Ask/Conservation Officer:

[Lee Borgersen]

            Ask a Conservation Officer:

                    Rules for snorkels on ATVs

By Matthew S. Miller, Minnesota DNR  Today at 5:56 a.m. 


 

Q: I own an ATV with a factory-installed snorkel (Arctic Cat MudPro), but it states in the regulations you cannot install an aftermarket snorkel or add one of your own design. Can you please describe this a little to help provide a better understanding.


 


A: Minnesota law prohibits the riding of an ATV with a raised air intake (snorkel) six or more inches above the manufacturer's original air intake.



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There are very few instances where the added ability from having a taller snorkel would be legal for operation; it is unlawful to operate in unfrozen public waters, public water wetlands, or in a way that carelessly upsets the natural and ecological balance of a wetland or impacts a wetland beyond those amounts limited by law.

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In addition, repeated operation through deep mud holes on designated ATV trails causes expensive damage to the trails that can result in the closing of the trail, or consumes dollars that could otherwise go for new trails.

For more information, see the DNR off-highway vehicle website at dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/ohv/index.html.

Matthew S. Miller is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer with the Lake Superior Marine