anthracite outdoor adventure area

Transcription

ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE AREA
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
November 2011
P A S H E K
A S S O C I A T E S
in conjunction with Pennoni Associates
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This project was financed in part by grants from the Community Conservation Partnerships
Program, Snowmobile/ATV Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and the
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Special thanks goes to all of the citizens of Northumberland County region, State, County, and
Local law enforcement and emergency responders, local municipal officials, all individuals
and agencies who participated in public meetings, focus group meetings, and key person
interviews during the course of this study.
Further, the contribution and input of the following individuals and organizations was also
critically important to the development of the plan.
North
humberland Countyy Com
mmissioners
Commissioner Frank J. Sawicki, Chairman
Commissioner Vinny Clausi
Commissioner Merle H. Phillips
Steering Committee Members
State Representative Kurt Masser .............................................State Representative / Former Northumberland
County Commissioner / Hunter
Ms. Kathy Jeremiah .........................Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Project Coordinator/Grants Manager/Tourism
Mr. Patrick Mack........................................................................................ Northumberland County Planning Director
Mr. Barry Yorwarth ..................................Full Size OHV Representative / Private Citizen Park Development Liaison
Mr. Jeff Nye .......................... Full Size OHV Enthusiast, Private Citizen Electronic Data Management/Security Liaison
Mr. Joe Picarelli .................................... Northumberland County Human Resources, Biking/Walking Representative
Mr. Dave Crowl ...................................................... Northumberland County Conservation District, Environmentalist,
Snowmobile Representative / Safety Trainer
Mr. Howard Hetzendorf .................................................................................................Hunter / ATV Representative
Mr. Steve Minker .............................................Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce Representative / Local Business
Mr. Bill Rosini Jr. ................................................................. Adjacent Land Owner / Coal Community Representative
Mr. Bernie Rumberger ............................................. Local Business Owner / Emergency Response Representative
Mr. Gene Welsh ............................................. Coal Township Commissioner / Local Business Owner / ATV Enthusiast
Mr. Jim Backes ...................................................................... ATV Enthusiast / Local Business Representative / Hunter
Mr. Lance Schwartz .................................................................. Off Road Community Representative (Non-County) /
Zerbe Township Representative
Ms. Louise Mensch ..........................................................................................Equestrian Community Representative
Mr. Tom Hetzendorf .................................................................................................................Hunter / ATV Enthusiast
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Recreation and Conservation
Mr. Wes Fahringer ..........................................................Williamsport Regional Office Recreation and Parks Adviser
Mr. Alex MacDonald.......................................................................................................Recreation and Parks Adviser
Ms. Vanyla Tierney................................................................................... Chief, Greenways, Trails and Rivers Section
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Ms. Kim Wheeler .............................................................................................................................Community Planner
,
I
AR
CH
REGISTRATION
NUMBER
001240
I T E CT
.
J OH
N
BUE RK L E
JR
Pennoni Associates
D
O.
S Y L VAN
E
In conjunction with
N
EN
A
www.pashekla.com
REG I STER
Pashek Associates, Ltd.
619 East Ohio Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 321-6362
P
prepared by
LAN
DS C A P
E
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Background, Site Information, & Analysis .........................................1-1
Background ............................................................................................................................ 1-3
Introduction to the Site ........................................................................................................1-12
Site Inventory and Analysis ..................................................................................................1-14
Acreage ...........................................................................................................................1-14
Topographic Features ....................................................................................................1-17
Surrounding Land Uses ................................................................................................. 1-19
Geology .......................................................................................................................... 1-23
Soils ................................................................................................................................ 1-24
Ecological Resources .................................................................................................... 1-33
Hydrologic Features ......................................................................................................1-40
Site Access ..................................................................................................................... 1-43
Weather .........................................................................................................................1-44
Noise ..............................................................................................................................1-46
Deed Restrictions and Legal Agreements.................................................................... 1-47
Overhead Electricity Transmissions & Pipeline Rights-of-Ways ..................................1-49
Sanitary Sewer Service Analysis ....................................................................................1-51
Water Service Analysis .................................................................................................. 1-52
Mineral Extraction ......................................................................................................... 1-53
Abandoned Mine Lands ................................................................................................ 1-53
Transportation ...............................................................................................................1-58
Permits ...........................................................................................................................1-60
Wind Energy Considerations ........................................................................................1-63
Site Features and Points of Interest .............................................................................1-69
Chapter 2: Needs Assessment, Market & Demand Analysis,
Public Participation and Economic Analysis ............................................................ 2-1
Needs Assessment & Demand Analysis ................................................................................2-3
Market Area .....................................................................................................................2-3
Inventory of OHV Facilities ............................................................................................ 2-4
Federally Owned OHV Trails .................................................................................... 2-6
State Owned OHV Trails ...........................................................................................2-7
Private OHV Facilities in Pennsylvania ........................................................................... 2-8
Admission Comparisons .......................................................................................... 2-9
Reading Anthracite Properties in the Region .............................................................. 2-16
Business Impacts of Reading Anthracite Properties ............................................ 2-17
OHV Facilities Outside PA but within 250 Miles of AOAA............................................2-20
Summary of Impact of Other Facilities .................................................................. 2-21
Needs Assessment ........................................................................................................2-23
ATV User Survey......................................................................................................2-23
ATV needs in the AOAA Region..............................................................................2-26
Needs Assessment Conclusions .............................................................................2-26
Demand Analysis ...........................................................................................................2-28
Potential Demand for the AOAA ............................................................................2-28
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Demand Analysis Conclusions ................................................................................2-29
Equestrian Demand ................................................................................................ 2-31
Public Participation .......................................................................................................2-34
Steering Committee Meetings ...............................................................................2-35
Public Meetings ......................................................................................................2-35
Focus Group and Municipal Meetings .................................................................. 2-36
Summary of Key Person Interviews ............................................................................ 2-39
Economic Development Interests ........................................................................ 2-40
OHV Facilities ..........................................................................................................2-43
OHV Interests and Businesses............................................................................... 2-46
Non-Motorized Recreation Interests.................................................................... 2-48
Environmental Interests ........................................................................................ 2-49
Other Interests........................................................................................................2-54
Economic Development ..................................................................................................... 2-59
Anticipated Impact of the AOAA ................................................................................. 2-59
Economic Comparisons with Similar Facilities ..................................................... 2-59
Economic Impact Study of the AOAA .................................................................... 2-61
Economic Development Vision ..............................................................................2-62
Economic Development Recommendations ........................................................ 2-63
Organizing for Successful Implementation .......................................................... 2-68
Case Study: Hatfield and McCoy Trail System, West Virginia .................................... 2-69
Case Study: Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park, Kentucky ............................2-70
Economic Impact Studies Reviewed During this Planning Effort ...............................2-73
Current Land Management Controls and Recommendations ....................................2-74
Principles to Shape Public Policy ..................................................................................2-77
Public Private Partnerships ...........................................................................................2-78
Chapter 3: Design Considerations and Process .................................................... 3-1
Activities and Facilities Analysis ............................................................................................3-3
Off Highway Vehicle Design Guidelines ..........................................................................3-3
General Facility Design Guidelines ................................................................................. 3-4
Summary of OHV Laws & Regulations Related to Liability Concerns .................................3-5
Off Highway Vehicle Program ............................................................................................. 3-13
Guest Services and Office Building ............................................................................... 3-14
Camping Facilities.......................................................................................................... 3-14
Camp Sites............................................................................................................... 3-15
Trail System Layouts .....................................................................................................3-16
One Way Versus Two Way Trail Systems ............................................................... 3-17
Synopsis on Multi-Use (Motorized & Non-Motorized) Trails ...............................3-18
Trail Level of Difficulty ................................................................................................... 3-21
Off Highway Vehicle Challenge Course ....................................................................... 3-26
Youth and Adult Training Areas ....................................................................................3-27
Advance Skill Training and Practice Areas................................................................... 3-28
Hill Climbs ..................................................................................................................... 3-28
Rock Climb Areas.......................................................................................................... 3-28
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Drag Racing Areas ........................................................................................................ 3-28
Safety and Security Facilities ....................................................................................... 3-29
Maintenance Office, Garage, and Storage Yards ........................................................ 3-29
Wash Stations ............................................................................................................... 3-29
Participant Parking Areas ............................................................................................ 3-29
Signs .............................................................................................................................. 3-30
Maps ............................................................................................................................. 3-30
Environmental Protection .................................................................................................. 3-30
Non-Motorized Facility Program........................................................................................ 3-36
Equestrian Considerations ........................................................................................... 3-36
Equestrian Trail Design Considerations ....................................................................... 3-39
Single Track Mountain Bike / Hiking Trails ......................................................................... 3-43
Geocaching ......................................................................................................................... 3-45
Hunting................................................................................................................................ 3-45
Rock Climbing ..................................................................................................................... 3-48
Canopy Torus / Zip Line Tours / Adventure Tours .............................................................. 3-50
Paintball ............................................................................................................................... 3-51
Model Aeronautics Field...................................................................................................... 3-51
Concept Plan ..............................................................................................................................3-53
Eastern Reserve – Area East of State Route 125 ................................................................3-53
Western Reserve – Area West of State Route 125 .............................................................3-55
Concept Plan ........................................................................................................................3-37
Facility Naming .......................................................................................................................... 3-60
Chapter 4: Master Plan .....................................................................................................4-1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4-3
Master Plan Description ....................................................................................................... 4-9
Eastern Reserve.............................................................................................................. 4-9
King Coal Road ........................................................................................................4-10
Commercial Outparcels ...........................................................................................4-11
The Breaker ..............................................................................................................4-11
Burnside Colliery ..................................................................................................... 4-12
Henry Clay Colliery .................................................................................................. 4-13
Eastern Reserve Trails ............................................................................................ 4-13
Burnside Patch ........................................................................................................4-14
Upper Excelsior Patch ............................................................................................4-14
Enterprise Colliery................................................................................................... 4-15
Helfenstein Patch ................................................................................................... 4-15
Western Reserve ........................................................................................................... 4-17
Western Reserve Connector .................................................................................. 4-17
Whaleback............................................................................................................... 4-17
Mahanoy Mountain, Bear Valley, and Big Mountain.............................................4-18
Trevorton Patch ......................................................................................................4-19
The Flats and Coal Hill .............................................................................................4-19
Mahanoy Mountain West ...................................................................................... 4-20
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Trail System ...................................................... 4-21
Conservation ................................................................................................................ 4-24
PA DEP BAMR Mine Hazard Priorities ..........................................................................4-25
Sustainable Design ....................................................................................................... 4-26
Proposed Rules and Regulations................................................................................. 4-29
Opinion of Probable Construction Costs ........................................................................... 4-35
Phasing Recommendations ............................................................................................... 4-49
Phasing Plan Opinion of Probable Cost Summary
Chapter 5: Business Plan ................................................................................................... 5-1
Introduction ....................................................................................................................5-3
Management of the AOAA ............................................................................................ 5-4
Current Ownership and Management .................................................................... 5-4
Existing and Anticipated Site Uses ......................................................................... 5-4
Management and Operations Systems ...................................................................5-5
Option 1: County Ownership/Operation ...........................................................5-5
Option 2: County Ownership/Other Operation ............................................... 5-6
Option 3: Ownership and Operation by Others ............................................... 5-6
Recommended Ownership and Management Structure – Option 2 .................... 5-6
Proposed General Roles, Rights, & Responsibilities of the Authority .............5-7
Steps for Creating the Authority ...................................................................... 5-8
Creation of a Municipal Authority to Operate the AOAA ...................................... 5-9
Business Models .............................................................................................................5-11
Private Ownership ...................................................................................................5-11
State and National Parks and Forests .................................................................... 5-12
Club Management/Ownership ............................................................................... 5-13
Business Model Conclusion .................................................................................... 5-13
Property Feasibility ....................................................................................................... 5-13
Business and Operations .............................................................................................. 5-15
Staff Plan ................................................................................................................. 5-15
Management Staff ...........................................................................................5-16
Operations Staff ...............................................................................................5-16
Maintenance Staff ............................................................................................5-16
Safety and Security Staff .................................................................................. 5-17
Volunteers......................................................................................................... 5-17
Start-up Staffing ............................................................................................... 5-17
Season and Hours of Operation .............................................................................5-18
Primary Market Segments......................................................................................5-19
Financial Recommendations and Projections .......................................................5-23
AOAA Usage – Now and Into the Future ........................................................5-23
Pricing and Marketing Strategies ................................................................... 5-26
Financial Projections ........................................................................................5-32
Major Sources of Revenue and Expenses ................................................5-32
Startup Costs ............................................................................................ 5-39
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Five Year Pro-Forma of Income & Expense and Break Even Analysis............5-42
Five Year Pro-Forma Cash Flow Projection .................................................... 5-44
Communications Between Northumberland County
Commissioners & the Authority ............................................................................ 5-45
Safety and Security ................................................................................................ 5-47
Controlling Access ............................................................................................ 5-51
Safeguarding People and Possessions ........................................................... 5-54
Communication ............................................................................................... 5-56
Volunteer Safety Team .................................................................................... 5-56
Incident and Accident Reports ........................................................................5-57
Education ......................................................................................................... 5-58
Safety and Security Program .................................................................................5-61
Risk Management Plan ....................................................................................5-61
Staffing............................................................................................................. 5-62
Safety Planning Team ...................................................................................... 5-63
Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 5-64
Trail Management Objectives ......................................................................... 5-64
Preventative and Routine Maintenance ........................................................ 5-65
Routine Inspections ........................................................................................ 5-66
Reporting Hazards and Maintenance Needs ................................................. 5-66
Summary of Recommendations .................................................................................. 5-67
CHAPTER 1:
Background, Site Information, & Analysis
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CHAPTER 1:
Background, Site Information, & Analysis
BACKGROUND
Northumberland County is located within the Middle Susquehanna River Valley and along
the central tier of Pennsylvania’s counties. At one time in its history Northumberland County
encompassed one-third of the Commonwealth’s land area, but has been subdivided over time,
yielding 28 of Pennsylvania’s counties. Indeed, Northumberland was, and is still referred to
as the “Mother of Counties.” Northumberland County is now bounded by several of those
counties of which it was once comprised, including: Columbia, Dauphin, Juniata, Lycoming,
Montour, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, and Union Counties.
Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, Northumberland is the 32nd most populous, numbering 91,311
persons in year 2009. The most recent decennial census figures are 94,556 persons in the year
2000.
Northumberland County encompasses approximately 460 square miles, containing 36
municipalities, which includes 11 boroughs, two cities, and 23 townships. The City of Sunbury is
the county seat and is the most populated municipality with 10,610 persons enumerated in the
year 2000 Census.
The County’s population density is approximately 199 persons per square mile, classifying it
as a rural county. According to the 2000 Census, Northumberland County had 43,164 total
housing units with an average density of 93.9 housing units per square mile.
Historically, the development of Northumberland County has been associated with the
development of its transportation systems, beginning with the trade routes of its indigenous
peoples and the Susquehanna River. For a short time the Pennsylvania Canal system
contributed to trade and development, ultimately giving way to the influence of the railroads,
which burgeoned along with the coal mining industry.
For the past century, the history of the County has been associated with the mining of coal.
In the 19th century coal was extracted through deep mines, but in the 20th century most
anthracite coal has been extracted through strip mining. There are four distinct anthracite
coal fields encompassing ten counties in Pennsylvania, including Northumberland County.
The Shamokin District covers 50 square miles, and includes portions of the southern tier of
Northumberland County including the municipalities of Mt. Carmel, Zerbe, and Coal Townships,
along with part of East and West Cameron Townships.
Approximately 92 percent of the County’s total land area is undeveloped, but boasts a dynamic
agricultural industry throughout the northern tier of the County with 87.2 percent of this total
devoted to crop and pastureland. Northumberland County’s agricultural industry ranks slightly
above the state’s average with dairy and poultry farming comprising the largest market share.
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Developed areas comprise the balance of the County’s total land area and largely consist of
residential development. Today, the County’s largest employer is the manufacturing industry,
which employs 17 percent of the County’s workforce, followed closely by the health care
(14.6%), and retail trade (13%) industries.
Rural and Urban Areas
In 2003, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania adopted
a definition of rural and urban based on population
density.
According to the 2000 Census, Northumberland
County had 43,164 total housing units with an
average density of 93.9 housing units per square
mile. Therefore the County is classified as a rural
county in Pennsylvania.
Rural County or School District
A county or school district is rural
when the number of persons per
square mile within the county or
school district is less than 274.
Counties and school districts that
have 274 persons or more per square
mile are considered urban.
INTRODUCTION TO EXISTING COMMUNITY PLANNING
Northumberland County has a Comprehensive Plan, as well as a Subdivision and Land
Development Ordinance in place. Of the municipalities within which the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area will be located, Coal Township has a Comprehensive Plan, Mount Carmel
Township has a Zoning Ordinance, and Zerbe Township has a Zoning Ordinance. Those
ordinances each contain provisions for the development of recreational facilities within
municipal boundaries.
The format of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan was developed to inventory the
features and characteristics of pertinent planning categories such as Land Use or Community
Facilities, followed by a listing of Goals and Objectives for those categories. These Goals and
Objectives are then followed by an Implementation Plan for each category. The following
sections of the Comprehensive Plan were reviewed for congruity between proposed Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) development and pertinent Goals and Objectives.
In the Comprehensive Plan, IV. Land Use, Northumberland County states that its Environment
and Open Space Goal is to:
“Preserve natural features and conserve environmental resources throughout
Northumberland County, to protect and improve environmental quality, and to
preserve open space in suitable locations and quantities.”
The salient Objectives associated with this goal articulated by the Comprehensive Plan are:
 Preserve and protect wetlands and floodplains.
 Conserve forested lands and steep slopes.
 Use natural features and environmental and physical factors and development
boundaries.
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 Establish a continuous, interconnected network of stream valleys, slopes, and wooded
areas in an open space system.
This goal and these objectives are consistent with the County’s plan for the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area. Currently, the land is used for hunting and trail riding. However, these uses
are conducted without carefully analyzed and planned consideration for environmentally
sensitive areas, with the result that wetlands and floodplains as well as steep slopes
and forested areas may be eroded and otherwise damaged with potentially irreversible
consequences.
The development of the AOAA will require the construction, operation, and maintenance of
all facilities, whether a welcome center, bathhouses, camping areas, or trails, to be consistent
with Federal and State environmental and other regulations. This conformance to regulations
will ensure the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas by identification, avoidance, or
mitigation.
Further, the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is ultimately to be a system of trails. Knitting
together a patchwork of parcels to achieve a premier recreation facility is of highest priority for
project planners. The result will meet the open space recreational system objective articulated
in the Comprehensive Plan.
In the Comprehensive Plan, V. Community Facilities, Northumberland County states that its
Community Facilities Goal is to:
“Provide facilities and services to Northumberland County residents in the areas
of health, protection, cultural enrichment, education, recreation, and social
services, commensurate with the needs of the population.”
 Provide recreation facilities in types and abundance to meet the needs of
Northumberland County residents.
 Implement the Rails to Trails program.
Enjoyment of the forest is, and is expected to continue to be of high priority to the residents
of Northumberland County, and beyond. Whether the particular activity is hunting, fishing,
hiking, camping, bicycling, or off-highway vehicle riding, many of the region’s residents look to
the forest for recreation. The development of this facility will encompass most of the activities
people look to the forest for. Many people currently use Northumberland County’s forestland
for recreation, but their activities may currently be illicit or unsafe for people and the
environment. The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will permit those same activities, but in
a way that increases their safety to users and the environment, expanding the enjoyment for
all participants.
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There are two other Community Facilities Objectives that will not be directly fulfilled by the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, but are worth mentioning here because of the value this
facility may have on their ultimate fulfillment. Those Objectives are:
 Increase and maintain health service and emergency facilities to meet the present and
future needs of the population.
 Develop, maintain, and coordinate modern fire, police, and emergency medical service
systems.
Many of the recreational activities in which residents engage in Northumberland County’s
forestland are inherently dangerous. Finding and quickly aiding injured people is sometimes
difficult. The development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will improve emergency
services to recreational users in two ways. The increased rationality of development, which will
include safe trail development, and rules and policies designed to improve safety, should limit
the need for emergency services responding to recreational injuries, freeing those services for
response elsewhere.
In the Comprehensive Plan, VII. Economic Development, Northumberland County states that its
Economic Development Goal is to:
“Maintain and improve the economic base of Northumberland County and to provide
maximum employment opportunities for all residents of Northumberland County.”
 Maintain and strengthen the tourist industry.
 Maximize the effectiveness of all Federal, State, and private funds and programs.
 Seek and support regional cooperation in planning for economic development.
Not only will the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area meet the needs of the residents of
Northumberland County, but the draw of a premier Off-highway vehicle riding facility will reach
well beyond the region, and the state. The success of the Hatfield-McCoy facilities in West
Virginia and similar facilities across the US manifest the possibilities for economic development.
Off-highway vehicle riders will travel to ride at a quality facility. When they do so, they will stay
at local motels and hotels, eat at local restaurants, buy fuel and parts, and have repairs made
at local shops. Further, Northumberland County has a heritage rich beyond just off-highway
vehicle riding. As families are drawn to the AOAA, their attention may divert to the historic and
cultural interests of the region, expanding tourism to other sectors than recreation.
Finally, the development of a facility encompassing approximately 6,000 acres will require the
cooperation and coordination of local government. Coal, Mount Carmel, East Cameron, West
Cameron, and Zerbe Townships will become partners in the planning and development of
the facility through their local ordinances. However, they too will benefit from the economic
benefit afforded by the success of the AOAA.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAIL SYSTEM
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will accommodate a wide variety
of motorized and non-motorized recreational opportunities. These include
motorized activities such as off-road vehicle (ORV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV),
and motorcycle riding, as well as non-motorized uses such as equestrian uses,
bicycling, and hiking. While many facilities can be found that offer one or two
of these opportunities, this diversity to be offered here is available in very few
existing ORV facilities.
Public facilities such as National and State Forests in Pennsylvania typically offer
trails for non-motorized uses, and have been increasingly opening trails for ORV
use. At many of these facilities ORVs are typically limited to Class I ATVs, which
are off-highway vehicles that travel on three or more inflatable tires, with a
maximum width of 50 inches and a maximum dry weight of 1,000 pounds. Class
II ATVs are those vehicles with three or more inflatable tires that are greater
than 50 inches in width or a dry weight exceeding 1,000 pounds. Public facilities
in Pennsylvania that permit Class II ATVs typically limit those to vehicles with a
maximum width of 58 inches or a dry weight of 1,200 pounds. The proposed
AOAA will not limit the types of off highway vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, all
terrain vehicles, or utility terrain vehicles based on their size and / or weight.
OHVs are typically classified into
three general categories:
-
OHM (includes all offhighway motorcycles)
-
ATV (includes ATVs, UTVs,
and other similar type
vehicles)
-
ORV (off-road vehicles,
including full-size vehicles
whether registered or not
for on-road use including,
specialty rock crawling
vehicles, and hand built
vehicles)
Motorized off-highway vehicles are classified into several general but distinct categories.
ATVs are one of those categories, the others being full-size four wheel drive vehicles and
motorcycles. Motorcycles, in off-highway terms, are those two-wheeled vehicles intended to
carry one rider, and are outfitted with suspension systems that allow their riders to traverse
diverse terrain including rocks, smaller downed trees, and water. Full-size vehicles that may or
may not be registered for on-road use including sport-utility vehicles (SUV), pick-up trucks, four
wheel drive vehicles, specialty rock crawling vehicles, and hand built vehicles. Because of their
size and weight and the resulting stress they place on the terrain, they are typically excluded
from public motorized trail facilities. Indeed, ORVs tend to be barred from many private
facilities, as well. An important feature of the AOAA is that accommodation for full-size ORV
will be made, offering a rare, legal riding facility for those enthusiasts.
Trails permitting OHV use in public facilities in Pennsylvania tend to be relatively short, with
a range of 7 miles at the Burnt Mills trail in the Delaware State Forest to 45 miles at the
Whiskey Springs trail in the Sproul State Forest. The trail mileage total for National Forests in
Pennsylvania is 107.2 miles at five locations, while the trail mileage total for Pennsylvania State
Forests is 167.3 at eleven locations. None of the public facilities in Pennsylvania permit the use
of ORVs.
Private facilities in Pennsylvania are difficult to categorize due to their differing business
models. While some facilities are operated as businesses offering the use of their facilities to
customers paying their fees, others are clubs with grounds available to members only, or are
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opened to limited public use. Several of the facilities in Pennsylvania are primarily attractions
other than off-highway vehicle use, such as historic lodges or camping and boating facilities
that have added small-scale ATV facilities to diversify their businesses.
Of twelve advertised facilities in Pennsylvania, only two permit ORVs. One of these, Rausch
Creek Off-Road Park, permits only ORVs on its 30 miles of trails, barring ATVs and motorcycles.
The second is Rock Run Recreation Area, which permits group ORV use at its facility; ORVs
are admitted to Rock Run in groups of two or more for safety and security reasons. While the
facility advertises 50 miles of trails for ATV use, its ORV trails are shorter but more technical in
the challenges they offer.
Beyond these two ORV use opportunities, private off-highway recreational facilities in
Pennsylvania generally limit their uses to ATVs and motorcycles, with three advertising
snowmobile uses. Advertised trail lengths range from four miles at Slippery Rock Dunes
Outdoor Park in Butler County to 100 miles at Mountain Ridge Trails Resort in Somerset County.
Of the twelve advertised facilities in Pennsylvania, nine advertised their trail mileage, totaling
343 miles.
Outside of Pennsylvania, the bordering states of Maryland, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia
have off-highway riding opportunities. Maryland and New York have facilities located within
four hours driving time of Northumberland County, while the driving time to the facilities in
Ohio and West Virginia range from five to eight hours. The business models of these facilities
manifest similar diversity to those in Pennsylvania.
Advertised trail lengths range from five miles at the Camden ATV Trail in New York to 100 miles
at the Oswego County ATV Club in New York and at the Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure
Park in West Virginia. However, the premier facility is the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System in West
Virginia. As the name suggests, the Hatfield-McCoy facility is a system of six trail facilities
totaling 432 miles of trails. Located in the southern tier of West Virginia, driving times to the
Hatfield-McCoy trails from Northumberland County may range from six to eight hours.
Of the off-highway facilities reviewed, the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System offers the largest and
most comprehensive facility in the Northeast, but is nearly eight hours driving time from
Northumberland County. Rock Run Recreation Area offers the most comprehensive trail use
opportunity in Pennsylvania in that ORVs are welcome. The driving time from Northumberland
County to the Rock Run facility in Cambria County is two to three hours. Given the popularity
of ORV riding in the Northumberland County region and beyond, as well as the dearth of
opportunities for ORVs, establishing a premier recreational facility in Northumberland County
would fill the need for such a facility in the northeast Pennsylvania region.
Location
The proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is situated in southeastern Northumberland
County in the corner between Columbia and Schuylkill Counties. The parcels that comprise the
proposed AOAA form an elongated and linear series of properties that stretch nearly 13 miles
(72,339 feet) from their western most point to the easternmost point. The parcels are not
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entirely contiguous and are spread through the Townships of West Cameron, East Cameron,
Zerbe, Coal, and Mount Carmel. The City of Shamokin is situated just north of the group of
OHV parcels.
The table to the right indicates the distance to the proposed AOAA
from the following population centers:
Although the OHV parcels themselves do not contain any managed
lands, several state managed land areas are situated nearby:
 State Game Land #84 – This game land is located to the
south of the OHV parcels. It runs along the border of Upper
Mahanoy Township and East and West Cameron Townships.
 State Game Land #165 – This game land is located to the north
of OHV parcels #2 and #3. It is situated at the corner of Coal,
Zerbe, and Shamokin Townships.
 Wyoming State Forest – Parts of the State Forest are situated
to the northeast and southeast of the OHV parcels.
Proximity to
County
Harrisburg
Allentown
Lancaster
Scranton
York
State College
Philadelphia
Altoona
Pittsburgh
Erie
Dauphin
Lehigh
Lancaster
Lackawanna
York
Centre
Philadelphia
Blair
Allegheny
Erie
Distance (miles)
58
72
80
83
84
85
124
130
231
270
1-9
DESCRIPTION OF FIT
Any discussion of fit must begin with a discussion of need. That a recreational facility focusing
on motorized off-highway vehicle riding is needed in the region is evidenced by the volume of
off-highway vehicle riding in the area. This volume is difficult to quantify because the riding
is not monitored in any way, but the evidence exists in vehicle sightings and well-worn trails.
There are over 130 miles of existing trails located on the County lands being studied. Absent
monitoring vehicle and trail usage, the best approach to quantifying need is number of vehicle
registrations. Motorized off-highway vehicles may be separated into several distinct, but
general categories: ORVs, or full-size vehicles; ATVs and UTVs; and motorcycles. The demand
for the facility being considered is analyzed in Chapter Two – Needs Assessment.
ORVs are full-size vehicles, and include sport-utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, and Jeeps. Many of
these are registered for use on public highways and are used most of the time for conventional
private transportation. However, these vehicles are typically outfitted with multiple-wheel
drivetrains that allow their use off-highway. Other ORVs are full-size vehicles that are not
registered for use on public highways and often have been highly modified for use in rock
crawling, hill climbing, or trail riding.
ATVs are three or four-wheeled vehicles intended for use off-highway. Typically these are
smaller vehicles carrying one rider. Recently, larger versions of ATVs have become popular for
utility use, known as UTVs, that may roll on four to six wheels and typically carry a driver and a
passenger seated side-by-side.
Off-highway motorcycles are two-wheeled vehicles intended to carry one rider, and are
typically equipped with specialized suspension systems that allow them to traverse trail
obstacles such as rocks and downed trees.
Discerning the numbers of ORVs or motorcycles that might be used on Northumberland
County lands using their registrations is difficult because they are either registered as general
use vehicles, or are unregistered. For example, a pick-up truck that is used for driving to work
during the week, and used for trail riding on the weekend is registered as a light-duty truck
with no way to discern from the registration that the truck is used for trail riding. Likewise,
an old Jeep that is no longer registered or used on-highway, but is highly modified for trail
use does not exist from the standpoint of registration records. A similar challenge exists for
discerning off-highway motorcycle usage.
However, the PA DCNR does register ATVs. Because these vehicles may not be registered for
use on public highways, they may only be used off-highway either on the property of the ATV
owner, or at a public or private trail riding facility. This DCNR registration makes discerning the
numbers of ATVs possible, albeit imperfect due to unregistered ATVs.
ATV ownership in Pennsylvania is at an all-time high. As of June 1, 2010, the PA DCNR ATV
Registrations include 2,336 registered ATVs (Active and Limited) in Northumberland County
1-10
(Limited vehicles are those confined to the property of the owner). This number does not
include unregistered vehicles, the number of which is unknown. The popularity of ATV riding
extends beyond just Northumberland County. As of the same date there were 21,417 ATVs
registered in the counties surrounding Northumberland County, and over 253,700 registered
ATVs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
There is one legal riding area in the County, as Reading Anthracite sells recreation access
permits for their properties. There are also several small public and private trail facilities in
the counties that surround Northumberland County. While there is an expectation that all
these ATVs are being transported to legal riding areas for use, the reality is that they are,
for the most part, being ridden where convenient to their owners. This illicit riding causes
environmental degradation and a generally unsafe condition in which many individual
perspectives of appropriate behavior are applied. The development of this motorized-focused
recreation facility in Northumberland County will provide a regulated, safe atmosphere offering
environmentally responsible motorized recreation opportunities.
Northumberland County’s regional location is excellent - within a day’s drive or less of most
of the population centers of the Northeastern US. According to Fogg (2002), site developers,
when considering the population of possible users, should consider the population within a
three-hour drive time of the proposed facility site. Further, facilities that offer sufficient trail
activity for a weekend can be expected to draw users from a four to six-hour drive time. (Fogg,
G., 2002. Park Guidelines for Off-highway Vehicles. National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation
Council)
Of significant interest to off-highway enthusiasts is the terrain of the trails. Variation is the
key. While some enthusiasts may prefer just flatland or slopes, many will be interested in riding
over differing topography to test their riding skills. The Northumberland County tracts offer
that desired variability. Just about every kind of riding challenge is presented in these tracts
from flatlands to mountain slopes, from forested areas and scenic vistas, to rock climbing and
abandoned mining operations. The topography of the proposed facility will also appeal to
other uses beyond motorized uses. Hiking, bicycling, and equestrian uses will also be attracted
to the AOAA because of the topography. An important value of the expanse of the property is
that the multiplicity of uses can be accommodated simultaneously.
Another value of the Northumberland County tracts for an OHV facility is that many suitable
trails exist; appreciable amounts of new trails need not be cut into forest areas of the AOAA.
