MD ORV Stakeholders Meeting Notes
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:07 pm
Today I attended the first Maryland ORV Stakeholders Meeting to discuss opening new riding areas in Maryland. The meeting was well represented by the riding community by the following:
Mike Twigg (Retailer)
Randy Beeman (ATV)
Ken Kyler (WATR & DAMN Riders)
Bill Menges (AMA D7)
Wind O'Neal (Motocross)
Mike Taylor
From the DNR were:
Paul Peditto (Group Leader)
Mark Biels (GR Forrest Mgr)
Greg Bartles (DNR Police)
Steve Carr (Trails Manager)
Sunshine ??? (DNR Ecologist)
There were also representatives from the snowmobile community and one from the off-road trucks.
Paul opened the meeting and laid out the scope of what the State would consider for riding areas. He stated that it is within the discretion of the DNR to open new areas within 90 days once an acceptable site or sites were selected. He did not see any need for legislation and they even have the power to waive small incursions into sensitive areas.
Areas that cannot be considered are wildlands, wildlife management areas, fish management areas and any area deemed ecologically sensitive such as high value conservation forests
Areas that can be considered are state forests and parks plus any public partnership managed land where the partnership permits ORV use.
I asked them to publish the criteria and provide maps showing the areas they would not consider so that we could look at existing state land and suggest new areas other than what was mentioned below - they agreed.
The State is willing to lease or purchase land and enter into partnerships to manage private land for public use. The appeal to the last item is the land owner transfers any liability to the State.
He showed maps of 4 areas that the State could open quickly (I forgot to write down the names - sorry) and that included one area where the State would lease an existing trail system.
There was a good discussion about what constituted a good riding area and obviously that ran the gamut from 2-track to tight single track. When the first map was shown with their suggestion of a trail, Mike Twigg and I pointed out that a lot of single-track could be opened in that area - there was a long pause by the DNR folks - I don't think they had considered that. However, early in the meeting Paul stated he wanted trails that could be marked green, blue black, etc and our suggestion fitted into that - they seemed to be onboard with the concept of opening new single track. There was a lot of discussion about the 4 areas and how they could be modified for use. BTW, the State does have some funds available to open trails.
I spoke with Mark Biels (Green Ridge Manager) after the meeting and asked for permission to scout areas outside of the ecologically sensitive areas to be considered for opening. He was amicable to that.
The next meeting will be in Sept.
I was quite encouraged with the sincerity of the DNR people. I believe they are committed to opening new trails. The proof of course is in whether or not they actually do.
I think this summarizes the salient points. I'll post the meeting minutes Paul publishes when I get them.
Ken
Mike Twigg (Retailer)
Randy Beeman (ATV)
Ken Kyler (WATR & DAMN Riders)
Bill Menges (AMA D7)
Wind O'Neal (Motocross)
Mike Taylor
From the DNR were:
Paul Peditto (Group Leader)
Mark Biels (GR Forrest Mgr)
Greg Bartles (DNR Police)
Steve Carr (Trails Manager)
Sunshine ??? (DNR Ecologist)
There were also representatives from the snowmobile community and one from the off-road trucks.
Paul opened the meeting and laid out the scope of what the State would consider for riding areas. He stated that it is within the discretion of the DNR to open new areas within 90 days once an acceptable site or sites were selected. He did not see any need for legislation and they even have the power to waive small incursions into sensitive areas.
Areas that cannot be considered are wildlands, wildlife management areas, fish management areas and any area deemed ecologically sensitive such as high value conservation forests
Areas that can be considered are state forests and parks plus any public partnership managed land where the partnership permits ORV use.
I asked them to publish the criteria and provide maps showing the areas they would not consider so that we could look at existing state land and suggest new areas other than what was mentioned below - they agreed.
The State is willing to lease or purchase land and enter into partnerships to manage private land for public use. The appeal to the last item is the land owner transfers any liability to the State.
He showed maps of 4 areas that the State could open quickly (I forgot to write down the names - sorry) and that included one area where the State would lease an existing trail system.
There was a good discussion about what constituted a good riding area and obviously that ran the gamut from 2-track to tight single track. When the first map was shown with their suggestion of a trail, Mike Twigg and I pointed out that a lot of single-track could be opened in that area - there was a long pause by the DNR folks - I don't think they had considered that. However, early in the meeting Paul stated he wanted trails that could be marked green, blue black, etc and our suggestion fitted into that - they seemed to be onboard with the concept of opening new single track. There was a lot of discussion about the 4 areas and how they could be modified for use. BTW, the State does have some funds available to open trails.
I spoke with Mark Biels (Green Ridge Manager) after the meeting and asked for permission to scout areas outside of the ecologically sensitive areas to be considered for opening. He was amicable to that.
The next meeting will be in Sept.
I was quite encouraged with the sincerity of the DNR people. I believe they are committed to opening new trails. The proof of course is in whether or not they actually do.
I think this summarizes the salient points. I'll post the meeting minutes Paul publishes when I get them.
Ken
