Updates:
Hot Issue: Mountain Bike access at Loch Raven goes to City Council. This will be a public hearing, and likely our last chance to be heard before a decision is made! Be there if you care about your access rights at Loch Raven! Public testimony will be heard, so come prepared and be heard! Details here.
Goal: Implement a comprehensive Recreational Trail Use Plan at Baltimore City watersheds that keeps single track trails accessible to all user groups.
"Trails are a necessary infrastructure" − John Griffin, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Maryland Trails Summit, October 19, 2010
January 13, 2012 at 8:00am-
Hello Loch Raven Supporters—
Yesterday, the Lutherville-Timonium Patch published an article written by Nick DiMarco regarding new and positive developments regarding mountain bike access at Loch Raven Reservoir. This article can be seen online by clicking here.
A lot of people worked hard to make this compromise a reality, including the mountain bike community and those elected officials that stepped up to see this through. Thank you to everyone that donated their time to this cause, especially Bob Compton and Dave Ferraro from MORE! I name only two for the sake of brevity, but there were many individuals from the mountain bike community that stepped up on a regular basis regardless of the time commitment!
That said, it is absolutely imperative that we, the mountain bike community, take a moment out of our busy schedules to thank these officials for all their hard work. This was a complex problem to address between multiple agencies, and required an open mind and a deep commitment to see it through. Please email the following representatives in the next day or two with a sincere thank you for their efforts.
Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Mayor at: mayor@baltimorecity.gov
Bernard C. “Jack” Young, Baltimore City Council President at: CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov
James Brochin, Maryland State Senator at: jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us
David Marks, Baltimore County Councilman at: dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov
Alfred H. Foxx, Jr., Director of Baltimore City Department of Public Works at: al.foxx@baltimorecity.gov
Again, many thanks to everyone that contributed to a positive and environmentally sound compromise to enable mountain bike access at Loch Raven Reservoir!
If you have any further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. Stayed tuned to future developments!
Cheers,
Dave Blum
MORE Trail Liaison at Loch Raven
July 27, 2011 at 3:15pm-
Thanks again for everyone that came! We'll see what happens next, so stay tuned!
A very special thanks goes out to Jim Miller, Penny Troutner (Light Street Cyclery), John Strine, Frank Maguire (IMBA), Gary Nusinov, Mark Wienmann, Mary Starr, Rick McClain (MORE), David Cook (Norris Auto Group), Joe Traill (Joe's Bike Shop), Dave Hydefield (resident providence road), Tim Mizeurk, Gustavo Ponton, Kenneth Frank, Heather Bennis (Brochin's office), Alex Obrecht (Race Pace Bicycles), Tim May and Keith Miller. (please forgive any spelling errors and anyone I omitted!)
Awesome job!
d./
July 25, 2011 at 3:15pm-
Click here to read a recent article by Candy Thomson concerning mountain bike access at Loch Raven. Kudos to Candy for calling it how it is!
July 21, 2011 at 2:10pm-
Click here to view map of DPW proposed trail system for Mountain Bikes. This is the trail access DPW will be presenting to the City Council. Click here to view map of MORE proposed trail system for All Recreational Users.
July 21, 2011 at 2:00pm-
Make sure you bring a bike, gloves, water, and a snack!
We will be meeting at the intersection of Dulaney Valley and Seminary (at the church). There is limited parking, so please carpool if possible. Try to be ready to roll by 8am and if you do park in the church lot, park on the far side out of respect for the church.
We will be working closer to Providence Road, so if you wish to park elsewhere, just meet us at the work site at 8:35-8:45 (giving us time to ride out there from the church). If you are unfamiliar with the work site locations, download the map below.
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Bring a BOB if you have one, and don't be afraid to volunteer if you would like to pull one.
Thanks again for all your support!
Dave Blum and Bob Compton,
MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
Alright everybody, here is our moment of truth...
Everyone needs to act on this one if we will have any hope of Saving Loch Raven.
Following our Mountain Bike Task Force Meeting on March 8, 2011, we have had four small group meetings with DPW to discuss a potential compromise to the developing impasse.
