State forest closing roads

http://www.njpinebarrens.com/your-forest-under-attack-road-closures-in-wharton-state-forest/

This is basically my back yard. They've already started blocking off certain trails by putting posts in the ground and cutting tree's down (live trees!). This affects thousands of people who enjoy our woods every day. They say there's not enough staff to enforce the current laws yet they won't hire any more park police. But somehow there's $500k available to start closing roads? When will they stop!?


Well Seasoned things are gonna be different next time you want to cruise the pines

 

Once again, 2% of the population create a situation which results in laws that 98% are forced to endure.............................

 

Yep...That blows!!

 

Well Seasoned here's a link to the new map.
http://www.njparksandforests.org/parks/maps/wharton_map_web_version.pdf

They've already started blocking alot of trails and water access points. We took a ride through the woods Sunday to meet some friends at one of our favorite swimming spots. Yep, it was blocked off as well.
There are so many people in an uproar about this. Mass emails being sent to the pinelands commission, state senators and the media.

 

The same chit is going on up here.
http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/...ill-plan-for-county-atv-trail-system-20150802

 

Maine ATVers have had issues too... some self inflicted. Lot of riders think the trails used in the winter by snowmobiles are fair game when the snow melts. Most of the snow trails are on private land and so the available ATV trails are a lot less. For the most part though, I think they work it out.

 

Just an update. This is what the PPA is doing to block trails that have been used for decades. I have a map of the state forest from 1902 when it was privately owned and most of the roads they're claiming are "new roads made by off roaders" are on the original map!

These live trees are being felled by so called "preservationists"

 

Nice felling technique huh? Cut through your hinge wood.

 

Sounds like that's an opportunity to get some free firewood and " help" open the trails back up. Are there fines associated with "trespassing"?

That's just a dumb idea.

What do they think they are preserving by doing this? Preserving the NJ devil's habitat?

 

There's the sign with the ramifications of enjoying the great outdoors. No motorized vehicles, no drinking, I'm surprised it doesn't say "no smiling, no whistling, or any fun allowed" as well.

How much "work" does it take to not cut trees down and let people enjoy the land? We're there issues with drunks, vandals, or a couple of irresponsible atv users? I'll need to read the article you linked.


Up in the northwoods of Wisconsin, the few last towns that didn't allow atv trails to be open in summer have now done so. Those communities also opened up atv routes and are seeing greater amounts of business at all local stores, restaurants, and tourism. Go figure.

 

At this point we are all leaving the trees where they lay. We don't need them to have any ammo to use against us. This is the beginning of a huge fight against the state/PPA. We will not back down and our voices will be heard. They've poked the hornets nest.

 

It looks like they put down more fuel for forest fires.

Why not set up an open meeting with the riders and set particular trails to keep open? These problems don't happen overnight. Education and restrictions to certain areas could work. I think the responsible riders would talk sense into the offenders. It is unfortunate that a few ruin it for everyone else. Lack of respect for policy and resources leads to this. Offenders will either cut the trees or go around them causing more damage.

 

This picture in itself is enough to p.o. enough folks. From this picture it looks like they unnecessarily cut a tree near a watershed, and posted a sign on the same stump is about as far away as environmental responsibility that you can get. There are other ways to block a trail responsibly and professionally to get the point across.

 

Just a little update. Since i last posted there have been tons of town council meetings regarding this. We had 8 townships pass resolutions opposing the map including some townships that dont even border the state forest. The DEP has now scrapped their map and agreed to start over with input from the public, stakeholders and a few other outdoors groups.

They still want a plan to fix the roads and keep folks from driving through sensitive, endangered habitat which we all understand and agree with but just flat out closing roads that have been around over a century is not the solution. There is an open public meeting on nov 5th and a stakeholder meeting shortly after.

 

I suspect that somehow, there are some nefarious do-gooders behind all of this.

 

Yeah I've seen how all the public comment meetings go with all the firearms stuff I was involved in for awhile. Same with when they upped the motorcycle registration to 65 dollars from 20. Thank you for the comments....and we are going to do go ahead with the plan. Thanks for coming. The panel of politicians were blatantly ignoring people and on their cell phones while people talked. Supposed to get 2 minutes talking time. Unless they agreed with the few anti gun people there. They got to speak as long as possible while the rest of us had the mics cut off. Some of the pro 2 a people were forced from the mic by the state police when they questioned this. Be prepared to have them parade in people who say how their lives have been ruined by the people who ride their bikes, atvs, or jeeps in the pine barrens. It's gonna be a dog and pony show.

 

Hey im just happy we stopped them in their tracks at this point. They've already brought out some pretty good performer's for most of the meetings. I'm sure the big meeting will be a good show. At the council meetings so far though we've outnumbered them by the dozens.