General Trail Use Alert; NYS DEC has finally released the statewide recreational plan for NYS forests: http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/68400.html Recreational user groups should examine the plan for language that affects their uses of state forests and send feedback to NYSDEC. For cyclists: IMBA, a national lobby group that supports sustainable mountain biking has already issued a statement. Cyclists should read the draft plan themselves and send email and snail mail comments to DEC. The plan stipulates: “Mountain bikes are permitted to travel on any existing road or trail on State Forests unless the road or trail is posted as closed for this use.” This is good! However, the plan also continues to say: “Due to environmental concerns and conflicts with other users of the state forests, mountain biking is acceptable only on trails that have been assessed and approved for such use.” This is ambiguous language and problematic for mountain bikers; NYS should remove this passage. FULL STORY MORE LINKS http://canaaninstitute.org/bikeski/viewtopic.php?p=1657#1657