Monday, September 1, 2008

Who's Busy? Raise Your Hand!

Maybe should be "Who Isn't Busy?"
All I guess I can say is "I warned you".
The last Land Use Blog was back in late July. Of course.. LOTS has happened since and is still happening.
I have a lot of EC4WDA "national" info.. from OH and PA and SEMA. There is Regional stuff too.

Go grab a soda or other beverage, recline the office chair back a little and get ready for a lengthy read. Enlarge the screen so its easy and comfortable...
The main thing.. Please read this Blog. Make me feel that its worth writing.. thanx! (hell, if you read this, would you mind shooting a quick email off to me saying "Yep, I did" ? E4WBrill@aol.com )

What should be first?

I guess the MaBell situation
.
MaBell is a great trail in central MA. Lots of ledge work, hills, some beautiful views, some boulders, good fun. I have been wheeling at MaBell for nearly 18 years. The trail has changed a bit but overall not too much. There is some heavy braiding going on however.
Some quick back ground. MaBell used to be a telephone line cut. All the poles are gone now, most decaying along the side of the ROW. For the longest time, most of the property was simply known as "unknown owner". Police would stop by and watch and there was never a problem.. Of course, with our sport simply exploding in popularity, what used to get used maybe once/twice a month, are now getting weekly use if not more.
WE NEED MORE TRAILS/MORE PRIVATE PROPERTY.. more on that later.

So, here is my recent write up on MABell:

OK, first off, many of you have already probably seen the alert that was sent out, stating that the mud hole on MaBell is off limits.
The thing that most of you may not have seen is why and what is going on with the area.

I feel that in order for the general wheeling public (not necessarily the organized groups operating under umbrella organizations like EC4WDA or NEA) to be able to grab ahold of why they shouldn't go through it or turn around or not, they need to be fully informed.

When I first heard about the situation via an email from an E4W member telling me to take a look at the post over on NEOW; I read the alert and my first response was.. "Uhh, who says?" Why? Because a 5 gal container was found in it? Why didn't someone just pick it up? Whats going on, and why haven't I heard anything about this?"

Well, after a little prodding over in the super secret sections of the Friends of Coy Hill site (this has become a place where both NEA and EC4WDA secret operatives meet and discuss the behind the scenes issues of New England land use issues before they hit the general public) I was able to get this information.

Bic White and Mike White have been working with the town of Northampton for some time now. (I was told recently that it hasn't been for that long) As a matter of fact, back in 2006, the town of Northampton started the procedure to take possession of the initial piece of property that enters one into the MaBell trail. That parcel has been listed as "no owner" for many years. Our organizations simply did not have the cash available to purchase the parcel or even pay the back taxes.
So, the town takes possession officially in early 2007 and has been recently watching over the land.
Somewhere in this, Bic and Mike start working with the town, apparently unbeknownst to all but a couple of people within the NEA. They did mention in a post on FoCH that they were attempting to start a dialog with the town but didn't go much further with that info.

What has now transpired is the town, in its regular check of the area (although rather impressed with how clean the area is kept), stumbled across the 5 gal bucket apparently filed with oil/petroleum based product. ( I was also corrected on this, it was not full.. sounds like it was a 5 Gal gas can.)
The conservation commission considers the the mud hole a vernal pool ( do a Google to find out what that is) (another correction, apparently, the town hasn't said that.. don't remember where I read that though) and hence we can no longer drive through it. This is a statement from the Town of Northampton, as current land owner, NOT something that NEA came up with. Unfortunately, we can not post any signs stating that or do any work to prevent it...yet.

