Please sign this petition to tell Baltimore City's Mayor, the City Council and the Department of Public Works that you want Single Track Trails at Maryland's Loch Raven, Liberty and Pretty Boy Reservoirs to be legally open to ALL users including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers and fishermen.
The goal: Keep single track trails accessible to ALL user groups.
The issue: Department of Public Works (DPW) Reservoir Natural Resources Section Police officers have begun enforcing an old and restrictive 1998 Mountain Biking Plan. Single track trail users have been informed that the intent is to restrict access to ALL users, which includes mountain bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers, and fishermen who have enjoyed the trails at Loch Raven for generations.
The urgency: Restrictions to single track access have been made by DPW without the public's knowledge, input or the opportunity for real collaborative problem solving. On September 20th, DPW was hand delivered a comprehensive draft Recreational Trail Use Plan developed by Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) to consider. This plan brings science and recreation together to meet the needs of ALL recreational trail users and protect our municipal water supplies.
For additional information, updates and to view the plan visit: http://www.lochraventrailaccess.com
Water Quality: DPW's reports show that water quality has remained high and has not degraded over the years that trail use has been taking place. Existing sediment problems are in the far upper reaches of the reservoir, away from the majority of recreational single track trail usage.
Forest Renewal: DPW states that limiting trail use is needed because it impedes forest renewal (i.e., new growth). However, single track trails only account for approximately a tenth of a percent of the land use. The DPW knows that the deer population and invasive plants are the real threat to forest renewal.
WE PROVIDE TRAIL MAINTENCE AND HELP KEEP THESE AREAS CLEAN (trash removal): DPW is being asked to partner with organized volunteer groups to help maintain the trails. MORE (over 5,000 members, 950 volunteer hours at Loch Raven this year alone), the International Mountain Biking Association, Bike Maryland (17,000 members), local businesses, local schools, the boy scouts and the citizens who use the trails want and often already work to correct poor trail conditions, to protect the environment and our municipal water supply. These well organized groups have expertise in building sustainable trails, provide a substantial volunteer base to maintain a world class trail system, and have a history of achieving results.
Baltimore's watershed areas are among the largest open spaces accessible to Maryland residents. They are a valuable recreational resource we cannot afford to lose!
Please sign this petition to tell Baltimore City's Mayor, the City Council and the Department of Public Works that you want Single Track Trails at Maryland%u2019s Loch Raven, Liberty and Pretty Boy Reservoirs to be legally open to ALL users including mountain bikers, hikers, runners, bird watchers and fishermen.
