Greetings,

A new draft policy to allow ATVs in NJ's parks is expected soon. We are taking our message directly to Governor McGreevey... Please send a FAX to McGreevey, expressing opposition to a proposal by the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry to allow off-road gasoline-operated vehicles in our NJ parks.

Subject: NO ATVs in NJ Parks!

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I'm writing to express my opposition to a proposal by the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry to allow off-road gasoline-operated vehicles in our NJ parks. By any name, off-road vehicles (ORVs), all terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, etc., are illegal to operate in NJ's park lands, let's keep it that way!

ATVs disturb, threaten and harm wildlife; pollute and impair air & water quality; crush and destroy vegetation; create serious erosion problems; and create noise at levels unthinkable in a state "park."

According to the EPA, these vehicles discharge between 25 and 30% of their oil-gas mixture directly into the environment.

To underscore the threat these vehicles pose to our parks look no further than a one-day special event in Allamuchy State Park. About 10 miles of trails were so severely damaged that restoration took two years, 1,200 hours of volunteer work, and another six months of work by the event's organizers.

According to the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry, "The responsibility of the State Lands Management Program is to maintain a healthy, biologically diverse ecosystem that will sustain wildlife including threatened and endangered plant and animal species while providing for quality air, water and soil; recreational and educational opportunities."

Allowing ATVs in our state parks is clearly at odds with such a mandate.

Sincerely,


NJ