dukie564

Pirate4x4 is heading a letter campaign to help convince Maryland to open a legal OHV Trail system within the state. Please, if you enjoy the activity of wheeling, take a few minutes out of your day and write a short well thought out letter to the lawmakers in our state.

Pirate4x4 makes it super easy to send a short letter and they also can track how many letters have been sent and have copies of the letters. If it's too much of an inconvinence for you to write something yourself just copy someone elses and paste it in.

Don't rely on the other guy to do it because thats how trails continue to get closed. It's even getting support from people from out of state that know nothing about Maryland, about us, and about what we have to do to go four-wheeling. Support this so maybe we wont have to drive 2 hours one way to go wheelin anymore...

Topic Thread on Pirate4x4:
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=967346

Submit Letter Here:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/

KTMrider

Im part of a couple clubs, both jeep and dirtbike, that are up in arms over this BS bout Green Ridge. The more people worked up the better!

Jeepincamper

Here is the scoup. A few things played a role in the recent closures. #1 was irresponsible ATV riders. They simply trashed Green Ridge and did stupid crap on Poplar Lick. Mind you, I have serious heart burn over it being closed to licensed vehicles. The other thing that played into this is the Forest Certification process. It does not say OHV is not allowed. But, given the way the area was ripped up. Well, you can figure the rest out.
Still, I do not see that as a dead issue, at least as far as Green Ridge.
I am on a committee through the DNR looking at potential sites for OHV use. Mind you, the ATV and snowmobile crowd are a part of this and the ATV crowd is having to be reminded that four wheel drive is to have a piece of action here. Something along the line of OHV parks are under consideration. Mostly in Western Maryland, but not exclusively.
Middle Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association, through member clubs, has some special events that feature some unique access. Visit the web site to see how to hook up with us. MAFWDA is a member of the United Four Wheel Drive Associations.
You are on the right track. Write the Department of Natural Resources and politely explain what you are looking for. Write your state Delegates and Senators. Our problem is, they rarely hear from the four wheel drive crowd. Keep in mind. That is public land. In other words, it belongs to each and every citizen of Maryland. You have a legitmate say so.
Also, keep in mind, Parks are very different from Forests. Parks have a very narrow scope regarding use. Rarely does that include motorized recreation. State Forests are managed for "Multiple Benefits" ( a politically correct way of saying "Multiple-Use.") We are most likely to have access on State and National Forests, rather than Parks. Still, never rule out all parks.

kuzican

That link for the letters appears to not be working. Otherwise I would do it as I've been looking for a place to wheel in maryland (someone who owns land basically) and I've had no luck so far.

Jeepincamper

Send letters to the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Governor, Delegates and State Senators.

dukie564

posted over a year ago that's why.

Jeepincamper

There is something in the works (ORV Stake Holders Group) The DNR is organizing this. Good progress so far. We need you all to send in letters to give us support. Thanks.

stormitecture

God this is going slow. Applaud the effort, but in this state....ugggg.

Tom95YJ

I was born and raised a Marylander, I can tell you they will never open any more OHV area's , You'll have better luck getting them to build a nascar speedway by Martins airport in essex before you ever see them open OHV trails . an the speedway idea has been turned down a few times already !

Maryland is turning into the eastcoast hippie breeding ground !


When I lived in Md I was a member of B4W, MidAtlantic4wd, United4wd .

If you want trails opened keep people from wheeling illegally at places like Quad Ave, Cocacola drive, Mohars lane, ect..........

dukie564

ya it's sad. I like Maryland, but it's full of people who are too stuck up and worried about image to let anyone have fun...

stormitecture

Yeah, why I don't slam people for wheeling in questionable (but publically owned) areas. In some areas/some regards, you can use public land, but there is an element about damage to. Like you are free to use park property, but you can't dig, burn, chop, destroy the property. Kinda hard to do with a Jeep on virgin ground. I admit, I have pushed the limit on a few back woods trails, and what is known as brownfields (former industrial areas. Always public and never virgin ground. Hell, even the local spot the cops are fine with.

I agree, it will never happen in MD. Way too liberal (and I'm no republican) minded, conservative lifestyled. Biggest contradiction state out there.