The illicit trail riding has, over time, resulted in a number of trails worn into the landscape in
locations trail riders want to ride. What trail planning and development will add to these trails
is appropriate engineering in their existing locations to mitigate potential erosion and other
environmental impacts, and maintenance and operations, thus preserving the existing trails in
a sustainable manner, without continued environmental impact.
Finally, an important value of the Northumberland County tracts for a recreational facility is
that there is sufficient property to provide sufficient buffers between developed areas and the
facility. With off-highway vehicles can come noise and dust; locating this kind of a facility near
1-11
commercial and residential areas can create new challenges for those areas. This facility has
sufficient area to allow for significant natural buffers between active trails and differing uses.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SITE
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is proposed to be located on county owned lands in
Zerbe, Coal, Mount Carmel, East Cameron, and West Cameron Townships in the southern third
of the county. The county’s holdings lie in a valley approximately 12.5 miles wide, west to east,
and three miles deep, south to north. The county holds 94 parcels, totaling 6,596 acres in this
area. The parcels are generally bounded by State Route 2044 on the south, and the parcels lie
south of the municipalities of Trevorton, Shamokin, and Kulpmont. State Game Land No. 165
lies to the north of the Zerbe Township parcels, while State Game Land No. 84 lies to the south
of the entire area. The Weiser State Forest lies to the south of the Mount Carmel Township
parcels.
OVERVIEW OF TOPOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
The topography of the parcels varies, given the area they encompass. Slopes range from
nearly level to greater than 50 percent. For the purposes of planning, slopes have been divided
into four categories: 0 to 15 percent; 15 to 25 percent; 25 to 50 percent, and; greater than 50
percent. Generally, the county’s land lies within a triangularly shaped valley, with steep slopes
to the north and the south. The valley floor is punctuated by clusters of small but steeply
sloped hills.
Mining interests within the county’s parcels includes active, abandoned, and inactive mining
operations. Seven active mining operations are located on the County land being considered
for the AOAA, along with two inactive mines and one abandoned mine. These mining activities
include surface coal mining activities, refuse piles, and spoil areas. Development of the
proposed AOAA will not limit mining on properties. The County will continue to encourage
legal mining activity on the property through lease agreements with interested parties. All
mining activities, current and future, are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection permit program.
The county’s land is largely forested; predominantly deciduous forests, containing small
sections of evergreen and mixed forest areas. While areas of cultivated crop land and
grasslands are extant, they are relatively small and scattered throughout the area.
Topographic Features by Watershed
The county’s land designated for the OHV recreational area lies within five watersheds:





1-12
Carbon Run
Locust Creek
Mahanoy Creek
Shamokin Creek
Zerbe Run
Zerbe Run flows east to west toward the Susquehanna River through a very narrow valley and
along the northern edge of Trevorton. A tributary creek passes through a gap in the southern
ridge of this narrow valley, draining the portions of the western reaches of the larger valley to
the south. The reaches of this watershed near Trevorton lie along very steep slopes, portions
of which may reach greater than 50 percent. County land on the lower portions within this
watershed contains hydric soils with small, scattered wetlands. The lower portions of this
watershed also contain designated FEMA 100-year floodplain. The steep slope portions of this
watershed are forested, while the more level sections contain open grasslands and cultivated
sections.
Just east of the Zerbe Run watershed is the Carbon Run watershed. Carbon Run drains the
area immediately south and west of Shamokin, flowing west to east, joining the Shamokin
Creek as it flows through Shamokin and on to the north through a gap in the ridgeline. County
land within the Carbon Run watershed contains hydric soils with narrow FEMA 100-year
floodplain areas along the stream. Most of the county’s land within this watershed is relatively
flat with short, steep slopes along the rills that punctuate the southern portions of the valley.
Most of this watershed is forested with small, scattered areas that are open grasslands or
cultivated.
The Shamokin Creek flows east to west from Mount Carmel, passing to the south of Kulpmont,
and then turning north passing through the center of Shamokin and joining Carbon Run to
pass through the gap in the ridge to the north of Shamokin. The largest tract of contiguous
parcels of county land lies within the Shamokin Creek watershed. This tract of land is relatively
flat, containing mostly 0 to 15 percent slopes. As such, this tract also contains the largest area
of hydric soils. FEMA 100 Year floodplains are present just south of Marshallton and around
Excelsior. This tract is mostly forested with some cultivation in its easternmost section, and
light to medium intensity urbanized areas near Excelsior and along PA Route 125 between
Gowen City and Burnside.
The Mahanoy Creek watershed lies in an east/west orientation draining the southernmost of
the county’s land holdings. The county’s land within this watershed lies along its northern
ridge, so these tracts tend to be more steeply sloped, with slopes in the 25 to 50 percent, and
greater than 50 percent categories. These tracts also tend to be forested, with very small areas
of medium intensity urbanization and cultivation.
Locust Creek drains the area around Locust Gap in Mount Carmel Township. The Locust Creek
watershed only minimally impacts the county’s land holdings. This watershed is relatively flat
and presents slopes in the 0 to 15 percent, and 15 to 25 percent categories. These areas are
predominantly forested.
The site’s features are described in detail later in this Chapter.
1-13
SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS
When planning for future development of a site it is important to understand the site as
a whole, and the various features that are contained within the site. Information on the
area in which the site is located, and its demographics, establishes the context of the site.
Equally important are the physical characteristics of the site such as topography, hydrology,
vegetation, soils, adjacent land use, surrounding traffic conditions, geologic and groundwater
resources, mineral resources, mining features, and existing site features.
These characteristics of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area are discussed in this Chapter,
and conclusions are made about the opportunities and constraints the site presents to future
development of the AOAA.
ACREAGE
The proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is comprised of 94 individual parcels.
Combined, these parcels cover 6,596.60 acres. The smallest of these parcels is 0.31 acres while
the largest is 914.26 acres. The average size of the 93 parcels is 70.17 acres. These parcels are
identified on the Parcel Map and in Table 1.
To date a comprehensive boundary and topographic survey has not been completed of the
parcels. Therefore, we recommend a boundary and topographic survey be completed as
phases of improvements are undertaken. It is important to establish accurate property lines,
mark and sign property corners to:
• Ensure AOAA activities are being conducted on property under control of the County
• Ensure facility and trail improvements are being constructed on property under control
of the County
• Mark AOAA property boundaries to assist in enforcement efforts
Completing a survey of the County’s 94 parcels, and those parcels which may be leased, at the
onset is not feasible. Therefore, we recommend surveys be completed on an as needed basis,
such as:
1. Where boundary discrepancies are known
2. When improvements are proposed to a particular parcel or group of parcels
3. Where trail or facility development is proposed near boundaries of County parcels
1-14
Table 1: Potential AOAA Parcels
County Parcels
Potential AOAA
Parcels
County Parcel ID #
Number
94
Map
Parcel ID #
Acres
6,596.6
Acres
County Parcel ID #
Map
Parcel ID #
Acres
00H-00-076-040
1
4.65
020-00-075-004
25
14.44
00H-00-076-040
2
12.06
020-00-075-017
26
43.73
00A-00-077-016
3
12.18
020-00-075-006
27
10.86
020-00-066-001
4
214.46
00A-00-077-013
28
29.82
00A-00-077-013
5
4.46
020-00-074-018
29
26.53
020-00-066-005
6
69.41
020-00-075-018
30
52.41
020-00-065-118
7
65.61
00H-00-075-025
31
1.92
020-00-066-003
8
20.38
00H-00-075-025
32
2.07
020-00-074-011
9
146.20
00H-00-076-026
33
105.20
020-00-075-002
10
23.77
00H-00-075-033
34
159.88
00A-00-077-013
11
5.68
020-00-074-015
35
24.21
020-00-075-003
12
157.12
020-00-075-007
36
6.50
020-00-075-023
13
30.75
020-00-074-019
37
28.97
020-00-075-019
14
57.86
00A-00-077-018
38
78.75
020-00-075-002
15
25.99
00C-00-077-021
39
86.83
020-00-074-014
16
17.55
020-00-074-017
40
19.04
00A-00-077-013
17
0.31
00C-00-077-021
41
26.34
020-00-074-015
18
65.45
020-00-075-010
42
7.85
00H-00-076-020
19
58.10
020-00-075-014
43
31.08
020-00-075-019
20
134.25
00H-00-076-040
44
57.92
00H-00-076-021
21
120.30
001-00-077-083
45
53.76
00H-00-076-002
22
32.68
00H-00-076-028
46
22.18
00H-00-076-011
23
4.39
019-00-075-108
47
182.10
020-00-075-023
24
37.16
00H-00-075-032
48
8.34
1-15
County Parcel ID #
1-16
Map
Parcel ID #
Acres
County Parcel ID #
Map
Parcel ID #
Acres
00H-00-075-031
49
5.30
020-00-075-013
72
24.32
020-00-075-030
50
9.27
020-00-075-015
73
31.23
00H-00-076-034
51
21.74
019-00-074-031
74
123.95
020-00-075-029
52
12.59
020-00-075-009
75
20.20
019-00-074-022
53
21.69
020-00-074-020
76
23.55
001-00-077-024
54
1.83
00H-00-075-045
77
130.25
00H-00-075-046
55
6.43
020-00-074-021
78
68.68
019-00-075-106
56
122.25
001-00-077-083
79
31.27
019-00-074-027
57
115.05
019-00-075-107
80
377.78
001-00-077-083
58
1.33
001-00-077-083
81
424.01
001-00-077-082
59
7.93
001-00-077-083
82
225.86
001-00-087-022
60
19.18
00A-00-077-016
83
101.16
001-00-087-002
61
2.71
00A-00-077-013
84
910.24
00D-00-066-072
62
14.17
00A-00-077-015
85
128.97
020-00-075-020
63
49.15
00A-00-077-013
86
0.70
00H-00-076-006
64
14.02
020-00-075-028
87
291.76
020-00-075-011
65
0.77
008-00-078-009
88
10.74
00H-00-075-047
66
48.55
00H-00-076-040
89
5.97
00C-00-077-020
67
351.21
00A-00-077-019
90
66.65
020-00-075-020
68
110.71
00H-00-075-024
91
129.88
00H-00-076-022
69
32.24
00A-00-077-013
92
0.20
020-00-075-008
70
28.87
020-00-075-005
93
20.11
020-00-075-016
71
28.98
019-00-074-031
94
21.62
TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES
Northumberland County is situated within the Ridge and Valley Province. This province is
characterized by long even ridges, with long continuous valleys in between. Being that the
site is comprised of 93 non-contiguous parcels, the topography ranges from nearly level and
gently sloped areas to hilly and very steeply sloped areas. The site sits mainly within what
is locally known as “the bowl”. This area is defined by a valley between Little Mountain and
Mahanoy Mountain. These two ranges come together west of the site to create the bowl like
feature.
Slopes on the site were classified into four categories based on level of potential for
development. These categories included 0-10%, 10-30%, 30-45%, and greater than 45%. The
majority of the slopes on the site range from zero to thirty percent, with 29% of the slopes
between zero and ten percent, 40% between ten and thirty percent, 15% between thirty and
forty-five percent and 16% greater than forty-five percent slopes.
Within close proximity to the site parcels there are four stream corridors and the watershed
boundaries of those streams. These boundaries are defined by the steep slopes that rise up
1-17
from the stream valleys. All of
the streams within and around
the site eventually flow west to
the Susquehanna River.
The properties located on the
southern face of Mahanoy
Mountain all flow into Mahanoy
Creek. This creek flows from
east to west through the valley
between Mahanoy Mountain
and Line Mountain. The majority
of the site within the Mahanoy
Creek watershed is greater than
forty percent with some areas
between thirty and forty-five
percent and a small portion less than thirty percent in the southeast.
The bulk of the properties for this site are situated within the Shamokin Creek and Carbon Run
watersheds, in the valley between Big Mountain and Mahanoy Mountain. The eastern section
of the valley contains the Shamokin Creek watershed. Shamokin Creek flows from the east
into the town of Shamokin. Nearly all of this land is less than thirty percent slope, including
a great deal of land with less than ten percent slope. In the western half of the valley is the
Carbon Run watershed. Carbon Run flows from the west and joins with Shamokin Creek in
Shamokin. The land in this watershed is also relatively flat with the majority in the valley being
less than thirty percent and some of the land along the northern face of Mahanoy Mountain
being greater than thirty percent, down to ten to thirty percent.
The far western section of the valley is
within the Zerbe Run watershed. Zerbe
Run flows east to west between Big
Mountain and Little Mountain ranges.
Two linear section of land along Big
Mountain and Mahanoy Mountain
contain land with mostly steeper slopes
greater than thirty percent. The portion
of land in the Zerbe Run watershed in the
valley is mostly zero to thirty percent.
Slope Analysis
Slopes
Number of
Acres
Percent of
Total
< 10 %
1,463.79
29%
10 - 30 %
2,013.34
40%
30 - 45 %
760.01
15%
> 45 %
779.84
16%
Based on topographical features, areas that can be developed most easily include the flatter
areas within the valley between Big Mountain and Mahanoy Mountain.
1-18
The site varies in elevation from low points along the streams and tributaries that flow through
the valleys to high points on mountain and ridge tops. The lowest elevation of approximately
940 feet occurs along Carbon Run in the western portion of the site. The highest point is found
near Boyers Knob on Mahanoy Mountain just east of Route 125, at an elevation near 1,780 feet.
SURROUNDING LAND USES
Development immediately adjacent to the site varies greatly due to the fact that the site is not
contiguous, and is spread out over such a large area. In order to best identify the surrounding
land use of the properties adjacent to the proposed site, the site will be broken down into a
series of six maps.
The key map on the following page identifies the location of each successive map.
1-19
Section 1 is the western most property of the proposed site. It is situated on the ridgeline
and southern face of Mahanoy Mountain and is surrounded by eight parcels. This parcel
is surrounded by agricultural parcels to the east, two exempt parcels which appear to be
undeveloped, as well as commercial and industrial parcels to the west.
1-20
Section 2 is situated on the northern face of Big Mountain across the valley from section one.
This section is surrounded by mostly residential to the north as well as some vacant land to the
east. To the south is industrial land.
Section 3 is situated in Bear Valley west of Shamokin. This section is surrounded by industrial to
the north, east, and west and residential with a mix of agriculture to the south.
1-21
Section 4
Section 5
1-22
Section 6
GEOLOGY
The AOAA is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain Section of the Ridge and Valley
Province. The Ridge and Valley Province is characterized by long, even ridges, with long,
continuous valleys in between.
The AOAA is also situated within the Ridge and Valley ecoregion. Ecoregions denote areas
of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental
resources.
This northeast-southwest trending, relatively low-lying, but diverse ecoregion is sandwiched
between generally higher, more rugged mountainous regions with greater forest cover. As a
result of extreme folding and faulting events, the region’s roughly parallel ridges and valleys
have a variety of widths, heights, and geologic materials, including limestone, dolomite, shale,
siltstone, sandstone, chert, mudstone, and marble. Springs and caves are relatively numerous.
Present-day forests cover about 50% of the region. The ecoregion has a diversity of aquatic
habitats and species of fish. (http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/level_iii.htm)
Ecoregions are directly applicable to the immediate needs of state agencies, including the
development of biological criteria and water quality standards, and the establishment of
management goals for non-point source pollution (Woods et al., 1999).
Rock layers that are exposed at the surface of the property are classified by their age of
origin into three formation types: the Pottsville Formation (Pp), the Llewellyn Formation (Pl),
and the Maulk Chunk Formation (Mmc). They are composed of sandstone, siltstone, shale,
1-23
mineable anthracite coal, and conglomerate. Much of the central portions of the OHV area
are comprised of Llewellyn Formation bedrock. These areas of the site are more flat than
the northernmost and southernmost parts. The bedrock along the steeply sloped ridges that
traverse the northernmost and southernmost parcels are typically Pottsville or Maulk Chunk
Formations.
SOILS
Soil types for the site were identified using The Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan,
statewide geographical information system (GIS), data and data from the National Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS).
In addition to the NRCS soil survey, we reviewed the list of hydric soils for Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania. Those soils designated as hydric, or those containing hydric
components, may be classified as jurisdictional wetlands if they exhibit two other
requirements: the presence of hydrology and the presence of hydrophytic vegetation.
Furthermore, the ability of soil to infiltrate stormwater runoff can be evaluated based
on the soils hydrological group. Those soils with a soils hydrologic group of A or B
may be conducive to infiltration techniques as stormwater management best practice
(BMP) solutions. Those soils with a classification of C or D are unlikely to meet the BMP
infiltration requirements.
1-24
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Soils
Soils
Unit
Soils Name
Slopes
Soils
Group
Presence of
Hydric Soils
AsB
Alvira very stony silt loam
0 to 8 % slopes
C
Partially hydric
BxB
Buchanan very stony silt
loam
1 to 8% slopes
C
Partially hydric
BxD
loam
8 to 25% slopes
C
Partially hydric
DeB
Dekalb extremely stony
sandy loam
0 to 8% slopes
C
Not hydric
DeD
sandy loam
8 to 25% slopes
C
Not hydric
DeF
sandy loam
steep
C
Not hydric
Du
Dumps, mine
Not hydric
Dy
Dystrochrepts
Not hydric
HuB
Hazleton and Clymer
extremely stony sandy
loams
0 to 8%slopes
B
Not hydric
HuD
Hazleton and Clymer
loams
8 to 25% slopes
B
Not hydric
HuF
Hazleton and Clymer
loams
25 to 80% slopes
B
Not hydric
Hv
Holly Silt Loam
B/D
All hydric
LdD
Laidig and Meckesville
extremely stony soils
8 to 25% slopes
C
Not hydric
LdF
steep
C
Not hydric
MkB
Meckesville silt loam
3 to 8% slopes
C
Not hydric
MkC
8 to 15% slopes
C
Not hydric
MkD
15 to 25% slopes
C
Not hydric
SmB
Shelmadine very stony silt
loam
0 to 8% slopes
D
All hydric
Uf
Udifluvents
C
Partially hydric
Uh
Udorthents
WkE
Weikert and Klinesville
shaly silt loams
LimitaƟons
Somewhat poorly
drained
Not hydric
steep
C
Not hydric
1-25
Woodland Management & Productivity Soils Capabilities
1-26
Woodland Management and Productivity
Soils
Unit
Soil Name
AsB
Erosion
Seedling
Mortality
Alvira very stony silt loam
Slight
High
Northern red oak, Yellow-poplar,
Eastern white pine, White spruce
BxB
loam
Slight
Low
Eastern white pine, Sugar maple
BxD
loam
Slight
Low
Eastern white pine, Sugar maple
DeB
sandy loam
Slight
Low
Northern red oak, Eastern white pine,
red pine
DeD
sandy loam
Moderate
Low
Virginia pine, White spruce
DeF
sandy loam
Very
Severe
Low
Virginia pine, White spruce
Du
Dumps, mine
Not Rated
Not rated
Dy
Dystrochrepts
Not Rated
Not rated
HuB
Hazleton and Clymer
loams
Slight
Low
Northern red oak, Black cherry, Eastern
white pine
HuD
Hazleton and Clymer
loams
Moderate
Low
Eastern white pine, Northern red oak,
Yellow-poplar, Black cherry, Virginia
pine
HuF
Hazleton and Clymer
loams
Very
Severe
Low
Eastern white pine, Northern red oak,
Yellow-poplar, Black cherry, Virginia
pine
Hv
Holly Silt Loam
Slight
High
Black cherry, Eastern cottonwood,
Green ash, Pin oak, Red maple, Swamp
white oak, American sycamore,
Baldcypress, Sweetgum
LdD
Moderate
Low
Black cherry, Black locust, Northern
red oak, Sugar maple, White ash, White
oak, Yellow-poplar, Eastern white pine,
Black walnut
LdF
Very
Severe
Low
Black cherry, Black locust, Northern
red oak, Sugar maple, White ash, White
oak, Yellow-poplar, Black walnut,
Eastern white pine
Trees to Plant
Woodland Management & Productivity Soils Capabilities (continued)
Woodland Management and Productivity
Soils
Unit
Soil Name
MkB
Erosion
Seedling
Mortality
Slight
Low
Northern red oak, Yellow-poplar, Black
cherry, Eastern white pine
MkC
Slight
Low
MkD
Moderate
Low
SmB
Shelmadine very stony silt
loam
Slight
High
Black cherry, Northern red oak, Eastern
white pine, Red maple
Uf
Udifluvents
Slight
Low
Uh
Udorthents
Not Rated
Not
Rated
WkE
Weikert and Klinesville
shaly silt loams
Severe
Low
Trees to Plant
Northern red oak, Virginia pine, Eastern
white pine, Shortleaf pine, Pitch pine,
Red pine
1-27
Potential for Development Soils Capabilities
Soils
Unit
1-28
Potential for Development
Soil Name
Paths & Trails
Septic Tank Absorption
Fields
Roads
AsB
Alvira very stony
silt loam
Somewhat Limited:
Depth to saturated
zone; Large stones
content
Very Limited: Slow water
movement; Depth to
saturated zone
Very Limited: frost
action, depth to
saturated zone
BxB
Buchanan very
stony silt loam
Somewhat Limited:
Large stones content;
Depth to saturated
zone
movement; Depth to
saturated zone
Somewhat Limited:
Depth to saturation
zone
BxD
Buchanan very
stony silt loam
Somewhat Limited:
Large stones content; movement; Depth to
Depth to saturated
saturated zone
zone
Somewhat Limited:
Slope; Depth to
saturation zone;
Frost action
DeB
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
Very Limited: Large
stones content
Somewhat Limited:
Depth to hard
bedrock; Large
stones content
DeD
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
Very Limited: Large
Very Limited: Filtering
stones content; Slope capacity; Seepage,
bottom layer; Depth to
bedrock; Slope; Large
stones content
Very Limited: Slope;
Depth to hard
bedrock; Large
stones content
DeF
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
Very Limited: Large
stones content; Slope capacity; Slope; Seepage,
bottom layer; Depth to
bedrock; Large stones
content
Depth to hard
bedrock; Large
stones content
Du
Dumps, mine
Not Rated
Not Rated
Not Rated
Dy
Dystrochrepts
Not Rated
Not Rated
Not Rated
HuB
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Large
stones content
Very Limited: Seepage,
Somewhat Limited:
bottom layer; Filtering
Frost action; Large
capacity; Large stones
stones content
content; Depth to bedrock
HuD
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Large
Very Limited: Seepage,
stones content; Slope bottom layer; Filtering
capacity; Large stones
content; Depth to
bedrock; Slope
capacity; Seepage, bottom
layer; Depth to bedrock;
Large stones content
Frost action; Large
stones content
Potential for Development Soils Capabilities
Soils
Unit
Potential for Development
Soil Name
Paths & Trails
Septic Tank Absorption
Fields
Roads
HuF
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Large
stones content; Slope Seepage, bottom layer;
Filtering capacity; Large
stones content; Depth to
bedrock
Frost action; Large
stones content
Hv
Holly Silt Loam
Very Limited: Depth
to saturated zone;
flooding
Very Limited:
Depth to saturated
zone; Frost action;
Flooding
LdD
Laidig and
Meckesville
extremely stony
soils
Very Limited: Large
Very Limited: Depth to
stones content; slope saturated zone; Slow
water movement; Slope
Frost action
LdF
Laidig and
Meckesville
extremely stony
soils
Very Limited: Large
stones content; Slope saturated zone; Slow
Frost action
MkB
Meckesville silt
loam
Not Limited
saturated zone; Slow
water movement
Somewhat Limited:
Frost action
MkC
Meckesville silt
loam
Not Limited
saturated zone; Slow
Somewhat Limited:
Slope; Frost action
MkD
Meckesville silt
loam
Somewhat Limited:
Slope
movement; Slope; Depth
to saturated zone
Frost action
SmB
Shelmadine very
stony silt loam
Very Limited: Depth
to saturated zone;
movement; Depth to
saturated zone
Very Limited: Depth
to saturated zone;
Forst action
Uf
Udifluvents
Somewhat Limited:
flooding
Very Limited: Flooding;
Seepage, bottom layer;
Depth to saturated zone
Very Limited: Frost
action; Flooding
Uh
Udorthents
Not Rated
Not Rated
Not Rated
WkE
Weikert and
Klinesville shaly silt
loams
Very Limited: Slope
bedrock; Slope; Seepage, Depth to bedrock;
bottom layer
Frost action
Very Limited: Flooding;
Depth to saturated zone;
Seepage, bottom layer;
Slow water movement
1-29
Potential for Building Development Soils Capabilities
Soils
Unit
1-30
Soil Name
Potential for Building Development
Shallow Excavation
Small Commercial Building
AsB
Alvira very stony
silt loam
Very Limited: Depth to saturation
zone; Cutbanks cave
Very Limited: Depth to saturated
zone
BxB
Buchanan very
stony silt loam
zone; Cutbanks cave
Somewhat limited: Depth to
saturated zone
BxD
Buchanan very
stony silt loam
zone; Cutbanks cave; Slope
Very Limited: Slope; Depth to
saturated zone
DeB
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
Very Limited: Depth to hard
bedrock; Cutbanks cave; Large
stones content
Somewhat Limited: Depth to hard
bedrock; Slope; Large stones
content
DeD
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
bedrock; Slope; Cutbanks cave;
Very Limited: Slope; Depth to hard
bedrock
DeF
Dekalb extremely
stony sandy loam
bedrock; Slope; Cutbanks cave;
bedrock; Large stones content
Du
Dumps, mine
Not Rated
Not Rated
Dy
Dystrochrepts
Not Rated
Not Rated
HuB
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Cutbanks cave; Slope; Somewhat Limited: Large stones
content; Slope
HuD
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Cutbanks cave; Slope; Very Limited: Slope; Large stones
content
HuF
Hazleton and
Clymer extremely
stony sandy loams
Very Limited: Slope; Cutbanks cave; Very Limited: Slope; large stones
content
Hv
Holly Silt Loam
zone; Cutbanks cave; Flooding
Very Limited: Flooding; Depth to
saturated zone
LdD
Laidig and
Meckesville
extremely stony
soils
saturated zone; Cutbanks cave
Very Limited: Slope
LdF
Laidig and
Meckesville
extremely stony
soils
saturated zone; Cutbanks cave
Very Limited: Slope
Potential for Building Development Soils Capabilities
Soils
Unit
Soil Name
Potential for Building Development
Shallow Excavation
Small Commercial Building
MkB
Meckesville silt
loam
Very Limited: Cutbanks cave; Depth Somewhat Limited: Slope
to saturated zone
MkC
Meckesville silt
loam
Very Limited: Cutbanks cave; Depth Very Limited: Slope
to saturated zone; Slope
MkD
Meckesville silt
loam
Very Limited: Slope; Cutbanks cave; Very limited: Slope
Depth saturated zone
SmB
Shelmadine very
stony silt loam
zone; Cutbanks cave
zone
Uf
Udifluvents
Somewhat Limited: Flooding;
Depth to saturated zone; Cutbanks
cave
Very Limited: Flooding
Uh
Udorthents
Not Rated
Not Rated
WkE
Weikert and
Klinesville shaly silt
loams
Very Limited: Depth to bedrock;
Slope
and soft bedrock
1-31
1-32
ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) was established in 1982 as a joint effort
of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources (formerly the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources),
the Bureau of Forestry, and the Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy.
PNHP is part of a network of “Natural Heritage Programs” that utilize common methodology
developed by The Nature Conservancy and refined through NatureServe – the organization
that represents the network of Natural Heritage Programs – and the individual programs
themselves. Natural Heritage Programs have been established in each of the 50 United States
and in Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
PNHP collects and stores locational and baseline ecological information about rare plants, rare
animals, unique plant communities, significant habitats, and geologic features in Pennsylvania.
Presently, the PNHP database is Pennsylvania’s chief storehouse of such information with
approximately 15,500 detailed occurrence records that are stored as computer files. Additional
data are stored in extensive manual files documenting over 150 natural community types, more
than 5000 plant and animal species, and about 1100 managed areas.
PNHP is valuable for its ability to supply technically sound data that can be applied in making
natural resource decisions, thereby streamlining the decision making process. Information on
the occurrences of elements (species and natural communities) of special concern gathered
from museums, universities, colleges, and recent fieldwork by professionals throughout the
state is used by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to identify the areas of highest natural
integrity and significance in Northumberland County.
In 2008 the Northumberland County Natural Heritage Inventory Update was published. A
County Natural Heritage Inventories (NHI) are designed to identify and map areas that
support species of special concern, exemplary natural communities, and broad expanses
of intact natural ecosystems that support important components of Pennsylvania’s native
species biodiversity. Their purpose is to provide information to municipal, county, and state
governments, private individuals, and business interests so that they may plan development
with the preservation of an ecologically healthy landscape for future generations in mind.
Fifty-two Natural Heritage Sites have been identified in Northumberland County. Of the fiftytwo sites, three are located in proximity to the proposed Northumberland County OHV Park.
The Natural Heritage Sites are ranked in approximate order of priority from the most important
(rank = 1) to the least (rank = 5). The three sites in proximity to the proposed park are each
ranked as priority 4 sites.
The three natural heritage areas are as follows:
• Bear Valley Strip Mine (Coal, West Cameron, & East Cameron Townships) – During 1993
1-33
and 1994, two sensitive species of concern were identified in this scarred strip mine
landscape. The mammal species, one of which is Pennsylvania-Threatened, are using
abandoned mine openings and underground mines during the fall and winter months.
These animals are probably traveling to nearby wooded stream valleys to forage for
food, roost, and breed. Blocking or collapsing the mine openings is a threat to these
species. Barred gates on the mine openings would minimize human disturbance. The
landowners may also wish to do this for safety reasons. This site is ranked as a 4 within
Northumberland County.
• Big Mountain (Coal Township) – This site on Big Mountain has a history of mining and
disturbance to the landscape. The state-imperiled esther moth (Hypagyrtis esther)
that was documented here overwinters in the leaf litter and the larvae feed on pines.
The use of Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) to control gypsy moths should not harm the
species of concern, but the spraying of the pesticide Dimlin could extirpate this species.
Additional surveys of this area are needed.
• Big Zerbe Strip Mine (Zerbe Township) – During 1993 and 1994, the PA Game
Commission identified two separate locations of a mammal species of concern in
this scarred strip mine landscape. The mammal species are using abandoned mine
openings and underground mines during the fall and winter months. These animals
are probably traveling to nearby wooded stream valleys to forage for food, roost, and
breed. Blocking or collapsing the mine openings is a threat to these species. For safety
reasons, the mine openings could be gated to exclude human interference, and still
allow the animals to enter the mine.
PENNSYLVANIA NATURAL DIVERSITY INVENTORY
During the initial stage of the planning process Northumberland County submitted planning
project and environmental review requests to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission,
and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The purpose of this review is to determine whether
there may be potential impacts to species of special concern, and / or rare, threatened, or
endangered species. The agencies responded as follows:
Pennsylvania Game Commission – March 5, 2010 response
Species of Special Concern include:
• Northern Myotis Bat (species of special concern)
• Eastern Small-footed Myotis Bat (threatened species)
Next Steps
All trees or dead snags greater than five inches in diameter at breast height, which need
to be harvested to facilitate the project) (including any access roads or landings), should
1-34
occur between November 1 and March 31. In addition no old deep mine entries or openings
in old highwalls should be closed or sealed without contacting the Pennsylvania Game
Commission to discuss these potential bat hibernacula prior to closure.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission – March 23, 2010 response
Species of Special Concern include:
• Timber Rattlesnake
In their response the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission identified their primary
area of concern as Mahanoy Mountain as the timber rattlesnake is known in the vicinity
of the proposed project site.
The Commission has requested that upon completion of the master plan that site plans
and descriptions indicating proposed work, planned trails / roads, project impacts,
alternates considered, and general habitat conditions be submitted to the Commission
for further review.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – May 28, 2009 response
PNDI records indicate that the following Pennsylvania plant species of special concern under
DCNR’s jurisdiction are known to occur in the vicinity of proposed project areas:
Bartonia paniculata (Screwstem) Currently unlisted: Often found in bogs and peaty lake
margins; flowering from August to October.
Lactuca hirsuta (Downy lettuce) Currently unlisted: Often found in dry open woods, thickets
and rocky ledges; flowering from August to September.
Juncus biflorus (Grass-leaved rush) Currently unlisted, Proposed PA Threatened: Often found
in moist, open woods, boggy fields, gravel pits and ditches; flowering and fruiting in the
summer.
Platanthera ciliaris (Yellow fringed orchid) Currently unlisted, Proposed PA Threatened: Often
found in bogs, moist meadows and woods; flowering from July to August.
