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DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:50 pm
by Rut Row
Below is the agenda of the meeting last night. The agenda fell apart quickly so I'll cover the highlights. I'll send the meeting minutes and other slides when published.

Absolutely the MOST important thing is the State DNR agrees that their 5-year plan needs to recognize the OHV community and the need for OHV trails. This is a watershed moment IMHO. The DNR itself stated that they almost lost all their RTP funds last year because they had not been spending any on OHV trails. Further they stated that every group in the room benefits from RTP funds that are paid in part by us.

The State will be conducting a series of public forums and a State-wide Recreational Use and Needs Survey. The survey will be done primarily online. Our job is to mobilize any and all OHV users/riders/drivers or anyone who ever dreamed about OHVs and get them to participate in the public meets and respond to the surveys. This is CRITICAL to establish the demand of OHV access and will be part of the 5-year plan. If we fail here, we can kiss our sweet behinds goodbye.

A lot of time was spent having each member describe their particular user-group's needs. There were 3 bicycle representatives, an equestrian rep, a member of the local Tribal community and several local government reps.

When my turn came, I stress the needs of all OHV users - bikes, ATVs, UTVs, 4x4s, snow mobiles, etc. I acceded that it was unreasonable for the State to share land currently encumbered by other user groups - mixing hikers and OHVs is not reasonable in current Maryland Parks and Forests. The current Sustainable Forest Initiative effort is a hurdle to huge for us to overcome. I pointed out that the 2009 plan was written entirely around classical users of State land (hikers, bikers, etc.) and appropriately categorized this use as "resource-based" recreation per the State plan. I further pointed out that the 2009 plan has a section that is appropriate for us labeled "user-oriented" recreation and that section is woefully under-developed. I offered that the best answer was for the State to examine other opportunities such as public/private partnerships with land owners similar to what Hatfield/McCoy does. I was stunned when Ellen Moyer (former Mayor of Annapolis) agreed and said that this was something the State should strongly endorse. She further added that she knew of State land normally deemed undesirable by "normal" users that may be ideal for us. The rest of the committee was supportive or silent.

In other news, I will be meeting with a few Allegany County commissioners on Feb 8th to discuss using reclaimed coal mines for OHV trails. Ray Tighe and a local land-owner will be going with me. We are gaining traction within the community and the commissioners seem to be supportive. More to come on that.

Ken


AGENDA

MARYLAND TRAILS COMMITTEE

January 31, 2013 / DNR C-1 Conference Room

I. Introductions

II. Maryland Land Preservation & Recreation Program (MLPRP) Overview

III. DNR Land Trails Overview

IV. Maryland Land Preservation & Recreation Program (MLPRP) Survey

A. Mailings

B. Telephone Surveys

C. Regional Stakeholders Meetings

D. DNR Trails Website

E. Social Media


V. Discussion of Issues & Actions Related to the 5 Statewide Trail Goals

Goal 1 – Create a Statewide network of trails that provides non-motorized
links between DNR lands and the communities where people live, learn, work,
shop and play.

Goal 2 – Educate citizens about the trail network’s social, ecological,
economic, and wellness benefits.

Goal 3 – Build, maintain and renovate trails to create a sustainable system on
DNR land that provides a quality and diverse user experience and promotes
environmental stewardship.

Goal 4 – Map all DNR trails and make the data/information available in a user
friendly format.

Goal 5 – Address barriers to trail development, including funding and access,
through partnerships with other State agencies, local governments and trail
stakeholder groups.

VI. Other Related Plans

A. State Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan
B. County Land Preservation & Recreational Plans
C. County Bicycle Pedestrian Plans


VII. Homework – Public Outreach With Your Respective Groups To Get Them Involved and Provide Input Into The LPRP

VIII. Adjourn

The next meeting is on March 28th, in the C-1 Conference Room @ DNR from 6-8 PM

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:36 am
by motojunky
Thank You! :cheers:

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:51 am
by J&J
Thanks Ken! :bow: :bow:

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:34 am
by Damage Inc.
Kyler wrote:The State will be conducting a series of public forums and a State-wide Recreational Use and Needs Survey. The survey will be done primarily online. Our job is to mobilize any and all OHV users/riders/drivers or anyone who ever dreamed about OHVs and get them to participate in the public meets and respond to the surveys. This is CRITICAL to establish the demand of OHV access and will be part of the 5-year plan. If we fail here, we can kiss our sweet behinds goodbye.

Just tells where, when and how to perticipate. Have you spred this news on other forums?

And thank you very much for all your efforts.

Perhaps a facebook page to spred the news?

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:36 am
by mdubya
Good work, Ken. Please let us know what we can do to help. :thumbup:

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:57 am
by Rut Row
Damage Inc. wrote:
Kyler wrote:The State will be conducting a series of public forums and a State-wide Recreational Use and Needs Survey. The survey will be done primarily online. Our job is to mobilize any and all OHV users/riders/drivers or anyone who ever dreamed about OHVs and get them to participate in the public meets and respond to the surveys. This is CRITICAL to establish the demand of OHV access and will be part of the 5-year plan. If we fail here, we can kiss our sweet behinds goodbye.

Just tells where, when and how to perticipate. Have you spred this news on other forums?

And thank you very much for all your efforts.

Perhaps a facebook page to spred the news?
I did post on ADV and I've sent emails to all the m/c clubs I know. I'm going to the GMER meeting tomorrow as well. Spread the word - let them get 2 copies of the message just as long as we get BIG turnouts!

I'm considering a FB page/group but just have too much to do right now

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:29 pm
by Damage Inc.
Do you mind if I copy and paste this to the regional forum on ThumperTalk?

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:32 pm
by Rut Row
Damage Inc. wrote:Do you mind if I copy and paste this to the regional forum on ThumperTalk?
don't mind at all - please add a link back here

and post a note in Thumper about the meeting Feb 5th

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:39 pm
by Damage Inc.
I'll have to check their rules on linking to other forums. But I will at least post the info.

Re: DNR Trails Committee Back brief - 1/31/13 Meeting

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:56 pm
by Damage Inc.