Keeping some peace for nature

Editor, OBSERVER:

This response is about the piece that was in the Dunkirk OBSERVER on Jan. 3 regarding year-round motorized trails.

Legislator Dan Pavlock, R-Ellington, stated “I know it’s an uphill battle and there’s a lot of naysayers, but where do we stand on a more all-season type of trail.

Lauren Sharp with the county Department of Planning said there are trails in the county that are open year-round, but mainly for hiking, biking or horseback riding.

“As far as other motorized vehicles – side-by-side, four-wheelers, things like that – typically the DEC doesn’t want them on their property and Rails to Trails is more of a hiking/walking trail,” she said.

Pavlock thanked Sharp for her comments but said that he still believes there would be value in trails open for motorized vehicles year round. “I think that some sort of different trail system could really be utilized in our area. We have a lot of great countryside,” he said.

Pavlock said he sees multiple benefits. “I think it could provide another opportunity, not just for residents, but for tourists. People would come to utilize those trails if they were available,” he said.

On the first part of the article Pavlock states it’s an uphill battle yes, it is and there is a reason for it, even the DEC does not want motorized vehicles on state land trails. The land is for the peaceful enjoyment of the community a place to go, to get away from the crazy world we live in. To enjoy nature without ATVs and other motorized vehicles disrupting the peace and quiet of the woods.

The reason for this uphill battle the animals who call this place home have been pushed out of their habitat by the Wind turbines and solar farms which have taken thousands of acres of their countryside. Now you want motorized vehicles tearing through the state land disrupting what they have left along with the peaceful serenity enjoyment of the land for the public sector.

When will people learn it’s not always about the dollar. Pavlock calls it a benefit to have tourists come here, for what? to drive motorized vehicles through the few places left to get away from the stress of everyday life, to bring garbage and trash to throw along the trails . Many tourists come to our area to enjoy the state land the way it is peaceful and quiet. Drop the foolish idea; the animals will thank you as will the thousands of people who use it for what it was intended for. They are not making any more land it’s all we got use it wisely nature can be pushed just so far. One thing I agree with Pavlock on is his statement “We have a lot of great countryside.” I say let’s keep it that way.

JAMES R. LISA,

Silver Creek