PNDI records indicate that the following Pennsylvania invertebrate species of special concern
under DCNR’s jurisdiction is known to occur in the vicinity of proposed project areas:
Hypagyrtis esther (Esther moth) Currently unlisted: Often in or near pines or in strip mines
with patches of disturbed woods. The larvae of this species feed on pines and are found from
July to August.
1-35
In November 2010, at the request of PA DCNR, the Consultant forwarded the current Concept
Plan for review. This review resulted in PA DCNR identifying seven areas of concern. These
areas are identified on the Ecological Resources Inventory map, and are as follows:
• Area of Concern 1
Locust Creek: This Area of Concern encompasses the headwaters of Locust Creek and
is located adjacent to the eastern portion of the proposed project area. The property
on which this resource is located is privately held. The property currently has trails
located on it, and it may present an opportunity to lease the property to expand the
trail offerings for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. There appears to be a mix
of forest cover and small openings along Locust Creek. Depending on the conditions
along the headwaters and creek banks, this could be potential habitat for Bartonia
paniculata, Juncus biflorus and Platanthera ciliaris. If this area becomes available for
ATV Trails, DCNR recommends that a 500 foot no-disturbance buffer be placed along
the stream and its headwaters. In addition, steps should be taken to try to limit access
of ATV drivers to the stream-side habitats. These measures will ensure that any direct
disturbance due to trampling, crushing are minimized in this area.
Known Habitat of Hypagyrtis esther: This Area of Concern encompasses a known
location for Hypagyrtis esther (Esther Moth) and areas in the vicinity that could also
be utilized by the Esther moth. A minimal amount of information exists regarding
this species’ ecology and habitat utilization. It is recommended that this area not be
subject to large-scale tree clearing or high impact activities, such as OHV Play Areas.
Limited motorized use on established (preferably pre-existing) trails or roads is unlikely
to severely impact this species. If a certain acreage is to be set aside as buffer zones, it
is recommended that this Area be chosen. Large, contiguous conifer forests, especially
those dominated by Pine species, could also be targeted as buffer zones across the
project area to provide more habitat for Hypagyrtis esther.
This Area of Concern encompasses an existing right-of-way within the project site.
Since the known habitat for the PA Plant Species of Concern in the vicinity of the
project site is along an existing right-of-way, this area could also be potential habitat
for Bartonia paniculata, Juncus biflorus, Lactuca hirsuta, and Platanthera ciliaris. DCNR
recommends that no new ATV trails are created within this ROW. If possible, roads
or trails that divert OHV riders away from this right-of-way could help protect this
potential habitat area. It is also suggested that somehow gating or blocking access to
this right-of-way be explored. DCNR personnel would be willing to conduct a botanical
survey during the 2011 Field Season if impacts are anticipated to this right-of-way or if it
is to be used as a major OHV travel corridor.
Unnamed Tributaries to Carbon Run: This Area of Concern encompasses two Unnamed
Tributaries of Carbon Run and is located in the western portion of the proposed
1-36
project area. There appears to be a mix of forest cover and small openings along these
Tributaries. Depending on the conditions along the headwaters and creek banks, this
could be potential habitat for Bartonia paniculata, Juncus biflorus and Platanthera
ciliaris. If this area becomes available for OHV trails, DCNR recommends a 500 foot nodisturbance buffer be placed along the stream and its headwaters. In addition, steps
should be taken to try to limit access of OHV drivers to the streamside habitats. These
measures will ensure that any disturbance due to trampling, crushing are minimized in
this area.
This Area of Concern encompasses two existing parallel right-of-ways within the
project site. Since the known habitat for the PA Plant Species of Concern in the vicinity
of the project site is along an existing right-of-way, this area could also be potential
habitat for Bartonia paniculata, Juncus biflorus, Lactuca hirsuta, and Platanthera ciliaris.
DCNR recommends that no new OHV trails are created within these ROWs. If possible,
roads or trails that divert OHV riders away from these right-of-ways could help protect
these potential habitat areas. DCNR also suggests consideration be given to gating or
blocking access to these right-of-ways. DCNR personnel would be willing to conduct a
botanical survey during the 2011 Field Season if impacts are anticipated to these rightof-ways or if they are to be used as major OHV travel corridors.
This Area of Concern encompasses two small ponds and the surrounding forest habitat
and is located in the western portion of the project site. Depending on the conditions
at the lake margins, potential habitat for Bartonia paniculata and Juncus biflorus could
be present. If the surrounding area becomes available for OHV Trails or “OHV Play
Areas”, DCNR recommends that a 500 foot no-disturbance buffer be placed around
these ponds. In addition, steps should be taken to try to limit access of ATV drivers to
the ponds and pond margin habitats. These measures will ensure that any disturbance
due to trampling, crushing are minimized in this area.
Whaleback” Formation: This Area of Concern includes the “Whaleback” anticline
formation as well as the surrounding area. This area has a very high cultural and
education significance. Some geologic experts consider it one of the best examples of
exposed, folded rock structure in the United States. DCNR geologists would welcome
the opportunity to discuss the best means to preserve this formation and develop the
site as an education resource.
This site is recognized by the PA DCNR as a Heritage Geology Site. Heritage geologic
features are recognized special places of intertwined geology and landscape. Heritage
geologic features may include unique or exemplary outcrops, scenic views, or other
geologically significant features that together represent the geologic diversity of the
Commonwealth.
1-37
Arguably one of the best exposures of folded rock structure in the United States, the
Whaleback site includes all the structural elements and six stages of deformation for
the Valley and Ridge Province. It is considered the type locality for examining the style,
mechanics, and stages of structural development for the rocks in the Appalachian
folded mountain belt. Individual structural elements such as faults (three types), folds,
joints, cleavage, lineations, and slickenlines can be examined in a hands on setting.
The site is visually engaging because of the size and preservation of the folds.
Heritage value: Site is scientific, educational, scenic, and historical.
Heritage status: Because site is privately owned, heritage status is in the hands
of the owner.
Access:
This site is located on private property. Permission to access
the property must be obtained from the property owner.
Status:
Potentially threatened - If land owner changes the land use
conditions, or if vandalism continues to occur, degradation of
values is likely, and loss of the resource could ultimately occur.
References:
Nickelsen, R.P., 1979, Sequence of structural stages of the
Allegheny orogeny, Bear Valley strip mine, Shamokin, Pa.:
American Journal of Science, v. 279, p. 225-271.
Edmunds, W.E. and Eggleston, J.R., 1984, Field Guide to the
Pennsylvania Anthracite Region.
The PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry is willing to discuss these areas and/or visit this site during the
2011 Field Season to examine these sites to further determine their conservation value.
1-38
1-39
HYDROLOGIC FEATURES
Hydrologic features include floodplains, wetlands, hydric soils, and water quality. The project
area is located within five watersheds:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Zerbe Run
Mahanoy Creek
Shamokin Creek
Carbon Run
Locust Creek
Zerbe Run flows east to west toward the Susquehanna River through a very narrow valley and
along the northern edge of Trevorton. A tributary creek passes through a gap in the southern
ridge of this narrow valley, draining the portions of the western reaches of the larger valley to
the south. The reaches of this watershed near Trevorton lie along very steep slopes, portions
of which may reach greater than 50 percent. County land on the lower portions within this
watershed contains hydric soils with small, scattered wetlands. The lower portions of this
watershed also contain designated FEMA 100-year floodplain. The steep slope portions of this
watershed are forested, while the more level sections contain open grasslands and cultivated
sections. Zerbe Run is classified in the PA DEP Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards as a
coldwater fishery and suitable for migratory fish.
Just east of the Zerbe Run watershed is the Carbon Run watershed. Carbon Run drains the
area immediately south and west of Shamokin, flowing west to east, joining the Shamokin
Creek as it flows through Shamokin and on to the north through a gap in the ridgeline. County
land within the Carbon Run watershed contains hydric soils with narrow FEMA 100-year
floodplain areas along the stream. Most of the county’s land within this watershed is relatively
flat with short, steep slopes along the rills that punctuate the southern portions of the valley.
Most of this watershed is forested with small, scattered areas that are open grasslands or
cultivated. Carbon Run is classified in the PA DEP Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards as a
coldwater fishery and suitable for migratory fish.
1-40
Of the five watersheds in which the project is located, Carbon Run is the only stream physically
located within the project area. It is located in the western portion of the project area,
southeast of Trevorton.
The Shamokin Creek flows east to west from Mount Carmel, passing to the south of Kulpmont,
and then turning north passing through the center of Shamokin and joining Carbon Run to
pass through the gap in the ridge to the north of Shamokin. The largest tract of contiguous
parcels of county land lies within the Shamokin Creek watershed. This tract of land is relatively
flat, containing mostly 0 to 15 percent slopes. As such, this tract also contains the largest area
of hydric soils. FEMA 100 Year floodplains are present just south of Marshallton and around
Excelsior. This tract is mostly forested with some cultivation in its easternmost section, and
light to medium intensity urbanized areas near Excelsior and along PA Route 125 between
Gowen City and Burnside. The main stem of Shamokin Creek is classified in the PA DEP Chapter
93 Water Quality Standards as a warmwater fishery and suitable for migratory fish while
tributaries to Shamokin Creek are classified as coldwater fisheries and suitable for migratory
fish. Furthermore Shamokin Creek is designated by the PA DEP as an impaired waterway,
meaning it has not achieved the water quality standards, established by PA DEP, as required by
the Federal Clean Water Act.
The Mahanoy Creek watershed lies in an east/west orientation draining the southernmost of
the county’s land holdings. The county’s land within this watershed lies along its northern
1-41
ridge, so these tracts tend to be more steeply sloped, with slopes in the 25 to 50 percent, and
greater than 50 percent categories. These tracts also tend to be forested, with very small areas
of medium intensity urbanization and cultivation near Gottshalls. The main stem of Mahanoy
Creek is classified in the PA DEP Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards as a warmwater fishery
and suitable for migratory fish while tributaries to Mahanoy Creek are classified as coldwater
fisheries and suitable for migratory fish. Furthermore Mahanoy Creek is designated by the
PA DEP as an impaired waterway, meaning it has not achieved the water quality standards,
established by PA DEP, as required by the Federal Clean Water Act.
Locust Creek drains the area around Locust Gap in Mount Carmel Township. The Locust Creek
watershed only minimally impacts the county’s land holdings. This watershed is relatively flat
and presents slopes in the 0 to 15 percent, and 15 to 25 percent categories. These areas are
predominantly forested. Locust Creek is classified in the PA DEP Chapter 93 Water Quality
Standards as a coldwater fishery and suitable for migratory fish.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated one hundred year floodplains
for each of the streams and are identified on the Hydrologic Resources Map.
A review of the National Wetland Inventory Mapping for the property indicates that wetlands
have been identified within the project area. Before development occurs on the properties the
permitting process will require the properties be reviewed and that when wetlands are present
wetland delineations and jurisdictional determination be completed with U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Water Quality and Fisheries Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, through the PA Code, Chapter 93,
categorizes the aquatic water quality of streams within Pennsylvania into one of the following
classifications:
 Cold Water Fishes (CWF)—Maintenance or propagation, or both, of fish species
including the family Salmonidae and additional flora and fauna which are indigenous to
a cold water habitat.

Warm Water Fishes (WWF)—Maintenance and propagation of fish species and
additional flora and fauna which are indigenous to a warm water habitat.

Migratory Fishes (MF) —Passage, maintenance and propagation of anadromous
and catadromous fishes and other fishes which move to or from flowing waters to
complete their life cycle in other waters.

Trout Stocking (TSF) —Maintenance of stocked trout from February 15 to July 31 and
maintenance and propagation of fish species and additional flora and fauna which are
indigenous to a warm water habitat.
The classification of each stream within the project area is as follows:
1-42
•
•
•
•
•
Zerbe Run .................... Cold Water & Migratory Fishes
Mahanoy Creek ........... Warm Water & Migratory Fishes
Shamokin Creek........... Warm Water & Migratory Fishes
Carbon Run .................. Cold Water & Migratory Fishes
Locust Creek ................ Cold Water & Migratory Fishes
There are no special protection waters, High Quality or Exceptional Value, within the study
area.
SITE ACCESS
Public vehicular access to the properties being considered for the AOAA is limited due to
locations where property adjoins public rights-of-way. A review of the County parcels and
adjacent public roads identified the following access points to the properties being considered
for the AOAA.
• State Route 125 – provides access to the center of the properties, should be considered
for primary access
• State Route 2044 or Shamokin Street, in the Helfenstein neighborhood – providing
access to the western portion of the properties following the former rail corridor which
extends up the mountainside, only suitable for secondary access to the southside of
the Mountain, and non-motorized access.
• State Route 2044 – access could be provided to the County properties through the
‘Flats’ provided an easement is secured from the owner of the property between State
Route 2044 and the County parcels.
• West Coal Street / former trolley line corridor - may provide secondary access from the
Trevorton neighborhood following the former trolley line corridor up the mountain.
This location provides direct access to the AOAA and would eliminate the need to
trailer machines from Trevorton to a main access location.
• State Route 901 / Upper Excelsior Road – currently provides access to the proposed
AOAA properties through the Excelsior neighborhood to the eastern portion of the
County properties.
The site is also accessed from a number of adjacent private properties.
EXISTING TRAILS
For at least the past forty years the site has been utilized unofficially for OHV activities. These
activities occur on former coal access and haul roads and user created trails. An analysis of
1-43
aerial photography reveals over 130 miles of existing trails throughout the parcels owned by
the County. The existing trails are identified on the map of existing conditions. The 130 miles
of existing trails does not include trails obscured in the aerial photography, or those trails that
continue outside of the boundaries of the County parcels. Continuity of many existing trails is
provided as the trails extend off of the County parcels and onto and through adjacent parcels
owned by others.
WEATHER
Weather patterns, temperature, precipitation, and snowfall in Northumberland County
are typical of Central Pennsylvania. Weather data retrieved from The Pennsylvania State
Climatologist, a service to the Commonwealth by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and
Penn State, indicates the following seasonal and monthly averages.
Seasonal Temperature
Seasonal Precipitation
Season
Avg. Temperature
Season
Inches
Spring
49.4
Spring
45.27
Summer
71.1
Summer
17.08
Fall
51.9
Fall
12.21
Winter
31
Winter
9.05
Annual
50.9
Annual
45.27
Monthly Average Temperature
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Dec
26.56
29.41
38.28
49.13
59.53
67.68
72.22
70.39
62.79
51.3
41.36
SNOWFALL
While weather patterns and temperatures have little impact to the activities being proposed
for this project, snowfall is of interest. Sustaining snowmobiling opportunities requires a
minimum depth of 12” of compacted snow on the ground. Therefore, a review was conducted
of monthly snowfall averages to determine whether sufficient snowfall occurs to develop,
market, and maintain snowmobiling opportunities at the AOAA.
Traditionally ‘snowmobile season’ begins around Thanksgiving and extends through midMarch. To determine whether sufficient snowfalls can be expected to sustain snowmobiling as
a featured component of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, we completed an analysis
of snowfall in Northumberland County. For this analysis we reviewed the monthly snowfall
averages for the past 10 years.
1-44
Annual Snowfall Analysis
Annual
Snowfall
09’ 10’
08’ 09’
07’ 08’
05’ 06’
05’04’
03’ 04’
02’ 03’
01’ 02’
00’ 01’
99’ 00’
Averages
October
1.00
0.00
Not
Recorded
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.60
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.62
November
0.00
5.50
Not
Recorded
1.00
0.00
1.00
2.50
0.00
0.50
0.00
1.17
December
11.10
3.60
Not
Recorded
8.91
0.80
15.70
16.30
0.00
0.00
0.00
6.27
January
6.70
8.00
1.50
3.50
18.10
12.10
9.81
13.80
11.30
2.90
9.75
February
28.60
3.00
12.00
7.51
9.50
4.70
27.20
0.00
4.50
4.10
11.24
March
0.00
1.00
1.00
0.20
13.70
12.00
6.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
3.82
April
0.00
0.00
0.00
2.50
0.00
0.00
3.70
0.00
0.00
1.80
0.89
Seasonal
Total
47.41
21.11
14.51
23.62
42.10
45.51
70.62
13.80
16.30
8.81
32.14
Source: http://climate.met.psu.edu/www_prod/ida/
Bear Gap Northumberland County Cooperative Observation Program Site
A network of groomed snowmobile trails requires a minimum depth of 12” of snow. Further,
this network of trails must be accessible throughout the snowmobile season so that user fees
can be generated to cover the costs of grooming and otherwise maintaining the snowmobile
trails.
The highlighted months are the months where the recorded snowfall was 12” or greater. Of
the forty months of snowmobiling season over the past ten years, 11 months (27.5%) had
snowfall totals of 12” or greater. We know the snow didn’t fall all at once, but came over the
span of 30 days. Therefore, it seems unlikely that there was 12” of snow on the ground at any
one time, with the exception of possibly February 2010 and February 2003. In each of those
months there was approximately 28” of snowfall. Utilizing this analysis, our conclusion is there
will be insufficient snow for snowmobiling during any given month of the season and is it very
unlikely sufficient snow will be remaining on the ground for the duration of the season.
Based on this analysis, we have concluded there will not be sufficient snowfall to sustain a
marketable snowmobile trail network at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. That said,
snowmobiling will not be prohibited in the AOAA. Nor will trails be groomed or maintained
for snowmobiling. Given the limited potential to accommodate snowmobiling and the cost
associated with facilitating snowmobiling is not in the County’s financial interest to do so.
This does not preclude opportunities for special events, or snowmobiling opportunities to be
included in the future of the AOAA.
1-45
NOISE
By its very nature, motorized use of the AOAA will inevitably generate noise. The Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area will be primarily dedicated for use by motorized recreation
enthusiasts, and increased noise levels can be expected. The noise generated by OHVs have
the potential to impact other users of the facility, adjacent landowners, and wildlife.
A significant amount of research has been conducted by the National Park Service and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, into the occurrence of noise in natural
settings. Additional research by other public agencies has been conducted while preparing
environmental impact statements for other recreational facilities. Much of the research
conducted in areas can be extrapolated to the local area and used as a predictor of what could
be expected in the future.
Existing noise levels are usually discussed in terms of decibels (dB), a measure used to express
the relative level of sound in comparison with a standard reference level. Typically, noise levels
are calculated in dBA, a weighted measurement corresponding to the “A-scale” on a standard
sound level meter. As an example, sound levels for common noise sources are as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
30 dBA – Quiet rural nighttime
50 dBA – Quiet urban daytime
70 dBA – Vacuum cleaner from 10 feet away
80 dBA – Car traveling at 65 mph from 25 feet away
90 dBA – Diesel truck from 50 feet away
100 dBA – Lawn mower from 3 feet away
120 dBA – Jet take-off from 200 feet away
General research conducted by the Forest Service in California has shown that from 400 feet
away, motorized recreation vehicles that do not exceed 101 dBA will not cause sounds loud
enough to impair the hearing of people. Pennsylvania state law prohibits ATVs from exceeding
99 dBA when measured from 20 inches away. Snowmobiles cannot exceed 82 dBA. The
research has also shown that the sound of motorized recreation vehicles is detectable from
as far away as 1,100 feet when the terrain, vegetative cover, and weather conditions allow
noise to travel great distances. At distances beyond 1,900 feet, however, such vehicles are not
detectable to the human ear.
Research conducted in Oregon has shown that where the presence of off-road vehicles are
considered present, sound levels of 85 dBA were considered acceptable to all users from as far
away as 50 feet. Consequently, because one of the primary purposes of the AOAA is to serve
the need for increased motorized recreational opportunities, non-motorized users will expect
to hear OHVs when visiting the site, regardless of their location.
The impact of noise on the human environment can be mitigated by proper design and
placement of riding trails and other facilities. The impact of noise on wildlife has been studied
1-46
on a limited basis by a number of agencies including the U.S. Forest Service. Unfortunately,
this research is inconclusive and the number and sample sizes of past studies have been
too small to draw any real conclusions. Therefore animal behavioral response has not been
definitively determined. Nonetheless, studies have indicated that many animals will gradually
relocate their habitat away from motorized trails to avoid disturbances from off-road vehicles.
In 2005, a noise analysis was conducted for the Rock Run Recreation Area located in Patton,
PA. That analysis included establishing a baseline sound reading in four locations without OHV
activity on the site. Baseline sound readings ranged from 44 dBA to 57 dBA depending on the
site’s respective location and proximity to roadway vehicle traffic. A second reading was taken
at each location during a poker run in which approximately 300 OHVs were present. Readings
during the poker run ranged from 53 dBA to 65 dBA.
Generally, an increase of 10 dBA or less is not considered significant. Although all of the
locations saw an increase in sounds levels during the poker run, none of the increases were
greater than 9 dBA.
DEED RESTRICTIONS
Based on discussions with County Planning Department staff and the County solicitor, there are
no known deed restrictions associated with properties being considered for the AOAA.
Zerbe Township maintains a court appointed receivership which is responsible for collecting
and distributing royalties on coal extracted from county owned lands in Zerbe Township.
LEASE AGREEMENTS
During this study Northumberland County provided the Consultant with six lease agreements
and eight contractual consent of land owner to conduct exploratory mining. These leases
between the County and the respective parties are for mineral and coal extraction. There
is a total of approximately 3405 acres being leased by the County. The County receives the
financial benefit of royalties received on the tonnage of coal that is extracted from the leased
lands. The following table summarizes the lease agreements. The exploratory permits are of
limited duration, therefore, they are not included in this analysis.
1-47
Agreement Type
Memorandum of
Mining Lease
With
Blaschak Coal
Corporation
Coal Land Lease
Michael Guarna, Inc.
Coal Land Lease
Empire Coal and
Mining Development
Company
Coal Land Lease
Keystone Coal
Company
Coal Land Lease
Black Diamond
Mining, Inc.
UAE CoalCorp
Mining Lease
Property
Strip Mine Operation
798
Regarding
Surface, subsurface
mineral and coal
rights covering
429.94 acres.
Various parcels, 5
Digging and mining
total
anthracite coal, on
various parcels, 122
acres, 165 acres, 153
acres, 115 acres, and
79 acres.
Right to salvage mine
Salvage Operation
refuse on part of 192
W-204, Part of 192
and 450 acres in West and 450 acres.
Cameron Township.
Right to salvage mine
Salvage Operation
refuse on part of 376
C-800, part of
acres
376 acres in Coal
Township.
Strip Mine Operation Strip mining activities
M-565
on ±20 acres.
Deep mining only, 115
See Lease
description, situate in acres.
Mt. Carmel Township.
A review of the lease agreements brings concern as there is lack of detail and information
included in the County Coal Leases and the Exploratory permits. The primary concern is
with the lack of information regarding the specific locations of the leased/ permitted areas.
Without being able to easily identify the location of these areas it is impossible for the County
to enforce the provisions of the lease with the lease holder. This includes ensuring the leasee
is only conducting activities within the boundaries of the lease and not outside it, and that the
County is being compensated appropriately.
As the County moves forward with planning and development of the AOAA, it’s important that
county staff have the ability to quickly identify the lease locations so they can be enforced.
Moving forward we recommend the County require the lease provide boundaries of the
lease by assigning coordinates to the corners of the leased areas which in turn can be used by
County staff to easily identify the locations and areas of the leases.
1-48
OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION AND PIPELINE RIGHTSOF-WAY
Northumberland County’s lands are traversed by several overhead power transmission lines
rights-of-way and one pipeline right-of-way. Based upon satellite mapping applications, these
corridors were observed and noted. There are six primary overhead electricity transmission
corridors, with their descriptions following:
1.
2, 3.
4.
5, 6.
1.
Originating north of Kulpmont, passing approximately 1,000’ to the east of Kulpmont and
extending south, crossing Chestnut Street and Brennan’s Farm Road, then continuing by
these courses:
•
•
•
•
2.
One corridor running north-south, just east of Kulpmont;
Two corridors running southeast from Shamokin;
One corridor running north-south just west of Shamokin; and
Two corridors running east-west between Shamokin and Zerbe Township, south of
Trevorton.
South/southeast, approximately 1,600’;
South, approximately 7,800’;
East/southeast, approximately 1,700’;
South, crossing SR 2044 at Helfenstein, and beyond the study area.
Originating in south central Shamokin, and running in a south/southeast direction, and
crossing SR 125 approximately 1,000’ from its intersection with Market Street. From
there the corridor turns southeast at an intersection with an overhead line extending to
the west. From this corridor intersection, the line continues by these courses:
• Southeast, approximately 6,900’;
• South, approximately 9,200’ and crossing SR 2044/High Road, east of Gowen City
and out of the study area.
3.
Originating near a curve on SR 125 and crossing the roadway approximately 1,160’ south
of the intersection with Bear Valley Road, and then continuing along these courses:
• East/southeast to a substation just north of SR 125 east of Burnside;
• East/southeast, approximately 2,000’ to an intersection with the corridor described
above.
4.
Originating north of SR 225/Corporal David Whitmer Highway, and extending south/
southeast, crossing SR 225 and continuing to the foot of Big Mountain, then turning
south/southwest to a point just north of the school campus just west of FairviewFerndale. The corridor then continues by these courses:
• Southeast, approximately 4,100’, and crossing the school campus;
1-49
• South/southeast, 1,400’ to a point just north of Bear Valley Road;
• South, approximately 2,200’, and crossing Bear Valley Road approximately 3,400’
west of its intersection with SR 125;
• South/southwest, approximately 1,500’;
• South/southeast, and crossing SR 2044 and beyond the study area.
5, 6. This paragraph describes two parallel corridors running approximately east-west through
the study area. The description focuses on the north corridor. The south corridor
roughly parallels the north, lying approximately 400’ south at its greatest separation,
and approximately 40’ south at its least separation. The north corridor originates at an
intersection with the corridor described in “2” above, and is the corridor that extends to
the west in that description. From that corridor intersection the corridor continues by
these courses:
• West/southwest, approximately 2,600’, and crossing SR 125 approximately 680’
south of its intersection with Bear Valley Road;
• West/southwest, approximately 7,000’;
• Northwest, approximately 1,400’;
• West, approximately 1,000’;
• West, southwest, approximately 2,600’;
• West, approximately 8,400’;
• Northwest, approximately 4,000’ and beyond the study area.
There is one major pipeline corridor in the study area, which traverses generally north-south
in orientation, lying to the west of Shamokin. This pipeline corridor also shares a corridor
with the electricity transmission line described in paragraph 4, above. Originating north of
SR 225/Corporal David Whitmer Highway, and extending south/southeast, crossing SR 225
approximately 3,600’ west of the overhead utility corridor described in paragraph 4, and
continuing to the foot of Big Mountain, then turning southeast to a point just north of the
school campus just west of Fairview-Ferndale. The corridor then continues by these courses:
•
•
•
•
South, approximately 2,000’ to the overhead utility corridor described in paragraph 4;
Southeast, approximately 4,100’, and crossing the school campus;
South/southeast, 1,400’ to a point just north of Bear Valley Road;
South, approximately 2,200’, and crossing Bear Valley Road approximately 3,400’ west
of its intersection with SR 125;
• South/southwest, approximately 1,000’;
• South/southeast, and crossing SR 2044 and beyond the study area.
1-50
UTILITIES
SANITARY SEWER SERVICE ANALYSIS
The anticipated number of visitors to the AOAA each year during years 1-5 is anticipated to be
15,000 over a 9-1/2 month period. In years 6-8 the number is anticipated to double to around
30,000 visitors. A national riding event is anticipated over a long weekend that could draw as
many as 5000 visitors. This type of event would most likely be handled by providing privies for
that weekend as this would not be the normal sewage flows anticipated throughout the year.
People Per
Gallons Per
Users
Days/Year
Day
Day Per Person
Years 1-5
15,000
285
53
50
Years 6-8
30,000
285
105
50
Total
GPD
Peaking
Factor
Anticipated
Flow
2,650
2
5,300 gpd
5,250
2
10,500 gpd
*50 GPD is based on DEP Title 25 for campgrounds with Central Comfort station
The Ideal way to service the AOAA would be by the extension of existing public sewers. The
Coal Township Act 537 Plan was updated in 2007; however, a copy was not able to be reviewed.
Conversations with the Coal Township SEO and Zoning Officer determined that there are
currently no plans to sewer the current village of Burnside, which is the closest residential area
to the Welcome Center. Small Community Treatment would also be an option for this type of
facility. The varying flows throughout the year would make it difficult to operate such a plant
and additional research into possible discharge points that meet DEP criteria would also be
necessary.
Costs for Small Community Treatment Plant $700,000-$1,000,000
On-lot septic and holding tanks were discussed with the Township SEO and the following was
noted. The concern with conventional systems is the types of soils that would be found in the
area due to the heavy mining that was performed within the area over the past 70 years. He
noted the only way to determine if adequate soils would be available, is to complete test pits.
Holding tanks were also discussed and he mentioned that holding tanks have been used for
other projects within the Township; however, there was concern over the number of visitors
for this particular project. Holding tanks are usually not considered a permanent fix to sewer
disposal, but are rather considered a means of disposal until public sewer is extended.
1-51
Item
Description
No.
1. Wastewater Holding Tank
Wastewater Holding tank, 3000 gallon
concrete w/High water alarm Installed 15,000
2. Cost to Pump 3000 gallon tank
Conventional On-Lot System
1. 1000 GPD On-lot System
Quantity
Unit
Unit Price
Cost
6
EA
$12,000
$72,000
1
1
EA
EA
$440
$50,000
$440
$50,000
A phased approach to the sanitary sewer would be the most likely way to handle sanitary
sewer service for the AOAA. Phase 1, years 1-3, would use a combination of holding tanks
and/or on-lot system. If larger flows are anticipated for a large event, privies could be used
to supplement the sanitary sewer service. Phase II, after years1-3, would be a small flow
community treatment plant.
WATER SERVICE ANALYSIS
Water service in the area is provided by Aqua Pennsylvania. Aqua’s service in Burnside is an
existing 6” water main with booster station. The AOAA Office and Trailhead is approximately
268 feet +/-’ in additional elevation and 4300 lineal feet in distance from the existing 6” water
main. Two different options for public water main extension could be considered: Option 1
is to upgrade the existing booster station and provide additional 6” main. This option is not
preferred due to possible main leaks in the existing 6” water main. Option two would require
an additional booster pump and 6” main extension to the AOAA.
If the public water service is unable to be extended, some combination of on-site water and
water brought and stored at the site will be needed due to the fact that the site most likely
lies over the existing mine pool in Northumberland County. If mine pool water is encountered
through the well drilling process, this water can only be used for wash down of vehicles and if
more than 100,000 gpd is pumped, then a permit would be required through the Susquehanna
River Basin Commission. Potable water could be transported and stored in a tank onsite if the
well is non-potable.
1-52
Item
No.
Description
Quantity
Unit
Unit Price
Cost
4,350
LF
$100
$435,000
1
EA
$250,000
$250,000
Public Water
Option 1:
1.
8” Dia. Ductile Iron water main
2.
New Booster Station
Total for Option 1:
$685,000
Option 2:
1.
8” Dia. Ductile Iron water main
2.
Upgrade Existing Booster Station
4,350
LF
1
EA
$100
$435,000
$400,000 $400,000
Total for Option 2:
$835,000
On- Site Well
1.
Water Wells
1
EA
$8,500
$8,500
2.
Tank for Potable Water, 3000 Gallon
1
EA
$7,700
$7,700
3.
Cost to Fill 3000 Gallon Potable Water Tank
1
EA*
$650
$650
*Note: This would be a reoccurring cost to fill
MINERAL EXTRACTION
The properties currently owned by Northumberland County and that are being considered for
the proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area have long been associated with anthracite
coal surface and deep mine operations. Furthermore, in 1979 the U.S. Department of Energy
contracted with the Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Mineral Engineering
to prepare a “Site Selection and Financial Analysis of Deep Surface Mining of Anthracite
Coal”. A review of Volume III – Bear Valley, indicates that at the time there was an estimated
511,784,000 tons of coal remaining in Bear Valley at that time, and further estimated the mine
pools below the valley held 38 billion gallons of water. That said, current mining technology
and economics limit mining a large portion of the coal identified in the study.
ABANDONED MINE LANDS INVENTORY
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation (PA DEP BAMR) maintains a database of locations of abandoned mine lands in
Pennsylvania. The purpose of this database is to provide the information needed to implement
Title IV of the Abandoned Mine Reclamation, of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977 (SMCRA), Public Law 95-87. This database identifies abandoned mine lands and
also represents point features such as dangerous high walls. This data is a subset of the data
contained in the Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining (OSM) Abandoned Mine
Land Inventory.
