PPA's 12 Points

[russ]

Just remember that when PPA uses the term "ORVs" they are talking about vehicles that leave the roads/Jeep trails and drive through wildlife habitat (vegetation, ponds, stream corridors). You might call my stock Jeep an ORV. But in the context of this 12-point summary, it is only an ORV if I leave the roadway and drive through wildlife habitat. The fundamental point is simply that motorized vehicles are legally prohibited from leaving the roadways.

And, by the way, I don't see anything here saying that new laws should be enacted. All PPA is asking for is that the existing laws and regulations be enforced.

If individual members of NJTLC are opposed to any of the points below, then let's hear what they have to say.

1. The Department of Environmental Protection should issue a "no tolerance" policy directive for ORVs on public land.
2. The Department of Environmental Protection should ask all law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce the directive.
3. Law enforcement agencies should adopt zero tolerance in issuing citations for illegal ORV use.
4. Local judges should levy stiff penalties on offenders, creating a deterrent and ensuring that violators pay for the damage they cause.
5. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service should block access to temporary roads created in the course of fighting forest fires.
6. State agencies with land management responsibilities should post "No Motorized Vehicles" signs at points where ORVs are likely to gain access to areas that are off-limits;
7. Access to damaged areas should be closed off.
8. New volunteer programs should be created for trail marking, posting off-limits signs and patrolling parks.
9. ORV and other recreational clubs should better educate their members, and monitor and report illegal activities.
10. Citizens should report violations and ORV damage, document the damage they observe with cell phone or other cameras, and share findings with law enforcement. If the police do not respond, citizens should file complaints.
11. Conservation and recreational organizations should work with the Department of Environmental Protection to develop, fund, and implement restoration plans for degraded areas.
12. The Pinelands Commission should formally request that access to damaged areas be shut off so the habitats can recover.

[medfordpiney]

Why even discuss some other organizations “thoughts and beliefs”, NJTLC has adopted their own “thoughts”. This post is almost a way to informally approve or disapprove of the dealing of another organization. We should stay out of their business and ask that they and any other organization mention and describe NJTLC in an approved method by NJTLC only. I would believe that when NJTLC puts out a press release if we were to mention The PPA, The Sierra Club, ECEA, NJTRA or any other group that has “ties” within NJTLC they would not like NJTLC telling people how we got them to do this or we helped them start that.

[russ]

medford, you got me confused here. You posted this statement:

"I think a formal letter to NJCF and Michele Byers should be mailed explaining that NJTLC has no intentions to support the PPA "12 points" and WILL NOT help or support state authorities putting these recommendations into action."

That made me think you were interested in discussing the possibility of objecting to PPA's 12 points, and not supporting the implementation of any of them.

But now, you say, "Why even discuss some other organizations “thoughts and beliefs”...

Did you change your mind?

[medfordpiney]

Personally I think we should tell the PPA and NJCF "thanks but NO THANKS"

When we want their input we'll ask, but we'll call you, don't call us. Consult with them within their "area of expertise” when needed and when we request, do not include NJTLC in any propaganda they might publish.

Also I think it is time for this group to move forward and define what “access” really is and to what degree. “Access” to an area to park ones car to go look at birdies is certainly not access to most others. Access via a jeep down a sand road cut through the woods and stay off pavement is not access in a recreationalist mind.

Cause unless “access” expands to include trails (single tract) then you lose just about every 2 wheeled and a lot of the 4 legged users right off the bat.

If peoples vision of access is only the “approved” right of ways that appear on tax maps of various township within Wharton SF then they are in the wrong group.


Please note..... My BARK above is much more harsh then the intended bite....

[russ]

Well, it's an interesting proposal, but it kind of cuts at the heart of the idea of a coalition. Are there any other categories of users that you would like to exclude, or just the conservation community?

[medfordpiney]

See there you go.... spinning it to make it seem like an attack on a certain group....

If this is a coalition of trail users that supports access to the State lands, then certainly the word "access" and the extent of said access must be defined and accepted by the coalition. It can not be vague, it does not have to agree with any other group or organizations beliefs nor even be accepted by such. It does not have to be approved by and can even be in complete conflict with the beliefs and wants of the land managers and even State Law and DEP directives.

This is a coalition of trail users, we should be striving to open access to the millions of acres of state lands for us and the rest of the citizens in NJ to enjoy.

We are not a pawn of anyone.

[russ]

I was talking about this:

"Personally I think we should tell the PPA and NJCF "thanks but NO THANKS"

When we want their input we'll ask, but we'll call you, don't call us."

[gregobrien]

12-Points is awfully long winded.

Couldn't it be just as effective as a 2-point plan?

1) Request that existing laws are enforced.
2) Encourage state government and local organizations to educate unaffiliated forrest users.

Simple, positive, to the point, makes a difference, saves paper.

Sounds like a win to me.

[daddyz]

May 4, 2011 10:09:26 GMT -5 medfordpiney said:

This is a coalition of trail users, we should be striving to open access to the millions of acres of state lands for us and the rest of the citizens in NJ to enjoy.

I have to agree with you on this point medfordpiney. I would like to take it even further. All of the land that has been recently bought with tax dollars to preserve open space and protect farmland that isn't being farmed should also be brought into public usage in a timely manner. But I will also say that its not a bad thing to just stop and "go look at birdies" once in a while. Balance is the key. It helps keep us from becoming hardened.

[medfordpiney]

May 9, 2011 23:58:21 GMT -5 daddyz said:

But I will also say that its not a bad thing to just stop and "go look at birdies" once in a while. Balance is the key. It helps keep us from becoming hardened.

There was no disrespect when I mentoined that, if fact 4 or 5 times a year I head out somewhere into Wharton and hike/walk with my 2 kids. Do it just to get out and enjoy what we have so close by.