Two off-road riders associations at odds over what restrictions should be placed on ATV use in the Yukon, made what both call an "unprecedented act of co-operation.”

They called on the government "to impose an immediate moratorium on the creation of any new trails.”

In November 2009, MLAs voted to consult the public before crafting any new laws for ATVs and their owners.

In addition to considering mandatory insurance and helmet laws for ATV users, environmental damage and rules to address this have also been the subject of debate.

And two organizations – the Trails Only Yukon Association (TOYA) and the Yukon Off-Road Riders Association (YORRA) – materialized earlier this year from the perceived need to tackle the issue.

Last May, TOYA garnered 614 signatures from those supporting the need for designated ATV trails in the territory.

By June, YORRA had formed and challenged TOYA's authority to dictate terms to other off-road riders and asked government decision makers to consider the unique needs and desires of Yukoners.

While both groups maintain they are acting in the best interests of the environment and ATV and snowmobile users in the territory, TOYA and YORRA differ over where off-road riding should be allowed to occur.

Here's Chris May of YORRA on what separates the two associations.

"(TOYA) wants to see a trail map of the Yukon and vehicles restricted to particular trails on that map,” he told the Star.

"Ultimately, we think any users not leaving a mark on the landscape should be allowed to continue riding (off trail) ... If they aren't permanently scarring the landscape, why shouldn't they be allowed to do that?”

May points to British Columbia ATV and snowmobile legislation that restricts "scarring the landscape” and fines those who do the amount of money it would take to restore the landscape.

But May and Ken Taylor of TOYA insist the two associations have more in common than not.

"I don't like to describe it at odds with each other,” Taylor said of TOYA'sand YORRA's relationship and their varying perspectives.

"We have somewhat different perspectives on a solution ... we both agree we need legislation but the question is what it should look like.”

Taylor said the B.C. legislation May cites "might have some merits,” and called the joint call for a trail creation moratorium a good news story.

"From perspective of the Yukon and the environment and people who are riding, I think it's a great news story,” Taylor told the Star

"It's a great interim first step ... without restricting responsible ATV use.”

Both associations want to be part of any working group the territorial government decides to strike to deliberate the matter.

A recent survey, distributed by the Select Committee on the Safe Operation and Use of Off-Road Vehicles asks if minimum ages, mandatory driver training and insurance should be imposed on ATV and snowmobile users, and whether further restrictions on access to certain areas are necessary.

Currently, Manitoba, Nunavut and the Yukon are the only jurisdictions in Canada without provincial or territorial legislation governing the use of such transportation. Similar to Manitoba, rules in the Yukon on the use of ATVs are left with municipalities.

A Whitehorse bylaw makes helmets and insurance mandatory for riders within city limits, but outside of Whitehorse, no insurance or helmets are required.

To date, the select committee has received nearly 2,000 completed surveys. The results are to be tabled in the legislative assembly during this fall sitting.

The earliest Yukoners could expect any legislation governing ATV and snowmobile use in the territory is the spring of 2011.

The government has not responded to TOYA's and YORRA's joint declaration.