Berkshire Trails Council Mission Statement
Article on Georgetown State Forest
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As of
Saturday, May 1st, 2010 all DCR motorized recreation trails are
open for use.
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STATE BUYS 900 ACRES IN SOUTHERN BERKSHIRES:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced Thursday
its purchase of 900 acres in Sandisfield, a $5.2 million transaction that provides a link in a 9,000 acre area of protected open space running from Otis State Forest south to the Clam River Flood Control Area. It's the largest state land purchase since 2002 and the first acquisition in more than 20 years of an "old growth forest," or land containing woods uncut and undisturbed since before European settlers arrived.
According to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,
old growth forests
once covered most of the state's 5.2 million acres and now fewer than 1,200 acres of such forests remain. In a statement, Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said the purchase "probably would not have been possible" without help from the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The property contains an "excellent system" of hiking and cross-country ski trails and has the potential for other recreational uses, including canoeing, kayaking, primitive camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and hunting, state officials say.
On May 4, 2005 the Mass Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the closing of Savoy State Forest to ORV’s. There is some question as to whether the closure was legally in effect or allowed by DCR Policy Directive 866, or CMR 12.28 and 12.29, the sections which cover the MOA program as a result of NETRA/BTC negotiations with the Commonwealth in 1996
THE BERKSHIRE TRAILS COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR HELP. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING OUR OPTIONS REGARDING THE REOPENING OF SAVOY STATE FOREST.
IN ORDER TO BEGIN THE PROCESS, THE BERKSHIRE TRAILS COUNCIL HAS CREATED THE TRAIL PRESERVATION FUND AND IS LOOKING FOR HELP WITH DONATIONS. TO DATE, THE FUND HAS COLLECTED OVER $6500 FROM WESTERN MASS ATV AND MOTORCYCLE CLUBS. PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $10,000 BY DONATING TO THE FUND TODAY.
THE BERKSHIRE TRAILS COUNCIL WAS STARTED IN 1996 TO CREATE A UNIFIED FRONT AGAINST THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF LEGAL ORV RIDING IN WESTERN MASS STATE FORESTS. THE BERKSHIRE TRAILS COUNCIL CONSISTS OF OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE AND ATV CLUBS IN WESTERN MASS AND THE BTC HAS SIGNED THE MEMORANDAMS OF AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE EVER SINCE. THESE MEMORANDAMS ARE WHAT HAS KEPT THE FORESTS OPEN. THE BTC HAS LOGGED THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF VOLUNTEER WORK TO MAINTAIN AND REPAIR THE CURRENT TRAIL SYSTEM.
PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY Checks may be made payable to the Trails Preservation Fund Please donations to Trails Preservation Fund, C/O Berkshire Trail Riders PO Box 556 Barkhamsted CT 06063
As a Massachusetts State resident and taxpayer, you have a voice in the availability and use of YOUR State Forests. The State Forests belong to the residents of the state and this privilege is being taken away from you. Take a moment to tell your governor how you feel. Fill in the pre-printed letter and mail it to Governor Romney. Together we can make a difference.
Thank you, Berkshire Trails Council
The sale of new two-stroke off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles would be banned in Massachusetts under House Bill 1909, introduced by state Rep. J. James Marzilli Jr. (D-Arlington), the American Motorcyclist Association reports. Under his proposal, it would be illegal for anyone to sell "a recreational vehicle containing a two-stroke engine, including, but not limited to, a snow craft, an all-terrain vehicle, a personal watercraft, or a motorboat." "This is the most sweeping ban ever introduced in any state," said Royce Wood, AMA legislative affairs specialist in charge of off-highway issues. If passed, the bill would outlaw new sales of the vast majority of motocross bikes in the state, although anyone who bought a two-stroke built before June 1, 2004, would be allowed to resell the vehicle. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture. Letters from Massachusetts residents opposing the bill should be sent to the committee chairwoman, Sen. Pamela P. Resor (D-Middlesex), Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture, Room 473F, State House, Boston, MA 02133. Or, Massachusetts citizens can go to the AMA Rapid Response Center to send a message opposing this bill.
Mass. Landowner Liability Law: Chapter 21: Section 17C.
Mass. Landowner Liability Law: Chapter 21: Section 17C. Public use of land for recreational, conservation, scientific educational and other purposes; landowner's liability limited; exception. Section 17C. (a) Any person having an interest in land including the structures, buildings, and equipment attached to the land, including without limitation, wetlands, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water, who lawfully permits the public to use such land for recreational, conservation, scientific, educational, environmental, ecological, research, religious, or charitable purposes without imposing a charge or fee therefore, or who leases such land for said purposes to the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof or to any nonprofit corporation, trust or association, shall not be liable for personal injuries or property damage sustained by such members of the public, including without limitation a minor, while on said land in the absence of willful, wanton, or reckless conduct by such person. Such permission shall not confer upon any member of the public using said land, including without limitation a minor, the status of an invitee or licensee to whom any duty would be owed by said person. (b) The liability of any person who imposes a charge or fee for the use of his land by the public for the purposes described in subsection (a) shall not be limited by any provision of this section. The term ""person'' as used in this section shall be deemed to include the person having an interest in the land, his agent, manager, or licensee and shall include without limitation, any governmental body, agency or instrumentality, nonprofit corporation, trust or association, and any director, officer, trustee, member, employee or agent thereof. A contribution or other voluntary payment not required to be made to use such land shall not be considered a charge or fee within the meaning of this section.
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