Screwed again...

[PB]

For immediate release
Contact: Wendy Fox

April 9, 2007
617-626-1453


DCR COMPLETES INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE USE AND CLOSES ONE STATE FOREST


BOSTON - The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has completed the
first phase of analysis of nine state forests under a new policy that received
conditional approval by DCR's Stewardship Council at its February meeting. The
council affirmed and directed DCR to begin applying its new criteria for
off-highway vehicle (OHV) use this season while also moving forward to develop
an enforcement plan for such uses on state land.



Through this process, DCR has concluded that one property, Georgetown-Rowley
State Forest, will no longer be open for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use.


For more than a year, a working group composed of state officials, trail users,
scientists, land management organizations, and others has advised the agency on
OHV use in state forests, helping develop the new siting criteria for
determining where the vehicles will be allowed. In addition to noting
characteristics that would prohibit OHV use, the criteria also include
provisions for safe and enjoyable trail riding areas. The new criteria consider
the presence of wetlands, important plant or animal habitats, forest reserves,
trail mileage, and other factors.


"We are grateful for the time and commitment the working group has put into
studying OHV use in our state forests and developing this new policy," said
Priscilla Geigis, acting commissioner of the Department of Conservation and
Recreation. "Their efforts have produced measurable criteria to determine where
OHV use should be allowed to protect the environment and allow for safe and
sustainable riding."


Based on the new criteria, DCR officials have determined that OHVs will no
longer be allowed in Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. Applying the new policy,
officials found that Georgetown-Rowley, in the northeast corner of the state,
includes extensive wetlands, is relatively small at 1,100 acres, and provides
only five miles of designated OHV trails. The forest also is an important
habitat for an animal species that is protected under the state Endangered
Species Act and is likely to be harmed by continued motorized trail recreation.


Until now, OHVs have been allowed in nine state forests. They are Beartown State
Forest, F.Gilbert Hills State Forest, Franklin State Forest, Freetown/Fall River
State Forest, Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, October Mountain State Forest,
Pittsfield State Forest, Tolland State Forest, and Wrentham State Forest. Under
the first-level criteria, however, Georgetown-Rowley will not reopen for
motorized trail recreation when the riding season begins on May 1.


The other eight properties have passed the first level assessment and DCR
officials will begin applying the second level criteria, which involve a more
detailed assessment. This may result in the closing or rerouting of additional
trails in various properties in the future. In the meantime, OHV use will
continue to be allowed in the eight state forests where it is currently
permitted.



Also, DCR is now beginning the process of developing the enforcement plan
required by the Stewardship Council. Whereas enforcement of OHV laws and
regulations involves the Legislature, multiple law enforcement agencies, and
stakeholders such as environmental interests, land management entities, and
motorized recreation enthusiasts, the agency is developing a process that
encourages participation by these and other diverse interests.



Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Environmental Police plan to increase their OHV
enforcement efforts throughout the Commonwealth this spring. To prevent OHV
operators who formerly used Georgetown-Rowley State Forest from moving to other
locations where OHV use is also prohibited, Environmental Police will increase
patrols in nearby areas, including the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife's Crane
Pond Wildlife Management Area in Groveland, Georgetown, Boxford, and Newbury.


The season for Off-Highway Vehicle use begins May 1 and continues through late
November. Vehicles must be registered in Massachusetts, and must weigh less than
1,000 pounds. For more information on OHV registration, contact the state
Division of Environmental Law Enforcement at 617-626-1610.


To read the new OHV policy, visit: www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/ohv_policy.pdf.

[bigred875]

"Applying the new policy,
officials found that Georgetown-Rowley, in the northeast corner of the state,
includes extensive wetlands, is relatively small at 1,100 acres, and provides
only five miles of designated OHV trails."

screwed? it's only 5 miles of trails

[Paul_E_D]

Yeah, it sounds reasonable to me. One thing dirtbikers need to do IMO is accept when a riding area is inappropriate, and not just demonize any closure. Of course, to do that, we need to get appropriate areas OPEN! That's the tougher part.

[ChR1s]

"Only 5 miles"? "Appropriate"? Tell yourself that after the fine filter criteria is applied to the remaining areas.

[Paul_E_D]

Oh, I agree, it's a bad sign. We'll all be riding on private tracks before long... endangered animals are everywhere!

[PB]

Pittsfield, October Mtn and Wrentham remain but trail relocations will need to take place.

Due to the course filter, priority habitat is the main culprit that knocked Georgetown out and placed the other forests almost on the chopping block. Chris is right, the next step won't leave these forests unscathed. Georgetown did have many other factors (i.e. trail mileage, parking areas, etc..) that made it a candidate ripe for closure.