The town of Northampton is willing to continue allowing use of the their piece of the pie (which btw, is the section from the face back to, but NOT including, Committed). As long as certain stipulations are kept to.
They are:
We do have verbal permission from the city to travel within the 50' telephone line path but not through the mud hole.
* We are not allowed to expand the parking area.
* For the time being, we cannot post any signs (we need to put signs in the plan first)
* We cannot advertise (I'm not sure what this means)
* We cannot begin any work that is not part of an approved and adopted plan
* We cannot cut new trails (Focus on preservation!)
* No camping
* No fires

These are the major concerns the town currently has:
1. Oil Spills
2. Parking & vehicles in the road
3. Trail braiding
4. Environmental impact to wet areas
5. Complaints (continue avoiding any)

The most current work will be to identify EXACTLY where we are or will be allowed.
Identify all the challenges to operating a sustainable trail.
Identify specific tasks to preserve the surrounding land and minimize impact.
Identify where we are not allowed to recreate and which side trails need to be closed.
Explain Volunteer Trail Patrols and how signs will help establish a sustainable trail.
Set up VTP on MaBell.
(A Volunteer Trail Patrol is pretty much what it sounds like.. Educating people who are wheeling there of the specific stipulations and how keeping to them will allow us to continue wheeling there. Failure to do so will almost immediately close the place down.)

There are also some long term goals that have been set. I won't hit on them here. I also don't know if the goals are NEA's goals or the town's.

The last piece of important information is the "rest of the trail".. what about from Committed on?

I will not list the landowner's name, however, several years ago, contact made presented us with the fact that he would not "officially" give permission but wasn't going to actively chase anyone away. His major fear of course, was/is liability. This stance has not changed but he has expressed a concern with what so many trucks may have done to his property. He has not been there in years. His land runs from Committed out past Zuki Hill and almost to the clearing. I have read that Mike and Bic are confident we will get permission.

NEA has instructed their clubs to turn around before Committed.
If things haven't changed with the landowner, I'm not sure if I'm going to mandate that EC4WDA clubs turn around. If we vote on that stance at our region mtg, then I will pass that word along to the masses.

The main point of all of this is:
The Town owns it, IS watching and will shut it down if we screw up.
Please pass this word along to any and everyone who does or may at some point in the future, drive at MaBell.

Thanx,

And so it goes.... As more info becomes available to me, I will pass it along.



The NEED for MORE LAND


Yea, I can't stress that enough. This goes for our entire association. They're dealing with it in OH, PA, MD, NY, CT, MA, etc, etc.

I know the Northeast Region situation the closest, so my comments will be based on what is happening here but they go for the entire association and pretty much any organized OHV entity.

The sport is becoming more and more popular. Information is now at the fingertips of anyone who owns a 4WD vehicle. Google works wonders, thats why they are multi billionaires.
So, with close to 40 clubs (if not more) within New England, the public places are getting hammered by the groups that won't join one of the large regional organizations. Our private places are getting over run by the onslaught of the clubs that have joined an association to be able to wheel the private lands. Those that need to be at the private parcels due to landowner wishes are getting tired of having to run the same trail 4-5 times a year, never mind maybe head out on their own club's trail rides.. never mind the financial burden of traveling to those locations.

This is how E4W and ADK Jeeps have come upon several of our parcels. This is what YOU can do too.
Both Steve and I were at work (me in CT, Steve in upstate NY). In talking with our co-workers, we both discovered that one of them owned land that sounded as if it would be great for wheeling. I asked my co-worker if he ever rode his quads up there, had any logging ever been done, etc. He knew I was a wheeler, he had seen the Turtle on it various trips to work. Very similar situation happened with Steve, the guy was sitting right across from him!
We both mentioned that we were members of clubs that were always looking for lands to be able to wheel on. We mentioned the lack of land through out New England, we both gave them the "OHV Options; A Landowner's Guide" booklet. We both arranged dates so we could go and check out the properties. After seeing that both properties would be GREAT, we met up again, introduced a few club members, set up guidelines for the lands, etc.
That is the story of the Ranch and DeadFall. Oh, both of which are NOT any where near where Steve or I live. Pretty damned easy.
BTC is a small piece of property that JT4x4 has access to. Currently it is open to their club members. However, in meeting with the Church heads, I'm sure they would have no issue with JT4x4 inviting other like minded people and clubs to enjoy the property. Heck, when I met him, he was talking about the possibility of competitions on the land while standing in front of a half pipe/skate course the church had set up for the public to come out and enjoy, finishing up the day with a BMX and skateboard stunt demo. Pretty damn wild for a church!
How did they get that permission? They simply walked the property after church one day, saw it was wicked cool and just went in and asked the pastor. He was all into it. Just no chainsaws on Sunday...LOL BTW, JT4x4 has been a club for just about a year.

