Before heading out on the ATV this summer, it’s important to understand laws that restrict ATV use in certain areas. The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to remind all terrain vehicle operators that it is illegal to ride them within state or county highway ditches in the Minnesota Agriculture Zone until August 1st. This law is in place to protect wildlife habitats and prevent roadway erosion. The Agriculture Zone of Minnesota is the areas lying south and west of the Minnesota-North Dakota boarder, and a line that runs along Highway 10 to Highway 23 to Highway 95 all the way to the Wisconsin border.

ATV drivers are encouraged to avoid areas of road construction, and to be alert of areas with devices to prevent erosion. Highways have experienced extreme erosion damage from illegal ATV useage where people cut and removed protective barriers to enter. To repair such damage it will cost approximately $200,000 to the state.