Mountain Bikers, DPW Nearing Compromise Over Reservoir Trail Use
Baltimore County Council members will issue a resolution in support of expanding trail network at Loch Raven Reservoir.
Loch Raven Reservoir trail users and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works could be nearing a compromise after months of negotiations over watershed land use, according to a county councilman and a representative for the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE).
Trail users, specifically mountain bikers, have been in talks with Public Works to reclaim a network of "legacy trails" that were closed off—only to bikers—because of fears that tire treads were causing environmental damage to the watershed.
The contentious situation has been going on for over a year, as mountain bikers have pleaded with the city for a compromise.
While Loch Raven Reservoir is under Baltimore City control, the land is located within Baltimore County. With two governing interests involved, change can be difficult.
However, Baltimore County Council is moving ahead with a resolution to expand the trail network in conjunction with MORE.
A resolution (see attached PDF file)—co-sponsored by four council members—has been drafted in support of mountain bikers and outlines intentions for expanding trail networks.
"This is something that we think is worth pursuing because apparently they are very close to an agreement," said 5th District Councilman David Marks. "In north, central Baltimore County I think there are very few recreational opportunities. I think we should be doing whatever we can to accommodate mountain bikers just as we accommodate traditional bikers, hikers, and people who just want to stroll around the reservoir.
"I think, if we can accommodate them in a way that protects the water supply then we should be doing that," he continued.
David Ferraro, president of the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, has been in talks with the city since a highly contentious walking tour through Loch Raven that included many of the involved parties, including DPW, city, state and (the improvements)county officials and mountain bikers.
"Everybody is very optimistic—the city, people in the trail user community and now Baltimore County. Everybody is on board," Ferarro said.
The Linthicum resident declined to discuss all the details of the compromise but he did discuss some of steps MORE was taking in exchange for re-opening more trails to mountain bikers.
"We will pay for a brand new mapping and signage system at Loch Raven Reservoir. We will put in our annual budget money aside for maintenance there," he said. "We already have a couple large businesses in both the city and the county who have expressed interest in underwriting (the improvements) the reservoir. We're positioned to really make rain out there for the city and bring the resources to the reservoir."
Additionally, Ferraro said MORE pledged to work with city officials in closing trails near restricted buffer zone areas in order to limit sediment to the water supply that can damage the surrounding ecosystem.
"Are there some problems with it? Certainly. But we have the resources to go in there and make it world class. There was some butting heads. There were some issues about how to progress and we're ironing those out now and everybody has been receptive," Ferraro said.
The hope is that more people will decide to use Loch Raven for recreational purposes.
"The main thing that it's going to do for the reservoir is it's going to get people out there," Ferarro said. "When people are out there and they're experiencing the reservoir and land around it, they come to love it, they come to value it and they want to take care of it. It's going to be a vehicle to embrace it."
Elizabeth Voss
7:13 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
I'm so happy to hear that it's moving ahead in a positive direction for exercise enthusiasts! My husband was one of the mountain bikers on the walking tour through Loch Raven and it was quite a mixed bag of opinions. MORE has done an excellent job representing mountain bikers and finding ways to compromise with city officials.
Jimmy
9:34 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
So good to see this finally looking like a resolution is near. This has been an ongoing feud for over 10 years.
Steph Labonne
10:32 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
It's great to the the City, County and multi-use groups teaming up to protect this resource. Bravo to the City of Baltimore - very progressive!
Steph Labonne
10:45 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
It's progressive yes, but really, it's about time. I don't mean to be cynical but what was all the fuss about. I have been hiking at the reservoir since high school and the trails have always been in reasonable shape. Why not talk about the golf course? Or the development around the water - this is a no brainer for the city and the county. Hikers and cleanup groups do a lot of work but it's the cyclists who really show up for clean up days. Most of them are okay and they are organized! The roads that the park trucks drive on are in the worst shape out there, not the trails.
Sonny Crockett
9:01 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
By no means does the city deserve applause. There is no substance to their agenda. This is bureaucratic politics at work here. Nothing else. Filth, crime, disgusting schools, doomed urban culture, high property taxes, etc and these fools pretend bike treads are harming the environment! Are you kidding!! First they ban motor bikes because of fluid leaks and proclaim everyone use bikes. Now bikes are harming the water supply. Next they'll ban people. Idiots! Hold the applause for the bikers who give a damn and actually make LR a better place.
Dan Doerfer
9:50 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
We.all need to show greater respect for the environment and the way we use it. Groups like MORE seem to understand this and will have a stake in protecting, preserving and cleaning up the Loch Raven watershed. Trash is overwhelming the landscape around Maryland. Just take a look around as you drive the local streets, highways and the beltway. It's time to clean up our mess. Each of us can take small steps that will make a big difference. MORE's presence and stewardship at Loch Raven will help to maintain and improve the watershed for all to enjoy.
Shawn Punga
10:41 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
The first paragraph contains an error in the name of MORE. It should be Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts. The reference later in the article is correct. We're dedicated to riding bikes and building trails (responsibly).
This is a great development and the people who have worked on this issue deserve a big thanks.
Nick DiMarco
11:06 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
Hi Shawn, Thank you for bringing my error to my attention. I just made the correction. -- ND
Bob Dudas
1:59 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Absolutely fabulous development. I've been enjoying LR for 20 years and am now bringing the next generation (my kids). I'm glad it's there for them. Thanks Nick for reporting this.
chris beutler
4:45 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
If the compromise is complete this will be fantastic! I'm relatively new to mountain biking the LR trails but it has truly transformed my life. I'm back in shape and back in touch with our environment. Since discoverying the sport I am riding trails all over, including a week in Utah. It made me realize what an amazing network of trails we have at LR. The ecotourism that can devoloped and promoted is a completely untapped resource, a resource that other states are nurturing. I can ride to the trails and I feel it makes my home worth more. (Not much else makes me feel like my property is improving in value.)
MTB and biking in general is experiencing an explosion, and our politcians need to be progressive and respond to all the value it brings to the community and it's ability to help foster an environmentally smart community.
Keeping my fingers crossed. And thanks to MORE and their commitment to this valuable resource.
Sammy G
6:37 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Sounds great! I only hope that this is not another stall technique by the DPW.
However, I do appreciate all of the effort and energy given by Senator Brochin, MORE, Members of City Hall, fellow outdoor enthusiasts and everyone who has written letters and not remained silent.
I look forward to helping create/maintain sustainable trails and more importantly RIDING all of them!
alan hoff
8:33 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
I hope we learn more details soon. Mountain biking is a necessary amenity to a modern metropolitan area, and mountain bikers generally tend to do a lot to enhance trails responsibly.
J. Savoye
4:58 pm on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Clearly Dave Ferraro utterly fails to understand the situation. More people using the watershed is not an inherently good thing -- it will just bring more problems (as more people always will). So, it appears that DPW has been bullied by Jim Brochin to eat crow, and the cyclists will be even more unbearable than ever. No trails will be closed, cyclists will continue to ride wherever they please, and DPW will get nothing from the agreement but a lesson about not sticking its neck out next time.