250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-80-00-8.13

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-80-00-8.13 - Use of Snowmobiles and Recreational Vehicles on Public Lands Under the Jurisdiction of the Director of the Department of Environmental Management

A. See §§100-00-1.22 and 100-00-1.27 of this Title for hours when and areas where Snowmobile operation is permitted.

B. Areas Where and Hours When Recreational Vehicles are Permitted - Recreational vehicles are permitted only on designated trails in the following areas:

1. Bristol County:

a. Colt State Park

2. Kent County:

a. Beach Pond State Park

b. Big River Reservoir Acquisition Area

c. Wickaboxet Management Area

3. Providence County:

a. Black Hut Management Area - exclusive of portion south of Spring Lake Rd.

b. Buck Hill Management Area

c. Durfee Hill Management Area - exclusive of Manfred Young section

d. George Washington Management Area

e. Lincoln Woods State Park

f. Pulaski State Park

g. Snake Den State Park

h. Diamond Hill State Park - from Saturday after Labor Day until skiing season. Then after skiing season to Memorial Day - parking lot only

4. Washington County:

a. Arcadia Management Area

b. Arcadia State Park

c. Burlingame Management Area

d. Burlingame State Park

e. Carolina Management Area - exclusive of portion south of Pine Hill Road

f. Ninigret Conservation Area - on beachfront and designated - sand road only from Labor Day to the day before Memorial Day

g. Rockville Management Area

h. Roger Wheeler Memorial State Beach parking lot - from Saturday after Labor Day to day before Memorial Day

i. Scarborough State Beach parking lot - from Saturday after Labor Day to day before Memorial Day

5. The same hours applicable to snowmobiles in §§100-00-1.22 and 100-00-1.27 of this Title shall apply to recreational vehicles, but the buddy system shall not be required unless snow covers the ground.

C. Prohibitive Operation During Certain Seasons

1. All snowmobiles and recreational vehicles are prohibited from management areas during shotgun deer seasons.

2. Trails for snowmobiles and/or recreational vehicles may be closed without notice where conditions warrant. It may include, but not be limited to, periods of high or extreme forest-fire danger, erosion or other physical damage, excessive harassment of wildlife populations, etc.

D. Organized Race or Rally

1. A written permit from the Director of the Department must be acquired for any organized activity such as a race or rally.

E. Youthful Operator

1. No person under 12 (twelve) years of age shall operate any snowmobile or recreational vehicle on property under the jurisdiction of the Department. Those persons over 12 (twelve) years of age but under 16 (sixteen) years of age will have completed the required safety course and shall be accompanied by an adult who shall be liable according to R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.2-11 for personal injury or property damage to others which may result from such operation.

F. Other Restrictions

1. Horses are restricted from the use of trails designated for recreational vehicles other than those trails designated for snowmobiles exclusively.

G. Harassment of Game

1. Snowmobiles or recreational vehicles shall not be operated at any time in any manner intended to or reasonably be expected to harass, drive, or pursue any wildlife.

H. Emergency Vehicles

1. Snowmobiles and recreational vehicles of police and fire departments, municipal departments, or public service corporations, shall be allowed to operate on streets and highways in the performance of their official duties.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-80-00-8.13