Northumberland County OHV Park Meeting

[Rick_Bear]

I'm passing this information here...

Hi Everyone,

 First I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your continued support of the Northumberland County OHV Park Project. The name will be changing in the future to reflect our Anthracite Coal mining history and heritage. So if you have any idea's for our new name, please submit them to us. 
  We have all been very busy working on making this project become a reality. Pat and Kathy from the Planning Dept have gone above and beyond their required positions to see this recreational area be funded and built in lower Northumberland County. John, Steve, and Bob from the engineering and design firm, are just totally amazing. I don't have to tell or describe to them what is needed or what we want . They look at this unique piece of property as a diamond in the rough and they can see a world class facility in the making. 
  We have some new and exciting additions that may be added to the park project. All I can say right now is "Stay Tuned In" . Here is where I'm going to ask for your help again. The 2nd Public meeting is scheduled for :

                       

TUESDAY OCT. 19, 2010 at the SHAMOKIN AREA HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AT 6:30pm

[/b]

 Be there ! We are going to need you! There is some vocal local resistance to this project. They have circulated a local petition againt this project. I personally know it has over 500 names on it ( probably a lot more by meeting time). Also a local environmental group has gotten involved and they are hugging the trees and telling everyone how we will "destroy" the land. They are also going out of their way to tell everyone how disrespectful we all are. You all made a strong statement with your showing the first meeting, we need to do it again, only bigger. Bring a couple of friends or club members along this time.
 For those of you that will be coming from a good distance away. Let us know for sure that you are coming so we are expecting you. I will arrange for you to meet the "right" people so you can directly tell them your opinion and idea's.
 Wear you club shirts and jackets as a sign of your support !!!
 Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing all of you.   
Barry

[Mike D]

I will be going and Rick I hope you can make it this time, really need your politician attribute 

[Jeremy]

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/northumberlandohvpark/   PETITION SUPPORTING THE PARK

http://www.ohv.norrycopa.net/  PARK web site

[Rick_Bear]

Well, after two consecutive 65+ hr. work weeks (paid bi-weekly) and 12 more hrs. this Sunday I'm not having success getting this day off to attend.
I refuse to give up and continue to state my case for needing an "earned" vacation day to attend.

[Rick_Bear]

YES, I am attending along with Wayne, Clair, Grant, and hopfully Jeremy.
It's going to be a long night I assure them. WE have a lot to say as well as the others attending.

[Jeremy]

https://conference.nohvcc.org/EXEC/0/14rh91e02cg1uw17daebu0vha8kg  from the United bulletin.  a planning conference on Oct 18 

"UFWDA Bulletin"


Northumberland OHV Recreation Management Workshop
For Public and Private Land Managers, Recreation Planners,
OHV Enthusiasts and Other Stakeholders
Monday, October 18, 2010
7:30AM - 4:30 PM
Masser's Banquet Hall
Routes 61 & 487
Paxinos, PA 17860
http://www.massersinc.com/catering_directions.htm 

 
The Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association (PaOHV), in cooperation with the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), is conducting an Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Management Workshop for local, state and federal land management decision makers, recreation planners, resource specialists, law enforcement personnel, private property owners and leadership representatives from OHV recreation and other stakeholder communities. The workshop is open to all who want to attend. There is a $15 registration charge. Continental breakfast will be served at 7:30 AM. Lunch and break beverages and snacks also will be provided.
Registration is required on-line at:
https://conference.nohvcc.org/?EVENT&EVENTCODE=010193-82&PASSWORD=nohvcc&template=PArmw
Or you may visit www.nohvcc.org  and click on the PA OHV Recreation Management Workshop link under the Upcoming Events header.
Registration deadline is Friday, October 15, 2010. For questions about registration contact Heidi Annau at 800-348-6487 or Jack Terrell at 863-370-2686 or e-mail jackt@nohvcc.org
This workshop is part of the Pennsylvania 2010 Fall Regional Workshop series and is made possible with support from the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program funded by the Federal Highway Administration. Additional support provided by the Northumberland County Planning Department, the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association.
The workshop objectives are:
Improve the development, planning, design, construction, maintenance and management of sustainable OHV trail areas, facilities and systems in order to:
o Comply with local, county, state and federal requirements
o Minimize impacts and improve conservation of natural and cultural resources
o Reduce conflicts between recreational, community and environmental stakeholders
o Better meet the needs and desires of OHV and other recreation stakeholders
o Improve risk management and reduce liability concerns
Expand partnership development between local, county, state and federal governments, land managers, adjoining private property owners, OHV and other recreational stakeholders, and education entities
 
Increase tourism and promote local and regional economic development
 
Provide education opportunities for the culture and heritage of the region and the local area
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is a non-profit educational foundation.  For information regarding NOHVCC and its workshop programs visit its website at www.nohvcc.org.   

[Jeremy]

I will be picking Dad up at 15:00 and then leaving to go up shortly there after.  Remember STAFF shirts and lets hope for a huge turn out.

[hillbilly]

so what happened? any details, did you all make it home?

[MUDDY]

www.ohv.norrycopa.net            go to  for their site.

[Rick_Bear]

I made it home sometime around 12:15 am.
Quite the hostile local crowd in attendance voicing their opposition...
I did speak personally to about 25 locals in support of the project.

The locals utilizing the property for the past 30 years have a misconception of who owns the land, they feel it's theirs since they live there.
Well, we all know that is incorrect and IMO there is a lot of work ahead for this one to fly as planned.