So, there are two excuses wiped out... Nothing near by to our club. DeadFall is two hours away from me, the Ranch is almost an hour from Steve.
We haven't been around long enough to have the resources. JT4x4 has been around for maybe a year.
6 pieces of property plus maybe 10 "public roads/trails" simply aren't enough to accommodate 20 clubs within EC4WDA Northeast Region. NEA has about the same number of clubs, and same number of pieces of land... AND we must SHARE those same 10 roads. Now, add in the numerous forum groups, unaffiliated clubs and just groups of friends who don't have a clue anything organized exists and we simply do not have enough land.
WE NEED MORE
If you have any questions on this, please don not hesitate to ask me. E4WBrill@aol.com


OUR MTG with the GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CT
Aili and I met up with Matt Fritz, Special Assistant to the Governor.
It was at his urging that we rec'd the second group of letters from the CT DEP Commissioner.
I would have to say that the meeting went very well. First off, Matt is from the same town where I was born and raised and where Aili has lived for more than 3/4 of her life. This made for an immediate connection.
Matt was very open to hear what we had to say. He was also rather embarrassed for the state's inability to communicate not only within different agencies, but simply different arms of the same agency. He is quite understanding of the needs that lay in front of us. He was also a bit surprised/impressed, I think, to see the presentation Aili and I had put together. I don't think he was expecting a couple of hicks, chewing tobaccy, but I think he was expecting just a couple of angry citizens, not two professional representatives of the OHV community.
We presented him with economic assessments from EC4WDA and the Hatfield-McCoy trail system. We showed him several examples of other state run OHV parks and states that have a distinct, working, profitable OHV program.
We spoke in particular about the roads that were recently closed and what could be done to either open them up or oepn others. We spoke of the current policy of open unless posted closed/blocked/gated/etc.
He has taken our concerns back to several members of the DEP staff and management and is working to set a date for us to all sit and discuss. He now realizes that we are NOT just a small group but a community who votes. I'm fairly sure he has taken this word back to the Governor and is now working to make sure things take a different turn.
Overall, the meeting was great and looks like there is good potential to come from it.

I will update as further news comes in from Matt.


OHIO Motorized Trails Assoc.

From Bill Kaeppner.
Ohio is currently in the rewrite process of their SCORP (State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan)
They are having meetings across the state through the end of September.
If you live in OH, you should make a point of working to schedule one in to attend.
You can email Bill so that he can coach you on what to say at each one.

kaeppners@verizon.net

I have encouraged folks to go to the Forests strategic plan meetings; the full text of my letter to the membership is after the schedule. Starting Tuesday there will be meetings at the individual forest district offices.

Anyone can go and lobby for their sport. If you ride or wheel you should go and support your sport! I have put the bug in the ear of Dave Lytle that all the service roads could be adopted by 4x4 clubs. They would immediately provide riding opportunity and get someone else (4x4 clubs) to bear the cost (which is all labor) to keep them maintained. If folks brought that to the meetings and suggested it around the state it would be a plus.

The fact is you have to go or write to be heard. Going to the meeting is talking the loudest!

Bill k

September 2, 2008
4 pm – 6 pm
Athens District Office
360 E. State St
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-3341
Hocking, Blue Rock, Perry, Zaleski, Shade River, and Gifford State Forests
Open House Summary (pdf)

September 3, 2008
6 pm – 8 pm
Eastern State Forests and Mohican
New Philadelphia Office
2205 Reiser Ave SE.
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
330-339-2205
Fernwood, Harrison, Yellow Creek, Beaver Creek, and Mohican State Forests
Open House Summary (pdf)

September 3, 2008
5 pm – 7 pm
Chillicothe Office
345 Allen Ave.
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
740-774-1596
Tar Hollow, Scioto Trail, Pike, Richand Furnace, and Dean State Forests
Open House Summary (pdf)

September 10, 2008
3 pm – 7 pm
Maumee State Forest Office
3390 County Road D
Swanton, Ohio 43558
419-822-3052
Maumee State Forest
Open House Summary (pdf)

Each year the Division of Forestry opens our doors to interested citizens and neighbors and displays our upcoming forest management activities for the upcoming year. A number of activities including timber harvesting, prescribed burning, timber cruising, grapevine control, recreation trails, and facility maintenance that are proposed for the upcoming year are on display.

Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and meet local forest managers and staff who will be present to answer any questions that you may have. In addition, citizens are encourage to comment on cards that will be provided concerning any topic relating to state forest management.

Thank you for your participation in state forest management. We look forward to meeting you!

David Lytle
Chief and State Forester

The division of forestry has their new draft strategic forest plan. You may view it and comment on it online at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/4803/Default.aspx. It is under news on the right side of the page. You can also go to one of the forests annual open houses http://ohiodnr.com/Default.aspx?TabId=20687 . These are at the various state forest regional offices. This is very important to you and commenting is relatively easy.

Part of the draft forest plan is

3. Provide recreational opportunities that require a large forest land base

Objective3: Provide recreational opportunities that require a large forest land

base

• Goal: Develop a comprehensive backcountry recreation plan for the state

forest system

– Strategy: Inventory Recreational Opportunities on each state forest

– Strategy: Ensure User Safety

– Strategy: Ensure Resource Protection

– Strategy: Evaluate User Satisfaction (Quality of Experience)

• Goal: Build recognition for unique and varied recreation opportunities on

state forests

– Strategy: Emphasize backcountry (or back to basics) experience

– Strategy: Work with DOF Communication Team to develop strategies to

accomplish this goal.

Bill Kaeppner


More from Bill K

I am sending this to you as this is an issue that district, clubs, promoters and riders should be involved with. This affects everyone who rides. It would not hurt clubs, promoters or districts reputation to help all the membership who do more then race. We need $2500 for a retainer. It would do a lot to boost our reputation. Any donation to OMTA is tax deductable.

This is a constitutional issue; we cannot afford to be cut out of the process. If we lose our right to speak in court about our right to use “public roads with legal equipment” would your legal event on or off public roads be next?

Any donation will help and OMTA is a 501 c3 so all donations are tax deductable.\

If you have any questions please reply and I will give you a complete explanation


This is being sent to the membership and our attorney.

We have a decision to make. I just received the attached PDF and the following letter from our attorney.

As I read it this court is saying we have no recourse once the commissioners fail to act either by accident or design. It effectively says if the commissioners sit on their hands we are denied a voice. The commissioners can say it is not their fault and even though we could prove use and need, we would be cut out. We need to find out if we can appeal and if we have the financial will and ability to appeal. I believe this is a constitutional issue. The idea that you can cut the public out of a public process just by doing nothing is appalling. Fighting this would not be free. I think this would be a good opportunity for a national organization to show support for state level issues. The fact is we need to decide if we have the will. It would be easier with outside help as it is an issue with (I think) national implications that users have no standing. Yet it is still our issue, do we care enough?

I have a stack of mail from the last 4 days to go thru and I expect to see a letter from our attorney. My wife and I spent last Thursday thru Sunday at the AMA vintage days representing OMTA (and pushing raffle tickets).

I want to thank 4x4 chair Jim Keogh and Lake County Off Road members Dennis Wylie Jr. and Kevin Steadman for working the Canfield show last Saturday and Sunday. The folks who volunteer are contributing at the highest level, we cannot thank them enough.

