Action Alert Update: Ohio Mountain Bikers Help Save Trails

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
04-05-07
Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst

303-545-9011

IMBA thanks mountain bikers who took action to save important trails in Ohio. Because thousands of trail users wrote letters, signed petitions and made phone calls to protest destructive timber clearing, 25 miles of premier Ohio singletrack will remain intact.

Last summer, Texas-based Columbia Gas proposed a series of large clearcuts around gas wells that threatened to destroy several sections of popular trail and mature forest in the Mohican State Park.

The Mohican/Malabar Bike Club (MMBC), an IMBA affiliate, joined the Mohican Protection Group, Inc, a local coalition of park supporters, to share their concerns about the health of their forest and trails. Mobilizing trails users with an IMBA action alert and petition drive, the organization gathered thousands of signatures, including many from local and regional mountain bikers. This display of unity proved crucial to brokering a deal with Columbia Gas.

In late February 2007, the Mohican Protection Group, Columbia Gas, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced a five-year agreement that will drastically minimize the size of clearcuts and allow ODNR and trail user groups sufficient time to evaluate the work being done and make course corrections if necessary. The groups are moving forward on this area of consensus and will continue negotiations on other details of Columbia's proposal in the future.

Trail impacts will be minimal and any damage will be mitigated. Ryan O'Dell, MMBC spokesman, said, "This agreement demonstrates that it's possible for business, government and the public to work together. Together, we made a difference for bikers, hikers, horseman, wildlife and everyone that appreciates the uniqueness of Mohican."

The MMBC regularly maintains trail in the park and forest and is currently completing work on the final three miles of the 25-mile trail system, which will become Ohio's longest continuous singletrack.

A grand opening is tentatively planned for May 18 and will include ODNR officials and perhaps the Governor as well. Mohican State Park hosts the annual Mohican MTB 100 race, part of the National Ultra-Endurance (NUE) Mountain Bike 100 Series.