We had our first small group meeting on March 21, 2011. At this meeting, DPW requested our input for what a more conservative plan would be. We informed them of what mountain bikers were using and why and outlined several trails that would help create a compromise between the user groups and their need for reduced impact to the woodland buffer. We were told that in the end, they only wanted our input, but that they would make the final call. They also told us that if we didn't cooperate, they would find another mountain biker that would. We simply reiterated the culmination of user data and experience we were privy to.
We had a second follow-up meeting a little over two weeks later on April 8, 2011. At this meeting, DPW presented a few additional trails (both Woods Roads and some singletrack) that they would be willing to add to the current plan. We again reiterated the need for some additional trails that wouldn't ostracize the user groups not represented at the table. We also inquired about the possibility of moving trails such to provide access that is more encompassing, while moving trails out of the buffer land. The idea was tentatively agreed to, but the discussion was terse and somewhat defensive. In the end, we agreed to discuss it further.
We had a third follow-up meeting on May 16, 2011. At this meeting, DPW presented their final proposal and enumerated a series of requirements that the final plan would be subject to in order to gain its approval. This includes attaining landowners' permissions for private property crossings as well as from BGE and DNR. Other requirements include a bridge to cross a stream. Again, we requested that other trails be made available in order to garner greater support and compliance.
We had a fourth and final meeting on July 12, 2011. At this meeting, DPW added two small Woods Roads to the plan and called it final. The same requirements exist in terms of gaining approval. At this point in time, they mentioned that there would be a public meeting set in front of the City Council to inform them of our current status, and that they would notify us when it is to occur.
They didn't inform us of the meeting, but here is the announcement:
The Housing and Community Development Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, July 27, 2011at 11:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 4th Floor of City Hall, located at 100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 to hear the following legislation:
CC 09-0173R - Informational Hearing - Mountain Biking on City Reservoir Watershed Property
A copy of the legislation can be found here for your review.
You are invited to attend the hearing. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me."
We need to pack the house on this one! This may be our only opportunity to be heard in front of City Council, so let's show them how much interest there is in Loch Raven! Forward this email to every cyclist you know that cares about Loch Raven. We need to show our numbers!
Also, make every attempt you can at coming to the Trail Work Day on July 23 at Loch Raven! These volunteer numbers have been huge for showing our dedication to this resource.
Questions? Shoot us a line!
Cheers,
Dave Blum and Bob Compton
July 7, 2011 at 4:00pm-
Hey Everyone--
We are having our second trail work day at Loch Raven on July 23, 2011 from 8:00am-12:00pm. This event will be the first of two trail work days using our REI grant to repair erosion issues at Loch Raven.
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We will be giving t-shirts to the first 125 people that register, so please email lochraven@more-mtb.org to reserve your spot.
Special thanks go out to REI, BOB trailers, and Zac® Tools for their support for this project! Also, a special thanks goes out to Race Pace Bicycles for their immediate and selfless support of our trail work days, no questions asked!
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us an email.
Cheers,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
April 4, 2011 at 4:00pm-
Thank You!
Hey Everyone--
We wanted to take a moment to thank you all for participating in our first trail work day (Project Clean Stream 2011)! It was great to see everyone out there volunteering for the resource we all utilize in a multitude of ways.
Just a few stats:
We had 55 people attend and remove ~1600 lbs. of trash from the North Shore of Merrymens along nearly 2 miles of shoreline.
Thanks again for braving the cold and inclement weather! We are off to a great start thanks to you!
Cheers,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
March 25, 2011 at 6:00am-
Project Clean Stream 2011 - Download flyer here. Details and directions below.
Dear Loch Raven Trail Users--
I just wanted to send out one more reminder for Project Clean Stream 2011. MORE is looking to report big numbers for this event to demonstrate our dedication to stewardship at Loch Raven. We currently have 10 people signed up to help on this day (April 2nd, 9am-12pm) and would love to get more!
If you have already registered with us, then this email is really just intended to remind you to bring water, a snack, gloves, comfortable shoes, and as many small plastic shopping bags as you can muster. We look forward to seeing you there! Please continue to spread the word.
If you haven't already registered, but have interest in attending, please shoot me an email at lochraven@more-mtb.org and I will add you to the list. In doing so, it will allow us to plan for a larger crowd.
Again, please spread the word and we look forward to seeing you all out there on April 2nd!
Thanks again,
d./
PS. I have appended the previous email below for full details.
