NJ Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey

[TSO_NJ]

Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey (direct link)

Wharton State Forest Visitor and Vehicle Use Survey (parent link)

Partial Screen Capture of Parent Link Page (deadline October 28, 2022):

 

[Richardking]

What are the requirements to take part in the survey?

Walgreenslistens

 

[Ethan N]

What are the requirements to take part in the survey?

Walgreenslistens

This is from a while ago, we've had a few online meetings with NJ officials and representatives from Tread Lightly!, Pinelands Preservation Association, Open Trails NJ, and more. The main goal of the meetings were to update what is called the "MAP" which designates the legal roads throughout NJ State Forests, namely Wharton. I believe more meetings are still on the schedule, it's been quite a long process.

In the most basic review of what's happening, tons of trails have been poorly kept and/or are too overgrown to use effectively. Some are named roads, some are not. Some roads were created illegally, but actually have great use to visitors or reach into areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. The Forest Service doesn't have the means, the money, or the personnel to maintain the area as a whole. An updated MAP has the potential to remove hundreds of miles of trail from public access. Similar to what just happened out in Moab.

 

[TSO_NJ]

My one year hiatus is over now, sooo, if anyone has any recent data about the survey results then feel free to post an update (accurate NOT conjecture).

In the mean time here is the data I've collected to date.

 

[Ethan N]

My one year hiatus is over now, sooo, if anyone has any recent data about the survey results then feel free to post an update (accurate NOT conjecture).

In the mean time here is the data I've collected to date.

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I haven't been following this too closely recently, I would reach out to Open Trails NJ. I think they have a Facebook page and a website, they will know the current status of it all.

 

[MuckSavage]

Seems they want to implement the MAP again. There will be a stakeholder meeting January 24, 2024 at Batsto.

NJDEP | Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map| New Jersey State Park Service

NJDEP - Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map

www.nj.gov

 

[MuckSavage]

Good conversation can be found here;

The MAP is back

Here we go again. We need to push back on any road closure. https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/wharton/?fbclid=IwAR0WgG1KTj_wqeE2bJxJQRqZzDAIN8vErJtzBiAjIwrqDd4r0PJ_pH16zF4

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