The state is holding a public hearing in Florence on Wednesday, Nov. 15, on rules to implement Senate Bill 68. Currently Class 1 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs and quads) are banned on beaches without a permit.

SB68 would allow State Parks to give out free permits for select ATV or quad riders. That would include people with disabilities, emergency aid workers, biologists, wildlife monitors or other natural resources workers.

The proposal came out of the last Legislature.

The Oregon Parks & Recreation Department wants to hear South Coast residents thoughts on the proposal at the meeting scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.

It might come as a surprise to a lot of people that ATVs aren't allowed on Oregon's beaches, because it's not unheard of to see them there.

“Technically, the beach is a highway and ATVs can't be on highways. You really shouldn't see an ATV out there,” said Wayne Rawlins, State Parks' grants division manager.

That part of the law has been around for a long time, Rawlins said. Oregon Administrative Rules allow only street-legal vehicles on Oregon's beaches. The people driving them have to be licensed drivers. There are some exceptions, though. ATVs are allowed on the beaches alongside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and at the Sand Lake Recreation Area on the North Coast, as long as they meet off-road vehicle safety standards.

In addition to the ATV issue, State Parks also plans to change grant rules dealing with property purchases for ATV riding areas. Currently, the state provides grants up to 80 percent of a project's cost, requiring a local 20 percent match. The proposal is to allow grants up to 100 percent of the property purchase. The state also wants to hear what people think about that proposal.

Written comments will be accepted through Nov. 24