal” use in Arizona. Your vehicle will first need to be titled and then meet all on-highway equipment requirements, plus you will need to purchase the annual OHV Decal.

See, here’s the rub beyond the ‘yet to be determined’ new usage tax coming my way, I can no longer be lazy about title transfers. Back in February, I bought an ‘06 YZ450 off some local kid who never got the title transferred from his previous owner. This now becomes a PITA because Arizona is a notary state and every title transferred needs the owners signature notarized. Herein lies the problem.

Yeah, I’ve been a little lazy but I now have to cold call the previous, previous owner to see if he’ll get the title notarized. Not a big deal, just a PITA…but I digress.

To further sweeten the deal, I just discovered this little nugget about five minutes ago:

Question
Do I need a permit to operate my OHV on State Trust Land?

Answer
Yes. You must have a recreational permit or a hunting or fishing license to be on State Land. However, a hunting or fishing license is valid only if you are actively engaged in hunting or fishing. Recreational Permits are available for individuals and families and are issued for one year from the date of purchase. As of Aug. 1, 2008, The Individual Permit is $50.00 and the Family Permit is $75.00. You may pick up your recreational permit in person at the State Land Department main office at 1616 West Adams, Phoenix AZ 85007. Permit applications can also be requested by mail or by telephone during normal business hours by calling (602) 364-2753.

Sweet.  My annual State cost to ride now went from $20 to the new and improved cost of $50 + ‘yet to be determined’.  This seems to be similar to the People’s Republic of Kalifornia’s system…except for the colored stickers.  Can we please secure the I-10 border at the AZ / CA state line?  Please!?!

Part #2 is the revenue generation that has nothing to do with safety called photo radar.

NOTE:  I am not happy with this past federal election’s result.  On the bright side, my liberal lesbian governor is being considered for a cabinet position.  Our Secretary of State, a fiscal conservative, is next in line.  A hopeful silver lining.