By JIMMY LAWTON

Failure by the state Assembly to pass a bill allowing registration of “universal terrain vehicles” is hurting the area's ATV and tourism industries, according to St. Lawrence County Legislator Tony Arquiett.

And county Sheriff Kevin Wells says the inability to register the UTVs -- favored by many including senior citizens -- is a deterrent to sales and outdoor recreation and is costing the state millions in registration fees.

"I was considering buying one, but didn't because they can't be registered," said Wells.

Arquiett serves on the county Trail Advisory Board and represents the Brasher area. He says the stalled bill would allow registration of UTVs or “side-by-sides,” weighing up to 1,500 pounds.

Under current law, the maximum weight for such vehicles is 1,000 pounds. He said that number is antiquated and needs to be updated to accommodate modern recreational vehicles and Arquiett isn’t alone.

Wells said the lack of registration also puts operators at risk for fines and tickets. He said his deputies do not typically ticket riders for operating the unregistered devices, but other agencies such as the state police may penalize people who drive on roads.

He said unregistered UTVs can't be used on St. Lawrence County's ATV trails either.

Although the trails aren't policed, he said clubs that maintain the trails work to ensure that operators are using registered vehicles.

Arquiett said the vehicles are legal in other states and the North Country is missing out on out of state riders who might want to bring their vehicles to local trails.

“If they can’t drive them on our trails, they aren’t going to come,” he said.

Arquiett said a bill, sponsored by Sen. Patricia Ritchie, has passed the Senate, but has been stuck in the Assembly's transportation committee for far too long.

Ritchie recently lead a bipartisan group of more than a dozen state lawmakers in calling on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to join in supporting the use of UTVs.

New York is losing out,” Ritchie said in a press release. “By updating New York’s Transportation Law to allow for the registration of these vehicles, we can generate more revenue for the state, expand our tourism industry, create jobs and provide a boost to the upstate economy.”

The Assembly version of the bill is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush and has support from Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, although she has also proposed an alternate version that is less ambitious. Blankenbush represents much of southwestern St. Lawrence County; Russell represents all towns along the St. Lawrence Seaway along with Potsdam and Canton.

"It makes no sense that the larger devices can't be registered," Arquiett said, adding that opponents of the bill claim the larger vehicles will do more damage to the environment than four-wheelers.

Arquiett disputes that notion.

"It's frustrating for us to understand that anything about this could be controversial," he said. "The vehicles are bigger, but they are also typically ridden easier. They are much more accessible than a four-wheeler and they are a more docile vehicle."

Arquiett said the vehicles also provide an opportunity for seniors and physically disabled members of the community to experience the outdoors. He said UTVs generally have multiple seats so the experiences can be shared with passengers.

"They are nice for families and people who might not typically be out on traditional vehicles. They are easily the most popular vehicles being used in the woods these days," Arquiett said.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell said the lack of progress prompted her to establish a new bill that she calls a compromise between the environmentalists and the UTV proponents.

She said it raises the weight limit above 1,000 pounds, but could not specify by how much.

"My bill calls for slightly smaller size and provides for safety equipment," she said. "I really think we need to be moving this ball forward."

Russell said she has set up meeting with stakeholders and is hoping the two sides will come up with a suitable compromise that will allow the vehicles to be registered.

"I am hoping we can make some progress on this in this legislative year," she said.

In recent months St. Lawrence County passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to act on the bill. Several municipalities and ATV clubs have also adopted the resolution.