Where do I start on land use issues? What would you say to a novice crusader, YellowSub? I just moved to Illinois where we have NO places to wheel due to a very democratic pansy society. What can I do to get involved?

Originally posted by Deranged
Where do I start on land use issues? What would you say to a novice crusader, YellowSub? I just moved to Illinois where we have NO places to wheel due to a very democratic pansy society. What can I do to get involved?

This is one of the most active Land Use sections on the internet. Take the time to read the posts here, and a few more minutes to write your representatives when issues of concern come up.

Vote!

Join an organization like the Blue Ribbon Coalition (http://www.sharetrails.org) .

Jon

What Jon said!

additionally I can add that you need to get as many others in your area active as you can....the more people we have the less each one has to do....

Write call and fax your Congress persons on ALL issues, whether county, state, or national.... we all have to help each other or we're done before we start.... also try ot works with the FS and BLM in your areas, show them that you and your "group" are more than willing to help out when the need arises (or before called on if you can swing something like that)....

Also support the orgs that are fighting for our access rights....

you've already taken the first step, now keep walking in the right direction and don't give up. Stay informed up to date (check the "places to get current L/U info post in this forum) and as questions if you need help or just want ot know something....there are a lot of very knowledgeable people here willing to help you out.....

Welcome aboard!


and if I may ask, what finally woke you up?




:usa:


:usa:

Maybe I'll start up a club around here with a BRC membership for the dues. Sounds like a good way to get started. As for what woke me up, was moving to this northern place where the nearest wheeling spot is 3 hours away. I mean there is NOTHING around until you get out to the Badlands. I'd like to try to do my part to try to add to what we have or at least work to keep the ones that we do have available. I'll go research a little now.

Here is something for you Illinois folks.....

Off road vehicle park proposal still active
By CHARLES STANLEY — Marseilles Bureau Chief

MARSEILLES — The proposal for an off-road recreational vehicle park east of Marseilles is still alive, says would-be developer Steve Flynn.

“It’s about 50-50 whether we go forward or not,” Flynn said. “I think in another month I will have a better sense of what the decision will be.”

The proposal would place the off-road vehicle park on 340 acres northeast of U.S. 6 and 2625th Road, near secluded homes on large properties. Through a series of trails on the property’s hills and ravines, the park would seek to attract riders of motorcycles, all-terraine vehicles and four-wheel-drive vehicles.

But at an informal public hearing on the proposal before the Marseilles Plan Commission on March 1 Flynn faced opposition from neighboring property owners.

About 70 residents attended. Residents objected to the proposal for noise, traffic and trespassing concerns.

The residents said they would prefer the land be developed with more homes or a golf course.

“It was pretty brutal, but I learned a lot,” Flynn said.

Flynn said changes he has incorporated in his plan are aimed at relieving the concerns.

“Traffic won’t be an issue because I’m going to have the entrance and exit off Route 6,” Flynn said. Previously they were on a side road.

Noise and trespassing will be addressed by the installation of berms where there are residential areas nearby and a fence around the entire grounds.

Also to help reduce noise, Flynn is thinking of checking each vehicle with a decibel meter — those over a preset limit would not be able to use the park.

“So everybody who would get in would have to be on a fairly quiet machine,” Flynn said.

Flynn said he still has to determine what kind of financial assistance may be available from the state’s Department of Natural Resources. The DNR has funds to help finance off-road vehicle parks.

Flynn also has an attorney working to verify the zoning, which Marseilles has designated on its zoning map as being “manufacturing.”

The manufacturing zoning classification allows the potential for immediate development of the land with factories, storage buildings, contractor shops, greenhouses or for agricultural uses.

But local residents are not worried, said Darcey Held, a spokesman.

“Why would anybody build a plant here deep in the woods? It’s not going to happen. If someone wanted to build a plant, it’s going to be along the highway or near the railroad tracks.”

Held also was doubful that the DNR would fund an off-road recreation area at the proposed location.

“There is no way the DNR is going to provide the funds with the kind of resistance that we have here. The DNR is extremely hesitant to fund projects where there is heavy opposition.”

In addition, Held said, the park would damage the creek system on the property. “I can’t believe the DNR would let that happen,” he said.

Held said he doubted any set of changes Flynn would make to his plans would make the concept acceptable to his neighbors.

“It’s that time of the year now when you have your windows open. We want to enjoy that, and we’re not going to put up with something that would take it away,” Held said.

http://www.ottawadailytimes.com/news/story.php?storyid=9001025

The wheeling in Illinois is slim, although there is some wheeling opportunity in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. I would locate a local club (search UFWDA) and ask around to learn where the clubs wheel.

The Hooser NF in Indiana has some roads open to wheeling, as do some NF's in Wis and the UP. When you find these places make a call to the local FS offices and ask for info on legal wheeling roads and trails, and ask to be placed on the mailing list for information regarding OHV's, transportation issues, and roadless area & wilderness area issues. This will keep you up to date on the changes in each area and give you name contacts to call and express a need for more recreation opportunity (something each club can participate in: call and lobby to show public support for 4-wheeling and backcountry travel).

One of the goals of these clubs should be to have nearby public land managers (USFS in these areas) to offer some challenging OHV and wheeling opportunity. This is the same request (more recreation) that hikers and climbers request, and that horseman and ATV enthusiasts request. As quiet and responsible wheelers you are willing to share the double track trails with all these enthusiasts to help the managers meet their goal of improved & managed multiple-use recreation opportunity (as long as a few difficult challenge areas with bypass options are included in the route).

Happy Trails!