The Division of Parks and Forestry seems intent on severely limiting access to all Wharton State forest user groups. They propose to eliminate legal roads accessed by legal motorized vehicles. Groups affected include hiking, boating, fishing, biking, hunting. Even birdwatching and stargazing. It also limits usage by those who may have ADA requirements. It is not a stretch to consider this proposed map fully “anti-recreation” since it greatly reduces the diversity of currently legal and accessible recreational activities.
So much at stake
Closure is being framed as the only management option. This is before responsible recreation education and informational signage were even considered. They are making this kneejerk decision even though offers of funding to provide help was presented to them. A “map” is a great idea. Closing roads however, is not.
A call for "common sense"
With the diverse user groups all pushing to keep Wharton State Forest roads open, a commonsense approach needs to be taken. The DEP and Forest services have a willing and able volunteer base within all these user groups. A commonsense approach would be to bridge the gap and work together to clean, maintain, and protect our forest. Letting the user groups participate in management efforts is an easy almost zero cost solution to help as a team. Everyone coming together to ensure our forest is taken care of. Things like clean ups, bridge and trail maintenance, and fence repair are just a few things that can be utilized from the eager volunteer base. Education is a key factor in this, but was not on the table of talking points. Sadly, efforts from the user groups have been denied or pushed aside. Doesn’t seem to make any……well, sense. Also, does not seem to be very inclusive. Especially with a user base that agrees we should maintain our forests and sensitive areas. All while keeping the forest legal roads open. There is common ground however the people who need to listen, aren’t.
Illegal ATV/UTV usage (not allowed in any part of the forest) and damage to sensitive areas are being cited as primary concerns causing the closures. Closing the legal roads will make enforcement more difficult, and responsible users reporting lawbreakers and trespassing nearly impossible. The above reasoning is similar to the failed permit attempt in 2023, and the failed map proposal of 2015, which would only have burdened the legal recreation community and not the trespassers, and was rejected by the public during the survey period.
Closures will cause recreation congestion, as the same amount of users will have to share less opportunities. Less areas to park. Less viewing areas of the beauty that nature provides. More chances for vehicles trying to pass each other in different directions on the narrow roads. As visitor numbers increase, this will lead to far more resource damage than if there was more room to explore.
Closing legal roads will limit access to all types of recreational activities, not just visitors with motorized recreation as their primary reason to visit.
Can you say overreach?
The map of proposed closures was apparently created using a combination of careful consideration, recent impact studies and stakeholder input, yet is fundamentally identical to the closure map made in 2015 with none of these methods disclosed.
These are legal forest roads they are talking about closing, not trails. This MUST be an important distinction. These roads are currently open to road-legal, insured, and registered vehicles (motorcycles and full sized) not OHV/ATV/UTV
Oddly enough, the closures seem to come without any documented cases of wrongdoing. No case study of where the damage is occurring. No case study on how the damaged areas were in fact damaged. No case study proving the closing roads will solve the problems. No pictures, citation records, or chart showing an increase or decrease in damage over the last several years. In fact, there is ZERO discussion on how to actually stop those who damage the forest’s sensitive areas other than road closures. Not one example of how to educate the people on the right and wrong way to use the forest can be found either. We all know locks are for honest thieves. If someone wants to damage an area or be where they are not allowed, they will do it despite the closures.