BACKGROUND and DETAILS:
Project Clean Stream is an annual event that focuses on trash cleanup around streams and shorelines in urban, suburban, and rural settings throughout Central Maryland, the Gunpowder Watershed, and the Eastern Shore. This event is sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Trust with contributing partners including, but not limited to, the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Last year, the GVC, ACB, and other watershed organizations obtained 3,600 volunteers that collected 118,000 lbs. of trash at 140 cleanup sites.
So, you might be asking what this has to do with you? Well, for the past few years, a small group of mountain bikers has volunteered at sites around Loch Raven to help out in this effort to show our support and intent to be stewards to this extremely valuable natural resource in our backyard. This year, we want to organize a larger group of mountain bikers from the local area as well as MORE to assist in the cleanup of our site at the fork of Dulaney Valley Road and Jarrettsville Pike. DIRECTIONS HERE. Parking is limited, so please carpool.
So, we are organizing an official MORE trail day for April 2, 2011, from 9am to 12pm in order to offer our assistance to this statewide event. Let's be ready to roll at 9am.
Our approach in past years has been to hike into the streams and shoreline starting at the trailhead on Seminary Avenue, just east of its intersection with Dulaney Valley Road and collect and move trash to the Woods Road that parallels the shoreline. From there, a few cyclists with BOB trailers move the trash from these locations to the main trailhead where it can be hauled away. We currently have access to 4 BOB trailers and would need 4 riders interested in a prodigious, interval-laden workout to move these copious quantities of debris to the pickup site. As for the rest of us, we will all hike in and focus our efforts on trash collection, so wear comfortable shoes and be ready for an adventure.
If interested, please drop us a line so we can get a rough estimate as to what kind of turnout we can expect. Also, if you have access to additional BOB trailers, please contact us so we know what is available in the event that we get a large turnout.
Please bring water and a snack as well as gloves if you have them.
And, if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask! Please spread the word and forgive us if you receive multiple emails regarding this event!
Thanks again,
Dave Blum and Bob Compton, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven Reservoir
March 12, 2011 at 6:00am-
Article regarding Loch Raven access issues published in the Baltimore Sun. Details here.
Be sure to add a comment to underscore the importance of this issue.
March 11, 2011 at 12:00pm-
Dear Loch Raven Trail Users--
Project Clean Stream 2011 is set for April 2nd, from 9am - 12pm.
Please mark your calendars as this will be MORE's first trail work day for 2011. We are looking again to make a huge impact at this event to underscore the significant effect we have at Loch Raven.
We are investigating new sites that have significant trash problems. So, if you know of any around Loch Raven, please email me with a description of the site ASAP.
Lastly, we are looking for a handful of volunteers to pull BOB trailers from the trail to the trailhead. If you have a BOB or is you are interested in pulling one of our BOBs, shoot me a line.
Again, thank you for your continued support and patience!
Cheers,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
March 8, 2011 at 4:00pm-
UPDATE:
Dear Loch Raven Trail User,
We met with DPW, some task force members and other city representatives this afternoon. Much of the discussion was revisiting the issues and a few new items were put on table. The meeting ended with DPW providing the presentation available here and an action item for Col. Foxx to speak to the Mayor to get clarification on if the 100' buffer applies to all trail users or just mountain bikers. Col. Foxx will report back to Bob on the outcome of that meeting and then the group will meet again.
In addition, we would like to thank Mary Pat Clarke and Marc Lazerow, from Senator Brochin's office, for their participation. Mary Pat reaffirmed that there will still be a city council hearing held at some point in the future.
Meeting attendees:
| Rudy Chow | Bob Compton | Dave Blum |
| Dana Cooper | Kurt Kocher | Rick McClain |
| Ralph Cullison | Gary Nusinov | Carol Sildoff |
| Nate Evans | Marc Lazerow | Mary Pat Clarke |
| Al Foxx | Joe Traill | Marsha Collins |
| Clark Howells | Dave Wassel | Fran Speno |
| Celeste Amato | Penny Troutner | Luke Brackett |
Stay tuned for further updates, we will post them as soon as we know them.
Thanks,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
February 28, 2011 at 2:00pm-
UPDATE:
Dear Loch Raven Trail User,
We have been invited to a meeting with representatives from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, including Mr. Alfred H. Foxx, Director of the Department of Public Works.
The meeting will take place at Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. and we expect to receive an agenda soon.
