Word: atvs
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Listen to the call of the wild: the whistle of hawks and the whir of helicopters. The growl of grizzlies and the groans of chain saws. Gaze upon the glories of nature: fleet-footed antelope and wide-wheeled ATV's. Towering mountains and low-slung condominiums. Packs of wolves and parades of Winnebagos...
...addition, about 28 other states, including Maine and Wisconsin, have laws regulating the vehicles. Several bills now pending in Congress would restrict the sale of ATVs or provide refunds to customers who have purchased the three- wheel versions. Hundreds of product-liability cases and class actions have been brought against manufacturers. James Lacy, general counsel of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, says there have been 998 ATV-related deaths since the beginning...
...stakes in the battle are high. Sierra Club Director Hattoy charges that the ATVs permanently scar the land, kill wildlife and destroy vegetation, as well as cause noise, safety and pollution problems. Says he: "We recognize their right to use public lands, but no one has the right to chase jackrabbits until their hearts explode, or roar over desert turtles." ATV Enthusiast Buddy Bray sees it differently. "I don't believe riding ATVs destroys the desert," he says. "All you kill is the bushes...
...their part, ATV owners warn that they will fiercely oppose Johnny-come- lately attempts to tamper with their sport. "I spent a lot of money on this thing," says Mike Leutzinger of Ironton, Mo., as he stands astride his ATV on the Black River. "Where else can you ride 'em? You can't ride 'em on the highway. You can't ride 'em in the woods. They're closing off the trails. This," says Leutzinger, pointing at the churned-up Black River...
Conservationists square off with rampaging ATV owners in a noisy war over wilderness areas. -- Season of death for North Sea seals...