In New Jersey, public lands are off-limits to ATVs. Nor can they be ridden on public streets. To deal with the entire situation, state legislators drew up a bill, signed into law in January, that presented a sort of carrot-and-stick approach: It aims to deter illegal off-road recreation by setting larger penalties — fines are now $75 to $100 — And a new registration fee.

But its provisions will not go into effect until the state earmarks land for at least one public riding area. So far, that hasn’t happened because residents near potential sites — fearing noise, rowdy behavior, and a loss of nature — have opposed ATV parks.

While the state tries to find a spot that can pass local muster, a debate between conservationists and ATV enthusiasts continues.

Environmentalists say illegal riding destroys swaths of public parkland and hurts the serene and pristine environment around walking trails. And they add that hikers listening for bird calls and bubbling streams instead end up hearing the roar of engines.

“They’re not good stewards of the environment,” Jonas said. “These vehicles tear up the trails. They’re just big, fast destructive stinky vehicles.”

New Jersey’s forests are home to rare plant and animal species, including amphibians that can live only in state-protected seasonal wet spots called vernal pools. Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club of New Jersey, said the ATVs trample small plants and disturb wetlands and streambeds — the silt alone hurts water quality and makes it harder for trout to lay eggs, he said.

But riders say they, too, deserve access to the outdoors.

“Everybody pays taxes. Everybody is equal. But they’re not sharing the land,” said Dan Chmielowiec of West Milford during a recent visit to Ramsey Motor Sports in Ramsey. Read more in Star Ledger.