With spring just around the corner, we hope our draft plan will be the primary subject.
We will be posting a web update and sending out an email blast on March 8, 2011, around 9:00 p.m., so stay tuned to the latest developments.
Thanks,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
February 18, 2011 at 1:00pm-
UPDATE:
All,
We wanted to express our sincere gratitude to Senator Brochin for his work with the City of Baltimore to create a sustainable solution to trail access for mountain biking at Loch Raven.
Senator Brochin forwarded us a letter he recently received from Director Foxx which states that DPW will be requesting a meeting with MORE in the next few weeks to discuss the issue further. Click here to view letter.
We will provide additional updates following that meeting.
Thanks again for your patience.
Thanks,
Bob Compton and Dave Blum, MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
January 18, 2011 at 7:00pm-
If you have not signed the online petition, please do so. Go here to sign it!
Please send a Thank You email to Senator Brochin and Marc Lazerow his Chief of Staff, Brian Boring and Scott Plank from Under Armour, and their lobbyist Frank Boston for their support.
Please let Senator Brochin and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake know how important this issue is to you. Senator Brochin will be discussing this topic with the Mayor in a meeting on January 24.
January 18, 2011 at 7:00pm-
MEETING SUMMARY
Thanks to Senator Brochin, we finally sat down at the table with DPW on January 11 to talk about the issues. Senator Brochin has been on the forefront of issues affecting the watershed for more than twenty years. He is very passionate about Loch Raven and a compelling advocate to have in our corner. Please be sure to thank him and show him your support!
The meeting consisted of Senator Brochin, Gary Nusinov (SaveTheRaven.com) and Bob Compton (MORE) in the role of “constituents and recreational advocates”, representatives from DPW including Director Foxx, Clark Howells, Marcia Collins, Ralph Cullison, Celeste Amato, and one other gentlemen, and Frank Boston III and another gentleman representing Under Amour.
First, to bring you up to date, we have not yet received a response from DPW on our draft Recreational Trail Use Plan. DPW told us they would review the plan and get back to us by the end of November. On December 6, they let us know that they were a little delayed getting feedback from others but now had it and would let us know soon. At our meeting, DPW informed us that we would not receive a response until they briefed the Mayor.
During the meeting, each party had an opportunity to speak and share their views on the issue.
DPW provided a history and current status. They repeated their position that access is not an issue, that the authorized trails are sufficient. DPW said the draft Recreational Trail Use Plan will be turned down because of the laws that they have to follow, specifically the Buffer Protection Management Ordinance.
Bob Compton provided a history and introduced a stack of petitions, letters of recommendation and letters of support that has come from citizens and businesses in and around Maryland. To bring balance and perspective to this issue, he highlighted a few significant impact activities at the watershed. He shared some pictures of damage done by BGE clearing an easement in the reservoir buffer lands, which was news to DPW. He also pointed out that DPW hired a local tree company to widen some woods roads so that two vehicles may pass.
Gary Nusinov presented a pile of scientific studies and referenced them. He stated that within all of the studies, mountain bikes are not mentioned, and spoke to the high water quality. He pointed out that many of the trails were in existence before mountain biking existed. Gary then referred to the Buffer Protection and Management Ordinance and pointed out where it allows trails. He also pointed out a recent dumping of fresh un-compacted asphalt at the head of the trail next to a stream.
Senator Brochin stated that recreational activity at Loch Raven is something that his constituents are die-hard about. He expressed his opinion that we are all neighbors, we all enjoy Loch Raven, and DPW’s governance on the issue is excessive and unreasonable. He brought up the issue of deer management. He sees this as the number one threat and has lobbied for a reduction of deer through three Mayors. The Senator also read a letter from a doctor who talked about losing weight because of mountain biking at Loch Raven and the direct impact that the newly enforced rules would have on him.
Mr. Boston informed the group of Under Amour’s continued support of proper recreational access at Loch Raven.
There was a lot of back and forth talk as information became known such as our impact being equal to six acres, other grandfathered uses, storm-water issues, etc. Sen. Brochin requested the group meet again to work this out in the next few weeks. The meeting ended with a promise from the group to do this.
Please remember to show your support for Senator Brochin. We could not have gotten here without him!
