mikeexplorer Posted June 22, 2021 Report Share Posted June 22, 2021 (Copied from their Facebook Page) More details will be posted as they post them What we know….or think we know about the ATV pilot program as it pertains to Potter County This will be a long post. It is shareable from our page, not the private group. Penn DOT and DCNR are opening limited portions of State roads and State Forest roads to provide connector routes to area businesses and routes that tie into the Susquehannock trail system. July 2nd is what we hear for Penn DOT but as yet we have no confirmation from DCNR if they will meet that same target. Fees- The fiscal code provides for an additional fee to use these connectors. We have heard $40.00 for PA residents, $60.00 for non-residents. This in addition to the $10.00 yearly registration and should be pro-rated this year. The logistics on getting the permit are sketchy at best but that is in DCNRs hands. Requirements – Registration, insurance, driver’s license, pilot permit and a DOT helmet. We know people have strong opinions on a helmet one way or the other. This is not a hill we are willing to die on, it is state law. Even if your child has the ATV safety course it is not legal for unlicensed operators on any public roads. Time – The pilot program is for three years and will be concurrent with the “riding season” Friday before Memorial Day to the last full weekend of September. Penn DOT could leave their roads open all year if they choose, we doubt DCNR will. Potter County roads – Abbott Twsp .74 miles of SR 44 144 from Cheese Factory to Short Run .72 miles Rauch Road between Straley and Club Hill Galeton Borough .12 miles SR144 from Germania St to Nittany Mini mart, .69 miles Germania St., Union St. and West St. (This poses a significant challenge as there is no legal way to access Galeton. IF Pike Twsp were to open Yahn road you could access Galeton through Tioga County. As yet they have resisted efforts to provide legal routes to access the businesses and hamstrung the residents of their township and the borough. Hopefully they will reconsider.) West Branch Twsp .85 miles West Branch Rd between Lyman Run Rd and Notch Rd. Eulalia and Sweden Twsps 1.27 miles Ice Mine Rd, 2.3 miles SR 44 from ice mine to Faith St. to Brookland Rd and Brookland Rd A-frame. 1.99 Of Brookland Rd from Irish Farm to Rooks Rd. (to be clear Brookland from A-frame to Irish Farm will not be open) Summit Twsp .38 miles of Borie Rd from N Ayers Hill to Cochran Hill. .58 miles Borie Rd between Deering Run and Black Hole. Stewardson Twsp .15 miles SR144 from old Cross Fork Creek Rd to Main St Tioga County- SR 3001 from Elk Run to SR 3002 the SR 3002 on to Rt 6 DCNR roads to be open – We hope to come out of the Potter County ATV task force meeting with a clear understanding of which state forest roads will be open. We believe it is Billy Lewis in its entirety and Long Toe Rd possibly others. The task force meets Tuesday 6-29 so look for an informational update. This has taken countless hours of work from many people of which we played a small part. It is impossible to name and thank them all. We have a great opportunity and responsibility to be a model for safe ATV access throughout Pennsylvania. Please continue to ride respectfully and not let the 2% of bad actors dominate the conversation. If you stop for a break and see trash please haul it out. In short continue to do the things responsible riders do and we will make this a success. County explores ATV riding Local tiogapublishing.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeexplorer Posted June 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2021 DCNR Set to Open ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area July 16 06/28/2021 Harrisburg, PA -- Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced the opening of an ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program in the northcentral region of the state that will provide opportunities for riding enthusiasts to traverse many miles of roads opened to all-terrain vehicle use and trails in Potter and Tioga counties. “DCNR recognizes the desire of the ATV riding community to be able to travel long distances legally and without interruption and the positive effect such opportunities can have on local businesses,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “Through this pilot program, we are hopeful to determine the feasibility of strategically connecting regional riding opportunities while also serving the larger community.” This ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program is in response to growing ATV purchases, registrations, and public demand for increased riding opportunities. Through collaborating with public and private partners, the pilot aims to offer long-distance riding opportunities, contribute to local economies, while maintaining the many uses and values of the state forest system. DCNR recently revised its ATV trail policy, which lifted the moratorium on new trails that had been in place since 2003. “We recognize the need to be responsible stewards of the state forest lands and DCNR will be looking closely at the impacts of increased use in the pilot area,” said DCNR Parks and Forestry Deputy Secretary John Norbeck. “DCNR is aware of its role in connecting ATV trails and we will use this pilot program to determine whether sections of state forest roads may serve as permanent strategic connectors for regional ATV trails on a limited, case-by-case basis.” The area will open for use on Friday, July 16, 2021, and will remain open until Sunday, September 26, 2021. The pilot program will also be reopened on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend in 2022 to coincide with the full DCNR trail summer riding season and incorporate a planned connection to the Tiadaghton State Forest and the Haneyville ATV Trail System in Lycoming and Clinton counties. The categorization of trail route are as follows: 208 miles of township roads (currently designated open to ATVs) 11.8 miles of PennDOT roads (previously not designated open to ATVs) 11.7 miles of state forest roads (previously not designated open to ATVs) 1.93 miles of state forest snowmobile trails (previously not designated open to ATVs) 45.5 miles of existing state forest ATV trails (previously designated open to ATVs) ATV riders will need to purchase a Regional ATV Connector Pass permit to use the designated PennDOT and State Forest ATV Connector Roads, the cost of which will serve to offset implementation and management of the program. Permits for the remainder of the 2021 season will cost $20 for Pennsylvania registered ATVs and $30 for non-Pennsylvania registered ATVS. Full 2022 season permits will cost $40 for Pennsylvania registered ATVs and $60 for non-Pennsylvania registered ATVs. Permits will be available for in-person sales only between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Thursday, 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., Fridays, and 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., Saturdays at Tiadaghton, Susquehannock, or Tioga State Forest district offices beginning Wednesday, June 30. Permit applications will be accepted by mail beginning the same date by sending a properly completed permit application form available on DCNR's website to: Penn Nursery 137 Penn Nursery Road Spring Mills, Pennsylvania 16875 Permits will be processed according to the date they