I agree 100%, many of the roads on the map marked for closure are in great shape and not in need of repair. Many of them don't have puddles or go arounds to begin with which is why I travel them and are some of the most scenic roads in Wharton. The goal is to keep people confined to what they see as acceptable use to them, however it totally discounts the enjoyment I and many others get out of visiting Wharton. I have a Dual Sport motorcycle and a 80 mile motorcycle ride is the norm for me in summer doing a loop to get away. On many of the proposed roads to be closed I can tell you I very rarely even see another person or vehicle, and thats the appeal to me. That fact also reinforces that the majority of the closures on the MAP are not being damaged or over used. In addition the goal was to remove traffic from sensitive areas, mostly of which have nothing to do with the proposed closures. It makes zero sense to me, and by so drastically limiting the roads the amount of traffic forced onto the approved routes will also start to degrade them, and you know what that means. More "damage" pictures and more closures to what remains.
I live in SJ and have been enjoying Wharton with both a dual sport motorcycle and 4x4 for the past 15+ years. I have logged over 27,000 miles on my motorcycle almost exclusively in Wharton and I can tell you one thing. I travel the entire forest and nothing will change my mind, there is little to no abuse or degradation going on out there. There is no widespread abuse to the degree that the freedom we all have to enjoy the forest responsibly the way we want to experience it needs to be removed.
Those that think what is proposed is a good idea need to get out from behind their desks at the DEP and log as many miles as I and many of us have and see that a few overused and recycled pictures of abuse and damage is a very small part of the story. Also, the PPA has no tolerance for anyone that does not fit their vision of what Wharton should be and how it should be used. I dont care what other states do, or what the rules are there, the fact is what we have now is responsibly used by 99.9% of the people. We do not deserve to lose any privileges we are currently entitled to, especially pushed by a few who have the time and is part of their careers to get in the ear of the DEP about their views. We, the residents of NJ have a more important voice and are the majority.
And one last point, has anyone tried to call the famous 877-WARNDEP number to report anything illegal, such as someone dumping an old boat into the forest ? You know what I get, no answer, no voicemail, no response. Lets start there if this issue is so out of control, the MAP or VVUM is not the answer, sorry !