Bill Kaeppner


From SEMA

The first bit I'm going to hit on is the SEMA Automotive Caucus.
These are our reps/senators/both local and national, organized under one umbrella.. the love of the automobile.
Generally speaking, these are our reps who are on our side.
Listed below are the caucus' newest members. I have listed only the states pertinent to EC4WDA members. For the entire list head to:

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61681

Connecticut
Representative Zeke Zalaski

Indiana
Senator Sue Landske
Representative P. Eric Turner


Kentucky
Senator Joey Pendleton
Senator Dorsey Ridley
Representative Thomas Burch
Representative Danny Ford
Representative Mary Lou Marzian
Representative Jody Richards
Representative Tom Riner
Representative Robin Webb
Representative Brent Yonts

Maryland
Senator Katherine Klausmeier


Missouri
Representative Joe Fallert
Representative Gayle Kingery


New Hampshire
Representative Daniel Eaton
Representative Sherman Packard

New Jersey
Assemblymember Upenda Chivukula

Ohio
Senator Robert Schuler
Representative Michael DeBose


Pennsylvania
Representative John Evans
Representative Daylin Leach
Representative Tony Payton, Jr.


West Virginia
Delegate Harry Keith White


Please take a quick moment and thank them for joining the Caucus.

National News:

PARKS: Lawmakers, officials wrangle over Cape Hatteras OHV use

Eric Bontrager, Land Letter reporter

The standing agreement for regulating off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on North Carolina's Cape Hatteras National Seashore is the best option available until the completion of a permanent management plan and should stand despite legislation to reverse it, Bush administration officials told a Senate panel yesterday.

Daniel Wenk, deputy director of the National Park Service, told the Senate National Parks Subcommittee that a proposal to reinstate the interim management plan for OHV use would be detrimental to the seashore.

A federal judge threw out the interim OHV management plan last year after finding the National Park Service lacked adequate regulations for OHV use on the seashore, a popular nesting area for endangered birds and wildlife. A settlement reached three months ago by stakeholders increased restrictions on OHV use until the agency finishes its plan, but S. 3113 would reinstate the interim management strategy use until the agency issues a final regulation.

"A return to managing the seashore under the interim management strategy would result in a reduction in the size, frequency and timing of the buffers protecting federally and state-listed species and a likely reduction in the increase in nesting activity observed in 2008," Wenk said.

NPS was supposed to develop permanent rules for OHV use 35 years ago, but the agency has instead operated under the interim management plan. The initial injunction that prompted the court's action came from Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society, which both argued the interim strategy would be detrimental to seashore birds and wildlife.

Parks subcommittee ranking member and co-sponsor Richard Burr (R-N.C.) said the plan negotiated in the settlement has already led to an almost 15 percent decrease in visits to the seashore during the height of tourism season, harming local businesses dependent on the influx of beachgoers every summer. "We haven't been thrown an unusual curveball, we've been thrown a curveball that never existed before," he said.

The bill's other sponsor, Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), said the settlement's management plan was reached without public input and noted that it could take NPS two to three years before it completes a permanent solution.

The interim strategy includes some prohibitions on OHV use, but the settlement that went into effect May 1 increases restrictions on where OHVs may roam, requires all seashore ramps to be closed to OHVs from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. and requires protective areas for nesting grounds to be clearly marked.

The hearing on the Cape Hatteras bill and other legislation was the last for the subcommittee before it leaves for its August recess, and while the Senate is likely to only be in session for a few short weeks after that, Burr said he hopes to get the legislation passed before the end of the year.



Specialty Equipment Market Association

E&E News PM: August 22, 2008

BLM: Northeast Utah plan opens 1.7M acres for energy development, OHVs

Eric Bontrager, E&ENews PM reporter

The Bureau of Land Management proposed the opening today of 1.7 million acres in northeastern Utah to new energy development and off-highway vehicle use.

The proposed resource management plan for BLM's Vernal field office would open about 1.72 million acres for energy leasing while designating about 1.65 million acres and 4,860 miles of roads for OHV access.

The plan is the fourth in a series of six plans being released by BLM's Utah field offices this summer. The plans from the Moab, Richfield and Kanab field offices have already been released and have been heavily criticized, not just for their emphasis on energy development and OHV use. Plans from the Monticello and Price field offices are expected soon.

The Vernal plan and the forthcoming Price plan are unique in that work on both plans began as early as 2001 but was delayed and supplemented to include options for protecting non-wilderness study areas with wilderness characteristics.

