The House Resources, Recreation and Development Committee heard testimony on HB 127, which would keep two sections (about 10.5 miles total) of OHRV trail on the Connecticut River Headwaters open through Columbus Day instead of closing them on Sept. 30.

Representative (prime sponsor) told the committee the request is intended to align a short headwaters segment with neighboring private trail systems and the broader regional convention that most North Country trails close on Columbus Day. “All we’re asking is just keep it open that next 8 to 13 days,” the sponsor told the committee, saying the change would allow riders to traverse from destination towns such as Pittsburg to Berlin and support linked businesses.

Why it matters: testimony centered on economics, landowner rights and the management obligations that accompany conserved public land. Supporters argued the extension provides measurable tourism revenues to rural businesses and lodging; DNCR and other custodial agencies urged any seasonal change follow the conservation‑easement and citizen‑advisory review set out for the headwaters property.

Economic claims and local support: Sponsors and county officials cited an economic impact study earlier presented for the region that the witness summarized as an ATV sector worth about $460 million annually in New Hampshire and said an extra weekend in the fall produces “about $9,000,000 a weekend” to the North Country economy. County and town officials — including Coös County administrator Mark Bridal and Coös County Commissioner Ray Gorman — told the committee local leaders, police chiefs and businesses support the extension and that county sheriff’s deputies could help provide additional patrols for the extra days.

Landowner and management concerns: Craig Rennie, chief of the Bureau of Trails at the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), said DNCR is not taking an agency position in committee but described the management framework established when the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters property was closed and conserved. Rennie said DNCR had held a multi‑stakeholder advisory process in 2022–23 and that the approved 5‑year management plan (2024–28) did not include an extension; he also said the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Citizens Committee met in a special session on the request and voted 6–3 in opposition to extending the season.

DNCR Commissioner Sarah Stewart subsequently issued a decision keeping the headwaters trails closed on Sept. 30 for the last season and asked that any future written extension requests be submitted by April 1 so the agency, the citizens committee and the private landowner (Aurora Sustainable Lands) could consider them in the management process.

Fish and Game and safety: Captain Michael Eastman of Fish and Game said the commission opposed extending the headwaters season at that time because small‑game hunting season opens Oct. 1 and Fish and Game officers have law‑enforcement responsibilities for both hunters and OHRV users; he said enforcement staffing and safety for hunters were part of the department’s concern.

Business testimony and county response: Small businesses and tourism operators from Pittsburg and the North Country gave detailed economic testimony in favor of HB 127. Corinne Robert, owner of Bayrock Adventures in Pittsburg, said her rental and lodging business employs 15 people in a town of about 800 residents and that the seasonal window matters to payroll and retail receipts. Coös County officials said they had budgeted or would support law enforcement coverage for the extension if the season were changed.

Positions of owner and trustee: Aurora Sustainable Lands, the private owner of the working forest on the headwaters tract, told the committee it had no position on extending the season; DNCR said Aurora had been involved in advisory review and that the conservation easement and the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Citizens Committee are central to decisions about recreational access on the parcel.

Outcome at hearing: The committee recorded a blue‑sheet count of 7 in favor, 5 opposed and 1 neutral. DNCR and Fish and Game urged that any future change be processed through the management plan and citizens committee; supporters urged the committee to approve a minor seasonal alignment for businesses and trail users.

What’s next: DNCR asked that written requests for any future seasonal change be transmitted in the spring to allow a full advisory review; supporters said they would pursue county and town coordination and the legislative route if necessary.