A prize possession that has been around for as long as the Pinelands have existed will be undergoing restrictions when the New Jersey Park Services Motorized Action Plan is implemented.
The goal of the organization is to protect the environment and encourage responsible use of off-road vehicles in Wharton State Forest, which is by far the largest unit in the State Park System.
The plan consists of a map that outlines nearly 225 miles of roads and trails that are open to motorized vehicles, and a brochure that explains the long-term damage that can be caused by improper off-roading.
“The MAP program will ensure continued access to these features while educating the public and making sure the region’s sensitive ecology is protected,” said Richard Boornazian, the Department of Environmental Protection’s assistant commissioner for natural and historic resources.
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance fully supports this action by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“We are pleased with DEP’s continued actions to address activities that result in negative impacts to Pinelands resources,” said Nancy Wittenberg, the executive director of the Pinelands Commission.
Park Services will be more clearly marking routes that are not intended for vehicles but are meant for the enjoyment of those who are traveling on foot, bicycle or horseback.
However, for those who have limited mobility, this plan will essentially be negating them from enjoying something they have relished for as long as they can remember, unless the DEP is able to provide special permits to those with disabilities.
At the Medford Town Council meeting on Sept. 8, Park Services was in attendance to highlight the reasons for implementing this plan and to take questions and comments.
There are five main objectives that have been set out to be accomplished by enforcing the Motorized Action Plan.
Park Services will be looking to identify routes that are open for motorized access and keep motorized vehicles on these approved, designated routes.
The group has worked tirelessly to walk every road and every trail, and have each point marked and put into a database using GPS technology.
“Nothing is being closed, no access is in any way hampered for hikers or equestrians,” said Thomas C. Keck Jr., superintendent of the State Park Service southern region.
Another objective of the plan is to coordinate emergency response for those called upon to fight a forest fire or to tend to a 9–1–1 call.
“It’s impetrative for first responders to be able to get to the victim or where the problem is and take care of it without putting themselves in further jeopardy or their equipment in harm’s way,” Keck said.
Focusing maintenance efforts on these designated routes is an additional emphasis of the plan.
“We’ve invited people to utilize a route, now there’s a responsibility to keep those people safe,” Keck said.
Lastly, the plan was created to help increase the education and enforcement of Wharton State Forest while protecting culturally significant sites.
There are many historical sites, natural resources and threatened or endangered plant and animal species in this forest.
Mayor Charles Watson alluded to the fact that this is all about enforcement and the fact that Park Services hasn’t enforced over the years has resulted in the Pinelands now being in this position.
It’s a position the council is not happy to be in, specifically Councilman Chris Buoni.
“The purpose of this MAP is to establish access for motorized vehicles. I would say access has already been established in that forest since motorized vehicles have existed. What we’re doing is we are now denying access to roads that access has already been established to,” Buoni said.
While council commended Park Services for its dedication and efforts for taking what it thinks are the best steps for preserving this habitat, it thought the plan should be voted on by the state.
Both the council and the Park Services agreed the forest belongs to the taxpayers of the state, and any township within the context of the New Jersey Pinelands, such as Medford, has a special burden it carries when it comes to ownership of the forest.
Buoni found it offensive how little meaning he felt the residents’ input has meant to this process and had trouble believing this plan has any chance of not being implemented at this point.
“This plan is already in the process of being implemented, and the only reason that this is now being presented to us, in my opinion, is because you got caught,” Buoni said.
Many long-time residents of the Pinelands have voiced their displeasure with these changes since they have been brought to the public eye not long ago.
The plan is the first of its kind in the state.
Representatives from Park Services said that this is a process that will take time to iron out and will not be settled overnight.
While the Motorized Access Plan will promote responsible recreation, many argued the handful of examples of irresponsible ORV use that has damaged the environment is a small fraction of how the majority of people use the forest and therefore should not call for such drastic measures.
Many also argued that a mere sign would not dissuade these folks who have been off-roading recklessly for so long, so the plan would not be effective.
“No one condones illegal activity. Everybody wants to be part of a public solution, but you cannot be a part of a solution without an open, healthy discussion in which you arrive at that solution,” Medford resident Pola Galie said.
Galie also alluded to the fact that open stakeholder meetings are critical in reaching that solution because, although not everyone will be 100 percent satisfied, they will be able to influence which direction this is headed in.
The map the residents have been issued does not say draft on it. In fact, Wharton State Forest Superintendent Rob Auermuller and a team of volunteers have already begun posting “No Motorized Vehicles” signs on many of the forest sand roads that have been open to traffic for decades.
Brochures and maps showing what roads are available for which means of transportation will be accessible at the Batsto Village Visitor Center, located off Burlington County Route 542, east of Hammonton, and at the Atsion Recreation Area, located off Route 206 in Shamong.
For additional information, visit www.nj.gov/dep. For those who are interested in commenting on the matter or having any questions answered, email whartonmapcomments@dep.nj.gov.
