MikeN
03-23-2005, 01:45 AM
All Recreationists are Encouraged to Comment on Initiative to Help Manage ATV Access on State Lands
BlueRibbon Coalition received word from the guys at New York State Off Highway Recreation
Vehicle Association (NYSORVA) < www.nysorva.org> about a Draft Commisioner's Policy for ATV access on public lands in New York. This policy is to ensure ATV access to public lands and
stay within the parameters of legal laws by various organizations, like State Vehicle and Traffic
Law.
BlueRibbon Coalition recognizes the importance of this policy and what it will represent not only
for New York State, but possible other Eastern States. This policy brings forth the importance of
responsible and legal ATV access usage on public lands.
The draft policy is only addressing the fact that ATV is used as a way that the public can access
recreational opportunities on public lands and areas open to ATV use.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the suitability of roads for public ATV
access. This could include opening roads to the public under the Unit Management Planning process
used by Forest Preserves.
BlueRibbon Coalition encourages all recreationists to attend the upcoming meetings and provide
comments, before the deadline of May 27, 2005, to the Department in order to help outline the
final policy. Some of the criteria that will be addressed in the policy includes: compliance with
State Vehicle and Traffic Law, compatibility; with other public use, and public safety, just to
mention a few.
For more information or to get a copy of the proposed policy go to the DEC website at
<www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/index.html> or contact Robert Davies, Director, Division of
Lands and Forests, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, by phone(518)402-9405.
On another note, BRCs partner NYSORVA also has information on a Trail Fund and ATV/OHM Trails Program. Governor Pataki has proposed funds for development of ATV trail systems consistent with the ATV policy that is being developed and your action is needed TODAY. For more information go to NYSORVA's website at
<www.nysorva.org/Legislative_Action.shtml>
Thanks,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director, BlueRibbon Coalition
DRAFT ATV POLICY PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULE:
APRIL 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Guilderland Town Hall
5209 Western Avenue (Route 20) Albany, NY
(About 5 miles West of Thruway Exit 24 on Route 20, just after Hannaford
on
the right.)
APRIL 13 (7 TO 10 P.M.)
Prodell Middle School
100 Randall Road Shoreham, NY
(Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 68 North [William Floyd
Parkway].
Proceed North to Route 25A
West. Turn left at Randall Road (south). The school is on your right.)
APRIL 26 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
H.C. Williams High School Auditorium
99 State Street, Canton, NY
(About 1/2 mile off Route 11 on State Street, in the Village of Canton.)
APRIL 27 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Tupper Lake High School Auditorium
Chaney Avenue, Tupper Lake, NY
(Just off Route 3 & 30 in the Village of Tupper Lake.)
APRIL 28 (6 TO 9 P.M.)
Adirondack Community College
Coville Center Auditorium 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY
(Take the Northway to Exit 19, take Aviation Rd. through Route 9 and
then
Quaker Rd. intersections, travel
about 1.5 miles, turn left onto Bay Rd. The school is on the right. Use
the
North entrance.)
MAY 2 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom
200 Genesse Street, Utica, NY
(Travel from the Utica Thruway Exit South on Genesse Street.)
MAY 3 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Erie County Community College
South Campus -- Building 5, Room 5102 4041 Southwestern Blvd. Orchard
Park,
NY
(Take the Thruway to Exit 56 and turn left on Milestrip Road. Turn right
on
McKinley Parkway and then turn
left on Southwestern Blvd. The campus entrance will be on the right.)
MAY 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Rochester Museum and Science Center
657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
(Take Route 490 to Monroe Avenue to Goodman or Culver Street then to
East
Avenue.)
MAY 5 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
State Fairgrounds, Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY
(Take 690 West to Exit 7 [Fairgrounds Exit], turn right onto State Fair
Blvd., enter through Gate 2, turn left,
go about 2,000 feet, turn right to park, the Martha Eddy Room is on your left.)
