by Shanna Klucar, Program Administrator
In 2006, the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission proposed a 6-county, 800-mile network of ATV trails as an economic generator. The 2006 proposal failed, in part because it used illegal trails as the basis for the ATV trail system. We recently learned that the Lock Haven–based Central Mountains ATV Association, with support from over 2 dozen area county commissioners, tourism bureau representatives, legislators, and business leaders, has been working to redevelop (and expand) this ATV trail system proposal by connecting 8 counties (Cameron, Centre, Clinton, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, and Potter) and including 4 state forest districts and 59 townships. To get municipalities on-board, the Association promises economic development by using public roads for ATV access to restaurants, bars, and gas stations.
The proposed trail system would add township joint-use (ATV and motor vehicles) roads and use existing snowmobile trails and former logging roads. However, about 200 of the 814 proposed miles will be on land regulated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) that is outside of the existing ATV trail systems. The DCNR has stated that it will not permit ATVs on forestry roads. We have requested, but not yet received, the map showing the proposed 800-mile trail system.
In the past, ATV trails were kept away from hiking trails to avoid the inevitable trespass where footpaths and ATV trails intersect. This new ATV plan, however, assumes that the DCNR will allow long ATV links to pass through state forest lands. Those ATV trails will likely cross some existing footpaths. We will know which (if any) trails will be affected once we have access to the full map in the proposal. In speaking with DCNR staff, we understand that—at the very least—the Donut Hole Trail and the Chuck Keiper Trail will not be impacted by this proposal. In the meantime, a meeting of the DCNR’s Snowmobile and ATV Advisory Committee, on which KTA has a representative, has been requested, and more information will be shared with the Council as we receive it. It is possible that this is a nonissue and that no action will be required, but rest assured that KTA will take swift action to oppose any proposal that would significantly and negatively impact our trails or the wilderness experience of Pennsylvania’s hikers.