Winona Trails opened to ATVs!

[Phantom]

Winona Trails in Jefferson County Opened to ATV Traffic
Aubertine applauds DEC decision to open connector trails for ATVs

Media Release

WATERTOWN, N.Y., October 1  —  State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today applauded the state Department of Conservation for its decision to open sections of the Hassel and Wart truck trails to all-terrain vehicle traffic in the Winona State Forest Preserve in Jefferson County.

"Opening these trails gives ATV riders much needed links to existing trails that will help create a unified trail system," Sen. Aubertine said. "I want to thank the DEC for listening to my concerns on this issue and moving forward with its decision to re-open these truck trails to ATV traffic."

Sen. Aubertine in April asked the DEC to reconsider its decision to close Region 6 truck trails to ATV traffic saying that closing these trails would negatively impact the region's economy and adversely affect efforts to create a safe and well-maintained trail system stretching from Oswego, through the Winona State Forest and into Barnes Comers in Lewis County. The Senator has been working with the DEC to make sure that trails would be re-opened.

"Creating a safe, well-maintained trail system is important because it gives people a place to ride," Sen. Aubertine said. "ATV tourism brings in revenue and creates jobs. Opening these critical connector trails is an important step toward building up our tourism economy as a destination for ATVs."

An economic analysis done several years ago by Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs found that non-resident ATV use has directly contributed $23 million to the region's economy per year, including $7.9 million in wages. When factoring indirect and induced economic impacts, the numbers jump to $35.2 million and almost $11.4 million in wages.

Official: Senator Aubertine

[Phantom]

Winona Trails in Jefferson County Opened to ATV Traffic
Aubertine applauds DEC decision to open connector trails for ATVs

Media Release

WATERTOWN, N.Y., October 1  —  State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today applauded the state Department of Conservation for its decision to open sections of the Hassel and Wart truck trails to all-terrain vehicle traffic in the Winona State Forest Preserve in Jefferson County.

"Opening these trails gives ATV riders much needed links to existing trails that will help create a unified trail system," Sen. Aubertine said. "I want to thank the DEC for listening to my concerns on this issue and moving forward with its decision to re-open these truck trails to ATV traffic."

Sen. Aubertine in April asked the DEC to reconsider its decision to close Region 6 truck trails to ATV traffic saying that closing these trails would negatively impact the region's economy and adversely affect efforts to create a safe and well-maintained trail system stretching from Oswego, through the Winona State Forest and into Barnes Comers in Lewis County. The Senator has been working with the DEC to make sure that trails would be re-opened.

"Creating a safe, well-maintained trail system is important because it gives people a place to ride," Sen. Aubertine said. "ATV tourism brings in revenue and creates jobs. Opening these critical connector trails is an important step toward building up our tourism economy as a destination for ATVs."

An economic analysis done several years ago by Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs found that non-resident ATV use has directly contributed $23 million to the region's economy per year, including $7.9 million in wages. When factoring indirect and induced economic impacts, the numbers jump to $35.2 million and almost $11.4 million in wages.

Official: Senator Aubertine

[JZO]

I FIND THIS VERY INTERESTING!

I have some real issues with this, but I need to hold my comments until a later date.

[GreatWhiteHunter]

I FIND THIS VERY INTERESTING!

I have some real issues with this, but I need to hold my comments until a later date.

Joe,

You may wish to expand on your statements as soon as possible before someone takes it the wrong way.

I have a feeling I know what you're referring to but I'm afraid that your message may be interpreted incorrectly.

[JZO]

The opening of the 2 truck trails is great news and it will help to join Oswego and Jefferson County trails which will lead into Lewis County. I just hope this wasn't approved by DEC and in hopes that some other group other than DEC will challenge the opening of the Truck Trails.

I just don't know if this is a bone being thrown to the ATV community by DEC. I would really like to look at this in a positive side that DEC is going to start working with us and only time will tell.

With a little luck next spring we will be able to ride from West Carthage (home) and ride all the way to Central Square, it's coming!

[JoeR]

I think the DEC has made it pretty clear that they don't want to work with ATVers.  The internal letter that was dug up on them a short while back is evidence enough of what they think of us.  That's not going to change overnight. 
This move is simply an effort to clean some of the egg off their face.  I don't think it can be explained any other way, but I'd be open to other opinions. 
BTW, where's the post with that internal DEC letter where they call us yahoos etc?  I tried a search to include the link to that letter here, but I couldn't find it.
joe

[JZO]

I have enclosed a copy of the letter.

This is why Jefferson didn't go along with the law suit they setteled for the 2 truck trails.

It's raining pretty heavy this morning so we will not be out doing trail maintenance. Instead after a good breakfeast at Gary's in Lowville Bob Diehl and I will be heading down to set up the chamber booth at the big east show. Bob will be working the Lewis County Chamber booth Friday evening so stop in and get a update on what we are doing in Lewis County.

This will aas close as I get to the show since I will be heading for Lowe's motor speedway to visit the race shops for a week prior to next weekends races. I will have my L/T to keep up with things at home. This will be our 6th year and their still plety that we haven't seen. My son and wife can't wait to see the new drag strip.

[JoeR]

Thanks Joe,
That's the letter I was looking for.  If I ignore the fact that I was called a yahoo, and the fact that they just want to throw me a bone, the paragraph at the bottom of the first page says it all.

"There must be a way to close state land to ATVs without causing WWIII"

They have made their intention clear.  They want to eliminate ATV access to property they control.
As always, I'm open to other interpretations of that paragraph.

Joe

[Snotime]

That's just the tip of the ice berg. If you haven't read the provisions to rule 190, section 6 NYCRR then you should. DEC is screwing everyone from hunters to ATV'ers, to snowmobilers and everything in between.

Scroll down to the section titled State Lands:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2359.html#Proposed_Regulations