***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT *****
BlueRibbon Coalition received word from the guys at New York State Off Highway Recreation
Vehicle Association (NYSORVA) < www.nysorva.org> about a Draft Commisioner's Policy for ATV access on public lands in New York. This policy is to ensure ATV access to public lands and
stay within the parameters of legal laws by various organizations, like State Vehicle and Traffic
Law.
BlueRibbon Coalition recognizes the importance of this policy and what it will represent not only
for New York State, but possible other Eastern States. This policy brings forth the importance of
responsible and legal ATV access usage on public lands.
The draft policy is only addressing the fact that ATV is used as a way that the public can access
recreational opportunities on public lands and areas open to ATV use.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the suitability of roads for public ATV
access. This could include opening roads to the public under the Unit Management Planning process
used by Forest Preserves.
BlueRibbon Coalition encourages all recreationists to attend the upcoming meetings and provide
comments, before the deadline of May 27, 2005, to the Department in order to help outline the
final policy. Some of the criteria that will be addressed in the policy includes: compliance with
State Vehicle and Traffic Law, compatibility; with other public use, and public safety, just to
mention a few.
For more information or to get a copy of the proposed policy go to the DEC website at
<www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/index.html> or contact Robert Davies, Director, Division of
Lands and Forests, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233, by phone(518)402-9405.
On another note, BRCs partner NYSORVA also has information on a Trail Fund and ATV/OHM Trails Program. Governor Pataki has proposed funds for development of ATV trail systems consistent with the ATV policy that is being developed and your action is needed TODAY. For more information go to NYSORVA's website at
<www.nysorva.org/Legislative_Action.shtml>
Thanks,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Director, BlueRibbon Coalition
DRAFT ATV POLICY PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULE:
APRIL 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Guilderland Town Hall
5209 Western Avenue (Route 20) Albany, NY
(About 5 miles West of Thruway Exit 24 on Route 20, just after Hannaford
on
the right.)
APRIL 13 (7 TO 10 P.M.)
Prodell Middle School
100 Randall Road Shoreham, NY
(Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 68 North [William Floyd
Parkway].
Proceed North to Route 25A
West. Turn left at Randall Road (south). The school is on your right.)
APRIL 26 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
H.C. Williams High School Auditorium
99 State Street, Canton, NY
(About 1/2 mile off Route 11 on State Street, in the Village of Canton.)
APRIL 27 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Tupper Lake High School Auditorium
Chaney Avenue, Tupper Lake, NY
(Just off Route 3 & 30 in the Village of Tupper Lake.)
APRIL 28 (6 TO 9 P.M.)
Adirondack Community College
Coville Center Auditorium 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY
(Take the Northway to Exit 19, take Aviation Rd. through Route 9 and
then
Quaker Rd. intersections, travel
about 1.5 miles, turn left onto Bay Rd. The school is on the right. Use
the
North entrance.)
MAY 2 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom
200 Genesse Street, Utica, NY
(Travel from the Utica Thruway Exit South on Genesse Street.)
MAY 3 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Erie County Community College
South Campus -- Building 5, Room 5102 4041 Southwestern Blvd. Orchard
Park,
NY
(Take the Thruway to Exit 56 and turn left on Milestrip Road. Turn right
on
McKinley Parkway and then turn
left on Southwestern Blvd. The campus entrance will be on the right.)
MAY 4 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
Rochester Museum and Science Center
657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
(Take Route 490 to Monroe Avenue to Goodman or Culver Street then to
East
Avenue.)
MAY 5 (5 TO 8 P.M.)
State Fairgrounds, Martha Eddy Room
581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, NY
(Take 690 West to Exit 7 [Fairgrounds Exit], turn right onto State Fair
Blvd., enter through Gate 2, turn left,
go about 2,000 feet, turn right to park, the Martha Eddy Room is on your left.)
***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT ***** END ALERT *****