Here's the timeframe per DCR and this is IF there is funding:

3-4 year timeframe - the criteria will be used in more depth at remaining properties to further refine ORV sustainability. Here go a few more riding areas.

6-10 year time frame - pending significant increases in funding to DCR (HA HA HA), is when a new piece of property will be considered for ORV use.

To me, the time frames are total BS. NETRA and BTC have provided funding ideas to DCR in the past. DevalPatrick.com has a "funding in DCR parks" thread that contains excellent funding alternatives and suggestions. I'm thinking the DCR officials don't give a rats ass about any ideas and are paying no interest.

From my conversatations with DCR folks, it certainly appears as if the dcr is moving forward with happiness and glee on applying the newly approved criteria and will be closing more trails this year. They readily admit no new trails to replace the closed ones will be considered.

[PB]

According to the DCR, they recognize that the closure of Georgetown Rowley reduces the opportunities to ride in eastern Massachusetts.
"Appropriate riding areas are essential to sustainable management and the central and eastern portions of the Commonwealth are particularly desperate for sustainable and appropriately managed riding opportunities. Identifying specific properties, however, is not the first or most important step in developing such opportunities. The agency believes that demonstrating well-managed and sustainable OHV operation and use is the essential first step in expanding opportunities beyond public properties where the use is currently allowed. Therefore DCR is concentrating its efforts to achieve sustainable trails and management in areas that currently offer this use. I see some of the Berkshire areas being the beneficiaries of this focus. Until, I can bring a taxpayer to Pittsfield and demonstrate that there is a safe and sustainable management model for this sport, I will never be able to convince a community that this activity should be welcomed within their boundaries. In my opinion, the best strategy for the sport is to demonstrate that sustainable trails are possible on the ground and will be embraced by the rider community. Continuing to demonstrate what are clearly bad practices only strengthens the arguments against motorized trail recreation."

So, there is a plan and it makes sense butit appears it will look worse before it gets better. Sorry I was all doom and gloom earlier. It was just a bit tough to take after all the hard work from everyone who volunteers for work parties and takes time out of their lives to volunteer for these meetings and committees and associations.

[Beez]

Oh, I agree, it's a bad sign. We'll all be riding on private tracks before long... endangered animals are everywhere!

No, the NIMBY* neighbors who just moved into the brand new 5000 sq ft McMansions will get any private tracks/trails shut down because they don't like hearing loud dirtbikes. It disturbs their peace & quiet.

*not in my back yard

[R7]

No, the NIMBY* neighbors who just moved into the brand new 5000 sq ft McMansions will get any private tracks/trails shut down because they don't like hearing loud dirtbikes. It disturbs their peace & quiet.

*not in my back yard

Quiet down your loud dirtbike then

I've got one of those types of people about to build a house across from where I am building mine, I hope they know what they are in for when they move in my neighborhood

I'm working with 2 offroad clubs to try and get something opened in RI, the closing of even one Mass state park is going to have a huge impact on our efforts.
People that ride offroad need to join a local club and actively be involved...and most importantly clubs need to work together with other clubs even though they have different intrests (2-wheeled vs 4-wheeled), they're all fighting for the same thing...yet are against each other in most cases

And for the record, we are VERY close to having legal riding in RI...with grant money (see what clubs can do$$?)...however you will have to be a active member of a RI based club to ride. More to follow on that for those that may be interested

[theothersean]

No, the NIMBY* neighbors who just moved into the brand new 5000 sq ft McMansions will get any private tracks/trails shut down because they don't like hearing loud dirtbikes. It disturbs their peace & quiet.

*not in my back yard

Thats how we lost groton town forest. ( well one of the reasons) there were many others. But basicly the neighbors complained about the noise.

[PB]

Good for you CB! You guys have a lot of work ahead of you.

It's much easier to keep areas open than to open them after they've been closed. It's certainly much easier to turn your back and ride illegally. Unfortunately more folks are doing that than pitching in so it makes it more difficult for those who follow the rules, it's not easy to defend a bad example. Loud and illegal are reasons the rest of us lose our credibility.

Without all of the efforts of the small percentage that volunteer, riding in Mass would have been banned years ago. RI and CT point to MA as an example of how things can work in their state. I'm real proud of the clubs in Western Mass who pitch it. The Pathfinders are out of CT and they recognize the importance of doing their part as well. For the amount of bikes I see in the forest, there are a surprisingly small number there for work parties.

Our meeting tonight should be interesting...

Oh, and another thing; if state forests are closed it's that much easier to ban ORV use altogether. It then becomes easier to keep private places from opening because the folks against it gain a louder voice on the issue...just something to think about.