[Jeremy]

There were some real interesting idea but forth by the plan.  I think that the Equestrian trails may need to be segregated at lest from the ATV  and mountain ike croweds as those groups seem to startle "new" horses easily.  Maybe some of those other groups will explain there needs a little better to us. 

That secret squirrel "security firm" could not have alienated people anymore than if they tried to,  they were very evasive about how they were proposing to  "passively patrol" the park.  I had visions of armed UAV flying over head.  Regardless the  firm would not go into details or costs.   

Currently the main entrance will be off of rt 125,  here you will enter the "park" in a staging area similar to Paragon.  Fees (not set yet) will be collected, paper work filled out.  to access the trails you have to ever here, all other access will be closed off,  to cross to the other half of the property (rt125 bisects it) a tunnel or culvert will be installed to cross underneath the rt125. This will be the loop road,  similar to haul road at paragon,  It will be the main access to the individual trails, scenic areas, events and attractions (like a zip line, paintball? campgrounds and other) 


Out of state clubs were in attendance  and in support,  Thank you.

some locals believe that there taxes gives them the right to use this property anyway they see fit and they do not want to share it with us "rich flat lander's"  (boy do I have news for them)  The days of dumping drinking and shooting ended 30 years ago, that is finally coming to Northumberland County, like it or not.  This park will allow access to this property.  If the park does not go through I full expect the property to be closed, and that closer to be enforced.  The abuse that is rampant can not continue.  Those facts need to be written in crayon. 

 

[Death Wobble]

I'm glad that those of you who could go did, and reported back to us.  I was really interested in knowing how this was going to turn out!

The security firm will eventually have to disclose how they intend to operate.

Don't stress over the people who think that paying taxes allows them to do anything.  It doesn't work that way. 

I don't understand dumping anymore.  At least where I live, you can sit large items out to the trash and they'll pick up.  If it's metal, just take it to the recycling center and make some cash instead of polluting the environment with it!

Having separate motorized/non motorized areas is a good idea to protect people and animals from collisions.

Keep us posted on any new info.

[Rick_Bear]

The spokesman for the firm that designs the "looked into" management/security plan was very evasive as Jeremy stated. But worse yet this guy made statements of "battle proved" & "non-evasive"...WRONG !!!

The design company this guy works for is "treading" into a market wanting business. They are experts within the defence security, tracking systems field that was NOT what people in that area wanted to hear...Hell, I didn't want to hear it either and it could have been promoted in a more passive manner to gain support and confidence. This guy was evasive as hell but made everyone feel that upon entering the Park a "chip" will be shot into your head as to track you for life... I immediately recalled the movie "Conspiracy Theory". His answers and comments did not go over well with anyone period. The idea of being able to satellite track in a vast area is a great safety feature and it should have been promoted that way through a "credit card" style holding card. Those wanting to loose it upon leaving can toss it in somebody else's vehicle at the end of the day if they think "BIG BROTHER is tracking them home and purchase another upon a potential return.

Honestly...IMO...IF this project doesn't pass the locals are in for a rude awakening as to WHO owns the property. The townships have the property "In Trust" which means they (Elected Commissioners) can sign over ownership and there is NOTHING the residents can do about it. The residents elected the commissioners to make financial decisions on behalf of the tax payers. The residents and visitors that have been tresspassing for the past 30 years have been nothing but a liability and expense to the township and that is how it will be perceived in the end if this is not accepted.

The DCNR & the DER have already toured the property so they have seen the extent of the disrespect, pollution, and dumping that has been taking place on the property for generations. They (DCNR & DER) as government land management departments are most likely/could take action if this project does not pass. IF the project passes there are hundreds & thousands of committed hours of FREE (organized OHV/ORV Club) labor to clean it up at minimal/NO cost. But, if it DOESN'T pass then our tax dollars would most likely have to cover the cost and when that is decided to be the result there will NEVER be any recreational activity taking place there at all and those locals (un-organized OHV/ORV enthusiasts) will be left out in the cold to be apprehend, prosecute, and what ever other means possible to CLOSE THE PROPERTY to anything other than mining coal. It will be unfortunate, and this is a deprived economy that doesn't embrace paying membership dues into organized recreational organizations. They struggle to feed their families which I will only understand to a point. What has been ignored for so many years is not justifiable IMO.

The local residents IMO really hold the cards, but I could be mistaken. BUT, if this thing doesn't pass I'm not so sure the local residents are going to be treated pleasantly as they continue to tresspass. Time will tell the story and I certainly hope it has a happy ending for everyone. I'm really not wanting to be confronted at gunpoint by angered "locals" as I was a few times during the creation of "PARAGON" some years ago. I'm going to commit my future support, attend the meetings and see if "WE" (PA Jeeps Club) can help support a mutual solution that continues to provide access to this 6,000 acres of beautiful property to everyone.

The major problem is that the locals are, for the most part NOT affiliated with or privileged to "Tread Lightly" ethics or any type of organized off-road organizations or simply choose not to do so. THAT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM, they state it's "THEIR" land yet have allowed it to be desecrated and polluted upon for 30 years without attempting to clean it up. Yes, this is a wage deprived area of the State. But not an excuse to desolate or allow pollution to public land. The mining companies create dust issues that are specified as being created by OHV/ORV enthusiasts which is an incorrect statement and going beyond that the mining companies are in support of this project and positive to work with it since it could potentially save them in reclamation cost of the land if an area is desired to be left with culverts.

The work shall continue to make this property a World Class "Multi-Purpose" Recreational Park.