December 14, 2010 at 8:00am-
From the most recent regional IMBA email blast:
Loch Raven Singletrack Gets Council Hearing
The Singletrack at Baltimore's Loch Raven Reservoir needs your support! After more than a year of discussions, the Baltimore City Council will hold a hearing on access to these trails and the proposed management plan in the coming weeks. A date for the meeting hasn't been set yet, but you can show your support by signing the petition.
December 14, 2010 at 7:00am-
We are still waiting for the final schedule to be set for the upcoming meeting as well as any feedback regarding the submitted draft recreational plan. We will notify you when we hear anything. If you are not currently receiving our email notifications and would like to, please send me an email request at lochraven@more-mtb.org. Thanks!
November 24, 2010 at 1:00pm-
Mary Corddry from the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club has written a superb article highlighting the recent Maryland Trails Summit as well as the recent threat of trail closures by Baltimore City in the area reservoirs. Downloaded article in a PDF format here.
November 12, 2010 at 2:00pm-
Thanks for all who have signed the petition, it is currently 1409 signatures. We are aiming for over 2000 signatures. So, please sign it if you haven't, AND forward this page to those you think might be interested. The petition site is here.
Also, please join us at the Life Cycles on November 20th (Saturday). The show will take place in Falvey Hall (MICA) at 6PM. The ticket price is $10 at the door (free for students with MICA student ID).
MORE will have a table setup for the reception where we can answer questions regarding the current Loch Raven status. There will be some local shops taking part in an "opening reception" before the film screens within the lobby. They will have tables setup and be able to distribute information on brands they carry as well as services they provide. There will also be a few contests such as a Max Wattage and a Goldsprints race.
For more information, download here.
For those that have not had a chance to see the trailer for this movie, go here.
November 11, 2010 at 12:00pm-
Mountain biking at Loch Raven is highlighted on Outdoors Maryland from Maryland Public Television. Watch the full episode here, mountain biking segment begins at around 17:35. Enjoy!
November 11, 2010 at 10:00am-
Please sign the petition put up by Bike Maryland regarding your right to use the singletrack trails at Loch Raven Reservoir!
Currently there are 1,404 signatures, but the goal is 2000+ to be viewed seriously.
November 1, 2010 at 4:00pm-
"Currently, the Baltimore County Buffer Protection and Management Ordinance (Baltimore County DEPRM, Sec. 14-341) is the regulation applied to activities occurring within the forest buffers of the Gunpowder Watershed, including Loch Raven Reservoir. The ordinance requires a minimum 100 foot setback for buildings to protect the water resource and floodplain of all Use III streams. Additional buffer width is required on steep slopes and erodible soils. However, the ordinance does allow for; "roads, bridges, trails, storm drainage, storm water management facilities, and utilities... within the forest buffer provided that an alternatives analysis has clearly demonstrated that no other feasible alternative exists and that minimal disturbance will take place."
When properly designed and maintained, the existing single track trails and woods roads surrounding Loch Raven Reservoir will minimally disturb the forest buffer. Properly designed and maintained single track trails and woods roads can provide the public with a opportunities for recreation that are in accordance with the watershed regulations and permitted activities. Because recreational use is permitted on watershed lands, there are no other feasible alternatives to maintaining the single track trails and woods roads at Loch Raven Reservoir for recreational use." - MORE Draft Recreational Trail Use Plan, September 2010, pp. 7-8
October 29, 2010 at 6:00pm-
Article regarding Loch Raven access issues published in Lutherville-Timonium Patch. Details here.
October 29, 2010 at 5:00pm-
Where to start...
We had 200 people in attendance last night.
Well, first off, I would like to give a tremendous 'THANK YOU' to all of you that attended last night's meeting in support of Loch Raven trail access preservation! I was elated to hear so many polite, yet eloquently delivered questions and statements from our recreational users that have enjoyed Loch Raven for so many years. In fact, I had the words "Let's make something beautiful" ringing in my ears all night long. Honestly, what a great showing and what great responses. Thank you!
Second, I would like to thank all those involved in the RAPID planning of this event! It was a phenomenal job for such short notice. Bob, Mary, David W., Bruce, and those who shall remain unnamed, great job!
Gary wrote up a great summary of what happened here. I believe it will probably be posted on Save the Raven, too.
Where do we go from here?
