Connecticut Recreational Trails Plan Public Hearing
November 3, 2005
Connecticut Forest and Park Association – Middlefield, CT

Representatives included Leslie Lewis, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New England Mountain Bike Association, Connecticut Horse Council, Shoreline Greenway Trail, and approximately forty full size 4×4 motorized recreationists.

I. Introduction

Everyone signed in and Ms. Lewis asked us to go around the room and identify ourselves, our affiliations, and trail use.

II. Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

Leslie Lewis advised the group that the Connecticut’s RTP grant application for 2006-2007 will be available online sometime during the following week. Connecticut will receive approximately $900,000 in RTP funding, which has increased. Grant applications are reviewed by historic preservation, for any endangered species and potential environmental impact such as wetlands. Grants take six to eight months to review. Connecticut’s RTP funding is a reimbursement plan and work shall not begin until the project is approved. Funds may be used for municipal and private property as well as state owned land as long as the land (more…)

Off-Highway Vehicle Association Development Workshop
DEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
Saturday – December 9

On-line Registration Now Available!

The Connecticut Trail Users, East Coast 4 Wheel Drive Association – Region D, Connecticut Motorsports Business Association, New England Trail Riders Association, Northeast Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, NortheastATVers.com and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will conduct an off-highway vehicle association development workshop on Saturday, December 9, 2006, in Old Lyme.

The purpose of the workshop is for off-highway motorcycle, ATV and four-wheel drive enthusiasts and OHV-oriented businesses to come together to build Connecticut’s OHV clubs, specific vehicle associations and a state-wide OHV association. The workshop will include work on leadership, communication, organization management, education outreach, building partnerships, and working effectively with elected officials and the media.

Keep a watch on the following websites for updates on the workshop:

Connecticut Trail Users
East Coast 4 Wheel Drive Association – Region D
New England Trail Riders Association
Northeast Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs
NortheastATVers.com

A registration fee of $15.00 will be charged to help cover materials, lunch and beverages. Advance registration is required! The registration deadline is November 29. There will be NO on-site registration! If you are unable to register on-line please contact Ann Vance at 800-348-6487 or at avance@nohvcc.org for print registration forms. For general workshop information please contact Glenn Jurgen by phone at 203-269-5229 or by email at glennmj@gmail.com.

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is a non-profit educational foundation. For information regarding the NOHVCC and its workshop program visit its website at www.nohvcc.org.

Join us on December 9th.
Help Build Responsible OHV Opportunities in Connecticut!

COALT is quite possibly the most significant achievement to be accomplished for Connecticut motorized recreationists thus far. COALT, Connecticut Open Access Land Trust, is a collaboration of all of Connecticut’s fullsize 4×4 clubs. And if you’ve been around for any length of time you know this is quite an accomplishment. And you know what? We’re not so different after all. We’re wheelers, we’re advocates, we love nature. We all care about the sport and presenting a positive public image. We ride responsibly and legally. We Tread Lightly! We love our families and want to preserve the sport as well as the environment for our children. Our personality differences seem petty compared to our similarities don’t they? (more…)