1-53
Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act
• Federal legislation regulating surface coal mining
• enacted 1977
• Latest amendments December 2006
SMCRA Title V
• deals with regulation of active surface mining post 1977
SMCRA Title IV
• addresses problems associated with the poor coal mining practices occurring prior to
1977
SMCRA established a per ton reclamation fee on every ton of coal mined the in U.S. This fee
is currently $0.315/ton surface mined, $0.135/ton deep mined. It will decrease 10% in October
2012 ($0.28 & $0.12). Reclamation fees collected through 2021 then cease. Funds deposited
in Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund. Funds from fees are distributed to states as annual
grants. The Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) administers AMRF and SMCRA program.
In Pennsylvania the OSM works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection Bureau of Abandon Mine Reclamation to distribute these funds.
SMCRA Title IV establishes the following priorities for abandon mine reclamation:
(c) PRIORITIES.-Expenditures of moneys for lands, waters, and facilities referred to in
subsection (b) shall reflect the following objectives and priorities in the order stated (in
lieu of the priorities set forth in section 403):
(1) The protection of public health, safety, general welfare, and property from extreme
danger of adverse effects of mineral mining and processing practices.
(2) The protection of public health, safety, and general welfare from adverse effects of
mineral mining and processing practices.
(3) The restoration of land and water resources and the environment previously
degraded by the adverse effects of mineral mining and processing practices.
Given the limited funding received for abandoned mine reclamation in Pennsylvania, the
OSM and PA DEP BAMR limit Title IV funding to Priority One features, those of extreme
danger where loss of life has occurred, and Priority Two features, those of extreme danger
but where no fatalities have occurred. In some instances Priority Three Hazards can be
consolidated with Priority Two Hazards where they are associated with one another.
At the time of this writing BAMR has one active project on the County property. The project is
OSM 49(3237)101.1 - Boyers Knob Lookout. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is proposing a
90-acre Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) reclamation project in Coal Township, Northumberland
County.
1-54
The reclamation project will eliminate the following AML problems that endanger human
health, safety and general welfare:
• 55 acres of abandoned coal stripping pits containing dangerous highwalls, hazardous
mining equipment & facilities, eight dangerous mine openings and 27 acres of mine
spoil & refuse material.
The project will consist of backfilling the strip pits using materials obtained on-site, demolition
& removal of the equipment & facilities, closure of three mine openings by backfilling and
routine installation of bat-friendly gates within five mine openings. The site topography will be
re-contoured to more closely approach the original configuration prior to mining.
Immediately following earth disturbance activities, the site will be stabilized with permanent
vegetation that best match the surrounding environment. In addition, stormwater
management facilities and conveyance systems will be constructed to reduce erosion problems
and safely convey stormwater runoff from the reclamation site to the nearest stream or
watercourse.
The PA DEP BAMR Abandoned Mine Lands GIS database, dated April 2010, was utilized to
identify the locations of all Priority One and Priority Two features located on or in proximity
to the potential AOAA properties. These features are mapped on the Abandon Mine Land
Features Inventory map. All of the features identified are Priority Two features, with the
exception of the highwalls in the vicinity of the Whaleback, which is privately owned, have
been designated as Priority One Features.
These features identified include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mine Openings
Dangerous Highwalls
Dangerous Piles and Embankments
Hazardous Water Bodies
Hazardous Water Bodies, Dangerous Highwalls
Hazardous Water Bodies, Dangerous Impoundments
Subsidence Areas
Surface Burning Areas
Slumps, Dangerous Highwalls
Underground Mine Fires
Vertical Openings
Vertical Openings, Industrial/Residential Waste Areas
The designation of these Priority One and Priority Two features provides the County with
potential to access Title IV funding to remediate these abandoned mine land priorities. If the
County desires to move forward with remediating any of these features, they should submit a
formal request to the PA DEP BAMR for consideration of Title IV funding.
1-55
Data collected for this study identifies a number of mining related features that do not appear
in the PA DEP BAMR Abandoned Mine Lands GIS database. These are documented in the
following table. This information was provided to PA DEP during the course of this study. We
recommend Northumberland County make a formal request to PA DEP BAMR and OSM to
determine if they meet the Title IV requirements. Before these features could be eligible for
Title IV funding PA DEP BAMR and the County needs to officially petition OSM to add those
features to the National OSM Abandoned Mine Lands database.
1-56
Additional Mining Concerns
ID No.
Identification
Latitude Longitude Comment
38
Big Mine Shaft
40.764
-76.640
Major area of concern - mine entrance
portal
85
Death trap
40.759
-76.541
Major area of concern - deep mine sink
holes
129
Mine 2
40.759
-76.584
? - off site
130
Mine
40.760
-76.584
? - off site
131
Mine Acid Lagoon
40.768
-76.650
132
Mine Acid Lagoon
40.768
-76.650
133
Mine Shaft
40.756
-76.595
Major area of concern
135
Mine Site
40.762
-76.509
Unknown
137
Mine with water
40.770
-76.651
138
Mine with shaft
40.757
-76.589
Major area of concern - off site
139
Mining
Equipment
40.758
-76.674
Appears to be non-issue
147
Old mine site
40.759
-76.638
Unknown
149
Open Shaft
40.759
-76.651
155
Pit with sink hole
40.766
-76.618
156
Pit with sink hole
40.766
-76.618
166
Reclamation Site
40.757
-76.669
Appears to be non-issue
203
Shaft opening
40.761
-76.656
Off site - shaft opening
1-57
TRANSPORTATION
The primary entrance and trailhead for the AOAA lies along SR 125 midway between Burnside
and Gowen City, and is approximately three miles south of the intersection of SR 125 and SR 61
in the northern region of Shamokin. Visitors to the AOAA from outside the region will likely use
one of two primary routes; Interstate 80 (I-80) and Interstate 81 (I-81).
Visitors using I-80 will likely exit the highway at exit 224 onto SR 54/Continental Boulevard
in Valley Township near Franklin Furnace. Traveling south on SR 54, visitors will cross the
Susquehanna River at Danville, immediately turning southeast onto SR 54/Elysburg Road. At
Elysburg, visitors will likely turn southwest onto SR 487, continuing to SR 61 at Paxinos. They
may then continue south on SR 61 to Shamokin.
Visitors using I-81 will likely exit the highway at exit 116 onto SR 901/Sunbury Road in Foster
Township. Traveling north on SR 901/Sunbury Road and SR 901/Fairgrounds Road, visitors may
turn left onto SR 901/Locust Gap Highway at Locust Summit. Proceeding on SR 901/Locust
Gap Highway to the northwest, visitors will arrive at an intersection offering two potential
routes into Shamokin. Turning left onto SR 901, travelers may proceed west/northwest to its
intersection with SR 61 at Ranshaw, just east of Shamokin. By not turning left and proceeding
north instead, travelers may proceed on SR 54/Locust Gap Highway to its intersection with SR
61 at Locust Gap. From this intersection, travelers may turn left and proceed along SR 61 to the
west, passing through Kulpmont and entering Shamokin from the east.
Whether arriving at Shamokin on SR 61 from the east or west, travelers will likely proceed
south through Shamokin on SR 125. The trailhead lies on SR 125 approximately three miles
south of the intersection of SR 61 with SR 125.
Generally these roadways are rural arterial or collector highways and are sufficient for current
traffic demands. Local municipalities might consider improvements to several particular
locations to better accommodate higher demand from road users towing trailers or campers.
Of particular need for consideration are increased left turn movements and acute turning
angles. These locations are:
• Intersection of SR 61 with SR 125 in Shamokin, particularly the westbound to
southbound left turn movement;
• Intersection of SR 125/Bear Valley Road with SR 125, just south of Shamokin;
• Intersection of SR 54/Locust Gap Highway with SR 901;
• Intersection of SR 901/Locust Gap Highway with SR 2023 at Locust Summit.
A third route is available, though less desirable, particularly for travelers towing a trailer or
camper. SR 125 extends south to across several ridgelines to Hegins. SR 25/Main Street,
lying in an east/west orientation, connects exit 112 on I-81 with Hegins, while SR 125, lying in a
southwest, northeast orientation, connects exit 107 on I-81 with Hegins. This route is difficult
due to the grades of certain roadway segments, and the acute turning angles at several
1-58
switchbacks.
The parcels that make-up the AOAA are generally situated south of State Routes 225 and 901
and North of State Route 2044, with State Route 125 bisecting the properties.
Table 2: Average Daily Traffic Volumes near the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
Roadway Name
Average Daily
Traffic Count
Local Name
State Route 225
4,600
Corporal David Whitner Highway/E.
Shamokin Street
State Rounte 901
3,300
State Route 2044
1,100
State Route 61
14,000
Mt. Carmel Street
State Route 125
2,700
S. Market St./Bear Valley Road
1-59
PERMITS
Development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will require review and approval of a
variety of Federal and State Permits. Further, Northumberland County’s intention to continue
coal, mineral, and gas extraction activities within the project area required compliance with the
corresponding agencies and permit requirements.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PennDOT is authorized under Sections 411 and 420, of the State Highway Law, to issue Highway
Occupancy Permits (HOP) for opening access to a state roadway. If a current access point to
the property is not issued, a HOP must be issued by PennDOT. At a minimum, the application
for an occupancy permit will require completion of the PennDOT form M-950 (which basically
is a site plan for the new access point). PennDOT may also require, at its discretion, that a
traffic control plan, a drainage impact report, or a traffic impact study be submitted with the
application.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMITS
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act- Requires approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USCOE), prior to the discharge of any fill material into the waters of the United States,
including wetlands. This approval may be sought through the use of an individual Section 404
permit, a Joint Section 404/Chapter 105 permit, or, if the project qualifies, through nationwide
permits (NWP). Impacts to wetlands or streams greater than the limits set for the nationwide
permits require an individual Section 404 permit.
Section 401 Water Quality Certification- Permits granted under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act require certification that the activity does not violate the state’s water quality standards.
Water Quality certification authorized by PADEP is required for all Section 404 permits. The
section 401 Water Quality Certification may be obtained with a Joint Section 404/Chapter 105
permit or through coordination with the USCOE.
PA DEP ‐ BUREAU OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PERMITS
Title 25, Chapter 102 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - All construction
activities disturbing five acres or more require a NPDES permit from the PADEP. NPDES
permits are also required for construction activities that disturb one acre or more involving a
point source discharge. To secure this approval, a soil erosion and sedimentation plan must
be prepared in accordance to the PADEP’s Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program
Manual and submitted to the appropriate County Conservation District for review and
approval.
Title 25, Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit- Construction activities
resulting in impacts to surface water resources with a drainage area greater than 100 acres
require a Water Obstruction and Encroachment permit issued by the PADEP. All construction
1-60
activities resulting in impacts to wetlands require a permit, regardless of the drainage area size.
The project may qualify for a waiver for impacts to streams with drainage areas less than 100
acres. For all other impacts, they may be obtained through a General Permit or a Joint Section
404/Chapter 105 permit application.
PA DEP ‐ BUREAU OF LAND RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 1, Exception to
the Requirement to Revise the Official Plan
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 2, Individual &
Community
• Waste Management - On-Lot Disposal of Sewage
• Waste Management - Facilities Planning Module Component 3, Sewage Collection &
Treatment
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 3m, Municipal or
Authority Sponsored
• Waste Management - Minor Sewage Collection Project
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 3s, Small Flow
Treatment System
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 4A, Municipal
Planning Agency Review
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 4B, County
Planning Agency Review
• Waste Management - Sewage Facilities Planning Module Component 4C, County or
Joint Health Department Review
• Waste Management - Sewage Facility Planning Module Application Mailer
• Waste Management - Planning Approval Under the Sewage Facilities Act-Base Planning
• Waste Management - Storage Tank Company Certification Application
• Waste Management - Storage Tank Installer and Inspector Certification Application
• Waste Management - Storage Tank Site-Specific Installation Permit Application
• Waste Management - Tank Training Course Approval Application
• Waste Management - Storage Tanks Registration and Permitting Application
• Waste Management - General Permit for Sewer Extensions and Pump Stations
• Waste Management -Water Quality Management General Permit for Small Flow
Treatment Facilities
• Waste Management - Water Quality Management Permit
• Waste Management - Water Quality Management Permit Application Package
• Waste Management -Water Quality Management Post Construction Certification
PA DEP ‐ BUREAU OF MINING AND RECLAMATION PERMITS
• Coal Mining - Anthracite Surface Mine Permit Application
• Coal Mining - Anthracite Underground Mine Permit Application
• Coal Mining - Application for Bituminous Underground Mine, Coal Preparation Plant
and-or Refuse Disposal Area
1-61
• Coal Mining - Application-Waiver for the Anthracite Underground Mine Request to
Conduct Exploration by Alternate Methods
• Coal Mining - Coal Mining Activity Permit Renewal Application
• Coal Mining - General Permits
• Coal Mining - Surface Mining Near Underground Mines - MSHA Coordination
• Coal Mining - General Permits
• Coal Mining - Anthracite Coal Ash & Biosolids
• Coal Mining - Bituminous Surface Mine Permit
• Coal Mining - Bituminous Underground Mines, Preparation Plants & Refuse Disposal
• Coal Mining - Coal Mining Activity Permit Renewal
• Coal Mining - Contract Operator Approval
• Coal Mining - Information Form Approval
• Coal Mining - Coal Mine Operators License
• Coal Ash Beneficial Use - Coal Ash Beneficial Use Certification
• Coal Ash Beneficial Use - Six-Month Submittal for Coal Ash Beneficial Use Certification
• Deep Mine - Safety
• Deep Mine - Employee Certification
• Deep Mine – Letter of Authorization
• Explosives - Blasting Activity Permit
• Explosives - Blaster’s License
• Explosives - Explosives Storage Permit
• Industrial Minerals - General Permits
• Industrial Minerals - Bluestone Small Noncoal (Industrial Minerals) Surface Mine Permit
• Industrial Minerals - Small Noncoal (Industrial Minerals) Surface Mine Permit
• Industrial Minerals - Noncoal Exploration Notice of Intent to Explore or Request for
Permit Waiver
• Industrial Minerals - Large Noncoal Mine Permit
• Industrial Minerals - Industrial Minerals Mine Operators
• Reclaim PA - Environmental Good Samaritan Project Proposal
PA DEP ‐ BUREAU OF MINING AND RECLAMATION PERMITS
• Oil and Gas - General Permits
• Oil and Gas - Oil & Gas Well Bond
• Oil and Gas - Clean Out & Plug or Re-Plug a Non-Producing Gas Well Under Section 13(c)
of Act 214
• Oil and Gas - Coal Pillar Permit
• Oil and Gas - Drilling or Altering a Well Permit
• Oil and Gas - Inactive Well Status
• Oil and Gas - Orphan Well Classification
• Oil and Gas - Pit Approval for Control, Handling or Storage of Production Fluids
• Oil and Gas - Plugging Oil & Gas Wells, Notice of Intent to Plug
• Oil and Gas - Roadspreading Plan Approval Request
• Oil and Gas - Transfer of Well Permit or Registration
• Oil and Gas - Oil & Gas Well Registration
1-62
•
•
•
•
Oil and Gas - Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit
Oil and Gas - NPDES Permits for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activities
Oil and Gas - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
Oil and Gas - Water Management (Part II) Permit
WIND ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS
Northumberland County has entered into a lease agreement with Penn Wind, LLC to construct
and operate a wind farm on property also being considered for the proposed AOAA. Penn
Wind, LLC proposes to construct seven 2.5 megawatt wind turbines of which three will be
located on County property and the remaining four turbines will be constructed on adjacent
property.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR GRANTEE LAND USE CONVERSION
REQUESTS FOR WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
In 2007 PA DCNR adopted “General Guidelines for Grantee Land Use Conversion - Requests for
Wind Energy Development”. These policies address wind energy development being proposed
on properties that have been acquired or developed with PA DCNR funding. To date no PA
DCNR funding has been applied for or utilized in the development of proposed AOAA.
In order to be eligible for DCNR funding for improvements to the properties containing the
proposed wind turbines, Northumberland County must follow PA DCNR’s “Guidelines for
Grantee Land Use Conversion Requests for Wind Energy Development”. In their Guidelines PA
DCNR states the following:
Background
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) provides grants to local
communities, profit and non-profit organizations for land acquisition and development
to support the Action Plan goals and the department’s mission of conservation. Funds
are derived from a variety of state and federal sources. Projects target land acquisition/
development for park and recreation areas; greenways, trails and rivers conservation; railsto-trails; natural and critical habitat areas; and for snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle use.
Lands purchased or developed using DCNR funding must be managed for the purposes
specified in the grant agreement through which DCNR provided funding. The restrictions
on use of the property are also typically set forth in the deed at the time of acquisition. In
order to convert the use of the property to another purpose, DCNR must consent to the
change and, where necessary, legislative authorization must be obtained. Requests for
alternative uses are considered on an individual site basis.
Land Use Conversion For Wind Energy Development
Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act of 2004 (AEPS), mandates that
18 percent of all electricity sold at retail in Pennsylvania be derived from renewable/
alternative energy sources by the year 2020. Wind power is one of the primary clean
1-63
renewable energy sources being driven by the AEPS. Wind power developers therefore are
actively seeking lands suitable for wind farm development. In turn, land managers are also
looking at the potential revenue stream a wind facility may provide to augment operation
and maintenance budgets.
DCNR supports the development of properly-sited wind energy as an important alternative
energy source to address global climate change, air pollution, and other environmental
impacts associated with fossil fuel-fired electricity generation. Wind power produces no
emissions detrimental to human and environmental health, and does not require continued
input of fuels with their associated environmental, economic and social costs.
To the extent a wind farm development is proposed on land acquired for conservation,
recreation or similar purposes using DCNR funding, such development would be a
conversion that requires DCNR consent and possibly other approvals. Conversion requests
by grantees for wind farm development pose a new challenge for DCNR in balancing the
positive displacement of carbon dioxide and toxic emissions with reuse of lands that were
acquired for purposes such as conservation and public recreation and
appropriate siting to protect biological and recreational resources. To appropriately
consider such requests within the context of the agency’s mission, DCNR has developed
these guidelines to provide a framework for evaluating the impact of potentially converting
lands from the original stewardship intent to development of a wind farm.
For DCNR to determine whether a conversion request for a wind energy project is
appropriate, the following information, as described in more detail in the remainder of this
document, is necessary to ensure timely consideration of the request:
1.
Wind Energy Project Description and Impacts—These guidelines describe the types
of information that DCNR will need to understand the nature of the proposed
project and its potential impacts on the conservation and recreational purposes for
which the property was acquired using funds provided by DCNR.
2. Conservation Protection Measures—These guidelines describe the measures that
DCNR will consider in determining whether the conservation and recreational
purposes for which the property was acquired can be adequately protected if the
conversion occurs.
PA DCNR Conservation Protection Measures
1. All Federal, state, and local jurisdictional agencies have been consulted and the
appropriate comments, clearances, permits, and approvals for the proposed Wind
Energy Project have been obtained. These agencies include but are not limited to:
US Fish & Wildlife Service, PA Game Commission, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA
Historical and Museum Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection,
DCNR Ecological Services, and all applicable local/municipal/county planning/zoning
jurisdictions.
2. A “Wind Energy Voluntary Cooperation Agreement” between the Facility Owner/
1-64
Operator and the Pennsylvania Game Commission has been fully executed after
being provided to DCNR for review and incorporating changes, as necessary, to
address DCNR concerns.
3. A draft of the contract or other form of written agreement between the Grantee
and the Facility Owner/Operator for the Wind Energy Project has been reviewed
by DCNR and changes have been incorporated, as necessary, to address DCNR
concerns prior to execution.
4. Replacement Land/Mitigation
4.1 Replacement acreage acceptable to DCNR has been proposed for all lands
leased, sold, or otherwise conveyed for the erection of Wind Turbines and
ancillary support structures, plus their respective setbacks.
4.2. The replacement land is in the same geographical area or contiguous to the
affected parcel depending on the type of facility and/or recreational use on
the impacted property or the Grantee has worked with DCNR to determine
the location of suitable replacement land.
4.3. The replacement land is equal to or greater in value, both in terms of monetary
value and the original intent of the converted land (conservation, recreation,
etc.) than the Impacted Land as determined by DCNR in its sole discretion.
4.4 Other “customized” or “alternative” mitigation has been deemed acceptable
to DCNR and the Grantee.
5. Recreational Facilities
To the extent any recreational infrastructure and/or facilities developed with DCNR
grant funds are located on the Impacted Land, a plan to relocate and/or replace
such infrastructure and/or facilities has been approved by DCNR.
6. Setbacks
6.1. Occupied Buildings
6.1.a. Wind Turbines have been set back from the nearest Occupied Building a
distance not less than the normal setback requirements for that zoning
classification or 1.1 times the turbine height, whichever is greater.
The setback distance has been measured from the center of the Wind
Turbine base to the nearest point on the foundation of the Occupied
Building.
6.1.b. Wind Turbines have been set back from the nearest Occupied Building
located on a Non-Participating Landowner’s property a distance of not
less than five times the Hub Height, as measured from the center of
the Wind Turbine base to the nearest point on the foundation of the
Occupied Building.
6.2. Property Lines: All Wind Turbines have been set back from the nearest
1-65
property line a distance of not less than the normal setback requirements
for that zoning classification or 1.1 times the Turbine Height, whichever is
greater, as measured from the center of the Wind Turbine base, unless
the property owners have signed a written waiver. Such waivers include
an acknowledgement of the setback recommended in these guidelines
and specifically waive the recommended setback. These waivers have
been recorded in the Recorder of Deeds Office for the County in which the
property is located to provide notice to future purchases of the property of
the waiver.
6.3. Public Roads: All Wind Turbines have been set back from the nearest public
road a distance of not less than 1.1 times the Turbine Height, as measured
from the right-of-way line of the nearest public road to the center of the Wind
Turbine base.
6.4. Recreation Facilities: All Wind Turbines have been set back from all
recreational facilities including trails, buildings, tracks, and other recreational
infrastructure a distance of not less than 1.1 times the Turbine Height. As
measured from the center of the Wind Turbine base.
7. Decommissioning
7.1. The Facility Owner and Operator has developed a decommissioning plan that
complies with all applicable local requirements for decommissioning of the
Wind Energy Project.
7.2. In the event that the local jurisdiction does not have in force any
decommissioning requirement as of the date of the request for conversion,
the Facility Owner and Operator has developed a decommissioning plan
committing to complete, at its expense, decommissioning of the Wind Energy
Project, or individual Wind Turbines, within (12) twelve months after the end
of the usual life of the project or individual turbines. The end of the useful life
of a project or turbine has been defined in the decommissioning plan to mean
when no electricity has been generated for a continuous period of twelve (12)
months.
7.3. The decommissioning plan includes removal of Wind Turbines, buildings,
cabling, electrical components, roads, foundations to a depth of 36 inches,
and any other associated facilities.
7.4. The decommissioning plan includes grading and re-seeding disturbed areas
with native plants. Any access roads or other land surface areas that will not
be restored have been identified.
7.5. Some form of financial security (e.g., performance bond, surety bond,
letter of credit, corporate guarantee) to ensure future performance of the
decommission plan has been provided to the Grantee.
8. Reversion
The Facility Owner has provided a right of first refusal to the Grantee for any and
all acreage purchased/leased from within the grant project boundaries to prevent
in-holdings in the property.
1-66
9. Public Access
9.1. The Wind Energy Project does not reduce access to any property or
recreational facility for which DCNR has provided funding to conserve,
protect, and/or develop recreational opportunities for the citizens of the
Commonwealth, excluding any converted property. Public access to the nonconverted property will be available at reasonable hours and times of the
year consistent with the nature and intended use of the property.
9.2. The Facility Owner and Operator will make every effort to plan, construct,
and operate the Wind Energy Project without interference with public’s
access to natural resources or recreational facilities acquired with the support
of DCNR funding. To the extent it may be necessary to temporarily restrict
access to such resources or facilities to protect the recreating public, DCNR
has been advised of such restrictions prior to making a determination on the
conversion request.
10. Public Inquiries and Complaints
10.1. The Facility Owner and Operator has provided a phone number and identified
a responsible person for the public to contact with inquiries and complaints
throughout the life of the project.
10.2. The Facility Owner and Operator has made reasonable efforts to respond to
the public’s inquiries and complaints.
Application of these guidelines to AOAA is in question due to the fact the proposed wind farm
is not located on property acquired or improved with PA DCNR funding. In reviewing the
guidelines, Northumberland County is in compliance with the requirements. That said, one
requirement, Setbacks, may eliminate the ability of the County to connect non-motorized ad
motorized trails in the center of the proposed AOAA properties with the AOAA properties to
the east.
We recommend that before applying for development funding from the PA DCNR for
improvements to AOAA properties associated with the proposed wind energy development,
that Northumberland County ask PA DCNR for an interpretation of whether the County is
subject to meet the requirements of their guidelines, particularly the setback requirements.
1-67
1-68
SITE FEATURES AND POINTS OF INTEREST
Prior to and during the course of this project local OHV enthusiasts provided an inventory of
site features and points of interest throughout the project area. This data included recording
features and points of interest, as well as existing trails with handheld Global Positioning
Satellite equipment.
In addition, the consultant conducted a review of aerial photography and plotted additional
trails that were evident during this review. Further, locations of existing trail entrances and
points of access, both authorized and unauthorized, were identified and recorded. Each of
these elements appear on the Features and Points of Interest Map prepared for the project
area.
Significant features of note include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Whaleback and Whaleback Overlooks – described earlier
Potential Abandoned Mine Hazards – described earlier
The Caves
The Project
Heart Lake
Mine Portal and Ruins
Mud Road
Excelsior Springs
The Pines
The Sand Pits
Stone Spring
Pole Line Hill
Pole Line Ridge
The North Slope
The Flats – off site, on adjacent property
The Mile – off site, on adjacent property
These features, along with the potential mining hazards identified earlier, are shown on the
Existing Conditions Map.
The following table keys the assigned ID number with each site feature and point of interest
identified on the Features and Points of Interest Map.
1-69
Table 3: Site Features & Points of Interest
1-70
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
1
003 1
40.778
-76.568
2
004
40.765
-76.501
3
004 1
40.777
-76.568
4
005
40.770
-76.524
5
005 Ruins
40.765
-76.499
6
006
40.771
-76.525
7
007
40.771
-76.524
8
008
40.762
-76.509
9
009
40.771
-76.523
10
010
40.763
-76.515
11
011
40.763
-76.516
12
012
40.762
-76.513
13
013
40.764
-76.531
14
014
40.764
-76.530
15
014 1
40.747
-76.487
16
016
40.771
-76.523
17
017
40.761
-76.500
18
018
40.753
-76.470
19
019
40.770
-76.511
20
021
40.772
-76.524
21
022
40.769
-76.522
22
026
40.755
-76.595
23
027
40.757
-76.597
24
028
40.756
-76.607
25
029
40.757
-76.608
26
030
40.756
-76.605
27
1st Patch
40.776
-76.572
28
20 Rock trail
40.760
-76.500
29
2nd Patch
40.772
-76.577
30
3rd Patch
40.767
-76.592
31
5 Points
40.762
-76.614
32
Alaska Site
Gate
40.771
-76.494
33
Alaska Site
Gate
40.771
-76.494
34
Awesome
Rock 1
40.755
-76.597
35
Awesome
Rocks
40.755
-76.598
36
Bat Cave
40.762
-76.603
37
Big Dump Site
40.761
-76.668
38
Big Mine Shaft
40.764
-76.640
39
Big Reclaimed
40.759
-76.717
40
Big Rocks 2
40.756
-76.590
41
Big Rocks
East 1
40.749
-76.492
42
Big Rocks East
40.750
-76.494
43
Big Rocks East
2
40.749
-76.492
44
Big Rocks 1
40.756
-76.590
45
Blaschack
Garage
40.764
-76.549
46
Blaschack Gate
40.762
-76.542
47
Blocked
40.779
-76.523
48
Blocked 2
40.780
-76.522
49
Blue Trailer
40.760
-76.618
50
Boundary
Mark 1
40.759
-76.676
51
Boundary
Mark 2
40.759
-76.667
52
Boundary
Mark 3
40.764
-76.682
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
53
Boundary
Marker
40.767
-76.682
54
Brush fire Area
40.770
-76.520
55
Brush fire Area
40.770
-76.520
56
Building
Foundation
40.765
-76.624
57
Building Ruins
1
40.770
-76.680
58
Building Ruins
40.771
-76.675
59
Building Ruins
1
40.770
-76.680
60
Burnside
40.767
-76.559
61
Camp area 1
40.764
-76.629
62
Camper
40.758
-76.680
63
Campsite
40.761
-76.637
64
Campsite FTR
40.759
-76.520
65
Canyon
40.765
-76.697
66
Canyon Camp
Site
40.763
-76.700
67
Canyon Cliff
40.765
-76.696
68
Canyon
Lookout
40.764
-76.699
69
Caves
Entrance
40.763
-76.603
70
Caves Lookout
40.763
-76.609
71
Circles
40.768
-76.667
72
Claypit
40.762
-76.667
73
Clearcut
Boundary
40.761
-76.612
74
Coal Bank
40.777
-76.553
75
Creek Spot
40.764
-76.498
76
DCNR Bat
Cave
40.769
-76.525
77
Dead End
40.759
-76.610
78
Dead End 008
40.759
-76.545
79
Dead End 014
40.747
-76.487
80
Dead End 035
40.770
-76.519
81
Dead End 1
40.755
-76.588
82
Dead End Pit
40.762
-76.635
83
Dead endMoss
40.763
-76.626
84
Dead End 019
40.770
-76.511
85
Sink Holes - DT
40.759
-76.541
86
Doutyville
40.744
-76.486
87
Dump
40.769
-76.541
88
East Rock Cliffs
40.752
-76.501
89
East Rock Cliffs
40.752
-76.501
90
End of Caves
40.762
-76.611
91
End of Rd
40.756
-76.593
92
End of Road
40.755
-76.596
93
Entrance to
Mile
40.777
-76.645
94
Excelsior Mine
Shaft
40.765
-76.500
95
Excelsior
Reservoir
40.763
-76.498
96
Excelsior
Spring
40.767
-76.495
97
Excelsior
Spring
40.767
-76.495
98
Excelsior
Swamp
40.770
-76.513
1-71
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
99
Fairview
Boundary
40.767
-76.607
101
Fairview Gate
40.769
-76.604
102
103
Fan House
40.765
-76.640
40.763
-76.516
40.760
105 Fan Ruins
107
Foundation
Ruins
109 Gate
1-72
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
100 Fairview Gate 1
40.772
-76.608
Fairview Gate West
40.772
-76.608
104 Fan House 1
40.767
-76.594
106
Foundation
Ruins
40.760
-76.585
-76.585
108
Freeman
Campsite
40.771
-76.626
40.770
-76.681
110
Goat Path
40.747
-76.484
111
Great Rock
Area
40.765
-76.499
112
Half Pipe
40.765
-76.517
113
Heart Camp
Site
40.771
-76.655
114
Heart Camp
Site
40.771
-76.655
115
Heart Lake
40.772
-76.655
116
Helfrick Gate
40.793
-76.566
117
HFW Sign
40.769
-76.489
118
Great Rocks 1
40.756
-76.602
119
Great Rocks 2
40.755
-76.602
120
Intersection
40.761
-76.607
121
Honorable Pit
40.767
-76.645
122
Log Shanty
40.761
-76.589
123
Long Pit
40.774
-76.519
124
Look Out
40.763
-76.597
125
Lower Flats
40.764
-76.584
126
Main Rd
Intersection
40.762
-76.693
127
MC Wreck
40.757
-76.432
128
Mile Gate
40.781
-76.620
129
Mine 2
40.759
-76.584
130
Mine ?
