The Ohio Division of Forests (DOF) has just released their state forest work plan and is proposing extensive APV trails in the Shawnee and Zaleski State Forests.
The proposed APV trails are a result of a State Recreational Vehicle Fund (SRV) Fund, as stated at the Hocking Forest Open house, with a lure of $400,000 paid to Division of Forestry. In return, the DOF will build extensive APV trails in two state forests. According to the work plan, all state forests are under consideration. Oversight, patrolling and maintenance will be at the expense of the Ohio taxpayer.
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How extensive are the trails? The APV trails proposed for Shawnee State forest are 52 miles in length and intersect the backpack trail as well as share the backpack trail for approximately two miles. The proposed APV trails in Zaleski are 51 miles in length and intersect the backpack trail. These are the only two backpack trails in state forests in Ohio.
What will be the impact? Ohio ranks 47th per capita in public lands in the US. Such a proposal is counter to the enjoyment of public lands by all Ohio residents. A 2008 United States Forest Service study of APV impacts concluded forest vegetation was reduced by over 40%, air quality was negatively impacted, soil erosion and compaction were significantly increased and sedimentation following rainfall was significantly increased. (1)
Send a strong message to say no to any new APV trails in Ohio State Forests.
