We oppose the Northumberland County OHV Recreation Park

We the undersigned, oppose this park. Money spent by tourists will not create new jobs, but generate tax revenue. Does any of this put money in any local pockets? No. It increases those businesses' income taxes, which goes to the gov., not creating jobs. Electronic surveillance? That's even less jobs created. As you know, we're a poor area, full of people who enjoy the woods because, for some, that's all they can afford, or just would rather not spend money on a whole day or weekend of fun if they don't have to. Tourists who can afford to drive a few hours, hauling their ATVs, or other forms of outdoor recreation, will be infiltrating our backyards, and we won't be able to anymore without risk of penalties. There's no logic to this whatsoever. We feel it's all about corporate & gov. greed. You say this will revitalize currently unused land. It's already being used for exactly what the park will use it, to entertain people for free, instead of keeping them idle, which leads to trouble. The illegal dumbing is done by those who are poor, uneducated, and ill-informed, as well as those from out of the area and don't care about this land because they have no ties to it. Currently existing laws need to be enforced to prevent this. This won't stop them from doing it anyway, considering those committing this crime already try not to get caught, and don't. You tout one benefit to the area is legal, safe, and responsible hunting, but this already exists and is regulated by existing laws, limits, and licenses. This park changes nothing in that respect. You're offering a local resident discount for something we've had for free for many generations. Besides the old mining roads, all the trails were created by local residents for decades; might as well pay them for their hard work. The trash from out-of-towners, and careless partiers, is picked up by locals so our woods aren't disgusting. Many people even profit slightly from recycling aluminum cans left behind. You say you would love to make it free to everyone, but wouldn't that actually prevent you from increasing your salaries? Since your salaries are public domain, I'll be keeping a close eye on them. My apologies for making this personal judgement, but I'm taking this as an affront. Once the park is built, what incentive do you have to honor those discounts, because we'll have little or no recourse. You talk about the reuse options and how this will be good for the environment. There already are a lot of reuse options. We hike, bike, ride, camp, swim, and explore. We need no corporate or government intervention to continue doing these things. It's already against the law to litter or start brush fires. The trash is mostly removed except for a few major dump sites, and no park is necessary to clean this up. I know many who are willing to volunteer to get rid of those. Also, you consider a few people drinking in the woods illegal partying. How does spending time together, drinking something legally available, become illegal? It's not like there are crimes being committed, no noise ordinance being violated, and there are very very few forest fires in the area, because almost everyone around here knows how to be careful and take necessary precautions. You also want to institute revegetation. The only places that need it are your blessed coal pits! Speaking of mining, you call it good for the environment. Mining never has, nor will it ever be good for the environment in any way, shape, or form. There are thousands of documents testifying to that fact. You want to put a stop to illegal mining. Really? This isn't the 1920's in the middle of the Great Depression, it's just a recession. You really shouldn't use propaganda that hasn't been relevant in almost a century. You also mention the acid mine runoff areas. Am I to believe that a profit-driven ATV park is necessary to study and clean this up? These studies and tests can be done any time, without the need of paying customers. The economic benefit you claim will mostly apply to you, the officials pulling these strings. I (we) certainly don't have a problem with local businesses profiting, nor the county increasing revenue, and would love more jobs to be created, but they'll be limited. I know I, nor most locals, certainly won't gain anything from out-of-towners spending their money at national chain stores. There is a lot to be debated here, obviously, and some of us are open to compromise, but nobody will accept the slightest detrimental effect on an already difficult way of life. We do not want this park, unless it's free. Now granted, only a fool would expect to ride horses for free, or use a gun range for free, but how is this different than a beach? Beaches are predominantly free because the land was here before the existence of humans, and it's the services offered on the beach for which we pay; no other natural resource is any different.