Rail Trails to Block Traditional Hunting Access
Gun Owners’ Action League has been alerted to imminent conflicts that are arising as a result of the rail to trail projects pending within the Commonwealth. As our members may be aware, there are numerous coordinated efforts throughout the state to convert abandoned rail lines to improved bike trails. According to the implementation plans found on http://www.bordertoboston.org these trails would consist of a 12’ wide paved path at a cost of $1,000,000 per mile. While the concept of getting more citizens outdoors is a sensible idea, the rail to trail plans are of great concern to sportsmen and gun owners.
The immediate threat arising from these trail programs is currently in the northeast. Several local members and the League of Essex County Sportsmen’s Clubs have alerted GOAL to this matter. One of the purposed trail systems called “Border to Boston” seeks to impact two wildlife management areas.
The first affected area would be a trail that is intended to border the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area in Georgetown and Newbury.
The second affected area is the Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management area. The implementation plan, for this portion of the trail, calls for a paved trail to bisect the management area. In both cases the right of way is mainly controlled by the National Grid Company.
These proposed trails are of great concern to gun owners and sportsmen due to the impact restrictions that will be placed on traditional hunting lands.
According to Chapter 131, Section 58 of the Massachusetts General Laws: “A person shall not discharge any firearm or release any arrow upon or across any state or hard surfaced highway, or within one hundred and fifty feet…” (GOAL has been made aware that the Department of Conservation and Recreation may have plans to increase this distance to 500 feet on DCR property!)
Further Chapter 269, Section 12D: (a) Except as exempted or provided by law, no person shall carry on his person on any public way a loaded rifle or shotgun (b) Except as exempted or provided by law, no person shall carry on his person on any public way an unloaded rifle or shotgun, unless such rifle or shotgun is enclosed in a case.
With the laws currently in place, these trails would create a large No Hunting corridor through traditional hunting lands that are managed through the funds provided by sporting licenses.
Another key issue of concern is the potential environmental impact of sensitive wildlife habitat. The plan to pave trails and build bridges through wetlands and certain habitats must be carefully reviewed. Imagine the outcry if sportsmen began paving parking areas in wildlife management areas. The same outcry should be coming at the groups proposing these trails.
GOAL is urging all of our members to do the following:
1. Find out if there are any plans for rail to trail projects in your area and how they will impact sportsmen.
2. Contact your local Board of Selectman/City Council and express your concerns over the impact to gun owners, sportsmen and the environment.
3. Contact your local legislators to express your concerns.
4. Contact Secretary Ian Bowles of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 (617-626-1018).
GOAL will continue to update our members as more information becomes available.
Gun Owners’ Action League has been alerted to imminent conflicts that are arising as a result of the rail to trail projects pending within the Commonwealth. As our members may be aware, there are numerous coordinated efforts throughout the state to convert abandoned rail lines to improved bike trails. According to the implementation plans found on http://www.bordertoboston.org these trails would consist of a 12’ wide paved path at a cost of $1,000,000 per mile. While the concept of getting more citizens outdoors is a sensible idea, the rail to trail plans are of great concern to sportsmen and gun owners.
The immediate threat arising from these trail programs is currently in the northeast. Several local members and the League of Essex County Sportsmen’s Clubs have alerted GOAL to this matter. One of the purposed trail systems called “Border to Boston” seeks to impact two wildlife management areas.
The first affected area would be a trail that is intended to border the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area in Georgetown and Newbury.
The second affected area is the Martin H. Burns Wildlife Management area. The implementation plan, for this portion of the trail, calls for a paved trail to bisect the management area. In both cases the right of way is mainly controlled by the National Grid Company.
These proposed trails are of great concern to gun owners and sportsmen due to the impact restrictions that will be placed on traditional hunting lands.
According to Chapter 131, Section 58 of the Massachusetts General Laws: “A person shall not discharge any firearm or release any arrow upon or across any state or hard surfaced highway, or within one hundred and fifty feet…” (GOAL has been made aware that the Department of Conservation and Recreation may have plans to increase this distance to 500 feet on DCR property!)
Further Chapter 269, Section 12D: (a) Except as exempted or provided by law, no person shall carry on his person on any public way a loaded rifle or shotgun (b) Except as exempted or provided by law, no person shall carry on his person on any public way an unloaded rifle or shotgun, unless such rifle or shotgun is enclosed in a case.
With the laws currently in place, these trails would create a large No Hunting corridor through traditional hunting lands that are managed through the funds provided by sporting licenses.
Another key issue of concern is the potential environmental impact of sensitive wildlife habitat. The plan to pave trails and build bridges through wetlands and certain habitats must be carefully reviewed. Imagine the outcry if sportsmen began paving parking areas in wildlife management areas. The same outcry should be coming at the groups proposing these trails.
GOAL is urging all of our members to do the following:
1. Find out if there are any plans for rail to trail projects in your area and how they will impact sportsmen.
2. Contact your local Board of Selectman/City Council and express your concerns over the impact to gun owners, sportsmen and the environment.
3. Contact your local legislators to express your concerns.
4. Contact Secretary Ian Bowles of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 (617-626-1018).
GOAL will continue to update our members as more information becomes available.