We need to write 'Thank You' letters to Councilman Bill Henry, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I was pleasantly surprised by his attendance. He along with Mary Pat Clarke are our two biggest supporters at City Hall. We need to keep them engaged. Mr. Henry's mailing address is: 502 City Hall, 100 N. Holliday St., Baltimore, MD 21202. His email address is bill.henry@baltimorecity.gov.
As always, please Cc: LochRaven@more-mtb.org to all email correspondence sent to your representatives so that we can keep track of the actual numbers.
I know it is not easy, but we have to keep up the momentum. Supposedly, our plan will be delivered back to us with modifications by the end of November. Until then, let's keep the petition signatures coming in and keep reminding all the users to contact their political representatives, neighborhood associations, business partners, etc. Ask for a response to your letters. We cannot fade.
The petition is currently at: 1029 signatures, let's get this thing up to 2000+!
The petition can be signed here.
Details regarding any of the above is available at: www.lochraventrailaccess.com.
Questions? Just ask.
Thanks again!
Dave Blum + Bob Compton
MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
"Let's make something beautiful!"
October 29, 2010 at 8:00am-
Loch Raven trail access in the news, details here.
October 28, 2010-
Dear Loch Raven Trail User--
Just a series of quick reminders:
- TONIGHT, from 7-9pm, at the Timonium Fairgrounds (directions below), we have organized an informational meeting regarding the current state of events at Loch Raven Reservoir regarding the trails that have been in existence for many decades.
The basic agenda is as follows:
a. Explain what has happened since the REI meeting held in December of 2009.
b. Explain the current state of things at the reservoir.
c. Explain what you can do about it.
This meeting is extremely important as there will be members of the press and potentially political officers and candidates in the crowd. Come to show your support! Again, this meeting isn't gonna be about the numerous complaints we all have regarding this situation, but rather what we can do to help make things right.
Please forward to all trail users (hikers, runner, home-owners in nearby communities, etc.) as all our access to singletrack at Loch Raven is going to change dramatically in the near future. We need a tremendous showing!
DIRECTIONS: The meeting will be at the Timonium Fairgrounds in the building that sits right next to the McDonalds. The sign on the front says,” Fasig Tipton” (FYI- Formed in 1898 by William B. Fasig and Edward A. Tipton, Fasig-Tipton Co. is North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company.)
You will enter the fair grounds at the first entrance which is across York road from the Giant shopping center. Make an immediate left into parking for the event and the building will be right in front of you at the other end of the parking area.
- Please sign the petition put up by Bike Maryland regarding your right to use the singletrack trails at Loch Raven Reservoir!
Currently there are 526 signatures, but the goal is 2000+ to be viewed seriously. Forward this information to everyone you know that will be impacted.
- Continue to write your representatives!!! Whenever you email a letter, PLEASE Cc: lochraven@more-mtb.org on this letter so we have a record for it. That way, if lost in spam or filtered, we still have the real numbers!
- Checkout http://www.lochraventrailaccess.com for up to date information.
- Most importantly, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR!!!
Questions, shoot me a line!
Cheers,
Dave Blum and Bob Compton
MORE Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
October 27, 2010-
Please sign the petition put up by Bike Maryland regarding your right to use the singletrack trails at Loch Raven Reservoir!
Currently there are 526 signatures, but the goal is 2000+ to be viewed seriously.
October 26, 2010 at 12:00pm-
Dear Loch Raven Trail User--
We have organized an informational meeting regarding the current state of events at Loch Raven Reservoir regarding the trails that have been in existence for many decades.
The meeting is scheduled for October 28th, at the Timonium Fairgrounds. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM and last for 9:00PM. Details below.
This meeting won't be aimed at the complaints we all have regarding this situation, but rather will be focused on updating you all on the issue at hand, and what we are doing to fight these changes.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS to anyone you know that utilizes these beautiful trails. If you are a resident of any communities surrounding Loch Raven, please make contact with your HOA to educate them on the issue at hand. An Informational packet can be downloaded here.
My apologies for the late notice, but Loch Raven Trail Access Informational Meeting we have to act now and quickly!
Questions, just ask.
Thanks,
Dave Blum and Bob Compton
MORE Co-Trail Liaisons for Loch Raven
DIRECTIONS:
The meeting will be at the Timonium Fairgrounds in the building that sits right next to the McDonalds. The sign on the front says,” Fasig Tipton” (FYI- Formed in 1898 by William B. Fasig and Edward A. Tipton, Fasig-Tipton Co. is North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company.)
