DAMN Riders - No rules, Just ride!

Greetings,

This is a reminder that the first meeting of the DNR Trail Committee is on Thursday January 31st, from 6-8 PM here @ DNR.

To refresh your memory, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is kicking off a lengthy process to update the state’s Land Preservation & Recreation Plan (LPRP) which is required by the federal government, and a draft must be submitted to the National Park Service by December 2013. As part of this year-long planning process, Secretary John R. Griffin has decided to create a DNR Trails Committee to ensure that the Maryland LPRP includes a trails section.

The 2014 Maryland LPRP establishes a 5-year vision for land preservation and recreation, and is based on input received from our land managers, local government, the public, and advisory groups like this committee. The Maryland LPRP will contain a separate trails section that addresses the needs of motorized and non-motorized user groups. The Maryland LPRP will provide guidance and investment strategies to support the many needs of the state's trail users as part of Maryland’s state-wide network.

Here is a link to the last State Recreation Plan done in 2009, as a frame of reference in advance of this meeting. As you will see, the last plan did not focus on trails, and this time around, we want to make sure that trails are a priority.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/land/steward ... DNRORP.pdf

The DNR Trails Committee will include 15 people representing a broad range of perspectives, priorities and expertise related to trails.

Specific items that the DNR Trails Committee will be asked to review and provide input on include:

· Reviewing the responses to the Statewide Recreation survey;

· Conducting a trails needs assessment after soliciting input from your respective user group;

· Providing input on Plan goals and objectives;

· Discussing how to prioritize trail investments;

· Submitting a list of trail recommendations for the trails section of the LPRP.

I will be sending out an agenda for the first meeting in the next few days.

The DNR Trails Committee will meet 4 times during 2013. We intend to send periodic email updates and occasionally request feedback on issues or draft documents between meetings. The meetings will be held from 6-8pm on the last Thursday of the months we meet. Meetings will be held at DNR, in Annapolis, MD in the C-1 Conference Room on the first floor. A photo ID is required to enter the building and visitors will be asked to sign in.

There is free parking available in the lot in front of the Tawes Building after 5PM.

The first DNR Trails Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 31st, at 6pm.

The second meeting will be held on March 28th.

The third meeting will be held on June 27th.

And the fourth and final meeting will be held on September 26th.

Cheers!

STEVE CARR
Land Trails Planner
Land Acquisition & Planning
Maryland Department of Natural Resources