Post by HamiltonLJ on Jun 30, 2011 16:47:28 GMT -5
The area known as "1/4 Mile" or more recently, "The Scar" was at one time, a wetland that provided habitat for many plants and animals, including threatened and endangered species. Unfortunately, the same conditions that made this rare habitat also made it an attractive and challenging proving ground for vehicles. This incursion into the wetland altered it in many ways and now threatens the very nature of the area's crucial ability to hold water. The truth is that this area was never supposed to have vehicular traffic. How this activity first started is no longer the issue, but it is important to note that the trails used to access the inner portion of the area are not "old" or considered to be part of the road system of Wharton State Forest.
The NJTLC has its roots in a discussion brought about by this issue. Several clubs of 4 wheel drive enthusiasts reached out to some folks in the conservation community who were working to raise awareness of the plight of "1/4 Mile". They wanted to make the conservation community aware that their membership was not responsible for any unlawful activities. At this point, the two groups found that they had enough in common to the form this coalition. It made sense then, that one of the coalition's first projects should be to try to do something positive about "1/4 Mile".
Through consultation with the State authorities, it was decided that the project would be to help install and maintain "No Motor Vehicle" signage to indicate that there is no motorized public access to "1/4 Mile". Where the signs were placed was chosen by those same State authorities and, in truth, they do cover a wider area than many of our members expected. However, this does not change the key point that "1/4 Mile" was never really "open" to motor vehicles, so the NJTLC didn't "close" it. However, we are working to make forest users aware that this area is and always was, off limits to motor vehicles.
The NJTLC is dedicated to responsible enjoyment of our public open spaces. We have a diverse membership representing all sorts of people with a wide array of interests and opinions but we work to find common ground and stand together as a coalition of concerned NJ residents.
The NJTLC has its roots in a discussion brought about by this issue. Several clubs of 4 wheel drive enthusiasts reached out to some folks in the conservation community who were working to raise awareness of the plight of "1/4 Mile". They wanted to make the conservation community aware that their membership was not responsible for any unlawful activities. At this point, the two groups found that they had enough in common to the form this coalition. It made sense then, that one of the coalition's first projects should be to try to do something positive about "1/4 Mile".
Through consultation with the State authorities, it was decided that the project would be to help install and maintain "No Motor Vehicle" signage to indicate that there is no motorized public access to "1/4 Mile". Where the signs were placed was chosen by those same State authorities and, in truth, they do cover a wider area than many of our members expected. However, this does not change the key point that "1/4 Mile" was never really "open" to motor vehicles, so the NJTLC didn't "close" it. However, we are working to make forest users aware that this area is and always was, off limits to motor vehicles.
The NJTLC is dedicated to responsible enjoyment of our public open spaces. We have a diverse membership representing all sorts of people with a wide array of interests and opinions but we work to find common ground and stand together as a coalition of concerned NJ residents.