4x4 Guys
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 7:05 am
I've been emailing Preston Stevens, President, Middle Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association. I thought you would appreciate this message. I'll try to go see him on the 15th.
Hi Ken,
As you have likely figured out. This is much deeper than the way it appears on the surface. It would likely be beneficial to put together a stragegy meeting. This goes much deeper than just the DNR and ECO nuts. Anti's if you will.
You all are one of the few truely organized ATV groups in the area. I worked with you all to some extent in the `90's with the GWNF ten year disaster. They called it a plan. It turned out to be a Sierra Club wish list and when the Forest Service wanted to close something to fit their agenda, the plan was even more worthless.
Here are one of the real challenges, and it really takes the teeth out of our arguement, particularly for you ATV folks. The northern portion of the ORV loop, especially on East Valley Road has been trashed by renegade riders. Even the Fire Suppression pond has been breeched several times. Fortunately for us in four wheel drive, there has been almost no problems regarding four wheel drive renegades. On the other hand, we will lose out, likely, as well.
Ironically, on the GWNF, it appeared the locals had that 180 degrees out. They were killing four wheel drive with "daddy's" pick-up.
One of the other issues that really is putting a crimp in any campaign that we may put forth, is the total lack of knowledge of public land managment by the majority of those I saw at that meeting. Beating up on the timber folks and timber managment is a huge mistake. We very much need those folks in our camp. I had been fairly successful in getting those folks on our side.
The routes that we use are either county roads, CCC built roads or timber skid or tram roads. A managed forest is a healthy forest and 25% of any money made from a given operation go straight to the local county treasury. I have been enjoying Maryland State Forests since the 1960's. I have seen what works and what does not. Ironically, a clear cut (deferred) cut comes back better and faster than any other procedure. It just is not policially acceptable. If we could tighten up the OHV community relationship with the DNR, then these operations could lead to additional access. Even if a given site would be open for only so many years. Access/opportunity is access/opportunity.
Other than maybe you all, the ATV folks have not gone out of their way to work with the DNR. Meet with Mark Beals. Discuss ways to make things better. That hurts when that does not happen. Worse yet, most individual bitch, not offer constructive suggestions or solution.
I heard many folks referring to Green Ridge as "park." Parks are managed very different from a Forest, state and federal. You always want the land management agency feel that you know more about land management than they do, or at least as much. Any time folks try to make an arguement, but come off as they are clueless, much of the message is lost or not taken serious.
Unfortunately, I saw this coming probably 5 to 8 years ago. I even took it to the Blue Ribbon. All that happened was nasty comments from other readers, rather than addressing the issue. Only one understood where I was coming from. I even asked BRC for a list of ATV groups in this area. They said there were none. Since Adena Cook backed away from that group and Clark Collins refusal to work closely with United Four Wheel Drive, I have had little use for BRC. It was all his way or nothing. Had he been willing to work more a team, we would have made a very powerful coalition.
Since then, apathy has been winning out. How does that go? " We have met the enemy and it is us."
I and the DNR have been exploring developing an ORV/OHV park. Wills Mountain was one site that I actually went out with them to look at. Unfortunately, access is very limited and generally through a private track or a residential neighborhood. The local residents would have likely made that project dead on arrival. It would have been nice, especially for you all. Short of an all out unified campaign, ATV access on Stafford and East Valley is on life support.
I will be up there on the 15th for the weekend with a few of our membership. We will be staying at the G1 site on Wallizer Road. Feel free to stop by, particularly in the evening around the campfire. It is the groupsite near White Sulphur Pond.
Preston Stevens
President, Middle Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association