Sinnemahoning Watershed Association
CAMERON COUNTY - THE QUIET HEART OF THE PA WILDS
Just to the east of Cameron County the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail was created by DCNR to provide long-distance riding opportunities for ATVs. The trail utilizes DCNR roads and trails, township and municipality roads, and a number of PennDOT roads. In 2024 there were approximately 650 miles of trail in the program.
DCNR compiled a study in 2023 at the end of the 3 year pilot program and the results were mixed. 46 percent of local residents polled were dissatisfied with the program. 71 percent of the non-motorized recreationists were dissatisfied. These are big numbers! Concerns include damage to state forest land, noise, littering, invasive weeds, dust on municipal roads, trespassing on adjacent properties, lack of law enforcement, safety hazards (especially with ATVs on township and state roads), and more.
Our region already has many areas open to ATV riding. There are privately owned sites like Majestic Trails in McKean County and some of the larger hunting clubs are open to ATV use. DCNR has ample riding opportunities in places like Whiskey Springs nearby in Clinton County as well as the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail mentioned above. These riding opportunities are just a short trailer ride away for ATV enthusiasts.
The peace and quiet that we find in Cameron County is one of its best assets. In a 2022 study done by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection the water quality in Cameron County was the BEST in the state with just 3% of its waterways impacted with some sort of pollution.
The beautiful streams and forests of our county make it a great place to live and play. Visitors - many who shop at our local stores and dine at our local restaurants - are drawn to the area to hunt, fish, hike, bike ride, bird watch, canoe and kayak, or to enjoy the quiet. Noisy ATVs are just not compatible with these activities. How many residents would be dissatisfied with people that hike, bike, fish, etc.? Probably close to zero.
Currently Cameron County has very few of our roads open to ATV traffic. This is a good thing! If you don't want to see (and hear!) ATVs in Cameron County then please let your elected officials know.
Summary of Monitoring
ReplyDeleteDCNR’s monitoring results suggest the three-year ATV Regional Connector Pilot encountered relatively
minor environmental, social, and management issues through the three years. Generally, motorized
recreationalists were strongly supportive of the pilot while non-motorized recreationists indicated they
were strongly not supportive. Residents were split nearly evenly on satisfaction with a slight edge
toward being dissatisfied. Thoughtful planning of the preferred routes, frequent engagement with
stakeholders, proactive patrolling of the route, and addressing issues with the pilot as they arose were
key to these results.https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=8035943&DocName=Final_ATV_Pilot_2023_General_Assembly_Report.pdf
Summary of Monitoring
ReplyDeleteDCNR’s monitoring results suggest the three-year ATV Regional Connector Pilot encountered relatively
minor environmental, social, and management issues through the three years. Generally, motorized
recreationalists were strongly supportive of the pilot while non-motorized recreationists indicated they
were strongly not supportive. Residents were split nearly evenly on satisfaction with a slight edge
toward being dissatisfied. Thoughtful planning of the preferred routes, frequent engagement with
stakeholders, proactive patrolling of the route, and addressing issues with the pilot as they arose were
key to these results.
https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=8035943&DocName=Final_ATV_Pilot_2023_General_Assembly_Report.pdf
"In total, 3,563 people participated in the 2021 and 2022
ReplyDeletesurveys" "The surveys were used as mechanism for broad, statewide
feedback and are not statistical in nature."
Of everything in the County that people can complain about, ATV's riding the trails and enjoying our little piece of heaven is the least of them. Our community is dying. The ATV trail system will bring money to us. There are many more noisy things in the woods other that ATV's
ReplyDelete