40.758
-76.635
131
Lagoon 1
40.768
-76.650
132
Lagoon 2
40.768
-76.650
133
Mine Shaft
40.756
-76.595
134
Mine Shaft 2
40.766
-76.617
135
Mine Site
40.762
-76.509
136 Mine Site ?
40.760
-76.584
137
Mine W /water
40.770
-76.651
138 Mine
40.757
-76.589
139
Mining
Equipment
40.758
-76.674
140 Moss Trench
40.762
-76.624
141
Mt Ridge Line
40.758
-76.667
142
40.759
-76.667
143
Mud
40.772
-76.514
144 Mud Pit 1
40.769
-76.630
145
Mud Pit 2
40.769
-76.630
146 Mud Rd
40.772
-76.636
147
Old mine site
40.759
-76.638
148 Open Area
40.759
-76.651
149 Open Shaft
40.759
-76.651
150 Party Spot
40.759
-76.680
151
Pineys
40.768
-76.650
152
Pineys Mud
40.772
-76.618
153
Pineys Pit #2
40.772
-76.621
154
Pipeline
40.761
-76.567
Mt top
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
155
Pit W/ Sink h
40.766
-76.618
156
Pit W/ Sink
hole
40.766
-76.618
157
Pizza Rock
40.762
-76.657
158 Poleline Hill
40.760
-76.506
159 PoleLine Ridge
40.756
-76.605
160 Pond
40.756
-76.591
Private
Property
40.758
-76.509
162
40.778
-76.626
163 Quarry Gate
40.779
-76.524
164 RAC Sign
40.775
-76.667
165 Radio Towers
40.763
-76.718
166
40.757
-76.669
167
40.753
-76.470
168 Ridge Line
40.759
-76.624
169 Ridge Line 1
40.756
-76.588
170
Ridge line 2
40.758
-76.680
171
Ridge Line 3
40.758
-76.714
172
Ridge Line 31
40.758
-76.683
173
Ridge Line 4
40.759
-76.638
174
Rock Cliffs
40.759
-76.665
175
Rock Den
40.759
-76.654
176
Rock Ridge
40.758
-76.651
177
Rock slide
40.750
-76.473
178
Rocks 1
40.756
-76.593
179
Rocks 10
40.760
-76.645
180 Rocks 11
40.776
-76.658
181
Rocks 12
40.775
-76.661
182
Rocks 13
40.772
-76.669
183 Rocks 14
40.760
-76.657
184 Rocks 15
40.760
-76.660
185 Rocks 16
40.764
-76.633
186 Rocks 2
40.756
-76.593
187
Rocky Ridge
40.759
-76.645
188
Rockzilla Dead
End
40.752
-76.506
189
Round
Foundation
40.769
-76.595
190
Round
Foundation
40.769
-76.595
191
Ruins 1
40.767
-76.500
192
Ruins 2
40.767
-76.499
193
Ruins 3
40.761
-76.509
194 Sand Pits
40.766
-76.655
40.772
-76.613
196
SCRA Gate East
40.772
-76.613
SCRA Gate We
40.772
-76.617
198
SCRA Gate West
40.772
-76.617
199 SCRA Ponds
40.772
-76.615
200
Secluded
Lagoon
40.765
-76.649
Secluded
Lagoon
40.765
-76.649
202
Sediment
Pond
40.765
-76.531
203 Shaft opening
40.761
-76.656
204 Shangra La 1
40.764
-76.589
205 Shangra La 2
40.763
-76.590
206 Shingara’s M 1
40.776
-76.667
161
Ridge 008
195 SCRA Gate - Ea
197
201
Project
Reclamation
Site
1-73
ID
Feature
Latitude
Longitude
207
Latitude
Longitude
Shingara’s
Mine
40.779
-76.652
208
Shingara’s
Mine
40.779
-76.652
209
Shingara’s
Mine 1
40.776
-76.667
210
Shooting
Range
40.765
-76.607
211
SS Look Out
40.762
-76.602
212
SS Pond
40.762
-76.602
213
StairStep Rock
40.760
-76.522
214
StairStep
Rocks
40.760
-76.522
215
Stone Pillar
40.756
-76.604
216
Stone Quarry
Gate
40.774
-76.530
217
Stone Ruins
40.754
-76.447
218
Stone Spring
40.761
-76.601
219
Stone Wall
40.762
-76.507
220
Swamp
Entrance
40.773
-76.613
221
Tin Rd
40.755
-76.593
222 Ton Ridge
40.758
-76.656
223 Trailhead
40.765
-76.541
224 Trash Alter 1
40.765
-76.605
225 Trash Dump
40.769
-76.522
226 Trash Rd
40.772
-76.547
227 Tree Fossil
40.764
-76.598
228 Trev Lot
40.764
-76.673
Feature
229
Upper
Excelsior
40.770
-76.497
230 Upper Flats
40.765
-76.589
231
Valley Lookout
40.771
-76.602
232 Vulture Rock
40.756
-76.591
233 Whaleback
40.764
-76.596
234
40.766
-76.596
Whaleback
Look Out
40.765
-76.594
236 Whaleback 1
40.764
-76.594
40.775
-76.646
238 Yik Yuc Hill
40.762
-76.643
235
237 Wetlands
1-74
ID
Whaleback
Entrance
CHAPTER 2:
Needs Assessment, Market and Demand Analysis,
Public Participation, & Economic Impact Analysis
Northumberland Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
2-1
CHAPTER 2:
Needs Assessment, Market and Demand
Analysis, Public Participation, & Economic
Impact Analysis
NEEDS ASSESSMENT & DEMAND
ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
Understanding the needs and demand of current and potential users
of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area helps to establish the
development and financial plans for the resort. The needs assessment
determines the appropriate types of facilities and amenities that are
needed. The demand analysis provides an understanding of who will
use the AOAA, how often they will use it, and for what purpose.
Critical information was gathered for each of these components by
analyzing the population of the anticipated service area; inventory of
similar facilities in the state and wider region; and review of public input.
MARKET AREA
For purposes of analysis, potential market areas are defined according
to their proximity to the proposed AOAA. The four counties of
Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, and Schuylkill are considered to
be local users. These residents have the easiest and quickest access to
the AOAA. Some live immediately adjacent to the site and all are within
about a forty-five minute drive of AOAA. Over the long-term, these will
be the most frequent users of the facility.
Beyond the local area, five concentric circles beginning at a radius of 50
miles for AOAA and extending to 500 miles are used to identify varying
use levels of the potential service area.
The first area includes the 12 counties that are beyond the local area but
within a 50-mile radius of the AOAA. These residents are within about a
ninety minute drive of AOAA.
The second area ranges from fifty to one hundred miles, and the third from one hundred to
two hundred miles.
2-3
Those within the fifty mile radius of the AOAA are all located within Pennsylvania. They will
be among of the most frequent uses. Many will purchase annual membership passes and ride
several times per week.
Those within 100 miles will be the next most frequent users of AOAA. Many of these users will
ride at the AOAA several times per month. They will frequently be there on weekends. The
greatest majority of these potential users are still located in Pennsylvania although some will
come from Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
The next group falls within 150 miles of the AOAA. Most of the group is still within a three
and a half to four hour drive of the AOAA although many of them are located outside of
Pennsylvania. They will be primarily weekend users. Some will come for a day while others will
stay for the entire weekend.
The AOAA will draw users from up to
500 miles or more away. They will tend
to come for less frequently but most of
these potential users will be coming for
multi-day trips or large special events.
Travel distances of 6 to 10 hours mean
that they will have high expectations of
the AOAA in terms of quality and variety
of facilities, overnight accommodations,
and events.
Potential ATV Market
Market Area
Population
Estimated Number
of ATV Users*
50 miles**
1,999,063
39,981
100 miles
11,627,655
232,553
150 miles
37,865,696
757,314
250 miles
58,882,065
1,177,641
500 miles
108,128,208
2,162,564
Source: 2010 US Census Data provided by Demo Reports
1/26/11
* assumes 2% of the population ride ATVs as found in the 2004
PA ATV Study
** based on the 2000 populations of counties located within
50 miles of the site.
The PA ATV Survey results indicate that
there are approximately 250,000 ATV
riders in Pennsylvania. That amounts
to two percent of Pennsylvania’s
population. If this percentage of users
is assumed across the various AOAA market areas, it can be used to reasonably project the
estimated total market from which AOAA anticipates its user market. The chart to the right
indicates that using this method of estimation there are 757,314 ATV users within about a four
hour drive of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
INVENTORY OF OHV FACILITIES
An inventory of all OHV facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was conducted
to assist in comparing existing supply the expressed demand. The inventory also is used to
evaluate a variety of business related functions including competition, user fees, programming,
marketing, hours of operation, season of operation, and others.
With the type of facilities being planned at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, it can be
expected to draw visitors from as much as 500 miles away. The following inventories describe
2-4
the major facilities that can be found within that area. Facilities that are closer to the AOAA
will be the most competitive by drawing from the largest pool of regular users of the facility.
Generally speaking, the further a competitive facility is from the AOAA the less impact it will
have. Therefore, the inventories provide a greater level of detail for those facilities located
within Pennsylvania than for those that are further away.
INVENTORY OF PA FACILITIES
The inventory of facilities within PA is broken into two classifications – private sector OHV
facilities and state or federally operated parks. There are 14 private sector OHV facilities and 17
state or national facilities that provide OHV riding opportunities. All of the facilities fall within
the 200-mile radius of the proposed Anthracite outdoor Adventure Area.
Federal and State Operated OHV Trails in Pennsylvania
The trails identified in this section are generally multi-use trails available to non-motorized
users and to ATV’s. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) facility located at the Shenango
Reservoir is also open to off-road motorcycles. The federal or state government operates each
of these facilities.
There are five trails located in National Forests totaling 107.2 miles, eleven trails within
state forests totaling 246 miles. Total mileage of these trails is 353.2. A series of trails with
undetermined mileage are located on US Army Corps of Engineers property.
Although there is a market niche for this type of trail, these facilities will present little
competition to the proposed Northumberland County facility. There are a limited number of
trails at each, many are difficult to reach, and few, if any, amenities are provided.
2-5
Federally Owned PA OHV Trails
Location
Trail Type
Allegheny National
Forest Marienville
ATV
14.2
More Difficult
ATV’s, Trail Bikes, Horses,
Mountain Bikes
Allegheny National
Forest Marienville
Bike
23.1
Most Difficult
Trail Bikes, Horses,
Mountain Bikes
Allegheny National
Forest Timberline
ATV Trail
ATV
38
Easiest
Trail Bikes, Snowmobiles,
Horses, Mountain Bikes
Allegheny National
Forest Willow Creek
ATV Trail
ATV
10
More Difficult
Mountain Bikes
21.9
Most Difficult
Loop
Easiest Loop
Mountain Bikes
Allegheny National
Forest Rocky Gap
ATV Trail
ATV
Length
Level of Difficulty
National Forest Land Trail Subtotal
Other Permitted Uses
107.2 miles
Location
Trail Type
Trail Length
Level of Difficulty Other Permitted Uses
USACE Shenango
Reservoir Bayview
ORV Area
ATV
undetermined Not Rated
Total Miles for all State and Federal Trails
ATV and Motorcycles
336.5 miles
State Owned PA OHV Trails
Location
Length Level of Difficulty
ATV
36
Easy
More Difficult
Most Difficult
ATV Class I; non-motorized uses of
hiking, biking, and horseback riding
Buchanan State
ATV
Forest - Martin Hill
18
Not Rated
Buchanan State
Forest - Sideling
Hill
15
Not Rated
Not Rated
ATV Class I and Class II Restricted,
1200 pounds max, width 58 inches
or less, non motorized uses of
Michaux State
Forest
Susquehannock
State Forest
2-6
Type
ATV
ATV
43
State Owned PA OHV Trails (continued)
Location
Type
Length Level of Difficulty
Tiagaghton State
Forest
ATV
17
Not Rated
Bald Eagle State
Forest
ATV
7
Not Rated
Delaware State
Forest – Dixon R.
Miller Recreation
Area
ATV
13
Not Rated
Not Rated
or less; non-motorized uses of
Delaware State
Forest - Maple
Run Tract
ATV
8
Delaware State
Forest - Burnt
Mills
ATV
7
Not Rated
or less; non-motorized uses of
Sproul State
Forest - Clinton
County – Whiskey
Run
ATV
45
Not Rated
Sproul State
Forest - Bloody
Skillet
ATV
37
Not Rated
State Forest Trail Subtotal
Total Miles for all State and Federal Trails
246 Miles
336.5 miles
Sources: Matt Beaver PA Bureau of State Forests (717.783.0379), Richard J. Egger, USACE Shenango Reservoir
([email protected]), http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/atv_trails/
2-7
PRIVATE OHV FACILITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA
There are at lease fourteen private or club operated OHV facilities across Pennsylvania
that provide riding opportunities of various types. These facilities provide varying levels of
recreational and competitive riding. The fourteen facilities offer trails of all types, a variety of
kinds of tracks; racing opportunities, play areas, programs, and a wide array of amenities.
The largest of these facilities, with 2,000 acres or more include Mountain Ridge Trail Resort,
Rock Run Recreation Area, Tri-County ATV Club, and Rausch Creek ATV Riders. The remainder
of the facilities each have less than 1,000 acres. Rausch Creek ATV Riders, Tri-County ATV Club,
and Mountain Ridge Trail Resort each have 100 or more miles of trails. The number of miles of
trails at each of the other facilities ranges from 4 miles at Slippery Rock Dunes to 55 miles at
Mines and Meadows.
All of the facilities except the Rausch Creek OHV Park have a full range of ATV/OHM trails that
range from easy to difficult. Most offer a variety of supplemental amenities that include hill
climbs, water play areas, tracks, camping facilities and more. Only Rock Run and Rausch Creek
OHV Park have trails and facilities available for full size off-road recreational vehicles (ORV).
Rausch Creek OHV Park only permits full-size ORVs.
Twelve of the fourteen facilities are more than 100 miles away from the AOAA. The Snow Shoe
Rails-to-Trails and Willow Camp and Trail are each about 80 miles from AOAA. The Rausch
Creek facilities are the closest in proximity to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area at about
30 miles away.
The charts and map, on the following pages, depict the facilities, fees, and locations of each
of these facilities. These should be used by AOAA to understand the competition from other
facilities in the state.
2-8
Admission Comparisons to Other OHV Areas in Pennsylvania
2010 Daily Admissions
Day Pass
Child Day Pass
Mountain
Ridge
Lost
Trails ATV
Adventures
Majestic
Kamp and
Lost Trails
Rock Run
Mines &
Meadows
Willow Hill
Tri-County
(Club)
$25
$30
$20
$18
$25
$30
Members
-
$30
$15
-
-
$20
Only
$45
-
-
$30
-
-
-
Three Day
-
-
-
$45
-
-
-
Weekly Pass
-
-
-
-
$40
-
Group of 6-9
$20
-
-
-
-
-
-
Group of 10 or
more
$15
-
-
-
-
-
-
Passenger Day
Pass/Spectator
-
$5
$10
$10
-
-
-
Weekday
Discounted Pass
$15
-
-
$10
-
-
-
Two Day
2010 Annual Pass
Mountain
Ridge
Lost
Trails ATV
Adventures
Majestic
Kamp and
Lost Trails
Rock Run
Mines &
Meadows
Willow Hill
Tri-County
Single Pass
$150
None
$100
$125
$320
$300
$110
Two person Pass
$300
-
$175
-
-
-
$115
Three Person
Pass
$350
-
-
-
-
-
$120
Four Person Pass
(Family)
$400
None
$200
$280
$475
-
$125
Youth Pass
-
-
-
-
-
$200
-
ORV Individual
-
-
-
$175
-
-
-
ORV Family
-
-
-
$299
-
-
-
Mines &
Meadows
Willow Hill
Tri-County
2010 Campsite Fees
Mountain
Ridge
Lost Trails
Majestic
Rock Run
Primitive
$15
Off-site
$10
$10
$25
$20
None
With electric
$25
Off-site
$20
$10
$30
-
-
$2,000
Off-site
-
-
$1,995
-
-
Seasonal site w
full hook-ups
*Must be a
registered guest
at the Resort
+ four months
2-9
Admission Comparisons to Other OHV Areas in Pennsylvania (continued)
2010 Daily Admissions
Indian
Creek
Valley
(Club)
Mason
Dixon Trail
Riders
(Club)
Rausch
Creek ATV
(Club)
Rausch
OHV Park
Slippery
Rock
Dunes
Four
Seasons
Resort
Snow
Shoe Rails
to Trails
Members
Members
Members
$35
$15
$25
-
Only
Only
Only
-
-
-
Two Day
-
-
-
-
-
Three Day
-
-
-
-
Weekly Pass
-
-
-
$25
Group of 6-9
-
-
-
-
Group of 10 or more
-
-
-
-
Passenger Day Pass/
Spectator
-
-
-
-
Weekday
Discounted Pass
-
-
-
-
Day Pass
Child Day Pass
$7
2010 Annual Pass
Indian
Creek
Valley
Mason
Dixon Trail
Riders
Rausch
Creek ATV
Rausch
OHV Park
Slippery
Rock
Dunes
Four
Seasons
Resort
Snow
Shoe Rails
to Trails
Single Pass
$80
$35
$330
None
None
$35*
$15
Two person Pass
$160
-
$550
-
-
$28
Three Person Pass
$240
-
$550
-
-
$39
Four Person Pass
(Family)
-
-
$550
-
-
-
Youth Pass
-
-
-
-
-
ORV Individual
-
-
-
-
-
ORV Family
-
-
-
-
-
Slippery
Rock
Dunes
Four
Seasons
Resort
Snow
Shoe Rails
to Trails
2010 Campsite Fees
Indian
Creek
Valley
Mason
Dixon Trail
Riders
Primitive
Off-site
None
Free
$28
None
With electric
Off-site
-
-
$34
-
Seasonal site w full
hook-ups
Off-site
-
-
$2060+
-
-
-
*Must be a
registered guest at
the Resort
+ four months
2-10
Comparison to Privately Operated OHV Areas in Pennsylvania
Location
Acres
Mountain Ridge Trail
Resort
Lost Trails ATV
Adventures
Majestic Kamp and
Lost Trails
Rock Run
Somerset County
Monroe County
McKean County
Cambria and Clearfield
Counties
940
6,000
41
50
2,500
Miles of Trail
80
Primary uses
ATV and motorcycles
Unknown
New site is under
construction in 2011
ATV and
Motorcycles on
tracks only
ATV and
Motorcycles
ATV, Motorcycles, and
full-size 4x4s
Green Trail
x
x
x
Blue Trail
x
x
x
Black Trail
x
x
x
x
x
Single Track
Motocross Trail
Hill Climb
x
Water Play Area
x
Motocross/ATV
Track
x
Pewee
Motocross/ATV
Track
Drag Strip
x
Special Features
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Quad Storage
Quad Rentals
x
ATV/Bike Wash
OHV Trails
x
Non-motorized
Recreation
x
Special Events
x
x
x
Showers
Tent Camping
x
x
x
RV Camping
x
Electricity for
Camping
x
Office/Info Center
x
x
x
x
Concessions
x
x
x
x
x
2-11
Comparison to Privately Operated OHV Areas in Pennsylvania (continued)
Location
Acres
Miles of Trail
Primary uses
Mines & Meadows
Willow Hill Camp and
Trail
Tri-County ATV Club
Indian Creek Valley
ATV Club
Lawrence County
Franklin County
Armstrong County
Indiana County
600
Unknown
2000
55
7.5
100+
ATV and
Motorcycles
ATV and Motorcycles
ATV and
Motorcycles
27
ATV and
Motorcycles
Green Trail
x
x
x
x
Blue Trail
x
x
x
x
Black Trail
x
x
x
x
Single Track
Motocross Trail
x
Hill Climb
x
Water Play Area
x
Motocross/ATV Track
x
x
x
Pewee Motocross/
ATV Track
x
x
x
Drag Strip
x
Special Features
x
Quad Storage
x
Quad Rentals
x
ATV/Bike Wash
x
x
OHV Trails
2-12
Non-motorized
Recreation
x
Special Events
x
Showers
x
x
Tent Camping
x
RV Camping
x
x
Electricity for
Camping
x
Office/Info Center
x
x
x
Concessions
x
x
x
x
x
x
Location
Mason Dixon Trail
Riders Association
Rausch Creek ATV Trails
Rausch Creek OHV Park
Greene County
Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County
8,700
1,700
100
30
Acres
Miles of Trail
24
Primary uses
ATV and Motorcycles
ATV and Motorcycles
Green Trail
x
Blue Trail
x
Black Trail
x
Full-size 4x4 only
Single Track Motocross Trail
Hill Climb
x
Water Play Area
Motocross/ATV Track
x
x
Pewee Motocross/ATV Track
x
Drag Strip
Special Features
Quad Storage
Quad Rentals
ATV/Bike Wash
OHV Trails
x
Non-motorized Recreation
Special Events
x
Showers
Tent Camping
x
RV Camping
x
Electricity for Camping
x
Office/Info Center
x
Concessions
x
2-13
Slippery Rock Dunes
Four Seasons Resort
Snow Shoe Rails to
Trails
Butler County
Washington County
Centre County
113
850
Unknown
Miles of Trail
4
26
19
Primary uses
ATV and Motorcycles
Location
Acres
ATV and Motorcycles
Green Trail
x
Blue Trail
x
Black Trail
x
ATV and Snowmobiles
x
Single Track Motocross Trail
Hill Climb
x
x
Water Play Area
x
x
Motocross/ATV Track
x
Pewee Motocross/ATV Track
x
Drag Strip
Special Features
x
Quad Storage
Quad Rentals
ATV/Bike Wash
OHV Trails
Non-motorized Recreation
x
x
Special Events
x
x
Showers
x
x
Tent Camping
x
x
RV Camping
x
Electricity for Camping
x
Office/Info Center
Concessions
2-14
x
x
x
2-15
Reading Anthracite Properties in Schuylkill and Northumberland Counties
Reading Anthracite has been issuing Access Permits to their properties for the past several
years. They began to issue these permits to assist with their efforts in curbing vandalism of
their equipment and facilities by putting more individuals on their properties with the intent
that with more people on the property the less likely it will be for people to be isolated and
tempted to vandalize their property.
According to Reading Anthracite’s website Access Permits are again being issued in 2011. The
permits are good for the 2011 calendar year. The permits are available for purchase at a cost of
$125 per person and there is no group or family rates.
Reading Anthracite indicates the permits give you permission to be on Reading Anthracite
Company’s properties, excluding those areas where there is active mining or any other
working facilities or any posted properties from sunrise to sunset. Permission is granted for
recreational activities, excluding any overnight camping, dumping, swimming or any organized
events such as races or parties. Permit holders may not have any type of fire on Reading
Anthracite Company property. The use of alcohol and drugs on Reading Anthracite Company
property is strictly prohibited. Anyone wishing to hunt on Reading Anthracite Company
property must have a valid hunting permit issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Anyone wishing to take any type of licensed vehicle on Reading Anthracite Company property
must have a valid driver’s license and proof of registration and insurance. No one under the
age of 12 is allowed to ride on the property either on their own vehicle or riding with another
individual. Riders between the age of 12 and 18 must have proof of attending a safety class
certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and must be accompanied by a permitted
adult to ride on Reading Anthracite Company property.
Reading Anthracite does not provide maps of their property. However, they indicate maps
identifying their properties can be accessed by logging onto the Schuylkill County Parcel
Locator web site. Although Reading Anthracite does not specifically indicate that their Access
Permit also grants permission to their properties in Northumberland County it is commonly
assumed by permit holders and has not been contested by Reading Anthracite. It does not
appear that Reading Anthracite has a program to actively check those using the property for
permits or to actively enforce the requirements of the permit.
Reading owns approximately 3,000 acres in southern Northumberland County, adjacent to and
in the vicinity of the proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Many of the trails accessed
by visitors to Reading Anthracite’s properties extend onto properties owned by others,
including Northumberland County. Trails are not marked, nor are boundaries of Reading
Anthracite properties. Therefore, it is easy for those traveling the trails to leave Reading
Anthracite property and not know they are on adjacent property.
Those who purchase Access Permits commonly use the Reading property nationally known as
‘the Flats’ as a popular user-created trailhead. From this location several Reading parcels can
2-16
be accessed including property to the north, east, and west. Further, Reading Anthracite owns
‘Coal Hill’ locally, regionally, and to a certain extent, nationally known as popular attraction to
the ATV community. Coal Hill is located immediately west of Trevorton. Coal Hill is popular
with local ATV enthusiasts and unpopular with Trevorton neighbors due to ATV traffic and dust
concerns. Portions of Coal Hill have recently been designated off-limits for OHV use through an
agreement between Reading Anthracite and PA DEP due to a number of complaints from local
residents related to the dust being created by motorized use in this area.
Prior to beginning the master planning process and several times during its course,
Northumberland County and its consultant contacted Reading Anthracite to discuss the
potential of partnering with the County on the AOAA by including their adjacent properties
and discussing opportunities to partner to meet OHV needs in partnership. Reading Anthracite
representatives did not respond to the County’s invitation.
Reading Anthracite’s Access Permit provides a competing opportunity immediately adjacent to
the proposed AOAA. The level of competition the Access Permit will have with the proposed
AOAA depends on several factors, including:





Cost of Annual Access Permit versus the cost of an annual AOAA permit
Quality and quantity of trail riding opportunities related to specific OHV segments
Quality, type, and availability of support facilities and features
Level of enforcement of rules and regulations related to safety and permitted activities
Public perception of personal responsibility and safety on the property
Initially, Reading Anthracite’s Access Permit may compete directly with the AOAA. This
competition will be from those current and past Reading Anthracite Access Permit holders, as
well as from those who are frustrated with the County formalizing this historical riding area
through the proposed development and subsequent fees and charges for access to it. Other
facilities in similar situations have experienced low visitation rates by local enthusiasts in the
initial years of a new facility. However, over time local residents begin to value what has been
created and return to visit it as a paying customer in subsequent years. Assuming Reading
Anthracite maintains the status quo with regards to addressing OHV opportunities through
its Access Permit, and, as the master plan for the AOAA is implemented many desirable
improvements will be developed that will entice enthusiasts to visit and return to the AOAA.
Throughout the study process it was evident that OHV riding opportunities in Northumberland
County are aggregated in whole as there isn’t a physical distinction between County and
Reading properties. Therefore, regardless of where a certain activity or event takes place it is
OHV related, not related to OHV activities on one site or another. As an example, those events
which occur at ‘Coal Hill’, i.e. accidents, dust clouds, disruptive traffic to and from ‘Coal Hill’,
are commonly associated with all OHV activity. Throughout the public involvement process
during this study we have been asked what we are doing to address the problems at ‘Coal Hill’.
Unfortunately, there isn’t anything the County can do directly, as the property is controlled by
Reading Anthracite, not Northumberland County.
2-17
Lack of enforcement of rules regulating safety and permitted activities at one or the other
does, and will continue to be associated with both OHV facilities. Currently, State and local
police refer to OHV activities and riding areas on the mountain as the ‘Wild West’. It will be
difficult for the AOAA to single-handedly change this mind set, and to a certain extent reality,
by instilling a sense of personal responsibility and safety on the AOAA property alone.
The public perception of personal responsibility and safety will most likely have a larger impact
than will Reading Anthracite’s competing Access Permit. If the perception is that it is not safe
to bring a family to the AOAA, then a large segment of the target demographic will be turned
away.
Business Impact of the Reading Anthracite Riding Areas on AOAA
There are currently no statistics available that identify the number of passes sold for OHV use
of the Reading Anthracite properties. Additionally, it must be recognized that only a portion
of these properties are located in Northumberland County. This makes it difficult to quantify
the business impact the Reading Anthracite OHV use will have on the AOAA. That said, the
properties are close by and some are even contiguous to the AOAA.
There are plenty of miles of riding opportunities on the Reading Anthracite properties:
exactly how many are unknown and undocumented. Besides the trails however, there are
limited other facilities available. Camping is prohibited; group activities and events are not
permitted; there are no designated trailheads or rallying points; no restrooms, indoor facilities,
concessions or other amenities; and no management staff on site. Many riders are quite
satisfied with this type of primitive riding.
The Reading Anthracite annual access fee of $125 per person is slightly lower that the average
for OHV facilities across Pennsylvania and the proposed $80 single user annual fee for AOAA is
significantly lower. At the AOAA, a family of three would be able to ride all year for just $240,
making it one of the most economical options in PA. The single use day pass is proposed at
$25 per person allowing a less expensive option for limited use riders at a fee similar to other
facilities.
The AOAA also proposes to be a family-friendly facility with restrooms, concessions, picnic
areas, camping facilities and much more. It will also have a series of trails geared to all levels of
uses, abilities, and types of vehicles.
Even with the additional amenities and structure operational system, many local riders will
be hesitant to buy into the AOAA immediately. They have become accustomed to riding the
County’s properties for free and many will not be willing to pay to use it. They may prefer
to pay Reading Anthracite the annual access fee for use of their properties. The Rock Run
Recreation Area in Cambria County experienced similar resistance when they first opened.
After four years of operation, local riders are just now beginning to pay to use the facility but
still at relatively low levels.
2-18
In Northumberland County, individual riders will need to choose the type of riding experience
they desire. There will be a market for both. The Reading Anthracite property will certainly
draw some users from the AOAA. This must be accounted for in AOAA’s business planning. In
the end, it is likely that AOAA will develop into a facility that will be desirable to a majority of
the users in the region. As the facility develops into a premier riding site where the local users
will be the biggest users.
If Reading Anthracite becomes interested in discussing the potential to partner with
Northumberland County in the AOAA and the County accepts, we recommend the master plan
be revisited to ensure their potential participation in the AOAA continues to meet the goals
of the entire facility and considers all the possible impacts, socially, environmentally, legally,
financially, etc.
2-19
OHV FACILITIES OUTSIDE PA BUT WITHIN THE 250-MILE
MARKET AREA OF AOAA
There are a number of facilities in surrounding states that must also be considered as having
a potential impact on AOAA. Only the larger of the facilities are described in the chart below.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather a sampling of regional facilities that
could be similar in size of function to the proposed AOAA.
The largest and most well known is the 432-mile Hatfield and McCoy Trail system located in
West Virginia. It draws riders from all hundreds of miles away for single and multi-day trips.
Hatfield and McCoy has grown to be the premier ATV facility in the eastern United States.
OHV Facilities located outside of Pennsylvania but 250-mile market area for AOAA
Facility
Miles of Trail
Acres
1
Southern Maryland ATV Park
Maryland
23
300
2
Oswego County ATV Club
New York
Unknown
100
3
Adirondack ATV Riders Club
New York
26
230
4
Brooks Family ATV Park
New York
Unknown
365
5
Pine Hill ATV Park
New York
20
300
6
Long Meadows ATV Park
New York
20
900
7
New York ATV Sportsman’s Club, LLC
New York
21
1600
8
Oswego County ATV Club
New York
100
Unknown
9
Bear Creek Amphitheater Trails
Ohio
26
180
10
Hanging Rock Off-road Vehicle Area - Wayne
National Forest
Ohio
26
5000
11
Monday Creek Off-road Vehicle Area - Wayne
Ohio
National Forest
70
Unknown
12
Pine Creek Off-road Vehicle Area - Wayne
National Forest
Ohio
23
Unknown
13 Rumble on the Ridge
Ohio
32
3000
14 The Forbidden Zone ATV Campground
Ohio
Unknown
2000
15 Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park
West Virginia
100
6000
16 East Lynn Lake Are ATV Trails
West Virginia
60
Unknown
17 Hatfield-McCoy Trail System
West Virginia
432
Unknown
18 Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park
West Virginia
Unknown
100
19 Moms Mountain
West Virginia
22
Unknown
Total
2-20
State
1001
SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT OF OTHER FACILITIES
There are five privately operated OHV facilities located within 100 miles of the proposed AOAA.
While all of these facilities provide riding opportunities, most are limited in the scope of what
they provide. Willow Hill Camp and Trail is among the smallest in the state with just 7.5 miles
of trail and a motocross/ATV track. Snow Shoe Rails to Trails is a single trail approximately 19
miles in length that is more amenable to snowmobiles than OHVs. Lost Trails ATV Adventures
is just under construction and has no usable trails for the 2011 season: only two tracks will be
available.
Rausch Creek OHV Park is a high quality facility that is focused exclusively on ORVs. It is well
known to most ORV riders in the east. They play host to a few larger competitions and events
each year. They will certainly be a competitive facility for ORV use. Rausch Creek ATV Trails
are one of the largest in the state on 8,700 acres of land with in excess of 100 miles of trail.
Their facility includes numerous amenities including hill climbs, water play areas, tracks, special
events, concessions, and camping. However, the facility is operated by a private club. All users
of the site must be members of the club to ride. There is no opportunity for day pass users.
They will be strong competition for the ATV and OHM riders.
Perhaps a better perspective is to try to work together with the Rausch Creek facilities in
drawing users from outside the immediate region. As OHV users consider travelling distances
that require a multiple overnight stay, they would be more attracted to an area where they
can visit multiple facilities. To market the region as having three major OHV riding areas with
a multitude of different riding opportunities and challenges presents an attraction that can
draw users that may not be willing to travel to a single facility. Among the three facilities, the
region can boast over 16,000 acres of riding areas with hundreds of miles of trails. If some
of the Reading Anthracite properties can eventually be included as part of the public riding
opportunities, the attraction will be even greater. Some other Pennsylvania sites may also be
able to be included in this type of marketing. Then, from the user’s perspective, it begins to
look a bit like the Hatfield and McCoy area in West Virginia that draws tens of thousands of
riders annually.