An alternative in the draft plan identified about 277,596 acres as having wilderness characteristics, and while the preferred alternative in the draft called for no protected areas, the final plan proposes about 106,178 acres.

The remaining areas would be open to other uses like oil and gas development, said Scott Braden of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. That means they could lose their wilderness characteristics over the 10-15 years the plan is expected to last.

"We're pleased they're choosing to manage a portion of the areas identified with wilderness characteristics, but they're really signing a death warrant for the rest of it," Braden said.

The draft also included a proposal to add several segments of the White and Green rivers as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System, but the White River is absent from the final plan.

Click here to read the proposed plan.



BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Attention Motorized Recreationists!

BRC has been working with the Pirate4X4.com crew on several recreational access issues. Right now, they are working diligently to generate a big response to the Boxer/McKeon Wilderness Bill from the OHV community and they need your help. Pirate's goal is to generate 2500 letters or more that BRC can deliver to Congress in opposition to this bill. Time is ticking down and the BlueRibbon Coalition wants to help them exceed their goal. Please help.

I have pasted a copy of the Pirate4X4.com request below, please take a couple of minutes to read it over and pass it on!

Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107

________________________________________________

The Pirate 4x4 Land Use Crew Needs Your Help

Dear Motorized Enthusiasts,

Pirate4X4.com needs to make a personal request to all OHV enthusiasts everywhere. We would never make this kind of request unless it was extremely important, and unless your response had a good chance of making a difference.

Here is the situation:

Years ago, key staff from the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as well as leaders from some of California's radical anti-recreation groups, made a commitment to keep the historic Furnace Creek Road open. Well, guess who has not kept their promise? The anti's are going back on their word and trying to close this trail forever. The Forest Service, politicians, and other land management agencies are going back on their commitments to the OHV community.

Not only that, now they are asking for even MORE Wilderness in that area! U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and U.S. Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon are proposing a bill that would designate 400,000 acres of Wilderness in Mono County, CA along the CA/NV border.

40 years ago the Wilderness Act was passed to protect land from development and things like mining and commercial clear-cut logging. This act is an OUTDATED act, and NONE of these things are happening in this specific area. There are many other ways to manage this land than to shut it down to everyone.

While some routes would remain in this "roadless" area if the bill passes (supposedly to keep the OHV public satisfied) this bill would close many others, including the Furnace Creek Road, a popular 4x4 route which has been in existence since BEFORE Inyo National Forest was even created. The road was used at the turn of the last century for ranching and mining, but there is evidence of use since the mid to late 1800's!

Here's the kicker: Years after the federal land managers and the radical anti groups made a commitment to keep the Furnace Creek Road open, they want to use this Wilderness bill to go back on their word!

We REALLY need your help on this one. We have a GOOD chance of making a difference and, at the very least, saving this historic trail if we get a big enough response.

This is a tremendous opportunity. If we ALL team up to fight for each other, we can pack a huge punch. PLEASE take 5 minutes to join enthusiasts from across the country and send a letter! We've modified our letter generator so that the job is easy. We've even provided a sample letter to help you in writing your own.

Here is what YOU can do:

Step 1:

Go to the letter generator at www.pirate4x4.com/letters and click on the Boxer and McKeon Wilderness Bill link. That will take you to the letter page.

Step 2.

Follow the directions on that page. Either write a personal letter (the preferred method) or copy and paste the sample letter.

Step 3.

Click , then PLEASE forward this letter on to your friends and family.

One more thing:

Pirate4X4.com has made an agreement with the BlueRibbon Coalition that if we can get 2,500 letters from the generator, BRC will print them all out, go to Washington DC and HAND DELIVER the stacks of letters to Senators and Representatives. That way we can maximize the impact and they can't just "delete" an e-mail from us...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

The Pirate4X4.com Crew
www.pirate4x4.com

PS - BRC's Executive Director, Greg Mumm, has been on several trips to Washington DC lately and he reports that the anti-recreation lobby has been very active! BRC has submitted written testimony in a House Subcommittee hearing on OHV use, and last month he testified in person at a Senate Subcommittee. BRC has also been involved in a new General Accounting Office (GAO) study on OHV use. The anti-recreation zealots are setting the stage for a very aggressive legislative and regulatory strategy for 2009.