Tom95YJ

I guarantee if a Law enforcement officer saw you exit a " local wheeling spot ". You would get a trespassing ticket . It happened to. Me twice once at cedar lane in Bel air and once at quad avenue. It is illegal unless you have written consent and notarized from the land owner. The only places to legally wheel in maryland are out west in gwnf and assitique island . The same applies out here in Utah. But we have public ohv recreation land that is 100% legal an our taxes pay to maintain it to a degree

Jeepincamper

Great Job! remember, do not give up, as a quick result is highly unlikely. But, if can happen. Try to list some specifics, too. Such as a route or trails system, ie: the old Green Ridge Loop, Stafford and East Valley Roads. Do it for licensed vehicles. That may have a slight chance. Keep hammering it.
Also, only one or two of you should represent the club. Remember, take your membership numbers X3 and refer to your membership as family members.
Hey, numbers help and that is how the "anti's" play the game. The difference in our case is we tell the truth and use common sense. "Wise Use"
Also consider copying your state delegate, the individual land manager if you lay down some specific routes. Address your letters to Secretary of the DNR John Griffin.
The United Four Wheel Drive Associations Annual Meeting will be in York, PA right after the PA Jeeps' All Breeds of Jeep Show at the York Fairgrounds on the weekend of the 20th this month. I will be there representing the Middle Atlantic Four Wheel Drive Association. We can try to stir things up a again, especially if the membership sees another club getting involved.
Have a great day! Thank You for your efforts!

stormitecture

Well, that is where assumption doesn't pay. I have a spot I go to and cops have been there, and they have not made me move.

Additionally, you didn't READ what I posted...never said anything about going on private property. It is county owned property. It is in fact eventually suppose to be the new fire academy and other county services area. Right now it is simply a brownfield (post industrial zoned area). I don't go often (it is a boring spot...not a true "wheeling" area).

Everyone always throws out the word "legally" or "illegal" when discussing Maryland, but no one in probably 100+ posts, discussions, etc. has provided any PROOF that going off-road on publicly owned areas that are NOT designated parks (that is illegal).

On the flip side, after I was sitting at a spot (not talking about wheeling now) talking on the cell phone (as driving and talking is illegal in Maryland, except with hand free device, which I did not have at that time)...a bunch of folks called the cops saying I was "suspicious". The cop stopped by, we chatted, he was happy I was off the road doing the right thing. The cop left. Residents called again. This time the cop had to explain that I had every legal right to be where I was. As he later told me....he was not coming back if they called 911 again.

Why mention this. I've been around the block about this land use and rights issues. Now I understand the issues and the desires for folks to have a legit park. However, I have lived in this state almost all of my 34 years (Florida otherwise). I am active politically and have a mind for finding the real truths about issues. Whether it is from family that at one time was in the state house as a legislature, to just knowing how to find the truth about people and issues, I can almost with 100% confidence say Maryland will never have a designated area provided by or accepted by the government entities of the State of Maryland. Especially so as long as O'Malley is around.

I know it sucks, and I feel sorry for the people stuck here, dealing with that issue (that Maryland is just a horrible state). I've been stuck here too...for to long! I do wish the best for those pushing for the issue, and I would/will help where I can (because I still am an optimist more so than a realist). But please oh please....don't rely on saying stuff like "it's illegal" unless you have proof ready to go. Especially if you are from out of state. Laws and zoning change state to state, don't assume.

Jeepincamper

If you are on County land, it may be what we have often called "semi-legal"
In other words, that County has not said, the place is open, have at it. Nor, have they bothered to try to run you off. It is likely a political/liability thing. Well, that is either until someone gets hurt, or some liberal moran feels it is their duty to have it shut down.
Technically, there are places to wheel in Maryland. They just are not what we are looking for. Historically, our group has been granted as per use type access. Usually, in exchange, we do some conservation work and of course, we wheel very responsibly. It works out great. We even use to have some outstanding access on Green Ridge. Well, that is until the renegade ATV users screwed that up. Long story.
We are still working on getting places open to full time wheeling. I do agree 100%, certain elected individuals with their liberal agenda are determind to make it seem like they are all for us. But, when it is time for the rubber to meet the dirt........
Apathy is our #1 enemy. This is especially true with the younger "give me" or "instant gradification" crowd. They would rather plunk down their hard earned or Daddy's money to wheel, than to lift a finger to write letters or pick up a shovel. The radical environmentalists have to spend very little money against us. Too many wheelers just cave in. Yet, whether it is county, state or Federally managed property, it is OUR property. We have rights. We just need to learn how to assert them, in the correct manner.