Mountain Ridge Trail Resort and the Rock Run Recreation Area will also be strong competitors
in the ATV and OHM market. Both are large facilities with multiple amenities and are already
well known in the state. The PA DCNR has invested significant funds into the Rock Run to
assist in its start up and to help it remain successful. Rock Run is one of only two facilities in
the Commonwealth that has ORV facilities. Multiple ORV clubs have assisted in the design and
construction of its ORV trails.
Tri-County ATV Club has a large facility with many trails and amenities but as a club, it is more
of a regional facility in the western part of the state. Majestic Kamp is a mid-sized facility with
just under a thousand acres and over 40 miles of trails. It has multiple amenities including
tracks, water areas, concessions, and camping. It is also a more regional facility serving mostly
northwestern and north central PA.
2-21
All of the remaining facilities are small and have limited facilities. None will have a significant
impact on the OHV market that AOAA will attract.
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will need to continually evaluate the competitive
impact that each of these facilities will have on their operation. As well, there are seventeen
trail systems available on state and federal lands in Pennsylvania. While these are inexpensive
to ride on, they are not able to provide the balance of opportunities available anticipated at
AOAA.
Facilities outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will all draw from their own local and
regional markets but none have the types and quality of facilities anticipated at AOAA. From
the areas in which these sites are located, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will draw the
users that are looking for greater adventure, added experiences, and exceptional special
events.
2-22
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The consultant has not been able to locate any empirical data describing the use patterns of
ORV enthusiasts. While there are many ORV facilities and special events across the United
States, it appears that statistical data describing user needs or use patterns has been collected.
ATV USER SURVEY
A survey of 1,357 ATV owners conducted by Penn State in 2003 provides a profile of ATV riders
and their needs (Lord et al. 2004).
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is located in the southeast corner of Northumberland
County, near the border with Columbia and Schuylkill Counties. A subset of forty-four of the
surveys describes the opinions and attitudes of the people living in the most immediate market
for the AOAA. In general, they were found to be typical users, but differences will be described
when they are significant and substantive.
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area regions
2-23
RIDER PROFILE
The majority of riders are white, male, and rural, and had earned a high school diploma. Riding
with family and friends was the number one reason given for recreational ATV riding (70% of
riders). The age profile shows that there are a lot of middle aged adults and young people
riding. This age profile indicates that ATVing is a family activity for many people. The low
priority attached to race courses, racing, and aggressive riding may be a further indication of
the family orientation of many riders.
Statewide
The average ATV household had 1.6 ATVs and 2.4 riders. Registered ATV owners tended to be
White males. Just over 2% of the respondents indicated a race other than White. Almost 90%
of the registered ATV owners indicted their gender as male. In contrast, total ridership was
estimated to be 37% female. Rider ages ranged from 5 years of age to over 70. While most
riders were in the 30 to 49 year range, a sizable number of riders were in the 5 to 15 age group,
indicating the family orientation of many participants. The majority of respondents (62%)
indicated they lived in rural areas.
Over half of the ATV owners had family incomes over $50,000 per year. The most common
income cohort was $50,000 to $75,000 per year (31%) and the second most common was
$35,000 to $50,000 per year (20%). Half of the registered owners had obtained a high school
diploma, but had no further college or technical education.
AOAA Region
The proportion of female riders in the AOAA area (34%) matched the state-wide average.
Almost two-thirds of the riders were between 21 and 59 years of age, a little higher than
the state average. Not surprisingly, given the region, two-thirds of the riders in the region
identified themselves as living in a rural setting. Income roughly paralleled the state average,
with 45% having family incomes of under $50,000 per year and 30% reporting family incomes in
the $50,000 to $74,999 range. In a similar fashion, half reported ending their education with a
high school diploma.
2-24
RIDING CHARACTERISTICS
STATEWIDE
Currently the majority of riding is taking place at home. Problems with the availability and
accessibility of trails and riding opportunities were of primary importance to ATV owners
throughout the state.
ATV owners were asked to describe the use of ATVs in their household. Trail and leisure riding
was the number one activity, participated in by 86% of the respondents. This was followed by
utility and work (61%) and hunting (58%). Fewer people indicated sport riding (32%), aggressive
recreation riding (21%), transportation (16%), and fishing (16%). Racing and competition (4%) and
commercial use (2%) were negligible.
When ask to describe their recreational riding, 70% responded that they were spending time
with family and friends and 68% indicated that wildlife viewing was an important feature.
Vistas and scenery (60%) and adventure (50%) were also key features of recreational riding.
Lower ratings were attached to challenge (28%) and photography (15%).
The median amount of riding in the previous year was 150 miles. One-quarter of registered
ATV owners rode 50 miles of less during the prior year. Another quarter rode between 50 and
150 miles. The next quarter had ridden between 150 and 400 miles during the previous twelve
months and the last quarter indicated over 400 miles of ATV riding in the last year.
Half of the ATV riders had nine years or less experience riding an ATV and one-quarter had four
years or less experience. Of the remainder, one-quarter had between nine and 16.5 years riding
experience and the remaining 25% had 16.5 years of more of riding in their background. This
experience profile shows a significant number of people moving into the sport.
AOAA REGION
The primary reasons local riders gave for using their ATVs were very similar to the state as a
whole. Number one was trail, leisure riding (86%), followed by utility, work (61%) and hunting
(57%). Some of the secondary reasons were not as common among local riders: Sport riding
- 27%, aggressive riding - 14%, transportation -14%, and fishing - 9%. When riding recreationally,
local riders reported that spending time with family and friends was their number one activity
(68%), followed by wildlife viewing (64%), viewing vistas and scenery (50%) and adventure.
The years of riding experience also followed the state pattern, with about half having 9 years
of less experience, and one quarter having 15 years or more. However, the distance rode
annually was lower than the state average. The median distance was 100 miles per year,
although 29% did report riding 450 miles or more per year.
2-25
ATV NEEDS IN THE AOAA REGION
Registered ATV owners statewide were asked to indicate significant problems with riding in
their region. The following responses were provided: trespass, 65%; riding in illegal areas;
65%, lack of parent supervision, 44%; irresponsible/reckless riding, 44%; failure to comply with
rules and regulations, 42%; alcohol and drugs 41%; excessive speed 39%; riding without head
protection, 39%; campground and trailhead speed, 34%; riding in streams, 32%; environmental
degradation, 29%; crowding 28%; and too much noise 21%.
Riders in the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area region generally indicated a greater need for
trail features and amenities than those statewide. Riders in the AOAA region attached a high
level of importance to new trails (4.6), maintenance of existing trails (4.5), access to secondary
roads (4.3), and enhancement of trail systems (4.2). Local riders also attached greater
importance to all lengths of trails than the state average – importance of medium trails (4.0),
long trails (4.0), short trails (3.6) and large play areas (3.3).
In terms of trail grade, riders in the AOAA region ranked trails offering diverse skill and riding
experiences highest (4.0), followed by trails with lots of grade changes and off cambers (3.3),
then relatively flat and wide trails (3.2) and trails with abrupt grade changes and minimal
clearances (2.8). Race courses with lots of jumps ranked lowest (2.1).
Even more than the average Pennsylvania rider, people in the AOAA region said they were
looking for a place close to home, where they can ride for a couple of hours, when they have
the time (4.7). They also desired to ride on municipal and State Forest roads (4.0), places
where they can ride all day, but not necessarily stay overnight (3.6), and would be willing
to share multiple-use trails (3.6). To a somewhat lesser extent, they were also interested in
weekend opportunities (3.4) and multiple day excursions, with different lodging each night
(3.0).
When asked about trail features in their region that they felt needed to be increased or
improved, regional riders generally expressed greater needs than the overall state-wide
ridership. Echoing riders everywhere, they felt trail availability was their number one need
(92%). This was followed by trail access (89%); medium length trails (86%), and long trails (82%).
They were less interested in short trails (64%) than were riders elsewhere.
In terms of information needs, they expressed a very high desire for information on the
internet (82%). Trail map availability (74%) and trail signing (74%) were also desired. Finally, they
indicated a strong desire for safe riding courses for youth and children (79%).
NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONCLUSIONS
Based on the public input received throughout this study process the Consultant concludes
that the following elements of an ORV/ATV/OHM are necessary to meet the needs of potential
facility users.
2-26
ORV
 Trails specifically designed for ORVs
 Trails with diverse skill and riding experiences
 A variety of types and lengths of trails
 Trails with varying degrees of difficulty of use
 Technical courses
 Play area
 Obstacle course
 Mud and water play areas
 Rock crawl
 Rock competition areas
 Hill climb
 Spectator areas
 Gathering areas
ATV and OHM
 Trails with diverse skill and riding experiences
 A variety of types and lengths of trails
 Trails with varying degrees of difficulty of use
 Trails specifically designed for ATVs
 Trails specifically designed for OHMs
 Hill climbs
 Water and mud play areas
 Trails connecting to surrounding areas
 Miles and miles of trails
 Sufficient variety to maintain interest of the user over the long term
 Riding access on roads within the facility
 Tracks
 ATV only track
 Adult MX track
 Youth MX track
 Tracks for both competition and recreation
 Beginner tracks
 Spectator areas
Amenities
 Camping area
 Restrooms
 Adequate parking
 Good signage and maps
 Loading ramps
2-27
 ATV and trailer storage
 Repair shop
 Refueling area
 Food concessions
 Safety and training facilities
 Picnic areas
 Convenience store
 Family and group gathering areas
 Hotels and motels
DEMAND ANALYSIS
Due to the lack of empirical data on ORV use, ORV projections used for this demand analysis is
based solely on anecdotal responses from interviews and discussions with leaders of ORV clubs
and organizations and ORV enthusiasts.
OHM use data is also limited; however, an informal survey of OHV facilities indicated that about
30% of the total ATV/OHM users will be motorcycles.
POTENTIAL DEMAND FOR ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
AREA
The demand for a good or service describes the relationship between the cost and the number
of units of the good or service that people will consume. When combined with a schedule of
supply describing the relationship between cost and the number of units the producer will
be willing to provide, the two determine the actual cost and amount consumed. The ATV
survey asked riders how much they would be willing to pay for a weekly or seasonal pass to
an ATV riding area. When coupled with the number of ATV riders in a region, this identifies the
regional demand for ATV riding opportunities. To determine the demand for a specific riding
area, some additional factors would be necessary. These include the availability of alternative
riding opportunities and the features offered at the riding area in question. Since these factors
were not a component of the ATV survey, the following demand estimation will describe the
potential demand for the AOAA. The actual number of visitors will depend upon substitute
riding areas and the features available at both AOAA and at the alternatives.
The local market for the AOAA was described as two regions. First was the region immediately
surrounding the proposed facility; Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, and Schuylkill
Counties (Region 1). Riders in this region would be a short distance from the facility and may
be interested in obtaining a seasonal pass. Region 2 includes Berks, Carbon, Dauphin, Juniata,
Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Perry, Snyder, Sullivan, and Union Counties. Most riders
in this region live about an hour away and AOAA would be an easy day trip for them. While
others in the state and elsewhere may wish to visit the facility for special events, they may have
alternatives closer to home for their general riding needs. These regions were felt to comprise
2-28
the major sources of demand for the facility.
As of June 1, 2010, there were 166,895 ATV registered in the Commonwealth for use off of
the owner’s personal property. Region 1 had 7,017 active ATV registrations. Region 2 had an
additional 22,041 vehicles.
In the ATV survey respondents were asked to
identify the number of riders and ATVs in their
household. These figures allowed the number of
riders per ATV to be calculated and subsequently
the number of riders in those regions.
ATVs and riders in each region
Region 1 Region 2
Registered ATVs
7,017
22,041
ATVs/Household
1.4
1.6
Riders/Household
2.1
2.4
Riders in each region were asked to indicate the
Riders
10,526
33,062
amount they would be willing to pay to ride at
a public facility. An exponential demand
Potential demand for Anthracite Outdoor
function was fitted to their responses to
Adventure Area (number of visits)
provide estimates of the proportion of
Weekly Price
Region 1 Region 2
Total
riders who would be interested in such
opportunities (Appendix). The survey also
$20
9,450
65,170
74,620
inquired how many trips over 50 miles
$25
6,593
48,038
54,631
people took to ride their ATV. The people
$30
4,600
35,410
40,010
in Region 1 indicated that they took an
$35
3,209
26,102
29,311
average of 4.5 long trips per year. The
number of such trips was higher in Region
$40
2,239
19,240
21,479
2 (7.0 long trips/year). These data were
Seasonal Price Region 1 Region 2
Total
combined for an estimate of the potential
$75
14,645
92,163 106,808
demand for ATV riding opportunities.
$100
10,581
70,004
80,586
Note that these are the potential demand
$125
7,645
53,173
60,819
by people in the surrounding regions for
$150
5,524
40,389
45,913
public riding opportunities. Some of this
$175
3,991
30,678
34,669
demand will be fulfilled at other sites as
people search for variety in their riding
$200
2,884
23,302
26,186
opportunities. In addition, the actual
demand for the AOAA will depend upon
the type of facilities and trails developed at the AOAA. If regional riders were to utilize AOAA
for about 40% their trips, then at a fee of $20 approximately 30,ooo ATV user trips to the AOAA
might be realized.
Antidotal evidence from Rock Run Recreation Area in Cambria County, suggests that seasonal
passes may not approach the numbers indicated in the survey. Most likely, respondents
answered the question about their willingness to pay for a seasonal pass, under the
assumption that the facility would be close to home. Rock Run reported approximately 50
seasonal passes. If each of these translated into 10 visits per year, than they would contribute
an additional 500 visits to the total.
2-29
Another significant audience is the ORV enthusiasts. The East Coast Four Wheel Drive
Association (2009) estimates there to be 871 off road 4X4 riding families in Pennsylvania. If the
percentage resided in the two regions paralleled the ATV figures (17%) then an additional 148
of these vehicles could be added to the audience. Assuming 2.1 visitors per vehicle and half
the trips of regional 4x4s to the facility, this would add an additional 155 visits from within the
local region. Conversations with national 4x4 groups suggest that as many as 6,000 to 8,000
visitors from outside the region may come to AOAA for outings and events sponsored by their
own clubs of the AOAA.
To put the regional demand in perspective, a 2002 visitor use report for the Allegheny National
Forest indicated that 1.7% of the 1.4 million visitors to the Forest participated in off-highway
vehicle recreation (approximately 24 thousand visits) (US Forest Service 2002). This was with
an annual use fee of $35 per rider. AOAA will probably be offering more services than the
Allegheny and consequently be able to receive similar use at somewhat higher prices.
DEMAND ANALYSIS CONCLUSIONS
The riders in the region surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area differ slightly from
those in the remainder of the Commonwealth, in terms of demographics, riding needs, and
expenditure profiles. A previous study for the Rock Run Recreation Area in Cambria County
found similar patterns (Lord, 2005).
The proposed facility is situated in an area with a large riding population. Currently there are
few public riding areas available to these folks and surveys of these riders have shown that
they are very desirous of having expanded riding opportunities. A significant proportion of the
riders in the region are children and consequently visitors to the facility will be looking for a
variety of riding opportunities suitable for the entire family.
The number of visitors will depend upon the fee charged and the gradual development of
alternative riding opportunities. At an average weekend fee of $30, approximately 25,500
ATV visitors could be expected. The actual number of visitors will depend not only upon the
price, but also upon the facility amenities, available alternatives, and marketing efforts to
promote the facility. Indeed, the initial visitation and economic impacts may take a few years
to scale up to the levels estimated here, as the facility’s amenities, marketing and reputation
are developed. Furthermore, the development and marketing of special events could attract
thousands of more visitors from throughout the northeast and add considerable to the
economic impact of this facility.
As noted earlier, the consultant has not been able to locate empirical data describing the use
patterns of ORV enthusiasts. While there are many ORV facilities and special events across
the United States, it appears that statistical data describing user needs or use patterns has
not been collected. Therefore, projections used for this demand analysis is based solely
on anecdotal responses from interviews and discussions with leaders of ORV clubs and
organizations and ORV enthusiasts.
2-30
From this unsubstantiated evidence, it is estimated that AOAA can expect about 6,000 to
8,000 ORV users annually. This number could be substantially higher if the AOAA is able to
hold any number of mid to large size ORV special events each year.
The following summarizes the total projected annual visitations to the proposed AOAA:
 Annual Projected ORV Visits: ....................6,000
 Annual Projected OHM Visits: ................. 10,000
 Annual Projected ATV Visits: ................... 25,500
Total Number of Projected Annual Visits .............41,500
EQUESTRIAN DEMAND
In May 2003, Penn State University published a study titled “Pennsylvania’s Equine Industry
Inventory, Basic Economic and Demographics Characteristics”. This study shows that the
number of equine has increased 27% in the last ten years. More than 26% of the equine are
used for recreational activities. The following is a summary of pertinent information from that
report that impacts the potential use of the proposed equine use of the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area.
The study shows the Pennsylvania Equine Industry is only second to the Tourism Industry
when comparing economic impact. The following chart describes the economic impact of the
industry in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania’s Equine Industry
General Equine
Population
Race Horse
Industry
Total State
Number of Horses
189,328
26,365
215,693
Number of Operations
28,200
2,800
31,000
Employment (No. of Jobs)
13,870
6,430
20,300
Value of PA’s Horses
$978 Million
$353 Million
$1.3 Billion
Industry Outputs (Revenue)
$780 Million
$344.5 Million
$1.12 Billion
Related Assets / Investments
$7.5 Billion
$1.12 Billion
$8.27 Billion
Expenses
$508 Million
$238 Million
$746 Million
Total Taxes
$46.3 Million
$6.9 Million
$53.2 Million
Employment Compensation
$121.2 Million
$291.1 Million
$412.3 Million
Value Added (Ripple Effects)
$427.5 Million
$187.6 Million
$615.1 Million
2-31
Characteristics of Pennsylvania’s Equine owners:
 From the general equine survey, 70% of the equine owners are female and 30% are
males. The racehorse owners were 70% male and 30% female.
 Over 60% of Pennsylvania horse owners reported trail riding their horse on public lands.
 Within the general population, more than half of the owners have owned equine for 20
or more years, and the average length of equine ownership is just over 22 years.
 Within the general population nearly 70% of the equine owners reported a level of
education beyond high school and nearly half have received at least a college degree.
 In the General population females appear to be more active participants in equine
activities, especially in the over 19 age group, and overall for all age groups.
This study indicates equine population in the region is as follows:
Equine Population
Race Horse
Population
General
Population
Total
Population
County Rank
Bradford County
0
2,329
2,329
23
Columbia County
111
2,209
2,320
24
Lycoming County
29
1,678
1,707
35
Montour County
18
455
473
63
Northumberland County
193
942
1,135
47
Snyder County
0
599
599
59
Sullivan County
0
411
411
64
Tioga County
82
1,250
1,332
45
Union County
59
1,422
1,481
43
Totals
492
11,295
11,787
Susquehanna Region
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A Google search indicates the following equestrian centers and stables are located in
Northumberland County:
 Mahantango Acres Equestrian Center
RR1 Box 1284
Herndon, PA 17830
570-425-2868
[email protected]
 Rainy Meadows Farm
163 Frederick Road
Paxinos, PA 17860
570-672-2625
[email protected]
 Susquehanna Valley Corral
205 Ridge Drive
Danville, PA 17821
(570) 275-2081
 Whispering Hollow Stables
Coal Township
570-644-0803
[email protected]
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
To help reduce potential conflicts and gain public support for the project, citizen input was
incorporated throughout the planning process. This was an all-inclusive public participation
process, including both those who support the project and those who opposed the project.
This was accomplished throughout this plan in the following manner:
 The steering committee and representatives of the Northumberland County Planning
Department met with the planning consultant periodically throughout the planning
process to provide information, review and comment on progress, and to serve as a
sounding board.
 Three general public and three public official meetings were held.
These meetings were facilitated in a manner to allow all concerned citizens to
express their opinions on the proposed project. This permitted the project team to
respond with a plan corresponding to the needs, desires, and issues raised by those
participating in the process.
The planning team assisted the Northumberland County Planning Department in
publicizing the public meetings, thereby encouraging full community participation, by:
 Drafting lead articles for local newspapers
 Preparing flyers which were placed in frequently visited / prominent community
businesses and public service buildings
 Announcing public meetings on off –highway vehicle internet forums
 Publishing email blasts to key stakeholders, organizations, and others identified
by the steering committee
Utilizing this approach the planning team achieved outstanding attendance at all of
the public meetings held for the project with attendance ranging from 300 to 450
attendees at the meetings.
As part of the public participation process, representatives of Northumberland County and
the steering committee identified key persons to be interviewed. The purpose of these
interviews was to obtain the views of the various agencies and individuals on the proposed
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Furthermore, several existing OHV facility operators were
interviewed in order to learn from their experiences. The key persons were categorized as
follows:
 Economic Development and Tourist Promotion Interests
 OHV Facilities
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 OHV Interests and Businesses
 Non-Motorized Recreation Interests
 Environmental Interests
Each form of public input was considered during the planning process and the formulation of
the recommendation contained in this plan. Each public participation component is further
described throughout this plan and meeting minutes are on file in the Northumberland County
Planning Department office.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Six steering committee meetings were held throughout the course of the planning process on
the following dates:
•
•
•
•
•
June 6, 2010
August 11,2010
October 11, 2010
February 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
The purpose of the steering committee meetings included collecting and discussion
information, data, opinions, thoughts, ideas, issues, concerns, and opportunities; detailed
discussion regarding recommendations, policies, management and operation structures; and
building consensus around recommendations and implementation strategies being proposed
in this master plan.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Three public meetings were held during the course of this project on the following dates:
•
•
•
July, 27, 2010
October 19, 2010
July 6, 2011
All of the public meetings were well attended, generating between 150 and 375 attendees per
meeting.
At the first public meeting the project and the planning process were introduced, the
properties being considered were reviewed, and attendees identified opportunities,
constraints, and expressed issues and concerns they had regarding the proposed facility.
Comments received during this meeting were documented in a 33 page Record of Public Input.
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At the second public meeting the following were items were discussed, and the attendees
were asked to provide comments and feedback on these items: economic development
potential of the proposed project; the proposed concept plan for the facility; a proposal for
integrated operations & life safety management system; potential rules and policies; and
a summary of research on fee structures. Comments received during this meeting were
documented in a 11 page Record of Public Input.
At the third public meeting the draft recommendations for the facility were presented and
meeting attendees were invited to ask questions or comment on the draft recommendations
contained in the Draft Master Plan and Economic Development Strategies document.
Comments from the participants are recorded in the meeting minutes.
FOCUS GROUP AND MUNICIPAL MEETINGS
Several focus group and municipal meetings occurred throughout the planning process as well.
These meetings included:
•
•
•
•
August 11,2010 - Community Leaders Meeting
October 19, 2010 - First Responders Meeting
October 19, 2010 - County Solicitor Meeting
March 3, 2011 - Community Leaders and First Responders Meetings
AUGUST 11,2010 ‐ COMMUNITY LEADERS MEETING
The agenda for the initial community leaders meeting included: introducing the OHV planning
process; why are we undertaking this endeavor and what have we learned so far in the
planning process; soliciting their thoughts and ideas for addressing issues and capitalizing on
the planned OHV area including:
1) Land Use & Infrastructure
2) Economic Development
3) Public Safety
4) Transportation and Wayfinding
5) Intergovernmental Cooperation
And, their reaction to the input collected at the first public meeting. Approximately 20
municipal representatives attended the meeting. Community officials expressed concern
over the current issues associated with the properties including: illegal dumping, drinking and
driving, the “wild west” atmosphere on the properties, concerns with irresponsible ATV use
on local streets and through residential neighborhoods, and concern with the potential loss
of coal mining opportunities and associated jobs and associated revenue generated from the
properties.
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Officials expressed concern over the amount of time, effort, and costs associated with
responding to accidents, vandalism, and investigation of illegal dumping on the properties.
Representatives of the County indicated that coal related activities will not cease because of
the OHV area’s development, but that portions of the facility may be closed on a temporary
basis to permit continued coal mining.
Further, they indicated the coal mining activities will be planned in conjunction with the
development of new trails and access roads so coal activities would be assisting with making
improvements to the facility.
Municipal officials expressed concern with renegade OHV activities in their communities,
speeding, late night riding, riding without being registered, riding while under the influence,
etc. Further, there are currently so many points of access to 6,000 plus acres they can’t be
caught. When discussing existing land use and existing/potential land use controls, officials
indicated they do not desire to increase controls on local residents, but there is a desire to
enforce current laws, and to provide designated access points from surrounding communities
and residential neighborhoods.
Municipal officials desire for the OHV area to be a family friendly environment, providing OHV
opportunities for all ages and abilities, as well as providing non-motorized opportunities for
those not inclined to pursue OHV activities.
Officials discussed how the proposed OHV area would become a destination, and that
gateway improvements into the region and the respective communities should be improved.
Officials indicated they have had inquiries from potential start-up businesses looking to
provide goods and services to the OHV area’s visitors and recognize the positive economic
development opportunities associated with the proposed OHV area and its impact of their
local municipalities. Officials also discussed the lack of adequate lodging accommodations in
the region to meet the anticipated demand for overnight facilities. County representatives
indicated they are reaching out to potential developers and retail chains to encourage them to
develop a hotel in the region to meet the projected needs of the OHV area.
Attendees expressed cautious optimism for the proposed project. They also expressed
concern over negative issues currently associated with the illicit use and activity on the
properties being considered. Law enforcement representatives have a difficult time addressing
issues on the property because they are often out manned and out armed. Many officers are
hesitant to conduct routine patrols/enforcement activities because they do not feel safe unless
they have sufficient backup available to call in if necessary. This is further complicated by the
inability of local police departments being able to communicate with State Police because their
radio frequencies are not interconnected.
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FIRST RESPONDERS MEETINGS
Two meetings were held with first responders during the course of this planning process
including municipal police, fire, & EMS, as well as representatives of the Pennsylvania State
Police, and Geisinger Health System Life Flight. During the first meeting responders expressed
concern over the number of responses to the properties, and the lack of current riders
understanding the need for personal protection equipment while riding, such as helmets,
boots, gloves, goggles, seat belt restraints in full size vehicles, etc. Responders indicated
that by creating the riding area there is an opportunity to provide a safe, regulated riding
area where visitors can be educated and personal protection equipment requirements can be
enforced. Responders indicated they currently have difficulty reaching certain areas of the
properties because of the isolation from public roads and due to difficult terrain. Responders
suggested the development of the OHV area would expand vehicular access to properties,
and that there are opportunities to designate and provide medical evacuation landing
zones throughout the properties to assist emergency response time to remote areas of the
properties.
Local and state law enforcement expressed concern over the current “wild west” atmosphere
on the properties, the unlimited access points that currently exist, and renegade riding that
occurs both on the County properties, and in/through their municipalities.
At the second first responders meeting potential rules for the OHV area were presented and
discussed, and the consultant presented a draft of the master plan focusing on proposed
access and medical evacuation routes and landing zones. Attendees were pleased with the
proposed access improvements and indicated that such a facility will address the concerns they
currently have with riding that occurs on the properties.
OCTOBER 19, 2010 ‐ COUNTY SOLICITOR MEETING
Throughout the process the County Solicitor participated in the planning process. Specific
meetings and discussions were held with the solicitor to discuss a number of items including:
creating an authority to manage the proposed OHV area, proposed rules, reducing the
potential liability associated with developing the proposed OHV area, the Haluska amendment
to the State’s Comparative Negligence Act to provide OHV areas with voluntary assumption of
risk by participating in OHV activities, and examples of adult & minor waivers from other OHV
areas.
MARCH 3, 2011 ‐ COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
MEETINGS
At the second municipal officials meeting officials reviewed and provided feedback on the draft
master plan. They noted the plan responded to their desire to have designated access points,
and access improvements for first responders. They also noted the plan provides opportunities
encouraging the private development of service providers on properties adjacent to the OHV
area, along the main streets of the local municipalities, and within the region at large.
2-38
Preliminary economic projections were reviewed and discussed with the local officials, and
officials discussed how to partner with special events that may be held at the OHV area by
inviting certain activities and events to be coordinated in their municipalities, in support
of the event. An example of this that was discussed was having rock crawling events hold
driver meet and greets, technical inspections, and other activities in the downtown area. This
would not only encourage participants to support local businesses, it would also encourage
spectators, crews, and many others to support local businesses as well.
Attendees discussed concerns over current illegal activities on the properties, and the amount
of time effort and money spent to respond to activities and accidents on the site. Officials
agreed that formalizing the properties as a riding area, establishing and enforcing rules, and
providing riding opportunities developed in accordance with the industry’s best practices,
would, over time, reduce their commitment to the properties. Representatives of the
Pennsylvania State Police said they agree that development of the OHV area will be good for
the area, and address many of the concerns they have with riding in the area currently.
County officials announced they are discussing a potential partnership with Geisinger Health
Systems to provide youth OHV education opportunities, and safe riding campaigns. Further,
Bloomsburg University is interested in partnering with the County to track and quantify
economic development activities associated with the development of the OHV area.
SUMMARY OF KEY PERSON INTERVIEWS
As part of the public participation process, representatives of Northumberland County and
the steering committee identified key persons to be interviewed. The purpose of these
interviews was to obtain the views of the various agencies and individuals on the proposed
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Furthermore, several existing OHV facility operators were
interviewed in order to learn from their experiences. The key persons were categorized as
follows:
Economic Development & Tourist Promotion Interests
1. Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau - Andrew Miller, Executive Director
2. Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority - Jim King, Director
3. Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce - Sandy Winhofer, Director, & Warren
Altomare, Board Member
4. Zerbe Township Business Owners
OHV Facilities
5. Badlands OHV Area, IN - Kyle Knosp
6. Coal Creek OHV Area, TN - Brent Galloway, General Manager, Coal Creek Company
7. Tri-County ATV Recreation and Rescue Association - Ann Hertzog
8. Rock Run Recreation Area - Gary Haluska, Chair, Pat Leyo, Vice Chair, & Mike Kutruff,
Park Manager
2-39
OHV Interests and Businesses
9. National Off-Road Association - Pearse Umlaf, Director
10. EMS Off-Road Shop - Eric Startzel
11. PA Jeeps - Wayne Fish
12. Scott/Thor Representative - Bevo Forti
13. Quadratec - Craig Jaros, Outside Marketing Director
Non-Motorized Recreation Interests
14. Pennsylvania Equine Council - Gwenn Wills
15. Ski Roundtop (Zip Line / Canopy Tour)
Environmental Interests
16. Shamokin Creek Restoration Authority - Jim Koharski and Ed Gunn
17. Pennsylvania Game Commission - Eric Miller
18. Northumberland County Conservation District - Judi Becker- District Manager, Jaci
Harner - Watershed Specialist, & Pete Ackley- Erosion & Sediment Technician
19. American Chestnut Foundation - Blair Carbaugh
20. Bureau of Mine Reclamation – T.J. Matinas, P.E., Kim Snyder, P.E., & John Curley, P.E.
Other Interests
21. Reading Anthracite - John Rampolla, Chief Financial Officer
22. Girard Estates - Roy Green
23. Excelsior Residents - Bernadette and Bill Yeager, and others
24. PA DCNR Geologic Survey - Jim Shaulis, Senior Geologist
25. Bloomsburg University, Department of Biology and College of Business
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURIST PROMOTION INTERESTS
Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau - Andrew Miller, Executive Director
Miller indicated they (SRV) did not want to begin promoting the project without permission.
He mentioned the SRV Board of Directors are interested in the project. In his opinion the
proposed recreation area’s uniqueness is its draw and that the SRV is thrilled to have it in the
area. He noted the impressive existing draw of visitors to the area through only word-ofmouth and once marketed it would draw even more visitors. He feels this could be one of the
larger attractions in the tri-county region.
SRV develops niche brochures to market the region’s assets and they are developing an
outdoor recreation-themed brochure. The recreation area could be a great addition.
Miller described many other activities in the region that could compliment the proposed AOAA
or utilize its space:
 The “River Town Race Series” (a successful competitive series of events in the region)
might be able to host an event on the proposed AOAA site
 Local 5K or 10K events
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He indicated one of the obstacles to overcome in Northumberland County is that there are
few options for overnight lodging. The presence of Knoebel’s and the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area might attract a hotel. There was an idea for a hotel at Knoebel’s at one point
in time but the challenge was the winter months.
There is some hesitation/skepticism in the region regarding these types of projects because
there have been multiple “feasibility studies” done for attractions that did not result in
anything.
The SRV website could link to the Adventure Area’s website or it may even warrant its own
sub-page on the SRV’s website. The SRV would be willing to help promote the adventure area.