This election cycle will be very important for the OHV community. PLEASE register to vote


More from BRC:
The National Land Use Action Committee has been communicating regularly over the summer via email.
I get regular emails from both Bill Kaeppner from OH and Skip Schultz from the UP in MI.
We are scheduling another conference call and I will report back what gets discussed.


Could this be the end?

As always, I'm probably forgetting somethings...

If you made it this far, would you be so kind to shoot me another email saying.. I made it to the end! E4WBrill@aol.com
LOL

Talk soon,
Of course I forgot something...
The New Rock Run OHV park in western PA has opened up for 4x4 truck use. They have set several dates for 4x4 events and if they are well attended, they will further consider opening up those full size trails for our regular, unguided use.

Volunteers from several local clubs have spent countless hours at the park to provide you with a safe, legal wheeling experience. The trail system is still relatively small by offroad park standards, but the response by those running the trails already has been extremely positive. We’re already working to secure more area to expand the trail network. We feel that the majority of trail rides would be limited to one day, with limited exceptions. On site primitive camping will be available for those instances.

The members of the Advisory Committee (http://wpa4xtrac.org) will be coordinating all trail rides; please do not contact the park for OHV information (they will direct you back to us). The committee will hold three distinct levels of trail difficulty. The dates are as follows:
Aug 30
Sept 20
Oct 4/5
Oct 25
Nov 22
Dec 20.

The WPA4XTRAC will provide trail guides. Trail rides are limited to 40 participants. Pre-registration for all events is required.

We will offer three trail rides each day: green/low blue, blue/low black, and upper black. We do not have a red trail rating, but we certainly have trails that would garner a red rating at other parks. The trails were cut with smaller SUVs in mind (such as Jeep Grand Cherokees). Full size vehicles will find the trails to be very tight. Suggested equipment is as follows:
Green/low blue: stock vehicles and those with a mild lift (15 vehicles per trailride)
Blue/lo w black: 33” tires and at least one locker (10 vehicles per trailride). Potential for body and drivetrain damage.
Upper Black: 35” tires(minimum requirement)
, two lockers, and winch. Body and drivetrain damage are very possible. (15 vehicles per trailride)

Additional required equipment for all vehicles is as follows:
1.) Have solid recovery points on the front and rear of the vehicle.
2.) Have a capable tow strap – no metal hooks or chains.
3.) Have an operational fire extinguisher.
4.) Have properly installed seat belts for all passengers.
5.) Have a lifting jack capable of lifting the vehicle's tire off the ground.
6.) Have a fullsize spare tire compatible with the other four tires.
7.) Have tools available to change a tire.
8.) Have a standard First Aid kit.
9.) Have your vehicle in good running condition.
To register for one of our trail rides, please include your name, address, phone number, trail selection, club (if applicable) and general vehicle specifics to dan58@marylandcreepers.com. The cost is $25/day plus $5 for passengers. Primitive camping is $10, and you must notify us 1-week prior to camping. Staging for trailrides begins at 0900, with a short drivers’ meeting following.

Tread Lightly,
Dan Guyer
Western PA 4x4 Trails Advisory Committee

To get this place open to unguided rides, we need everyone to sign up and book this place solid, let them know we mean business. I have been there, defiantly worth the time. Awesome place, worth wheeling. ANYONE can sign up.


If I remember that I forgot anything else, I'll come back and post.

David Brill
Land Use Chair: East Coast 4WD Assoc.
V.Chair/Land Use Chr. Region D/Northeast of EC4WDA
President, Eastern 4 Wheelers
Tread Lightly! Master Trainer
Blue Ribbon Coalition NLUAC
NAMRC
NOHVCC
SEMA/SAN
Brilliant Signs & Grafix
Guilford, CT

1 comment:

Unknown said...

yep, I did! (well, am more than did. or perhaps will have.)

anyway, thanks Dave.