You will enter the fair grounds at the first entrance which is across York road from the Giant shopping center. Make an immediate left into parking for the event and the building will be right in front of you at the other end of the parking area.
October 22, 2010 at 4:36pm-
I spoke to Frank Kratovil's office today and was informed that we should send all correspondence to Sean McMorrow and Mike Thomas. Sean is an environmental staff person. Mike is an assistant assigned to special cases.
Email Sean here and Mike here.
I can tell you that our issue is not getting to Mr. Kratovil's office. The assistant that answered the phone was unaware of our situation. We need to send more emails!
October 20, 2010 at 8:00am-
Write more letters!
Dear Loch Raven Users--
We received word from Dutch's office yesterday regarding our letter writing campaign. They said they are going to request a meeting with the Mayor regarding this topic and that they are in the process of assembling an informational packet for the occassion.
While this is good news regarding our fight for access, it was brought to our attention that they received only 2-3 dozen letterson this subject.
We need 200-300+ letters if we are going to be heard!
Please write a letter if you haven't already and encourage everyone in your riding circle or others that you know enjoy the trails at Loch Raven to do the same. If we do not emphasize how important this is to us, we will surely lose it. Write another letter if you have already!
Write to Dutch, the Mayor, the Governor, and your local representatives. Be heard! Resend the letter each week and ask for a response.
Questions? Shoot me a line!
Many thanks,
d./
October 19, 2010-
"Trails are a necessary infrastructure" -- John Griffin, Secretary of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Maryland Trails Summit
"Trails are social necessities" -- Rick Potts, Chief, Conservation and Outdoor Recreation, National Park Service (NPS) at the Maryland Trails Summit
Oct 18, 2010, at 6:25 PM-
I just wanted to thank everyone for the work put in on Saturday's trail work day. You all did an amazing job and the latest trail work day has put us (MORE) up to over 1000 hours of volunteer trail maintenance at Loch Raven for 2010. I would encourage you to add this information to your correspondence to the politicians, as this number speaks volumes to our commitment to this natural resource.
On a side note, it was determined that much of our email is being filtered. Please be creative with your subject line and vary it as much as possible to get through the filters. We need to keep the pressure on this issue with our local representatives. Many of you have informed us that you are sending emails, etc. to the provided list and their local representatives to keep this issue alive. Many thanks! Below, I have appended some special instructions for detailing your subject line:
"Yes, spam filters can be set up to put emails with certain words in the subject line (usually) into a separate box. Although they usually still get counted. Its all about volume with these guys.
MPC confirmed this the last time around, and mentioned that many were still getting through because we were changing them enough to fool the filters. We should vary the subject lines, and customize letters as much as possible, and avoid lots of CC's. My first couple of letters to Al Foxx were kicked back until I made the subject line say "reservoir", then it went right through, at least as far as I know."
Thanks again and sty tuned for further updates as the situation evolves.
October 17, 2010 at 8:00pm-
Not sure if you guys have tested the "approved trails" shown on the posted maps, but in my opinion the trails shown on the maps are not blazed on the trails.
I have tried to follow the DPW "approved" Trails on my last two rides and the trail marking / blazing does not provide adequate direction at even the most basic level. One significant problem, the maps at the trail heads do not show the user where they are on the map. There is no "you are here". The map indicates a loop section 3/4 of the way out on the Seminary trail, but I have not been able to determine where the loop is after several attempts. Is there an actual loop in this trail and is it blazed? There are multiple locations on the trail where 2 woods roads of equal size meet at an intersection or fork with no indication of which is Ok and which is closed. There are huge gaps within the blazing on the white trail. I have been a regular mountain bike rider here for 5 plus years and I do not understand the trail layout the city claims they have established. I can not imagine that a new trail user will be able to navigate and stay on "approved trails".
I tried riding the red trail today on the far side between Morgan Mill and Loch raven. The plan indicates a loop branch to the south of the main trail. There are several trails out there but none are blazed and most have NO Trespass signs posted. As found on the white trail, there are multiple locations on the red trail where 2 woods roads of equal size meet at an intersection or fork with no indication of which is Ok and which is closed. I rode out to Morgan Mill and began the loop back . If you take the east leg of the loop where it leaves from Morgan mill, about a half mile in the blazes completely stopped mid trail at he BGE right of way. I searched both directions for over 1/2 mile and there are no blazes in place to complete the loop.