are received and will be postmarked within three to five business days of receipt. Though the pilot areas will be marked, riders will be expected to familiarize themselves with the portions of road and trail that are open to ensure they are operating in the legal areas. See the official pilot area map. DCNR will be gathering public input throughout the two-year period through a variety of methods, including webinars, surveys, comment cards, public meetings and advisory committees. To comment on the ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program, please send an email to: RA-NR-ATV-Pilot@pa.gov. To gauge the impact of the ATV pilot, the Bureau of Forestry is implementing a comprehensive monitoring program that will evaluate the impact of the trail to local communities; ecological values; other state forest users and recreational values; Bureau of Forestry operations, staffing and law enforcement capacity; public safety; and impacts to adjacent public lands and natural resources. The monitoring program will also evaluate the effectiveness of the special permit, the adequacy of funding for continued operation of the trial, and the need for additional education, outreach, and trail marketing. DCNR will publish a report about the pilot project for further evaluation and stakeholder input by December 2023. Additional information about the ATV Regional Trail Connector pilot program. More information about ATV riding opportunities in state forests. Media Contact: Wesley Robinson, 717-877-6315 https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/ATVRiding/ATVRegionalTrailConnectorPilot/Pages/default.aspx https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DCNR_details.aspx?newsid=759 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeexplorer Posted August 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2021 https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/ATVRiding/ATVRegionalTrailConnectorPilot/Pages/default.aspx ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot ATV enthusiasts can find a new opportunity for riding trails in northcentral Pennsylvania that comprise the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot. As the term “pilot” suggests, the Regional Trail Connector is a new program that connects ATV riding opportunities on existing trails overseen by different governing authorities. ATV riders will have the unique opportunity for long-distance travel by permit on: Designated state forest trails and roads Designated local (township, borough) roads Specific state routes in the region 2021 Pilot Riding Area The 2021 ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot area spans Potter and Tioga counties, but does not include the entirety of both counties. For riding area details, please see the: ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area Online GIS Map Print-Ready ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area Map (PDF) Riders are encouraged to travel the preferred route, but are free to ride any trail or road in the area that is designated open to this use. Responsibility falls on riders to plan their route and use only designated trails and roads, while avoiding those that are not open to ATV use. ATV riding opportunities within this pilot area are as follows: 208 miles of township roads currently open to ATV use 12 miles of PennDOT-administered roads newly open to ATV use 14 miles of state forest roads and trails newly open to ATV use 2021 Pilot Riding Season Opening day for the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot is scheduled for Friday, July 16, 2021. The riding season is set to follow the summer ATV trail season designation, which normally operates from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through the last full weekend in September. Riding Permit, Connector Pass Riding the ATV Regional Connector Trail Pilot requires the purchase of a yearly permit. Fees for the 2021 riding season will be: $20.00 for Pennsylvania-registered ATVs $30.00 for ATVs registered in another state Please note, these fees apply to the prorated portion (the last half) of the summer 2021 riding season. Fees for the full riding season in 2022 will be: $40.00 for Pennsylvania-registered ATVs $60.00 for ATVs registered in another state Permits are accompanied by a decal which must be visibly displayed upon the machine for which the permit is secured. How to Obtain Permits For the 2021 season, permits can be obtained through the following methods: In-Person Riders can purchase permits in-person through the Tioga, Tiadaghton, or Susquehannock State Forest offices during the following days and times: Monday through Friday -- 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Friday -- 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. for Susquehannock State Forest district office Saturday -- 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Sunday -- 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for Susquehannock State Forest district office. Mail-In Riders can obtain a permit by downloading, printing, and filling out the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Application for Permit (PDF) and sending with check or money order to: Mira Lloyd Dock Center 137 Penn Nursery Road Spring Mills, PA 16875 ATTN: Pilot Permit Applications will be processed in the order they are received and mailed back to applicants within 3-5 business days of receipt. Pilot Program Evaluation DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is implementing a comprehensive monitoring program that will evaluate the impact of the ATV Regional Connector Trail Pilot on: Local communities Ecological values Other state forest users and recreational values Bureau of Forestry operations, staffing, and law enforcement capacity Public safety Impacts to adjacent public lands and natural resources The monitoring program also will evaluate the effectiveness of the special permit; the adequacy of funding for continued operation of the trail; and the need for additional education, outreach, and trail marketing. Public Input On Pilot Program The public may provide comments during the length of the pilot program to DCNR. Report On Pilot Program By December 31, 2023, DCNR will publish a report about the pilot project for further evaluation and stakeholder input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeexplorer Posted August 8, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2021 I looked at the map DCNR has online. It uses a lot of what is already open now through the NCATV initiative. What they did was open up several forestry roads, some snowmobile trails, and legalized sections of state roads to connect some of the segments together and to add new segments. Some of the new connections will take you to places to eat, hotels, and gas stations (although they don't name them on the map) Some of the places I see you can go to now on your machine: Fezz's diner, another place to eat (not named), and a hotel (not named) Colton Point State Park Campground in Watrous (not named on map) They extended the roads that leads to the stone watering trough. A parking area is indicated on the map Prouty Place State park. A connection to just west of Coudersport, but you can't get into the town yet. Im guessing this will be extended next year since it was late opening up this year GIS Map Trail Connector.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts