Crowdog
04-12-2005, 07:44 AM
Bear Brook could open to ATV trails
Lawmakers reviewing recreational land-use bill
By ANNE SAUNDERS
The Associated Press
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April 11. 2005 8:00AM
ALLENSTOWN - Vanishing snow cover has put an end to all-terrain-vehicle owners' opportunity to use the snowmobile trails in Bear Brook State Park this year.
But a bill in the Legislature represents a possible thaw in the stalled efforts to develop a year-round trail here. The house is now considering an off-road recreational land use bill that could open more trails on state land, including Bear Brook.
The state identified the almost 10,000-acre park several years ago as the best spot for a new 20-mile ATV trail. Since then, park neighbors have fought fiercely against the plan, arguing the machines are destructive, noisy and could pollute their wells.
But the state Trails Bureau is under a mandate to add trails as part of a law passed several years ago.
A December 2003 study found 22,000, or 2 percent, of New Hampshire residents and 4,500 non-residents have registered ATVs or trail bikes in the state. That figure is projected to grow by 42 percent by 2008.
To compound the problem, most riders live in the southern part of the state, creating pressure to add trails in an area that's heavily populated. That was part of the attraction of Bear Brook.
"It's in an area of the state where there should be trails," said Chris Ward, president of the New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association, which represents ATV clubs.
Neighbors complain that ATVs already use the park illegally, often cutting across private property and leaving litter and erosion in their wake.
ATV advocates argue the best way to stop illegal use is to provide more trails for legal use. They say the proposal for trails in Bear Brook was "shot down before it was even presented," Ward said. "I think there's plenty of space there for everyone."
The bill that could bring a new trail to the park passed the Senate on March 31. It would make it easier to put ATV trails in any state park or forest by reducing the required distance between trails and public wells. But in a gesture to Allenstown, it would give the town veto power over any new trails in Bear Brook.
Trails Bureau Chief Paul Gray says the 4,000-foot separation between trails and wells in existing law was a mistake and should have been 400 feet. The bill would make the change.
ATV opponents oppose the reduction and, until now, have defeated it.
In exchange for getting the distance reduced, the bill would give veto power over trails to any town with a state park covering 45 percent or more of its land. It's not clear whether any town besides Allenstown meets that criterion.
The lack of a veto for other communities makes some residents nervous.
"I don't see this as good news for the rest of the class," said Ann Davis, who lives near Gile State Forest in Springfield. State officials met with selectmen more than a year ago to discuss the possibility of ATV trails there, she said.
Neighbors of Pisgah State Park in Winchester also fear the state wants to put ATV trails there over their objections. ATV Watch, based in Fitzwilliam, remains on alert, ready to marshal opposition to new ATV trails on any state land.
Parks officials have said previously that Pisgah is not under consideration, and Gray said Gile has been ruled out because of its pristine character.
"Bear Brook is intensively recreated now," he said, making it the best candidate. Aside from plans to buy land in Berlin for new trails, no other state land is under consideration for expanded ATV use, he said.
Bear Brook once was a populated section of Allenstown and still contains the community's first meetinghouse, scattered cemeteries and other remnants of its history. When a devastating fire destroyed thousands of acres here, the state bought out the ruined landowners. Still, many homes remain scattered around the park.
The beautiful stone bridges and pavilions were added during the Depression by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps, turning it into the popular park it is today. In the process, however, Allenstown lost half its taxable land.
As town leaders review any proposed trail, protecting that history and the public wells will be a priority. But Selectwoman Sandy McKenney said Allenstown will keep an open mind.
If Gray presents a plan for trails, "we would definitely listen to him,"she said. "We're not going to shut the door in his face."
Some question whether any trail design would be acceptable in this community with so many entrenched opponents of ATVs. For their part, opponents fear the board of selectmen could someday be stacked with ATV supporters who would approve a trail.
"I can't see Paul Gray backing off," said Armand Verville, who lives next to the park. "That's what worries me."
If the bill becomes law, Gray says his trail design committee, which includes several Allenstown residents, will draw up possible routes for new trails.
"I would hope they would be open to review something," he said of town officials.