Miller mentioned some of the other attractions in the area including:







Knoebel’s Amusement Park
Reptile Land
T&D Cats
Wine Trail
State Parks
Universities, and
Festivals (such as Brewfest)
He indicated there was approximately $300 million dollars spent by visitors in the tri-county
area in 2006 according to a study by the SRV. He offered the following ideas for partnerships
with the AOAA:
 Partner with Universities for educational opportunities
 Boy Scouts for educational and recreational space, and
 Local festivals could use the space (ethnic festivals are very popular in the area)
Northumberland County Industrial Development - Jim King
King provided an overview of industrial development in the area over recent history. He
mentioned the SEEDCO/Coal Township Industrial Park specifically and the current efforts
to develop the property. The water company in much of the area is Aqua Pennsylvania.
Shamokin’s water system has a large capacity (7-8 million gallons per day, of which, only 60%
is usually used). King suggested we meet with the County Engineer for further information
regarding infrastructure in the area.
Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce - Sandy Winhofer & Warren Altomare
There was a concern expressed that the economic development benefits of the recreation
project may be exaggerated and that the types of businesses that spin-off from the project
will be limited. The Chamber would like to see more detail (including numbers if possible)
regarding the potential economic development. It would help if for example, a local pizza shop
would know specifically how they would benefit. The Chamber mentioned that local realtors
indicated to them that there are some OHV enthusiasts looking for residential real-estate in the
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area already in anticipation of the Adventure Area’s arrival. The Chamber also felt that people
are looking for campgrounds.
The general opinion of the proposed OHV facility’s impact on existing businesses will be that
businesses will adapt to the new clientele.
Some communities in neighboring counties have cracked down on ATV riding by adopting laws
with the ability to confiscate equipment.
The Chamber’s input on management options for the proposed OHV facility are that it should
be run by a private entity because the county does not have the necessary capacity to run it.
The Chamber agreed they would support the proposed recreation area. They requested to see
some positive economic development figures that they could use as examples and would like
to see the local conservation groups get involved in the planning process. They would like to
see the conservation group’s desired property overlaid on the map of the OHV area.
Warren and Sandy mentioned the Pennsylvania Trap Shoot held in Elysburg as a good example
of positive economic development generated by an event in the area.
It was mentioned that some hotel chains had done research in the area for potential
development but the lack of activity during winter months presented a hindrance to their
development.
Examples of nearby lodging (which they noted are consistently booked) include:




Country Inn and Suites on 81 ( 70 rooms)
Frackville Holiday Inn and Suites (65 rooms)
Pine Burr Inn in Atlas (about 20 rooms)
Sleepy Hollow Bed and Breakfast (7 rooms)
Zerbe Township Business Owners
The County Planning Department met with Zerbe Township Business Owners to discuss the
project, economic data, facts about Rock Run, Hatfield McCoy, what the County hopes to
accomplish, a status of the industry currently, a direction we plan to head toward, a time line,
and then opened the floor.
The following questions were fielded and discussed.




Visitors Center – Location, services offered, access, design, infrastructure.
The role of Reading Anthracite in the project.
Past, present, and future of Coal Hill.
How will we track the users, secure the property, provide support to local EMS and
enforcement agencies - Where will the security firm be located while tracking this data?
 What are the benefits to Zerbe Township in addition to more people, better business,
etc.
2-42




Who will run the facility?
What options do they or we have to get Reading Anthracite to come in on the project?
What and how will we incorporate Zerbe Township if Reading doesn’t come along?
Is the technology investment worthwhile for security? - Is it done anywhere else?
OHV FACILITIES
Badlands OHV Park - Mr. Kyle Knosp, Badlands ATV Park, Atica, Indiana, former operator of
Paragon
Kyle operated Paragon ATV Park in eastern PA until 2007 when it closed due to his loss of the
lease for the property. He now operates a facility in Indiana.
Safety and liability – Safety and liability go hand-in-hand. ATV facilities, by nature, have a high
risk factor. To manage risk, the operator needs to design and manage the facility with that in
mind. Establishment and enforcement of appropriate rules are key to managing safety.
Liability waiver – All users at the Badlands ATV Park are required to sign a waiver of liability. A
responsible adult is required to sign for anyone under the age of 18.
Paragon closing – The Paragon site was closed due to an issue with the lease of the property.
It had nothing to do with the success of the site. Paragon continued to be profitable until it
closed.
Coal Creek OHV Area - Brent Galloway, General Manager, Coal Creek Company.
Galloway provided an overview of the Coal Creek OHV area by indicating the Coal Creek
Company is a resource extraction company first and foremost, coal, natural gas, oil, and timber.
They also have two subsidiaries, the Coal Creek OHV Park, and WindRock Park. The Coal
Creek OHV area encompasses the 72,000 acres of property held by the Coal Creek Company.
WindRock Park is a campground on the Coal Creek Company property that caters to the OHV
community by providing RV, tent, and primitive camp sites, and camping cabins.
Up until 2000 the Coal Creek Company actively pursued and prosecuted trespassers on their
property. The property was very popular with the OHV community. Many of those trespassers
were on a variety of OHVs. Around 2000 they decided there may be a financial opportunity to
open their lands to OHV activities and turn the negative aspect of enforcement to a positive
aspect of establishing a legal riding area.
Galloway said the OHV area represents about one third of their annual revenue, with the other
two thirds split equally between coal and natural gas extraction.
They have three full-time employees who operate the OHV and campground areas, one full
time security and two part time (weekend) employees.
They have 2 active strip mines and one active deep mine on the property. Riding is not
permitted in or around the mines.
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They have owned the property since the 1800’s.
Cost for the permits are as follows:
Adults
$17
$33
$44
$55
$88
Daily Permit
Two Day
Three Day
Four Day
Annual
Children 12 & Under
$8
$16
$22
$28
$44
Tri-County ATV Recreation and Rescue Association - Ann Hertzog, President
Tri-County ATV Recreation and Rescue Association is a membership based Association. Their
mission is to support the sport of ATVing through legal and safe riding areas, safety training,
public awareness, and respect for the environment, as well as cooperation with local rescue
units to promote outdoor safety.
The Association has nine hundred and four families. The Association owns 596 acres and lease
or have land agreements for another 1500. On this property they have over one hundred miles
of trails. Other facilities include:
 500’ regulation dirt drag track
 2 Motocross tracks - 1 adult and 1 child
 Hill climbs
 Mud bog
 40’ x 60’ enclosed pavilion, complete with grills, coolers, soda, ice cream, general
member access; also picnic tables, seating and other picnic areas in and around the
enclosed pavilion
 Complete kitchen
 Campground - members camp free of charge
 Concessions - Two facilities, concession and kitchen are open on weekends from
Memorial Day through Sept 30th
 Children’s playground (swings, slides, full playground equipment)
 First Aid Station
 BBQ pit (chicken and other BBQ events are held throughout the summer season)
 Wash station for Quads
 Consignment shop with parts and gear is open on the weekends during season
Annual Family Membership $110.00 first year, $95.00 subsequent years, plus $5 per additional
vehicle tag (one tag provided with membership).
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Rock Run Recreation Area - Gary Haluska, Chair, Pat Leyo, Vice Chair, & Mike Kutruff, Park
Manager
The Rock Run season is from April 1st to October 31st, and they are open Wednesday through
Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. They have three full time employees, and 6-7 dedicated
volunteers. 6,000 acres, with fifty miles of trail, and approximately 50 permanent primitive
camp sites, and another 210 temporary camp sites.
They have been open for three full seasons, 2007-2009. The first three years have been
successful as they have turned a profit each year. The biggest issue they have is that locals are
resistant to change and that not many of the locals visit Rock Run.
Rock Run has received notice that the funding is in place for Phase II, $690,000 for the
development of an additional 50 miles of trails.
Since opening they have secured several grants that have allowed them to make
improvements. They include:
 DCED Grant for construction of maintenance garage
 $20,000 from Yamaha for additional trail development
 $5,000 from Polaris for education and training.
They conduct two youth safety training days per year, one in the spring and one in the fall.
These days are coordinated through the schools. They would like to have one major event
each month.
They work hard to ensure Rock Run, and all events and activities are oriented to families.
That’s their main focus and customer base. About 40% of those visiting Rock Run are off road
motorcycle riders.
Rock Run’s development plan is for slow steady growth of facilities and ridership. Rock Run
does not view other ATV facilities as competitors but rather as partners who can work with
each other to cross promote OHV opportunities.
Since the construction of the first 50 miles of trails, local OHV (4x4) clubs have developed trails
in the areas allocated in the master plan. The clubs have laid out and constructed the trails.
There are 5-6 miles of trail that have been developed.
They aren’t aggressive in enforcing the rules at Rock Run but use them to educate folks as they
arrive, and enforce them when necessary.
They have an estimated 5,000 – 6,000 visitors per year, excluding special events. In 2010,
Fisher’s ATV Reunion drew approximately 3,500 visitors over the course of the weekend.
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OHV INTERESTS AND BUSINESSES
National Off-Road Association - Pearse Umlauf, Director
a.
b.
c.
d.
Manage resources
Manage concerns of local communities
Promote fun, safe, enjoyable experiences
Establish rules to ensure long term vision can be achieved, want to be like Rubicon Trail,
Moab, and not like Tellico.
5% can spoil it for 95%, as a representative of the industry he says he will tell them they must
follow the rules, period. Need to set tough policies, i.e. what should be done after first offense,
confiscate vehicle second offense, need stiff penalties, so not following the rules will not be
worth the risk.
EMS Off Road Shop - Eric Startzel, Owner
Full service mechanical- custom axles, suspensions; no engines and transmissions; geographic
range 1-6 hrs for service calls; parts sales; design and manufacture parts for special usesoutsource manufacturing (dodge wheel hub conversions most popular product).
Overview of AOAA- good opportunity of enthusiasts for legal/safe operations; HUGE economic
impact to region; King of Hammers series as a competition to bring large numbers of people
to region. As a business owner expecting some client base expansions; if project goes will add
space with 1 staff member.
Key needs in region: 80%+ of current sales from out of area (Canada, Alaska, MT, ID, CA, and
other western states); like to add local business to grow business; sell national products locally
in a new showroom (Fox, Detroit Lockers, WARN, etc…) potentially additional retail space.
Key amenity needs at recreation area: paved parking/loading areas; improved loading/
unloading areas; theme with Anthracite Heritage- follow history, delineate history, visitor
center designed like breaker, showcase equipment of coal industry, interpretive signing,
history signing; meeting rooms; pavilion with stage for competition awards, possible band area
for outdoor concerts/amphitheater.
Competitions- excellent if done “right”, need professional organizations for success and
promotion, doesn’t take up much area; plan for disruptions of services to general attendees;
Rock Crawling sport losing attendees due to high cost to enter, poor payouts and long
distances between events.
How will project fail- high entry fees, poor organization/management, environmental damage
(bad press), fighting with other off road areas (friendly competition good but no bad talk), no
special exceptions for small groups (all clubs/groups treated the same)- give them an area of
the property but don’t close the whole thing.
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PA Jeeps – Wayne Fish, President
Driving instructor for Drive Inc. in MD & DE with dealerships (Land Rover, Toyota); currently
doing training in Napa, MD on ~20 acres private property.
Key needs: need challenging trails; well designated trails; need more blue/black trails; staging/
parking areas for off loading and orientations; need enough trail to keep it interesting (may
cover +20 miles/day).
Key amenities: restrooms, bathrooms; gas/parts; diesel fuel stations; 4x4’s stay for a day and
drive home vs. ATV’s who camp and ride for days; camping/parking areas; need gathering
location- pavilions; meeting rooms; awards area, dinner location for post-events; make
“offshoots” of challenging trails from easy trails (not committed to extreme full trail).
How will the AOAA fail- “big brother” intrusion; govt regulations; local govt cooperation;
dangerous trails (steep drop offs, mine pits); mixed use on same trails (separate OHV’s and
ATV’s); uncontrolled road use; education of users and cohabitation on trails (how do horses
and OHV’s interact); issues with hunters (simply close during season); issues with locals who
trespass and vandalize areas; issues with illegal dumps as the property is viewed as a dumping
ground for generations.
Competitions- bring in exposure; draws crowds; doesn’t conflict with trail rides.
Scott/Thor Representative - Bevo Forti, Yamaha factory-MX team mechanic, Scott Sports
currently- public relations, event coordinator, and race support
Key needs: regional- job creation, income for area, bring in $’s from outside the area; provide
outlets for youth of the region (nothing to do).
Project needs- need enough length of trail for long vacation trips; no hassles on trails by others
(head on, trespassing concerns); access to amenities (gas, hotels, and mechanical support on
site [goggles, tires, tubes, rental helmets, plugs]; Reasonable pricing on parts and accessories
(no $100 inner tubes or $15 sodas).
How will project fail- poor management; question if it is reasonable to mix all uses in one
place?; reasonable rules and regulations (don’t over regulate); return on payments- people are
paying to ride and want freedoms to ride; separate camping areas (family area separate from
party camping areas).
Competitions: amateur, pro, fun (jamborees); gives national exposure.
Consider giving locals a price break to ride.
Quadratec - Craig Jaros, Outside Marketing Director:
Quadratec is a mail order company that started in 1995 and has grown to employ 100+
employees, and it is the largest Jeep specific print catalog (500,000- 1 million catalogs are
sent each mailing with 4 mailings/year) worldwide. Quadratec only sells parts, they do not
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NON‐MOTORIZED RECREATION INTERESTS
Pennsylvania Equine Council - Gwenn Willis, Trail Stewardship Program Director
Gwen cited results of “Pennsylvania’s Equine Industry Inventory, Basic Economic and
Demographics Characteristics”, completed by Penn State University in May 2003. This study
shows that the number of equine has increased 27% in the last ten years. More than 26% of the
equine are used for recreational activities.
Gwenn said the study shows the Pennsylvania Equine Industry is only second to the Tourism
Industry when comparing economic impact.
The Pennsylvania Equine Council offers Trail Stewardship Training promoting Ride Smart /
Leave No Trace, and sustainable trail design.
Gwenn indicated that Trail Stewardship takes place at the grass roots level. A local club needs
to get involved, and sponsor (take ownership) of a trail system.
Gwenn indicated the United States Department of Agriculture’s publication “Equestrian
Design Guidebook for trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds” serves as a great resource when
planning for equestrian facilities and trails. She indicated the typical walking speed of a horse
is generally three miles per hour. Riders prefer looped trail systems with one (3 miles), two (six
miles) and three (nine miles) hour loops. Larger trail systems provide variety. Trails need to
have a good compacted base, horses will displace material. The greatest need, and most often
overlooked amenity for trails is parking that will accommodate horse trailers and vehicles.
Ski Roundtop - Zip Lines Course
Open May- September; Saturday and Sunday; 10 am to 5 pm. Scheduled Trek times are 10
am, 11 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. Each time slot will accommodate up to 8 people.
Average group is 4-5 people.
Each Trek takes ~3 hours and includes 13 zip stations with several ropes challenges linking zip
platforms. Cost is $59.00/person and includes harnesses, helmets and gloves. Participants are
encouraged to bring water.
Ages 10+. All participants must be between 70 - 250 lbs. The Trek has many features that
require some level of physical stamina. There are some features where the participant
is zipping on a line from tree to tree for up to 400 feet at a height of as much as 40 feet off the
ground.
They were not willing to share info on neither profit/loss nor volume of participants.
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ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS
Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance - Jim Koharski and Ed Gunn
They have areas contained within the proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area that
they would appreciate we take a look at to see if there is anything possible that we can do
to address the traffic. During our discussion we agreed the solutions are quite easy and the
County can mitigate the problems.
In the area known as ‘The Projects’ they completed a ‘sandbag’ project of about one hundred
and twenty five feet long to control acid mine drainage runoff. That project needs to be
spruced up as the bags are beginning to deteriorate.
They have an area known as Site 42. They need help in this area by keeping traffic away from
it as best we can. In the area of the Site 42 on one side of the treatment area the OHV’s have
created a road and it’s causing silt run off into the treatment ponds. We discussed considering
closing the one side to traffic and directing it to the opposite side.
They also provided the following work list for their group and concerns they have for the
future, along Carbon Run. The proposed OHV area may be able to help with some of their
projects. SCRA environmental issues on Carbon Run that should be addressed in the future:
 Put Limestone in the headwaters.
 New gate at entrance or fix damaged one.
 Redo the ponds at site 42.
 Remove remodeling materials/garbage debris from northeast side of ponds
 Regrade/ add material to road surface along south side of ponds
 Ruts in road. Water is running into 2nd pond
 Add more dirt/rocks blocking eastern entrance on northern side of site (OHVs made
this entrance) / or post land WALKINS ONLY or BOTH
 They are also using our eastern gate and crossing Carbon Run and running up road
along the south side of ponds.
 Revisit/rework the sandbagging project at the bluegill project
 Last time I visited site, bags deteriorated and water was flowing over some of the
sandbags, on the map, it looks like a discharge near restored wetlands
 Check on wetlands across from strip pit section of site 42
 Leaching of limestone at Rosini property or does Gun Club own land? May be on
BAMR’s future agenda.
 Site 49: Shamokin Filler has plans in hand and should proceed with updates at plant
and rebuild a new breaker
 Clean out Carbon Run (garbage)
 Do we have to treat any of the discharges listed on Scarlift report, along Carbon Run?
 Check the water quality at Bear Valley Dam.
 Contact Coal Township street department to begin site 48 cleanout of first pond and
redo Inlet to site.
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Pennsylvania Game Commission - Eric Miller, Public Lands Biologist
He is familiar with the riparian areas directly around the power lines close to the Fairview gun
club property. He is aware of ruffed grouse in that area but there are OHV trails working there
as well so everyone has learned to adapt based on current OHV traffic volumes, however,
higher traffic could possibly affect long term wildlife use. It’s likely these areas on county
property near this will need to be addressed in the plan.
It’s obvious to him that we will be addressing erosion and siltation concerns as has been
mentioned in our trail planning. He would like to take a layout of our zones or roads and give
us his input once we have them established. Also he is willing, when we have time to schedule
a trip to the area, to point out places of concern.
We discussed the fact that we will be utilizing many of the current trails in existence. It’s likely
we will improve them somewhat and there will also be trails we need to close. In those cases
we obviously will want to use native species and get them set up to help accommodate wildlife
native to the area.
Eric indicated that although Woodcock are listed as a species of Special Concern, development
cannot be stopped as they are not endangered. Woodcock / woodcock habitat is a good
management target because they are an umbrella species and creating / managing habitat for
them also benefits numerous other species depending on that type of habitat. Blue-winged
warblers, flycatchers, golden-winged warblers, brown thrashers, whip-poor-will, yellow
breasted chat are other species of special concern that use woodcock habitat.
He does not believe what we are proposing is a serious problem. He would like to be a 3rd
party mediator between the County and Habitat for Wildlife. He is confident this can work
together. He said in areas where nesting woodcock have been identified, determine what
kind of buffer/ management is necessary. He said it would certainly be very nice to have 1,000
acres of ground dedicated to woodcock but you can have trails going through them, especially
because trails already are going through them. They shouldn’t be trails as wide as the road
by the Whaleback, but certainly a twenty feet wide, or less, trail is acceptable. All that said,
if we are isolating certain pieces of ground for sole dedication to wildlife habitat, fifty to one
hundred acres is sufficient when interspersed properly so wildlife can safely move between.
We need to evaluate the areas to confirm or deny the species that have established habitat.
He said many times he is very confident and interested in helping us in a way to make the
project mutually beneficial.
Northumberland County Conservation District - Judi Becker- District Manager, Jaci Harner Watershed Specialist, and Pete Ackley- Erosion & Sediment Technician
The District’s area of concern focused on several sensitive areas, most specifically along Carbon
Run. There is a passive AMD treatment system on the property that cannot be impacted nor
disturbed. The NCCD would like to see some educational efforts (signing, delineation, etc.)
directed at the current passive system. They feel there this is a great opportunity to educate
the users on the importance and operation of these passive systems. Their hope is that
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through education, they can minimize any disturbance in these areas.
Jaci noted there is some need for limestone lining of the creek channel at some location and
wondered if this would be part of the project. I noted we did not plan for any limestone
treatment; however, noted we have had many offers by users and clubs to donate time and
resources. Once the facility became operational, there may be an opportunity to rally a work
party to assist with this effort in conjunction with NCCD and the Watershed Group.
They indicated the riparian buffer area along Carbon Run must be preserved and not disturbed.
I noted that concept plan proposes the entire area along the creek as a buffer area and we
are not proposing to construct new trails in that area that would impact the riparian buffer. I
noted there is an existing road with associated culvert crossings that would be utilized as a
portion of the main emergency access road. As this is an existing road and crossing, they did
not see any issues with using this road.
As with the creek, they requested some educational efforts be directed at the riparian areas.
Again, educational signing or markings to better educate users of the importance, use, aquatic
habitat, groundwater filtration and overall need for riparian buffer areas. I noted there has
been riding in these areas which they too had seen. I noted it is our intent to develop “play
areas” and “mud areas” in other areas to give users access to these activities, while keeping
them out of these buffer areas.
They asked if we would be planting trees to further develop the existing riparian buffer area.
I noted at this time there were no plans for plantings or additional trees in this area. They
recommended that if this could be considered it would help establish the area and further
buffer internal noise within the facility property.
The NCCD has a concern about rogue trail development and riding beyond the designated
trails. I discussed the proposed monitoring system and the ability to track and monitor users.
Pete was specifically concerned about trespassing and unauthorized trails. I noted that with
the system one would be able to identify trespassing; however, operational response would
be subject to staff availability. We discussed similar facilities (Rock Run and Rausch Creek) that
rely on “self policing”.
The staff felt that any educational signing and environmental outreach should be part of the
public meeting process and be mentioned. They felt that telling the public we are looking
at protecting these areas and offering educational opportunities would go a long way in
garnering public support and offset some of the misconceptions pervading the region and the
web.
They asked about the Enterprise Site and uses there. I noted the intent was to minimize
motorized activities but perhaps allow for non-motorized activities (hiking, biking, etc.). They
noted this area could also be a location for educational and interpretive signing.
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Pete briefly discussed permitting for construction. At this stage he is thinking this would be
one large NPDES permit for disturbance with multiple phases. That said they may require an
overall plan for development before issuing any individual project permits. He noted we would
need to deal with sediment run off for trail construction. I noted many of the roads are existing
and we would be simply delineating them versus doing any actual construction.
We discussed that when we get to design, permitting and construction there will need to
be more meetings with NCCD. Our approach as we get to construction phase would be to
identify areas and bring NCCD staff on to the site to look at issues before we began design or
permitting. They also advocated for this approach.
American Chestnut Foundation - Blair Carbaugh, member
Blair was in contact with the Commissioners about a year ago to explore their interest in
allowing him to plant test plots of chestnut trees on certain areas of abandoned mine lands in
the OHV project area. Blair then withdrew for a few other reasons.
It is his belief that chestnut trees, in particular American Chestnut trees will go very well on
reclaimed mine lands because of the pH of the soil and lack of compaction. Blair doesn’t have
much research to support this thesis, but the little he has shown very favorable results.
Blair is very interested in working with the County, in particular this project to plant some of
these test plots. He is talking a need for maybe a tenth to a twentieth of an acre for a test plot.
He can provide the seedlings and man power to manage them.
Pat Mack offered Blair the opportunity, in the spring of 2011, to plant a few test plots of 30 – 60
trees on the property. He has enough seedlings available for 2 or 3 test plots, but he needs the
blessing of the foundation before he does anything.
The test plots will be studied for 5 years and if all goes well he then would like to provide his
research to DEP, OSM, and other reclamation agencies to prove that in lieu of requiring grass
and ground cover in reclamation projects it is far cheaper for the company to plant areas of
chestnut seeds, which will grow relatively quickly.
If Foundation grants him permission he believes, with a little help, he can begin to make
it happen. It was suggested that he might want to explore partnering with Bloomsburg
University and get them involved on the research project. He indicated he is working with a
few students who may help him with the research as well.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection – Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation
An informational meeting was held with the following Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclaimation representatives at their regional office in Wilkes-Barre: TJ Matinas, PE- Senior
Civil Engineer, Kim Snyder, PE- Senior Civil Engineer, and John Curley, PE- Senior Civil Engineer.
BAMR is supportive of adaptive re-use of mined properties anywhere in the region. They
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cautioned of the unstable nature of mined property. One day a trail may be stable and
overnight a mine hole may open as the entire area has been mined to some extent.
Determining specific locations that may be unstable is difficult as areas of concern would need
to be identified and then paper copies of each related mining map, if available, would need to
be pulled from BAMR archives and reviewed. The difficulty is that their files are not geolocated
and coordinated with their GIS database.
We reviewed our map and the locations of additional mine shafts and open pits that do not
appear in their records and asked if BAMR had better records or more complete information.
They concurred that these locations are not in their system. They also noted their survey of
the site was completed in 1994 so new issues may have arisen since then. As a follow-up to the
meeting the coordinates of these locations were provided to BAMR.
We discussed the fact BAMR does not do as-built site surveys, only survey post-reclamation
cross-sections to verify the project is completed as designed.
BAMR is willing to work with the County to develop reclamation projects that enhance
the planned OHV facility. We discussed the current BAMR reclamation project planned on
the County property. The project scope has been established. We discussed whether the
County had an opportunity for additional input into the project, like potentially changing the
location of the reclamation. BAMR noted they had met with the County in the past about the
project and the County was aware of the criteria for the site selection. As there are Priority
1-3 locations representing a host of dangerous locations, BAMR has created the current
project. They indicated it is not their practice to “bounce” around a property and spot select
remediation locations. For example: they wouldn’t deal with a mine shaft while leaving a highwall in place. When BAMR looks at an area, they like to address a host of concerns in one place
to maximize the dollars spent. This said, BAMR noted they would be willing to discuss other
priority areas with the County if there are areas of concern (ex. Series of open shafts, cones,
open pits, etc.) in another area. That said, the current project is moving along and the County
would need to approach BAMR with alternatives soon if a change was to be made.
BAMR staff appreciated the outreach and the information on the project in advance of
development and certainly supported the re-use plans for the property. They are willing to
discuss further with the County as the project moves forward.
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OTHER INTERESTS
Reading Anthracite - John Rampolla, Chief Financial Officer
Rampolla indicated he is personally interested as he owns ATV’s; he’s not sure how the
ownership feels about it. He said a concern of Reading’s is the public perception of Reading,
and that they do not want to be perceived as the ‘bad guy’. We briefly spoke about Coal Hill
and how there is concern from the Township about the current riding that is occurring there.
He said Reading is in the energy business and that’s their first and foremost concern.
Regarding the Whaleback Anticline John stated the coal resources remaining in that area are
very valuable to Reading and he believes the County would not be in the position to afford
what Reading would want for the property.
We discussed the County properties, and the plan for a proposed trail access immediately east
of S.R. 125. I indicated there is interest in Zerbe Township to have an access to the proposed
facility from the western end, but the County does not own property with road frontage that
would connect to the remaining county properties. We spoke about the potential offered by
the area known as the Flats, Reading’s property, adjacent to the eastern side of S.R. 2044. He
indicated there may be an opportunity and interest in developing a private campground on
that property to meet the needs of visitors to the area.
We discussed the fact that there are a few private parcels just east of SR 125 that are needed
to make the connection between the County’s eastern and western properties and indicated
those properties do not include any Reading property. Therefore, the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area could be developed without the involvement of any Reading properties. That
said I indicated if Reading was interested in partnering with the County. Those parcels include
the Flats, and a couple of others adjacent to County property which could lend to expansion of
the trail network.
We spoke about Reading’s existing Access Permit and the concerns of the communities
regarding those riding to, from, and on Reading’s properties.
John indicated he recently met with the Zerbe Township Supervisors and they are very
interested in a trail access / portal to the facility from Zerbe Township. He asked why they were
so interested in a portal. I indicated they are interested due to the economic development
activities that could be generated in Trevorton.
John asked what would be stopping them from developing a separate riding area, on their
own, adjacent to the County facility. I indicated there is not anything stopping them. However,
it has to be done properly, and there are environmental and community issues that need to be
addressed. If those items are not properly addressed the facility could be shut down.
I told John that if Reading is interested, now is the time for Reading to come to the table. He
asked how such an arrangement might work. I said the details need to be negotiated. That
said typically what would happen is that when a private land owner develops an adjacent
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parcel they need to acquire the right to access the adjacent public facility. Also, I noted that
typically the private facility is often granted the rights to sell passes, permits, etc., and that
they typically would get a percentage of the fee of those items that are sold through their
facility. These are the kind of details that need to be worked out if Reading is serious about
being a partner.
He indicated that one of Reading’s concerns is that once the OHV opportunities are in place,
it’s difficult if not impossible to take them away. His concern is what if they develop a facility
and then at a point in the future decide they want to mine it. I indicated the County has
stipulated that the development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area cannot preclude
the properties from being mined in the future. Therefore prudent decisions must be made as
to where and how monies are invested so that monies are not spent on facilities that may be
impacted by mining in the future. There is enough county owned land to allow portions of it to
be ‘closed’ to motorized activities while mining occurs.
John said that he believes Reading owns several thousand acres in the area, and that perhaps
they could make a good facility on their own. I told him that if they proceed in that manner
they need to make sure it is done right. I told him we have been involved in projects where
owners have come to us after being shut down to environmental concerns, and that when that
occurs there’s a lot of time, expense, loss revenue, and potentially fines incurred.
Based on our discussions we do not anticipate that Reading Anthracite will be contacting the
County to discuss Reading’s interest in participating in a partnership with the County.
Excelsior Residents – Bernadette and Bill Yeager, Mary Ann Pupchock, and others
At the request of a group of Excelsior residents the County Planning Director and the
Consultant met with a small group of residents. Residents were concerned by rumors that
their properties may be taken through eminent domain for the OHV area. The County Planning
Director assured the residents that their properties were not going to be taken, and that it was
never even a consideration.
The Yeagers indicated some Excelsior residents get their water from Excelsior Springs, and
they are concerned the proposed OHV area will pollute the water. The Consultant reviewed
the proposed concept plan with them and indicated that a limited motorized use buffer is
proposed, on the County property, adjacent to their properties.
As a follow-up after the meeting the consultant contacted the following to determine the
status of public water supply to Excelsior. The County knew Coal Township extended lines
there via grant program and suggested contact be made with the Township. Coal Township
indicated they received a grant to extend water lines to Excelsior ~8-10 years ago but he didn’t
know who was connected and suggested contact be made with Aqua PA who serves that area.
We spoke with an Aqua PA representative who noted they received a grant to extend lines
to Excelsior because the prior reservoir they were using became contaminated due to mining
operations. To the best knowledge of Aqua PA, everyone in Excelsior has public water, but it is
possible someone may have slipped through the cracks.
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Access to the proposed OHV area from Excelsior was discussed. Those in attendance proposed
that there be no public access from their neighborhood to the proposed area.
Bill Yeager indicated he has acquired a collection of coal related memorabilia and he is well
versed on the coal history of the area. He said he would be interested in discussing this history
as the plans for the area progress, and he may be willing to loan some materials so they can be
placed on display.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Geological
Survey – Jim Schaulis, Senior Geologic Scientist, P. G.
As suggested in DCNR’s PNDI Review Response Letter, Jim Shaulis was contacted to discuss
the significance of the Whaleback as a Pennsylvania Heritage Geology Site.
The Whaleback area covers about 7 acres. It is located on private property immediately
adjacent to the County property. It is one of the best exposures of folded rock structure in
the United States. In this small area, all the structural elements and (6) stages of deformation
for the Valley and Ridge Province can be seen and studied. It is considered the type locality
for examining the style, mechanics, and stages of structural development for the rocks in
the Appalachian folded mountain belt. Individual structural elements such as faults (3 types),
folds, joints, cleavage, lineations, and slickenlines can be examined in a hands on setting. The
Whaleback is visually engaging because of the size and preservation of the folds.
Heritage value: Site is scientific, educational, scenic, and historical.
Outstanding significance is displayed by the Whaleback as it is a feature that exemplifies an
aspect of geodiversity that is rare, unique, and exceptionally represents an example of its type.
The site was first described in detail by a structural geologist, Dr. Richard Nickelsen, Professor
Emeritus at Bucknell University. His landmark journal article in 1979 on the deformation of
rocks in Bear Valley generated widespread interest in the site among the geologic community.
The site is now used, with the permission of the land owner, as an outdoor classroom for
geological studies by many university’s in the eastern United States including: Bryn Mawr
College, Brown University, University of Rochester, Purdue University, Kent State University,
Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Lehigh University,
Franklin and Marshall College, Dickinson College, Susquehanna University, Bloomsburg
State University, Yale University, Lafayette College, Pittsburgh University, Allegheny College,
University of Massachusetts, University of Tennessee, University of Michigan, Colgate
University, Lock Haven University, and Juniata College. Individual researchers from England,
Germany, Australia and New Zealand have also contacted the Geology Department of Bucknell
University to request field guides and/or tours of the site while they are in the United States.
