From Scott Hatch,
This was an email sent through the EC4WDA Land Use Email List, Dave hasn't posted this anywhere. It was copied onto their forum....
Dave Brill wrote:
Yeah... you read that right.. the only legal place in CT will now be closed.
I am incredibly pissed right now.
I'm only going to give a short hit on what happened.
Old Unit Manager retired.. The one who gave us the maps we've been using for 15 years.
New Unit Manager and the Eastern Region Manager are both motorized recreation supporters. The Unit manager was even going to join our club with his brother, both own Jeeps.
Several months ago, in speaking with them, we discussed doing a clean up there on National Trails Day. We also discussed the potential need for any permits for the use of the roads for the Wheelin 4 Healin charity ride.
None were needed. They were both excited to have our help and support and we their's.
A few of weeks ago, there were some minor glitches with a local landowner. These were quickly worked out.
Last night I get a post saying that people have been ticketed up at Pain Hill.
I immediately call the Unit Manager and the Eastern Region Manager. They have both just heard of this news.
See, here in CT the enforcement, the forestry, administrative; and parks and recreation divisions all work separately and have no clue what the others are doing.
In their excitement, the managers mentioned the clean up to their peers. Of course, word got around and those in Hartford, both part of the administrative and forestry divisions decided to instruct the enforcement division to start writing tickets to anyone traveling within Nipmuck State Forest, whether on an ATV, a bike or in a registered, insured passenger vehicle. The forestry division is reportedly going to close all of the roads.
I need to do a little research to find out if there is any written LAW RE state Forest roads. If they are considered simply part of whatever state forest they are in or if they are actual legal state roads, much like RTE 5 or RTE 80. I have a letter from then Park Planner and State Forester saying that "State Forest Roads, which are open to vehicular use, w/o gates or other barriers emplaced to prevent vehicular access, are available for 4WD use." I have maps that show these roads as open.
This is a simple case of anti access people taking their power and making it illegal for us to do what we enjoy. They feel that, and I quote from a conversation today with the enforcement officer in charge of the area.."Motorized use is thought by many to not be a conducive use of state forest property."
Hope this gets you all really pissed.? Might even spark some into action??
If anyone has any questions, please contact me.
Talk soon,
David Brill
Here is a reply from Aili....
I will also copy this into the FOCH for further discussion as there hasn't been any on Region Ds forum on the matter
Aili wrote:
Having spent the last couple years working closely with DEP through the RTP committee, the CT Forestland Council, NOHVCC and the legislative process, this comes as no surprise to me. Each DEP bureau might as well be a separate, unfriendly nation to one another, and to us (we are the new 'black man' -- its cool to hate us in this new world order). Disappointing and frustrating, no doubt, but not really surprising.
_________________
VP Environmental Affairs
shatch@nea4wd.org
