GORHAM — The state Department of Resources and Economic Development has withdrawn its proposal to open the Presidential Rail Trail forseasonal use by all terrain vehicles but may revisit the plan in one year.

While the state has made no formal announcement regarding the proposal,Trails Bureau Chief Chris Gamache in a letter to Selectmen, dated Dec. 31, 2009, stating that his agency has stopped pursuing the idea but may revisit it.

“The agency has received many comments both in favor and opposed to this proposal; however at this time we have decided to withdraw the proposal and will be reviewing more data in the future,” Gamache wrote. “We do not plan to revisit this proposal for at least another year and shall notify the town when, and if, the proposal is reinstated,” the letter adds.

The proposed A.T.V. route would run along the existing rail trail along the east side of the Androscoggin River, crossing over the old rail trestle, crossing the Jimtown Road and winding up in Moose Brook State Park. The expanded use would help connect Gorham to the newly created route that connects both the Jericho Mountain State Park trails to the Success trails. Gamanche could not be reached for comment.

The trails bureau held a public hearing in October to collect feedback on the proposal and more than 60 people attended. Local residents at the hearing voiced both support and opposition for the proposal.

Proponents of the proposal felt expanding the trail use to A.T.V.s in the summer would benefit restaurants, motels and other businesses by attracting A.T.V.ers to Gorham.

Many people at the hearing raised concerns about the strain the expanded A.T.V. use would put on law enforcement, and also that it would make using the trail more difficult for hikers, bikers and other non-motorized uses.

Randolph residents voiced opposition to the proposal because they didn’t want the A.T.V. use on the trail to expand into the town. “I applaud the decision the Bureau of Trails to withdraw their proposal for ATV access to the Presidential Rail Trail,” said Jimmy Olson, of Randolph and an opponent of the state’s proposal to allow A.T.V. on the rail trail. “Our concerns over this proposal stem from the fact that an adequate study of the effects of this action had not been made. What would the impact be on current, non-motorized users, on policing and enforcement resources, on abutters to the trail, and on the trail itself, to name just a few?”

“The Jefferson Conservation Commission has proposed to sponsor such a study, and many of us feel this is the right place to start,” added Olson.