I received this from one of my club reps who went to the Burlington Federation Meeting Last night.
From: Pola Girard Galie <pola.galie@gmail.com>
Date: September 11, 2015 at 11:40:24 AM EDT
To: info@opentrailsnj.org
Subject: Additional information and attachment from Burlington County meeting
First of all, I can not thank you enough for coming out to both learn about what's happening and your show of support for our push for fair access to our state's resources.
I am concerned that this is going to be a long and drawn out fight but the only way we are going to make any headway or obtain any measure of success is by standing together and continuing to make ourselves heard.
It's important that in addition to getting those phone calls and letters done that every one who is eligible to vote in New Jersey is registered and actually gets out there and votes in every election.
Important links to share:
NJ State Federation -
http://www.njsfsc.org
NJ Outdoor Alliance -
http://www.njoutdooralliance.org
OpenTrailsNJ -
http://www.opentrailsnj.org
Voter Registration information -
www.state.nj.us/state/elections/voting-information.html
Attached is the flyer that we discussed last night for you to share. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out and I will do my best to find the answer or point you in the right direction.
#ScrapTheMap
Pola Galie, President
NJSFSC
STOP WHARTON STATE FOREST ROAD CLOSURES NOW!!
Have you noticed brown fiberglass posts labeled 'No Motorized Vehicles' spring up around our public lands in Wharton State Forest (W.S.F.)? These closures are part of the State Park Service's new Motorized Access Plan, which was forged in secrecy in hopes of closing 58% of the roads in Wharton State Forest. This means we will lose access to 274 miles of roads to explore, to enjoy the beauty of nature and to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday stressors. This is first state park of several to have this type of M.A.P. implemented, closing public roads. We need to stop this before it goes any further, and gain access back to these roads on OUR STATE LAND, which we, the tax payers, pay for and have a right to enjoy.
This plan represents a blanket closure of virtually ALL narrow interior woods roads and non-through roads that lead to points of interest, a large amount at water’s edge, while citing motorized damage for the closures. Don't believe the hype. Irresponsible damage is already illegal and is quite simply an issue of
enforcement and lack of maintenance.
Additionally, the explanations being given by the administration are NOT consistent with the types of roads being closed.
The remainder of the still open major roads will be 'rehabilitated' into wide, graded, orange gravel roads which will likely be dusty and heavily wash-boarded in short time with all traffic focused on so few roads. These wide graded roads, made of non-natural earth, represent a HUGE environmental impact themselves and will forever change the inherent charm of Wharton. This closed-door shift in policy is the largest and most negative change in the management of Wharton State Forest since it was purchased in 1957.
On 8/13/15, the Borough of Medford Lakes unanimously passed Resolution 83-15 opposing the Wharton Forest Motorized Action Plan (MAP). Following suit on 8/18/15 the Township of Medford passed resolution 155-2015. Other local towns bordering W.S.F. will be notified by B.M.L, encouraging them to follow suit. If you live in any of these towns, please attend the council meeting and voice your opposition to the plan. Email and call them to educate them and let them know exactly what we are losing. They need to hear our voices.
What can you do?
Email, call, and visit in person your local state representative:
New Jersey Legislature - Find Your Legislator Call Governor Christie: 609-292-6000 Write a letter: Office of the Governor, PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625-0001 Call Lt. Gov. Guadagno: 609-777-2581
Call Senator Sweeny: 856-251-9801
Call Director Bob Martin DEP: 609-292-2885
Call Mark Texel, Head of the State Park Service: 609-292-2773; email:
Mark.Texel@dep.nj.gov
Email Cindy Randazzo, DEP:
Cindy.Randazzo@dep.nj.gov She wants to hear “How this will affect you and your family.” Sign Petition online at:
MoveOn Petitions - Restore Fair Access to Wharton State Forest
Tell them:
* You are concerned by the lack of transparency and public involvement in reaching this decision.
* You are concerned this closure is not consistent with the plan of conservation under which the Wharton Tract was originally bought and paid for by tax payers.
* You are concerned the closure of many of these 100+ year old roads will negatively impact accessibility of cultural and historic sites, which will in time be lost to NJ.
* You feel this closure unfairly affects veterans, the very old, the very young, and the disabled.
* You are concerned about the severe negative effects these closures will have on Hunting, Fishing, Canoeing/Kayaking, and many, MANY other forms of recreation.
* You are concerned about the State Park Service's intimate relationship with special-interest groups and you wonder if these closures may more closely represent the interests of these groups than the publicly stated purposes of the closures.
Be polite, be honest, but BE FIRM. This land BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE and motorized access should remain open for ALL to enjoy EVERYTHING it has to offer!
Join us at:
OpenTrailsNJ | STOP WHARTON STATE FOREST ROAD CLOSURES NOW!!
The NEW Wharton LIMITED Motor Vehicle Access Map can be found:
http://www.njparksandforests.org/parks/maps/wharton_map_web_version.pdf
