The Forest Society was part of the efforts in 1988 that led to the State’s acquisition of the 40,000-acre Nash Stream State Forest in Coos County. Our involvement was driven by the significant impacts this property has long had on the regional forest-based economy, scenic forest landscapes, fish and wildlife habitats and public recreation.
On May 12, the Forest Society, together with our partners at The Nature Conservancy and the Appalachian Mountain Club, presented this letter to the NH Council on Resources and Development (CORD) regarding the legal status of the existing ATV trails on the State Forest. CORD has the statutory obligation to manage and administer the lands acquired under the Land Conservation Investment Program (LCIP) “so as to preserve the natural beauty, landscape, rural character, natural resources, and high quality of life in New Hampshire.” Given this central oversight role in managing LCIP lands, CORD is the proper forum to raise our concerns with these trails.
In short, we do not believe the N.H. Dept. of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) properly followed existing state law when establishing the ATV trails at Nash Stream. The West Side Trail began operation as a pilot in 2002, and the Kelsey Notch trail was established by DRED as a pilot in 2012.
The goal of both the joint letter and our discussion with CORD is to seek a legal remedy to DRED’s failure to comply with current law governing ATV trail designation on state-owned lands. We have asked CORD to assure compliance with these laws.