In the press release from the DEP, it was almost spun as if the Motorized Access Plan (M.A.P.) expanded access. In the FAQ, it was claimed that “the majority of the roads are open”. However, the DEP has been less than honest about the extent of the road closures. An assessment was done by Open Trails NJ and we found that 58% or 274 miles of roads have been closed to motor vehicles. Please see the attached for a visual. A KMZ file could be provided upon request for independent review.
Restore Fair Access to Wharton State Forest
Petition by Ben Ruset
To be delivered to Bob Martin, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner, Mark Texel, Director of the State Park Servuce, The New Jersey State House, and The New Jersey State Senate
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
The sand roads in Wharton State Forest have been open to motorized traffic even before the state purchased the tract from the Joseph Wharton estate. While there are serious concerns about the damage that illegal off-road vehicle traffic causes, the blanket closing of over 50% of the roads in the forest is not the answer. This action will only serve to keep law-abiding people out while doing nothing to curb the abuse from the minority who drive destructively. By and large the effect will be felt by citizens who do not even drive vehicles capable of creating the kind of damage that this policy attempts to address.
Following Medford Lakes’ lead, Medford became the second town to pass a resolution opposing the DEP’s Motorized Access Plan (M.A.P.) Township of Medford Resolution – Res 155-2015
In a first small victory, Medford Lakes passed a resolution in opposition to the DEP’s Motorized Access Plan. They are sending copies of the resolution to all nearby municipalities. 83-15 Resolution