------ End of article
By ANNE SAUNDERS
The Associated Press
Lawmakers reviewing recreational land-use bill
By ANNE SAUNDERS
The Associated Press
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 11. 2005 8:00AM
ALLENSTOWN - Vanishing snow cover has put an end to all-terrain-vehicle owners' opportunity to use the snowmobile trails in Bear Brook State Park this year.
But a bill in the Legislature represents a possible thaw in the stalled efforts to develop a year-round trail here. The house is now considering an off-road recreational land use bill that could open more trails on state land, including Bear Brook.
The state identified the almost 10,000-acre park several years ago as the best spot for a new 20-mile ATV trail. Since then, park neighbors have fought fiercely against the plan, arguing the machines are destructive, noisy and could pollute their wells.
But the state Trails Bureau is under a mandate to add trails as part of a law passed several years ago.
A December 2003 study found 22,000, or 2 percent, of New Hampshire residents and 4,500 non-residents have registered ATVs or trail bikes in the state. That figure is projected to grow by 42 percent by 2008.
To compound the problem, most riders live in the southern part of the state, creating pressure to add trails in an area that's heavily populated. That was part of the attraction of Bear Brook.
"It's in an area of the state where there should be trails," said Chris Ward, president of the New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association, which represents ATV clubs.
Neighbors complain that ATVs already use the park illegally, often cutting across private property and leaving litter and erosion in their wake.
ATV advocates argue the best way to stop illegal use is to provide more trails for legal use. They say the proposal for trails in Bear Brook was "shot down before it was even presented," Ward said. "I think there's plenty of space there for everyone."
The bill that could bring a new trail to the park passed the Senate on March 31. It would make it easier to put ATV trails in any state park or forest by reducing the required distance between trails and public wells. But in a gesture to Allenstown, it would give the town veto power over any new trails in Bear Brook.
Trails Bureau Chief Paul Gray says the 4,000-foot separation between trails and wells in existing law was a mistake and should have been 400 feet. The bill would make the change.
ATV opponents oppose the reduction and, until now, have defeated it.
In exchange for getting the distance reduced, the bill would give veto power over trails to any town with a state park covering 45 percent or more of its land. It's not clear whether any town besides Allenstown meets that criterion.
The lack of a veto for other communities makes some residents nervous.
"I don't see this as good news for the rest of the class," said Ann Davis, who lives near Gile State Forest in Springfield. State officials met with selectmen more than a year ago to discuss the possibility of ATV trails there, she said.
Neighbors of Pisgah State Park in Winchester also fear the state wants to put ATV trails there over their objections. ATV Watch, based in Fitzwilliam, remains on alert, ready to marshal opposition to new ATV trails on any state land.
Parks officials have said previously that Pisgah is not under consideration, and Gray said Gile has been ruled out because of its pristine character.
"Bear Brook is intensively recreated now," he said, making it the best candidate. Aside from plans to buy land in Berlin for new trails, no other state land is under consideration for expanded ATV use, he said.
Bear Brook once was a populated section of Allenstown and still contains the community's first meetinghouse, scattered cemeteries and other remnants of its history. When a devastating fire destroyed thousands of acres here, the state bought out the ruined landowners. Still, many homes remain scattered around the park.
The beautiful stone bridges and pavilions were added during the Depression by the federal Civilian Conservation Corps, turning it into the popular park it is today. In the process, however, Allenstown lost half its taxable land.
As town leaders review any proposed trail, protecting that history and the public wells will be a priority. But Selectwoman Sandy McKenney said Allenstown will keep an open mind.
If Gray presents a plan for trails, "we would definitely listen to him,"she said. "We're not going to shut the door in his face."
Some question whether any trail design would be acceptable in this community with so many entrenched opponents of ATVs. For their part, opponents fear the board of selectmen could someday be stacked with ATV supporters who would approve a trail.
"I can't see Paul Gray backing off," said Armand Verville, who lives next to the park. "That's what worries me."
If the bill becomes law, Gray says his trail design committee, which includes several Allenstown residents, will draw up possible routes for new trails.
"I would hope they would be open to review something," he said of town officials.
------ End of article
By ANNE SAUNDERS
The Associated Press