Bleeder
JORBA:President
Wait, what?
I am writing to you about my concern (more like a freak out, actually) for our future access to jungle habitat which is threatened by a proposed West Milford ATV park.
My involvement with jungle habitat began years ago after I read an article in my local paper about an organization called JORBA that was building trails there. I had hiked and biked to the jungle from my home, and I wanted to be involved. I showed up the following week and met Dave and Jeff for the first time. Little did I know, as we trudged through the snow and hacked out the first turn on a trail that was to become hippo, that this was the start of my odyssey into trail building and advocacy. It reignited my love of mountain biking and allowed me to give back to a community I have grown into. I quit smoking, I started riding more, and I am now secretary of JORBA.
Since 2006, JORBA has invested more than 3500 man hours cleaning, building and maintaining trails at jungle habitat. Kids races, mountain bikes races, trail runs and mountain biking festivals are held at jungle habitat every year. Jungle habitat is now widely know in the MTB community, locally, statewide, nationally and even internationally. Check out some articles from The Magazine and Dirt Rag Magazine. Now all that will be gone.
Originally, West Milford Twp was planning to use township-owned property to develop an ATV park, but now they are proposing to spend taxpayer money to lease state-owned jungle habitat. Years ago, this site was considered and then rejected for ATV use. Not only is this a more costly option, but under Title 13:1L-5.1 the commissioner is required to consider the impact on current recreational activities such as hiking, trail running and mountain biking. Furthermore, “ Under the ATV legislation, the DEP must purchase new land for the parks and may not use existing state park lands.” In addition, Pending legislation would prohibit the siting of an ATV park within 5 miles of residential zoning. If ATVs are allowed, mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers will not be.
For these reasons I urge you to actively oppose West Milford’s proposal to use jungle habitat for ATVs by writing letters to state officials, the town council, and even the local press. (See names and addresses below.)
Learn More:
NorthJersy.com Follow the stories:
West Milford Township hits rut during ATV park assessment
West Milford OKs RFP for ATV park
Officials warn ATV injuries could be costly to West Milford taxpayers
West Milford Township seeks recruits for ATV park committee
West Milford Township overwhelmed by ATV committee applications
West Milford Town Council sees large turnout for ATV Committee
West Milford ATV committee conflicts under consideration
ATV park, fire depts. on council agenda in West Milford
Express your opinion:
State Officials:
Bob Martin
DEP Commissioner
401 E. State St.
7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
http://www.nj.gov/dep/commissioner/index.html
Division of Parks and Forestry
State Park Service
Director: Mark Texel
609-292-2773
Fax Number:
609-984-0503
Mailing Address:
Mail Code 501-04
PO Box 420
501 East State Street
4th floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
State Park Service - Regional Offices
Northern Region
Regional Superintendent: Stephen R. Ellis (Acting)
973-786-5210
Fax Number:
(973) 786-6874
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1100
199 Goodale Road
Newton, NJ 07860
Township of West Milford
Mayor Bettina Bieri
(1/1/08-12/31/15)
973-728-2710 (Townhall)
Bieri@WestMilford.org
Ada Erik
Councilwoman
(1/1/12-12/31/14)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Erik@WestMilford.org
Vivienne Erk
Councilwoman
(1/1/13-12/31/15)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Erk@WestMilford.org
Michele Dale
Councilwoman
(1/1/14-12/31/16)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Dale@WestMilford.org
CarlLa Horton
Councilwoman
(1/1/12-12/31/14)
Phone: 973-728-0579
Fax:
E-Mail: Horton@WestMilford.org
Michael Hensley
Councilman
(1/1/13-12/31/015)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Hensley@WestMilford.org
Lou Signorino
Councilman
(1/1/14-12/31/16)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Signorino@WestMilford.org
By the way, Lou is the major force behind the use of Jungle for ATV's exclusively.
I am writing to you about my concern (more like a freak out, actually) for our future access to jungle habitat which is threatened by a proposed West Milford ATV park.
My involvement with jungle habitat began years ago after I read an article in my local paper about an organization called JORBA that was building trails there. I had hiked and biked to the jungle from my home, and I wanted to be involved. I showed up the following week and met Dave and Jeff for the first time. Little did I know, as we trudged through the snow and hacked out the first turn on a trail that was to become hippo, that this was the start of my odyssey into trail building and advocacy. It reignited my love of mountain biking and allowed me to give back to a community I have grown into. I quit smoking, I started riding more, and I am now secretary of JORBA.
Since 2006, JORBA has invested more than 3500 man hours cleaning, building and maintaining trails at jungle habitat. Kids races, mountain bikes races, trail runs and mountain biking festivals are held at jungle habitat every year. Jungle habitat is now widely know in the MTB community, locally, statewide, nationally and even internationally. Check out some articles from The Magazine and Dirt Rag Magazine. Now all that will be gone.
Originally, West Milford Twp was planning to use township-owned property to develop an ATV park, but now they are proposing to spend taxpayer money to lease state-owned jungle habitat. Years ago, this site was considered and then rejected for ATV use. Not only is this a more costly option, but under Title 13:1L-5.1 the commissioner is required to consider the impact on current recreational activities such as hiking, trail running and mountain biking. Furthermore, “ Under the ATV legislation, the DEP must purchase new land for the parks and may not use existing state park lands.” In addition, Pending legislation would prohibit the siting of an ATV park within 5 miles of residential zoning. If ATVs are allowed, mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers will not be.
For these reasons I urge you to actively oppose West Milford’s proposal to use jungle habitat for ATVs by writing letters to state officials, the town council, and even the local press. (See names and addresses below.)
Learn More:
NorthJersy.com Follow the stories:
West Milford Township hits rut during ATV park assessment
West Milford OKs RFP for ATV park
Officials warn ATV injuries could be costly to West Milford taxpayers
West Milford Township seeks recruits for ATV park committee
West Milford Township overwhelmed by ATV committee applications
West Milford Town Council sees large turnout for ATV Committee
West Milford ATV committee conflicts under consideration
ATV park, fire depts. on council agenda in West Milford
Express your opinion:
State Officials:
Bob Martin
DEP Commissioner
401 E. State St.
7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
http://www.nj.gov/dep/commissioner/index.html
Division of Parks and Forestry
State Park Service
Director: Mark Texel
609-292-2773
Fax Number:
609-984-0503
Mailing Address:
Mail Code 501-04
PO Box 420
501 East State Street
4th floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
State Park Service - Regional Offices
Northern Region
Regional Superintendent: Stephen R. Ellis (Acting)
973-786-5210
Fax Number:
(973) 786-6874
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1100
199 Goodale Road
Newton, NJ 07860
Township of West Milford
Mayor Bettina Bieri
(1/1/08-12/31/15)
973-728-2710 (Townhall)
Bieri@WestMilford.org
Ada Erik
Councilwoman
(1/1/12-12/31/14)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Erik@WestMilford.org
Vivienne Erk
Councilwoman
(1/1/13-12/31/15)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Erk@WestMilford.org
Michele Dale
Councilwoman
(1/1/14-12/31/16)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Dale@WestMilford.org
CarlLa Horton
Councilwoman
(1/1/12-12/31/14)
Phone: 973-728-0579
Fax:
E-Mail: Horton@WestMilford.org
Michael Hensley
Councilman
(1/1/13-12/31/015)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Hensley@WestMilford.org
Lou Signorino
Councilman
(1/1/14-12/31/16)
Phone: 973-728-2710
Fax:
E-Mail: Signorino@WestMilford.org
By the way, Lou is the major force behind the use of Jungle for ATV's exclusively.