I do not understand how they can issue citations for users being off the trail when the approved trails are so poorly delineated. --Trail User
October 16, 2010 at 8:00am-
MORE sponsored trail work day at Loch Raven. Details here.
October 13, 2010 at 8:00am-
A warning for all loch raven trail users!
All Loch Raven Trail Users,
Today, I was visiting Loch Raven to prepare for our upcoming volunteer-based MORE trail work day (Oct. 16), when I encountered Ranger Janos on the singletrack on my way to the work site. Eventually, Ranger McDaniel was called in, and I had a conversation with both Rangers Janos and McDaniel. They both work for Luke Brackett. Luke is the head of the Ranger Force, or as they refer to themselves, Police Force.
According to Officer McDaniel, two weeks ago Luke Brackett instructed the Ranger Force to start implementing the rules of the 1998 plan. Therefore, the Rangers are issuing written warnings for riding on any single-track or woods roads that are not on the plan. I was told by the aforementioned rangers that: IF YOU GET caught twice you will get a ticket. If you further push the issue you will be arrested. If you ride 48 hours after a soaking rain (note: there is no definition of a soaking rain) you will get a written warning. Do this twice and you could get a ticket.
I asked why written warning were being issued? After all, this is not what was agreed to at the Mountain Bike Task Force Meetings. The officers informed me they were there to enforce the laws. The Task Force does not make the laws. The 1998 Plan is the law.
I asked why I was not made aware of the change in policy? I told Officer McDaniel that I should have been made aware of the policy since I am the Co-Chair of the Task Force. Officer McDaniel informed me that once the maps and guidelines were posted on the kiosks notice was given. I told him this is not what was agreed to and that Luke, who has attended some, if not all of the Task Force Meetings should know what was agreed too.
I said the written warnings were to stop. I was informed that I do not make the laws and I had no right making this demand. In essence, nothing that has been discussed at the Mountain Bike Task Force meetings matters. The Rangers are going to enforce the 1998 plan and they are doing this now!
Also, I was told by both Officer Janos and Officer McDaniel that in the not too distant future all single-track trails will be closed to ALL users. If you read this and you like to walk, run, fish, etc. at Loch Raven, Liberty and Pretty Boy Reservoirs... Even if you do not mountain bike you will soon be subject to the same "laws" as mountain bikers.
Below are some of the people you might want to contact to express your displeasure with what the Rangers are enforcing. Also, please don't hesitate to contact your local representatives, candidates, local county council reps, Baltimore county executive (and candidate), and the Governor.
Sincerely,
Bob Compton
MORE - Loch Raven Trail Liaison
Co-Chair Mountain Bike Task Force
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor
City Hall, Room 250
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone (410) 396-3835
District 14: Mary Pat Clarke
410-396-4814
410-545-7585 (fax)
Room 550, City Hall
MaryPat.Clarke@baltimorecity.gov
Bernard C. "Jack" Young, Council President
410-396-4804
410-539-0647 fax
Room 400, City Hall
CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov
Alfred H. Foxx, Director of DPW
600 Abel Wolman Municipal Building
Baltimore, MD 21202
Water: (410) 396-3500
Solid Waste: (410) 396-5134
Al.Foxx@baltimorecity.gov
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Washington, DC
2453 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2002
Phone: 202-225-3061
800-877-8339 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 202-225-3094
Senator James Brochin
James Senate Office Building, Room 221
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
Baltimore County District 42
(410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3648 (toll free)
e-mail: jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3643, (301) 858-3643
705 York Road, Towson, MD 21204
(410) 823-7087; fax: (410) 823-708
October 3, 2010 at 7:52pm-
"After a great ride was greeted at the merryman parking area by a watershed ranger 6.15pm. He was very polite but he did issue us written warning citations. I was under the impression the warnings were to be verbal" --Trail User
September 20, 2010 at 11:13am-
A draft Comprehensive Recreational Trail Use Plan was developed and hand delivered to DPW Director Col. Foxx on September 20th by Bob Compton, the Mountain Bike Task Force Co-Chair and the MORE, Loch Raven Trail Liaison.