Rfalconcam Forum

I read with interest the news that the Department of Public Works has declared war on a scourge threatening the purity of the waters of Loch Raven: off-road cyclists ("Off-road bikers have rangers on watch," Dec. 10). It is claimed that mountain biking on a few miles of flat trails has caused an erosive deluge that defiles the Loch and imperiles the water supply of Baltimore. It was a relief that erosion from farms and construction, fertilizer runoff from the golf course to the west and petroleum leaking from the the fishing boats are no longer a worry. The Baltimore Department of Public Works will eventually utilize 13 rangers to prevent biking, hiking, running, birding and perhaps all interaction with the reservoir. In essence, the city is shutting down one of the major areas for active pursuits in the Baltimore area.

Having mountain biked since the '80s, I have heard the complaints that mountain bikes cause erosion, destruction of the environment, chaos. This is largely a fallacy. Impact studies do show that poorly designed trails exacerbate erosion and runoff. However, these effects are ameliorated with appropriate trail design and maintanence. The trails around Loch Raven are in somewhat poor condition, especially in the southern region off of Seminary Road where mountain bike traffic is heaviest. Failure to maintain and mark trails has led to a warren of small side trails sprouting around trail obstructions. Ad hoc attempts to surmount trail obstructions are evident and are clearly meant to prevent the proliferation of destructive side trails. In addition, the tortuosity of the trails and the lack of signage leads to the danger of collisions between cyclists and between hikers. The problem at Loch Raven is not one of overuse or inappropriate use but one of woefully poor administration. Contrary to the department's assertions, all trails, including fire trails, have been systematically closed to usage in the last few years. There is an agenda behind their actions which has yet to be revealed.

The Loch Raven area is a magnificent natural resource on par with any metropolitan park in the East Coast. The current policy of closure and isolation highlights the failure of the city to recognize the uniqueness of the reservoir and its potential. It is not simply a dead reservoir of drinking water but a vibrant urban ecosystem. I can envision the development of a trail and usage system that would be the envy of the Eastern Seaboard. The system could have designated mountain bike trails of varying difficulty, birding blinds, a terrain park, scenic overlooks and perhaps even a well-managed, engineered trail spanning the entire circumference of the reservoir. I suspect that creation of a living park would foster such pride that preservation of the integrity of the water quality would be ensured.

Or, we can pay rangers to prevent people from exercising and enjoying the and enjoying the area. Please let the Department of Public Works know your opinions before access is irrevocably denied.    ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

:crying: