|   Pa Gamelands to be closed to mtb | Cindy
Nov 26, 2001 5:25 PM | | Joe and I attended a Valley Mountain Bikers meeting on 11/20/01 to hear Tim Cusick, our IMBA State Rep, give an update on the status of proposed changes to the PA State Game land regulations. Tim had just spent the day in Harrisburg so this is breaking news.
On Monday, 11/19/01, the PA State Game land Commission, finally indicated clearly what changes are recommended. (Up to this point they have been purposefully vague and ambiguous to prevent IMBA or any other group from initiating a legal fight.) Basically the news is NOT GOOD for PA mountain bikers. The proposed changes will outlaw mountain biking on all PA state game land .
While this sounds depressing, at least we now know what the PGC's intention are and can come together for an organized plan of opposition. IMBA has formed a coalition of 25 State Representatives to issue a bill (Bill 2181) which would call for the Pa State Gameland Commission to fall under the Independent Regulatory Review Act. All agencies that fall under this act must follow due process in making regulatory changes which includes full public disclosure of recommended changes and hearings to allow the public a voice. Everything must be clearly communicated and above board. Unfortunately, without this act, the PGC has been able to play "spin doctor" all this time. That is why there has been so much conflicting information on this issue. First they say they will post some trails open but now they are saying that PGC trails don't exist...then they discuss the threat that mountain biking allegedly has on wildlife habitat but then they cite no backing research.
Under the Independent Regulatory Review Act, the PGC would have to start over from square one with their proposals and do everything it takes to comply with this act.
The fact that we have 25 State Representative supporting us in the introduction of this bill is great news but we can't just sit back and relax on this issue just yet. The PGC is already reviewing the bill and will certainly move to protect their power to control these lands.
So what can we do? By next month we need to get 10,000 names on a petition in support of this bill. Tim explained that this petition, (unlike one that just indicates agreement with an issue or opinion) is like a vote and therefore carries far more weight.
The petition will be available via e-mail and can also be downloaded and printed out for written signatures. There will also be a separate petition for out of state'ers to sign as well.
We will need to get the signatures of EVERYONE not just those in the mountain bike community.
This is a public access issue. It is unconstitutional to eliminate user groups for public lands. It is even more outrageous when you consider the huge tax breaks these lands receive. In addition, we pay far more taxes on our property as well as the taxes that go to support the lands. If there is a fire on PA state gameland, it is our tax supported local fire departments that respond. If a hunter (or anyone) is injured, the local EMT responds. Yet the PGC wants to keep this land restricted to for one user group and let us all continue to pay for it.
Although bicyclists of all types out number the hunters 2 to 1, the hunters are a very united group. When asked to support their sport, they write letters and sign petitions in high numbers.
We cyclists, on the other hand are a passive group. We mtb'ers especially have taken for granted our beautiful state gamelands. We just assume they will always will be there for us to enjoy.
This has been a real wake-up call for me particularly when I learned the PGC has used Jim Thorpe, and the Urinal trail in particular, as an example in their cause.
I hope everyone will join us in this fight. If this goes through, Tim reports that this will be the largest land closure in ten years. Please don't let this happen. Let's get everyone we know to sign this petition.
More info will be forthcoming... |
| re: Pa Gamelands to be closed to mtb | Doc Yeti
Nov 26, 2001 5:54 PM | | sucks........... anything else I can do? |
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