Open Trails NJ

Solving issues while maintaining responsible recreation

Author: jdruding

  • Pinelands Commission CMP Policy and Implementation Committee Meeting

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    Your help is needed! There will be a meeting of the Policy and Implementation Committee of the Pinelands Commission on Friday, 1/29/16 at 9:30 AM. On the agenda is a “Discussion of DEP’s Motorized Access Plan for Wharton State Forest.” That discussion takes place right before Public Comment. This meeting is open to the public.…

  • Article on Wharton State Forest

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    This article should serve as a reminder that continued vigilance is needed on this matter.  The state has continued to confirm that there is no timeline for a new plan.  They also mention enforcement and technology as part of the solution (which is also OTNJ’s position) and don’t mention mass closures.  However, the fact of…

  • Volunteer Activity at Double Trouble State Park

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    Date: January 23, 2016 Time: Tentatively 9:00 AM, temperature permitting. Location: Double Trouble State Forest The State Park Service asked OTNJ to pass along this important volunteer opportunity. Note: this is not the OTNJ activity we mentioned in an earlier post, more to follow on that as soon as it is approved. There is a…

  • Partnership and Volunteer Efforts in Wharton State Forest

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    Open Trails met with the DEP this week to discuss how we can partner on volunteer efforts which will help protect Wharton State Forest, but do not involve mass road closures. When these plans are finalized and approved, we will be calling on you to help volunteer and make them successful! More to come…..

  • News Before the Holidays

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    We just wanted to check in and give you all an update before we get into the holiday hustle and bustle. We have a few exciting things going on. First, we have been incorporated! That is getting us one step closer to being able to offer OTNJ memberships and starting to plan other activities. We…

  • Open Trails Update

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    Hello all! We hope you are enjoying this beginning of the Thanksgiving week.  We wanted to give you an update of what we have been up to and what is coming next.  While the DEP has been digesting all the input from the stakeholder and public forums, we have started to plan for our future.…

  • Reminder of the November 5th Public Meeting on the MAP program

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    Just a reminder of the November 5th public meeting on the MAP program. The meeting will be held on 11/5 at 6:30 PM at Hammonton High School. We are told you are still able to register by calling 609-704-1964 or by emailing whartonmapcomments@dep.nj.gov. Tell the DEP that you support their new commitment to engaging the…

  • Open Trails Ideas for Wharton State Forest

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    As posted about recently, Open Trails participated in the Stakeholder forums for the redevelopment of the M.A.P. plan.  Leading up to this forum, we consulted with members of many different groups and developed an approach that we think all users of the forest can support, which does not involve mass closures. You can review the…

  • Update on MAP Plan and Stakeholder Forum

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    The Stakeholder forum meeting went very well. There were lots of great ideas shared and great interaction with the DEP. Also, in a show of goodwill and commitment to his word, Commissioner Martin has ordered that ALL the newly posted no motor vehicles be removed by the end of the day. HOWEVER, it is more…

  • Open Trails NJ to Participate in Stakeholder Forum, 10/22

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    Open Trails NJ will be participating in the Wharton State Forest Stakeholder Forum on 10/22.  We will be advocating continued responsible use of Wharton State Forest for all outdoor enthusiasts.  Some of of the key points we will be promoting are: All USGS defined roads should remain open unless they meet objective, agreed upon, criteria…