Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Malone, NY
- A nonprofit organization has been created to push forward the idea of
creating an all-terrain vehicle trail system in Franklin County.
In August 2011, the ATV community gathered in Malone to hear
that Franklin County
legislators had passed a resolution in support of the development of a
multi-use recreational trail system in Franklin County.
At this meeting, the community selected about 10 people to begin the
development of a nonprofit organization to represent the recreation community
and to start the process of establishing the trail system.
Since then, this committee has met four times; it began
writing by-laws, chose a name and has wrote a mission statement. The name committee
members chose is Franklin County Recreational Trails Association Inc., and the
mission is to establish a recreational trail system to promote safe
recreational opportunities, conservation and improve the economy in Franklin County.
The association received its 501(c)3 status from the state
Department of State on Nov. 29.
The association has been meeting biweekly and hopes to begin
determining the actual trail location soon.
Co-chairs of the association are former Franklin County
Legislator Dan Crippen and snowmobile enthusiast Dave Rhodes. County Attorney
Jonathan Miller attended the first meeting to help the group work on developing
the limited liability company and 501(c)3 status. County
Legislator Tim Burpoe, D-Saranac Lake, has also been working to connect
some of the southern riders with the northern sections.
The next steps include investigation of the location of a
trail and beginning to develop a general environmental impact statement.
In a press release, members reminded the public that
unauthorized use of ATVs by the public on private, state Forest Preserve and
easement lands is irresponsible and illegal.
They also support the Tread Lightly! Program (www.treadlightly.org), which is
accepted among professional land managers and recreation managers, both private
and public. The program seeks to promote responsible outdoor recreation through
ethics education and stewardship programs, and to balance the needs of the
people who enjoy outdoor recreation with the need to maintain a healthy
environment. This goal is also one of the association's.
Also the association reminded people to ride safely and
responsibly.
For more information on the organization, go to its Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-County-Recreational-Organization/246516272056389
or contact Chastity Miller of Franklin County Soil and Water at cmiller@fcswcd.org or (518) 483-4061,
ext. 110.
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