Jim indicated it would be a tragedy to lose the Whaleback and that discussions need to be
continued with the property owner about the possibility of preserving it. He also said that
the site is not commonly known, except to those in the geological community. He suggested
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a public awareness campaign be initiated to inform the general public of the significance of
this site that is “in their backyard”. Jim suggested starting small, with developing an overlook
with a picnic shelter and parking area where interpretive signs can be placed to inform visitors
of the significance of what they are viewing. He said many visitors that he’s encountered at
the informal overlook there today have no idea what they are looking at but they stop there
because they like the view. Further, he suggested that with the development of the proposed
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area programmed tours, by vehicle, and horseback or on foot,
could be developed. Jim indicated his office will assist Northumberland County in every way
possible to promote, interpret and preserve the Whaleback.
Bloomsburg University, Department of Biology and College of Business
The University was invited as a notification of contact that the County Planning Department
had with Dr. George Chamuris of the Biology Department and Dr. Michael Tidwell of the
College of Business. These contacts were both in anticipation of projects within the Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area.
The project of interest to Dr. Chamuris is the American Chestnut Foundation research project,
to be lead by Blair Carbaugh who in turn has requested involvement from the University. Dr.
Chamuris is anticipated to gather a group of professors and graduate students to attend a tour
of the project.
The project of interest to Dr. Tidwell is the potential for the University to follow the economic
impact factors of the inception of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area project by
continuing economic impact analysis from where the Master Plan ends. It is anticipated the
University could continually provide comparisons to the projections from the Master Plan and
suggestions to recommend ways to enhance the economic impact.
A meeting was held with Lynda Michaels, the Director of Alumni Affairs and Jim Hollister the
Assistant Vice President of External Relations. Mr. Hollister explained that he cannot speak
as to the interests of the academic departments; each department has a respective Chair who
makes the best decisions for outside projects/internships/studies. These outside academic
project ideas are something that the Bloomsburg University strategic plan has isolated as a
place where the University can expand itself into the local communities.
Mr. Hollister, again not speaking for the academic side, who can speak for itself, can see areas
where many departments could work with this project. Departments like the Allied Health
Department and Audiology which would not initially appear to be thought about as interested
in this project; he could see areas where their studies could apply. Each individual area of study
is so good at networking and finding areas to work together that he envisions the respective
Chairs all speaking to one another about this project. The start we have already formulated
with the College of Business and Biology is a great place, as those are obvious places where we
can see projects forming.
Mrs. Michaels can see areas where our visitors can find a place within the University facilities
to utilize initially. Many of them may be looking for hotels, places to stay, have students in
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the college, or look for dining facilities. The impact of a project like this becomes regional and
many people who travel long distances to see an attraction do not have a problem with staying
up to 30 to 45 minutes from a place of interest. She believes we will see students within their
campus that will form biking, riding, and walking clubs. Their QUEST program may have an
interest in the project, as they travel long distances for these types of facilities.
Mr. Hollister intends to present this project to the University President, who is a biologist from
the West Coast. He and his wife have interests in watersheds and he believes they may have
an interest in this project. Mr. Hollister took a copy of the full scale project map with him to
present. He would like to be kept in the loop if we are taking University Representatives on
a tour and how we are proceeding with projects when we get them established with each
department.
Ultimately the county and the steering committee need to push the projects but Bloomsburg
University envisions they will have a role in the academics of the project. We need to invite
them whenever we believe we have a need.
Mr. Hollister’s contact information is:
Jim Hollister
Assistant Vice President of External Relationship
Fenstemaker Alumni House
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301
Office: 570-389-4655
Home: 570-784-7756
Cell: 570-204-2724
Fax: 570-389-4060
e-mail:[email protected]
Ms. Michaels’ contact information is:
Lynda Michaels
Director of Alumni Affairs
Fenstemaker Alumni House
400 East Second Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301
Office: 570-389-4058
Office: 570-389-4213
Fax: 570-389-4060
e-mail:[email protected]
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Unique attractions like the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will bring new visitors to
surrounding communities. This section of the Master Plan explores the Facility’s impact on
the local and regional economy and the opportunities that will be generated by the Facility. In
particular, it will quantify these potential economic impacts, describe the types of economic
development that could be triggered by the Facility’s development and outline steps to assist
existing and future businesses in better capitalizing on the region’s new visitors. The potential
economic impact of the AOAA are extensive and businesses can benefit greatly from adapting
to the needs of their new visitors.
ANTICIPATED ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ANTHRACITE
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AREA
Two methods for understanding the potential economic impact of the proposed Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area have been analyzed as part of this study. The first is a comparison of
the economic impact that similar facilities across the country have had in their communities.
The second is an analysis of the use data that is more specific to the Northumberland County
area and this specific adventure area.
ECONOMIC IMPACT COMPARISONS WITH SIMILAR FACILITIES
To begin the process of understanding the potential economic impact of the proposed
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, Pashek Associates reviewed and analyzed nineteen
economic impact analyses for OHV facilities across the US. Of the nineteen, five were for
specific regions within various states including the Hatfield and McCoy area of West Virginia,
the Tug Hill Area in New York, the Iron Range Area of Minnesota, a smaller state-wide study in
Iowa, and Ocean Dunes area of California.
Each of these studies provided projected economic impacts in three areas:
• Dollars of Output – expenditures in the region
• Dollars of income – wages and salaries paid as a result of the OHV facilities
• Jobs – the number of jobs created either directly or indirectly by the OHV facilities
A summary of the findings of this analysis can be found on the next page.
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Summary of Key Economic Impact Indicators from a Sampling of Other OHV Facilities
Annual Economic Impact Based on Output
(in millions)
Description
Facility
Location
Year
Direct
Hatfield-McCoy1
Southwest West
Virginia
2002
$5.2
$0.9
$1.7
$7.8
Ocala Region2
Florida
2004-05
$13.6
$1.5
$6.5
$21.6
Oceano Dunes
SVRA3
California
2006
$76.0
$41.8
*
$117.8
Tug Hill4
Tug Hill Region, NY
2006
$23.0
$4.9
$7.2
$35.2
Statewide
2007
$86.4
$20.1
$29.4
$135.9
Iron Range
2006
Iowa5
6
Minnesota
Indirect Induced Total Impact
Not Reported
Description
$641.9
Based on Income (in millions)
Facility
Location
Year
Direct
Indirect
Induced Total Impact
Hatfield-McCoy1
Southwest West
Virginia
2002
$1.9
$0.3
$0.6
$2.8
Ocala Region2
Florida
2004-05
$6.1
$0.5
$2.8
$9.4
Oceano Dunes
SVRA3
California
2006
Tug Hill4
Tug Hill Region, NY
2006
$7.9
$1.3
$2.1
$11.3
Iowa5
Statewide
2007
$24.8
$4.8
$6.6
$36.2
Minnesota6
Iron Range
2006
Not reported
$429.0
Description
Based on Jobs
Facility
Location
Year
Direct
Indirect
Induced
Total
Impact
Hatfield-McCoy1
Southwest West
Virginia
2002
112
11
23
146
Ocala Region2
Florida
2004-05
215
16
87
318
Oceano Dunes
SVRA3
California
2006
Tug Hill4
Tug Hill Region, NY
2006
564
50
87
701
Statewide
2007
926
140
228
1,294
Iron Range
2006
Iowa5
6
Minnesota
Not Reported
Not Reported
1,726
14,449
The largest increases in economic impact come from expenditures and job creation in the food and drink (restaurant and bar),
lodging, gasoline, and ATV equipment/accessory industries.
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* combined indirect and induced
Definitions
Direct - increased sales as a result of visitor expenditures
Indirect - inter-industry purchases
Induced - increased spending by local households as a result of more money circulating through the area
Output - expenditures on purchases in the region
Income - wages and salaries paid as a result of the OHV facilities
Jobs - the number of jobs created
1 The Economic Impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System in West Virginia; Oct 2006; Center For Business and Economic
Research,
Marshall University
2. Economic Impacts and motivations of Offhighway Vehicle Recreationists: A Case Study from Florida; 2004 and Ocala National
Forest Off Highway Vehicle Visitor Assessment; July 2007; both conducted by the University of Florida School of Forest
Resources
and Conservation
3 Economic Impact of Oceano Dunes SVRA Visitors; 2006; William W. Hendricks, et al; California Polytechnic State university
4 Tug Hill Region ATV Economic Impact Study; January 2006; Camoin Associates
5 The Economic Impact of Off-Highway Vehicles in Iowa; January 2008; Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Association
6 All-terrain Vehicles in Minnesota: Economic Impact and Consumer Profile; March 2006; University of Minnesota Tourism Center
ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY OF THE ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE AREA
The economic impact of a recreational activity is based upon the new benefits that accrue
in a region due to the influx of tourism dollars. Typically, these are divided into two aspects.
The first are the directly impacted businesses and industries in a region that receive income
from the visitors. These companies purchase intermediate inputs from other businesses and
industries in order to produce the goods and services purchased by the visitors. In addition,
the employees of these companies spend their wages and salaries on goods and services
for their own personal consumption. For both the directly impacted companies and their
employees, a portion of the goods and services they purchase are provided by other regional
businesses and industries, while others are imported into the region. The amount flowing
from the intermediate spending with other regional businesses and industries is referred to
as indirect impacts, while the amount stemming from personal consumption by employees
is called induced impacts and the total can be referred to as secondary impacts. Note that
additional rounds of secondary impacts can occur, ad infinitum, until it all leaks out of the
region as imported goods. The direct and secondary impacts combined are referred to as the
total impacts.
Both the direct and total economic impacts can be measured in several ways. The most
obvious might be the total sales by all the businesses and industries in the region. However,
since a portion of these sales are passed back to other businesses and industries identified in
the secondary rounds of activity (or sent out of the region as the purchase of imported inputs),
a better measure is value added. Value added, whether direct or total, refers to the difference
between the price of a good or service and the costs of the intermediate inputs. After
subtracting the intermediate inputs, we have what a company spends on wages and salaries
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(personal income), pays in taxes, or retains as profits. All three of these, represent benefits to
the people in the region1.
Two other measures are much easier to understand. Personal income is simply the wages and
salaries supported by the activity. Employment refers to the annual equivalent of full and part
time positions. That is to say, six months of employment counts as a half job, while a part-time
position for a full year still counts as one job.
The Money Generation Model (Stynes et al. 2000) was used to estimate the economic impacts
from this activity. This model was developed for the National Park Service, to allow them to
estimate the economic impact of their parks. The model has imbedded into it expenditure
profiles and economic multipliers for many different facilities and regional economies. It also
allows the user to explicitly specify the expenditure profiles. The expenditures and visitation
levels shown above were used to generate the economic impacts. For each 1,000 visitors
the facility attracts, 4.4 jobs will be created in the local economy, paying almost $80,000 in
wages and salaries. This activity would make a $125,000 value added contribution to the
gross regional economy. If the facility received 41,500 visitors from outside Northumberland
County, then a total impact of 184 jobs and $3.3 million of wages and salaries would accrue to
the regional economy. The total impacts would add $5.2 million of value added to the gross
regional economy.
Potential annual economic impact of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
Impact per $1,000 of
visitor spending
Impact per
1,000 visitors
Impact estimated
41,500 visitors
Direct personal income
$ 270
$ 60,027
$ 2,713,254
Direct value added
$ 413
$ 91,621
$ 4,118,731
Direct jobs
0.016
3.510
157
Total personal income
$ 329
$ 73,050
$ 3,294,687
Total value added
$ 523
$ 116,037
$ 5,209,565
Total jobs
0.019
4.119
184
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VISION
The first step in developing a strategy for economic development is to develop a vision. The
vision sets forth the long-term expectations for the strategy. The following is the overall vision
for economic development in the communities surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure
Area.
1
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The sum of all value added in a region is the gross regional product. At the national level, it is the gross
domestic product (GDP).
“In the future:
• The communities in the region surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure
Area are uniquely branded in association with the OHV Facility and are effectively
promoted to increase patronage and tourism;
• Businesses have adapted to the new tourist market and accommodate their unique
vehicles and personal needs;
• The region offers a full range of businesses in order to meet the needs of local
residents and visitors to the region; and
• Leadership and volunteers in the communities are organized and motivated to
successfully implement the economic development strategy.”
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Northumberland County must be well prepared to address the needs of tourists and visitors as
they come to visit the region. This section outlines a “getting started” strategy to economic
development, marketing and tourism for the communities of Shamokin, Coal Township, Zerbe
Township, East Cameron Township, West Cameron Township, and Mt. Carmel Township. The
strategy can be implemented incrementally. It will likely grow step by step as demand dictates
and financing or other resources become available.
The overall goal of the economic development strategy is to help the communities achieve the
vision described previously. The strategies described herein are organized within each of the
major components of the economic development vision:
•
•
•
•
Unique branding and effective promotion;
Physically adapting to new markets;
Offering a full range of businesses; and
Organizing for successful implementation.
Several of the strategies included in this discussion are adaptations of key elements of the
“Main Street Program,” which has been successfully implemented in over 2,000 communities
throughout the country and Trail Town Program. These and the many other strategies have
been drafted to meet the unique needs of the communities surrounding the Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area.
UNIQUE BRANDING AND EFFECTIVE PROMOTION
In order to brand and promote the communities, you must sell the image of OHVs and other
unique adventure characteristics to prospective visitors. Promotional strategies foster the
OHV and outdoor adventure image through advertising, business promotions, and special
events.
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Brand the communities with the OHV and Adventure Area
It is important for the communities surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area to
identify what they can offer and how they will communicate that information to visitors. This
should be done in concise, simple terms. The surrounding communities and Northumberland
County as a whole need to be recognized as one entity for the purposes of marketing and
branding.
The communities should focus on the common theme of OHVs and outdoor adventure. This
theme could also be tied to the region’s coal industry heritage and other common aspects of
their history. Such sub-themes need to be linked back to the main theme of OHVs and outdoor
adventure. This theme should then permeate throughout the communities’ businesses,
attractions, and people. The goal is to create a “brand” that is known to all who may be
interested in OHVs and outdoor adventure. When someone speaks of Northumberland
County, it should immediately bring to mind the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
Conversely, when one speaks of OHV and adventure facilities, the thought should immediately
be connected to Northumberland County.
There are two main components to branding the communities surrounding the Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area. The first is the name/logo/description that will be used to identify
the area. The second is influencing and shaping the image that will come to mind when people
see the name or logo. The branding strategies for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area and
its surrounding communities are listed below:
• Identify the common theme that the Adventure Area and surrounding communities’
“brand” will be developed around;
• Develop a name for the area that reflects the “brand”;
• Have a logo professionally designed that furthers the “brand”; and
• Identify and promote the key components of the “brand” that are most recognizable
from seeing the logo or hearing the name of the OHV and adventure area.
The branding of the communities surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area should
also be recognized as a part of the Susquehanna River Valley. When people think of the
Susquehanna River Valley, they should think of your communities and the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area.
Make Connections to Promote the Communities
Promotion efforts should focus on making connections to those that you would like to attract
to visit Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area and its surrounding communities. These visitors
could be close by, in a neighboring county or state, or across the world. Some marketing
strategies to help promote visitation are included below:
• Utilize the professionally designed logo (see Branding) in all marketing materials;
• Create a website for the Facility and its surrounding communities.
• Acquire related web addresses such as AnthraciteAdventure.org, AnthraciteAdventure.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
com, and AnthraciteAdventure.net. Redirect all hits on alternate sites to the main
webpage.
Keep the site up-to-date with the latest marketing materials and business promotions
within the communities and at the OHV Facility itself.
Provide links to the OHV Facility’s website from the websites of Northumberland
County, Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, Brush Valley Regional Chamber
of Commerce, and OHV-related websites i.e. the National Off Highway Vehicle
Conservation Council, National Off Road Association, Motorcycle Industry Council, and
the Pennsylvania Off Highway Vehicle Association, to name a few. Provide links to
these sites from the OHV Facility’s website.
Create a presence on social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter for
additional web-based marketing. Keep these up-to-date with the latest marketing
materials and business promotions.
Create an “official blog” for the Facility and its surrounding communities. Alternatively,
adapt one of the existing Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area blogs into the “official
blog.”
Host events, activities, and other opportunities that would attract residents and visitors
to the Facility or nearby communities.
Partner with regional tourism organizations like the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors
Bureau to maximize marketing efforts.
Make information (pamphlets, newsletters, etc.) regarding the surrounding towns
available at the OHV Facility’s welcome center and access points.
PHYSICALLY ADAPTING TO NEW MARKETS
The strategies for physically adapting to new markets are two-fold. First, the towns must
facilitate easy travel between their businesses districts and the OHV Facility. Second, existing
businesses themselves must adapt to these visitors’ unique vehicles.
Connecting the Communities to the OHV Facility
The communities surrounding the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area should focus on design
aspects that portray an attractive and inviting atmosphere. For communities themselves,
an inviting atmosphere begins along the roads connecting the town to the facility. It also
includes quality welcome signage at the gateways to the communities and wayfinding signage
throughout. A welcome atmosphere is furthered by enhanced public amenities such as
lighting, parking, and sidewalks.
Specific recommendations for enhancing connections between the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area and surrounding communities include:
• Ensure that the routes from the facility access points to business districts are
maintained and can handle vehicles with trailers (see transportation section for more
detail);
• Create a wayfinding signage system that is spread throughout all six communities. This
signage should have a common design and theme;
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• Create gateway signage along these access routes at key locations in the OHV Facility
and the towns;
• Incorporate the “brand” for the region in public art and signage. Include visual art
in various locations throughout the communities (e.g. on murals on buildings, and
signage). Place banners on light poles throughout the business districts and main street
areas;
• Establish an OHV trailer-friendly parking lot/area near concentrations of existing
businesses; and
• Complete streetscape improvements in business districts and main street areas
including sidewalk replacement, installation of light fixtures and street trees.
Adapting Existing Businesses
Essentially, this part focuses on changes that businesses can make to their design and
amenities to better accommodate OHV and outdoor adventure enthusiasts and their vehicles.
The idea is to create a business atmosphere that attracts visitors to shop, eat, or sleep in the
surrounding towns. Attractive buildings and streets, friendly and knowledgeable staff, goods
and services that tourists need, easily accessible drinking fountains and restrooms, and lots
of available parking for automobiles, trailers, and campers all contribute positively to this
atmosphere.
The benefits of adapting your existing businesses can already be seen. The popularity of ATV
riding at ‘Coal Hill’, a well-known location for both local and out-of-town riders, has prompted a
local pizza shop to offer delivery service to this area. The following are some simple things that
can be done to make a business more attractive to OHV enthusiasts:
• Post “Welcome” signs to invite visitors to your business; and
• Adapt your menu with items to identify with OHVs (see the “branding” discussions
above).
Other adaptations may require more extensive efforts but will help a business to capitalize on
the new visitors include:
• Provide parking and access to your business that is large enough to accommodate
trailers;
• Gas stations should provide diesel, a fuel commonly used by OHVs. Gas stations may
need to increase the height of their pump canopy to accommodate larger vehicles and
trailers;
• Mechanical service businesses should begin preparing for increased work on OHVs.
They should train for work on these types of vehicles and possibly modify the parts that
they carry to meet the needs of OHV Facility users; and
• Work with the business community to upgrade storefront signs and facades and assist
business owners in identifying grant and loan opportunities for façade improvements.
Offering a Full Range of Businesses
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This component focuses on further leveraging the new markets created by the OHV and
outdoor adventure area. The goal is to fill gaps in the types of existing businesses. These
new business types will complement the adaptation of existing businesses. The resulting full
range of businesses will allow facility patrons to eat, sleep, shop, and recreate in the local
communities.
Potential for New Business Development
Entrepreneurs in the area are already beginning to fill some of the market gaps in existing
businesses. A new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) repair shop opened in Trevorton on September 1,
2010. This business will serve the many ATV riders that visit the region. Businesses that provide
parts, repairs, accessories, tires, food and drink, lodging, vehicle washing, etc. will likely fill
a gap that will be created once the OHV Facility is completed. The following are a series of
business development ideas that could be implemented in the region:
• Identify specific business deficiencies (gaps) such as the ones listed above. These gaps
may change over time as the facility grows and expands.
• Assist businesses with expansion as demand increases.
 Begin business expansion by growing existing businesses to meet growing
demand. Some businesses will simply expand their current operations as
demand for their services grow. Others will see a new market and choose to
begin a new business endeavor to meet that need.
 Recruit new businesses when the expanding demand cannot be met locally.
• Provide basic overnight accommodations such as rooms to rent (hotel/motel), bed and
breakfasts, campgrounds, or a country inn.
• Work with business community to audit the business districts to determine how to best
meet the needs, and how to best provide the goods and services desired by visitors
who come to the region.
Other Economic Impacts
The economic impacts of the OHV Facility extend beyond increasing demand for retail and
services. Housing in the region is already being impacted by the prospect of the Facility’s
arrival. Local realtors have already begun to see OHV enthusiasts showing interest in
purchasing vacation or second homes in the region to use during their visits to the Facility.
Interest in the housing market will likely increase as the facility moves closer to completion.
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Bloomsburg University to Track Economic Impact
The Bloomsburg University College of Business intends to develop a tracking system that
will collect on-going data about the business of operating the AOAA and the economic
impact to the surrounding municipalities. This analysis will provide accurate information
about the number of jobs created, the annual dollar impact on the community, and the
number of businesses created or expanded. It will track where AOAA users are coming
from, how long they stay in the County, and how much they spend. This information will
be valuable to decision-makers in planning for the future of the AOAA. The University has
committed to assign both faculty and students to work on this project. Work will begin in
the fall of 2011.
ORGANIZING FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION
The organization component of the economic development recommendations forms the
leadership structure for all the revitalization efforts. There are many organizations and
individuals currently involved in promoting and revitalizing the local communities and the
region as a whole. Effectively coordinating the efforts of these key players is essential to
maximizing the economic benefits brought to the region by the facility.
The facility will be the centerpiece of tourism in the region. While it is important to engage and
involve economic development and promotion groups, it is also important to cooperate with
and support the development and maintenance of the facility itself.
Implementation Committee
A region-wide committee should be formed that will focus on fulfilling the vision for the future.
The committee needs to be all-inclusive with representation from the County, the facility, local
chambers of commerce and the business communities, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors
Bureau, law enforcement, and local officials.
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CASE STUDY: HATFIELD AND MCCOY TRAIL SYSTEM – WEST
VIRGINIA
The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System was established in 1996 by the West Virginia State Legislature
to generate tourism based economic development through outdoor recreational opportunities
in the counties of southern West Virginia. The first trails were opened in 2000 and the system
has grown extensively since then. It has now become a significant factor in the overall
economy of the entire region.
Today there are six trail
systems located in five
counties with over 500 miles
of available trails. Many
of the trail systems offer
connecting trails that allow
visitors to access West
Virginia’s ATV-friendly towns.
Eventually the system is
expected to grow to as much
as 2,000 miles of trails with
appropriate facilities and
amenities. Plans also call for
development of a 4x4 park
in Kanawha County that will
include designated trail areas
for equestrian and other
non-motorized users. Trail
usage has continued to grow
with over 30,000 trail passes
expected to be sold in 2011.
The economic base of the region served by the system is one of
the poorest areas in the U.S. with incomes, wages and earnings
well below the national average. The region is one of the most
isolated in the nation. Educational attainment is also low in the
region as the lack of jobs has caused an out-migration of people.
The Center for Business and Economic Research at Marshall
University was commissioned by the Hatfield-McCoy Regional
Recreation Authority to prepare a comprehensive economic
impact study of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.
Trail Uses
ATVs
Off-highway
Motorcycles
Equestrians
Mountain Bikers
Hikers
Regarding real estate activity, the report states, “Any time a major recreational area is opened
a primary result is rising real estate activity. That increase is reflected in the Economic Census
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data. Recreational opportunities are a major attraction
for real estate development as peoplelook for second
homes to be nearby the attraction. Land is purchased
to build new business and old businesses sometimes
change hands as entrepreneurs seek to develop
opportunities. This “boom” should lead to higher tax
revenues for local governments and improved service
provision to residents.”1
The report shows that in the first two years of operation:
Economic Impact
of the Trail System in 2005
 $7.7 million of increased
spending
 $2.8 million of increased
income
 146 new jobs
 $660,000 of addiƟonal tax
revenues
 24,285 trail passes sold
 Total retail sales grew by 12%
 Local payroll increased by $104 million or 9.5%
 Gains in sales and payroll were seen in all related
sectors including gasoline stations, accommodations, food service and real estate sales
and rentals.
Many local commercial establishments are
now tied directly to the trail system. There are
many restaurants, fast food establishments,
gasoline stations, convenience and specialty
stores in communities near the trails.
The 2011 Hatfield McCoy Brochure identifies:
 26 local lodging accommodations
including motels, hotels, lodges,
rental houses, cabins, campgrounds,
RV parks, and bed and breakfasts
 3 ATV/motorcycle dealerships
 5 ATV rental facilities
The overall conclusion to be reached is that the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is and will
continue to be an important component of the economic development of West Virginia and
of the southern part of the State. It will be a catalyst for further development and expansion.
As tourism grows it will bring increased visibility to the region as well as its attractiveness for
location of other types of business.2
1
2
2-70
Ibid, pg. 37
Ibid, pg 4
CASE STUDY: BLACK MOUNTAIN OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE PARK
The information in the Case Study comes from
the Harlan County Outdoor Recreation Board
Authority 2009-2010 Annual Report and their
website www.harlsncountytrails.com.
Having officially opened June 4, 2005, Black
Mountain Off-Road Adventure Park is operated
by the Harlan County Outdoor Recreation
Board Authority (HCORBA). The five-person
Board is charged by the County to develop
and promote outdoor recreation and tourism
opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Their
mission is to “…promote and develop
outdoor recreation and/or adventure tourism
throughout Harlan County in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources.”
The Adventure Park is one of their primary undertakings.
The Park includes over 200 Miles of marked and rated OHV trails on approximately 7,000-acres
of mountainous Kentucky terrain. Trails include beginner, intermediate and extreme ATV Trails
as well as levels 1 through 5 4x4 trails and obstacles. Access to the park is controlled through
two main trailheads. Visitors can purchase either annual or monthly passes. In 2009, forty
percent of the passes issued were annual passes.
Their general uses passes produce just over $77,000 in revenue in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
This climbed to $152,330 in fiscal year 2009-2010 with the sale of over 6,000 passes.
OHV enthusiasts from
all over the world
have visited the Park.
This map depicts the
distribution of usage
from March through
December of 2009.
During that time period,
visitors came from 31
states and Canada.
About one third of the
visitors were from within
the parks home state.
The biggest usage from
out of state came from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.
In 2009, Park officials tracked usage by type of vehicle and found that 78% of their riders rode
2-71
ATVs while the remaining 22% use a variety of 4x4 vehicles. The largest brand of ATV using
Black Mountain was Honda, and nearly 50% of the 4x4s were Jeeps.
In 2010, Black Mountain hosted a number of
successful events:
 Approximately 200 riders
participated in the first annual Ride
for Coal, a joint-event organized by
the Harlan County Ridge Runners,
Kentucky Mountain Crawlers and
HCORBA to recognize the coal
history of the Black Mountain region.
 The fifth annual Kentucky Mountain Crawlers’ Southern Shine Crawl at Black Mountain
Off-Road Adventure Area, an event that was moved to Black Mountain from at
different location.
 A qualifier for the 2011 Griffin King of the Hammers race in Johnson Valley, CA was held
in August 2010. Twenty vehicles competed on a course across Black Mountain in front
of hundreds of spectators. Participants and event organizers have expressed interest
in making Black Mountain an annual stop on the East Coast Off-road Racing Series
circuit.
The Park’s website identifies twenty-one
scheduled events for 2011. These include a
Wildflower Weekend in April, Lightning Bug Ride
(night riding), Hummer Club Ride, Southern Shine
Crawl, Crawl for Christ, the Harlan Honor Guard
Poker Runs, a customer appreciation day, five
different themed festivals, and many more.
In addition to the OHV uses, adjacent sites
operated by the Harlan County Recreation Board
Authority also provide opportunities for hiking,
horseback-riding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hunting.
In 2009, HCORBA’s Horse Trail Committee partnered with the
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and the
Kentucky Horse Council to hold a one-day event equestrian event.
The event brought in about 70 riders.
Evarts, Kentucky, home of Black Mountain Outdoor Adventure
Area has become known as the Birthplace of Adventure Tourism.
2-72
Economic Impact Studies Reviewed During This Planning
Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
Southwest Virginia Regional Recreational Authority Comprehensive Plan .... 2009
ATVs in Minnesota – Economic Impact and Consumer Profile ........................ 2006
Cheaha Trail Riders ............................................................................................. 2007
East Coast 4-Wheel Drive Association Assessment of Four Wheel Drive
Recreation in the Midwest and Northeast........................................................ 2009
5. Economic Impacts of Off Highway Vehicles in Iowa ......................................... 2008
6. Economic Impact of the Hatfield McCoy Trail System in West Virginia ........... 2006
7. Economic Importance of Off Highway Vehicle Recreation in Arizona............. 2003
8. U.S. Forest Service National Survey on Recreation and the Environment:
9. Off Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States ...................................... 2005
10. U.S. Forest Service National Survey on Recreation and the Environment:
11. Off Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States ...................................... 2008
12. Michigan Licensed Off Highway Use and Users – 1998 .................................... 1999
13. Michigan Iron Range Off Highway Vehicle Area Economic Impact ................. 2006
14. Ocean Dunes State Recreational Vehicle Area economic Impact Study ......... 2007
15. Off Highway Vehicles in Colorado – Estimate of Recreational Use and
Expenditures ...................................................................................................... 1989
16. Off Highway Recreation in New Mexico ........................................................... 2009
17. Off Highway Vehicle Recreation’s $3 Billion Economic Impact in California and
18. Profile of Off Highway Vehicle Users ........................................................................
1994 .............................................................................................................................
19. Pennsylvania All Terrain Vehicle Riders and their Needs .................................. 2004
20. Tennessee Off Highway Vehicle User Study ...................................................... 2002
21. Tug Hill Region All Terrain Economic Impact Study .......................................... 2006
22. Harlan County Kentucky Recreation Authority Annual Report ........................2010
2-73
CURRENT LAND MANAGEMENT CONTROLS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Current land management controls in place in surrounding municipalities include:
A review of the existing comprehensive plans indicates the existing and proposed land use of
the proposed OHV area properties is designated as coal production/manufacturing/industrial.
With the adoption of this plan the primary land use will change to recreation/conservation,
however, coal production/manufacturing/industrial activities are expected to continue as
secondary activities in and around the proposed OHV properties.
Municipality
Comprehensive
Plan
Local
SALDO
County
SALDO
Local
Zoning
Northumberland County
2005
City of Shamokin
1963
X
X
Coal Township
2003
X
X
East Cameron Township
X
Mount Carmel Township
X
West Cameron Township
X
Zerbe Township
1972
X
X
X
Given the age of the current municipal comprehensive plans, and that three of the six
municipalities associated with the AOAA do not have a comprehensive plan at all, the
communities surrounding the AOAA should work together to develop a multi-municipal
comprehensive plan. Multi-municipal planning fosters cooperation among local governments
to create a clear and unified vision for the future. There are sound economic, environmental,
fiscal, legal, and political benefits to multi-municipal planning.
These benefits include:
 Creating a clear, unified vision for the region.
 Supporting municipal cooperation to address common needs while maintaining
municipal autonomy.
 Encouraging economic development and a strong multi-municipal tax base through
revitalization of existing towns and neighborhoods, reduced competition for tax
revenues, and coordinated infrastructure planning.
 Enabling cooperating municipalities to designate growth areas in and around cities,
boroughs, and villages where public infrastructure will be provided, and designating
rural resource areas where rural uses are preferred and infrastructure will not be
provided with public funds.
2-74
 Encouraging a coordinated approach to economic development that reduces
the competition for tax revenues among municipalities, encourages coordinated
infrastructure planning, and allows municipalities to identify sustainable economic
development opportunities at sites that are most appropriate for development or
redevelopment and revitalization.
 Conserving municipal resources and benefitting the taxpayer by sharing the costs of
planning
 Enhancing/maintaining environmental quality and protecting resource lands through
conservation planning across political boundaries to protect watersheds, air quality,
parkland, stream buffers, and wildlife habitat.
 Encouraging the creation of regional parks, greenways, and open space through
linkages of parkland, trails, open space systems, and farmland across municipal
boundaries.
 Allowing cooperating municipalities to carry out and implement individual municipal
ordinances or joint municipal ordinances that are consistent with the plan. Further,
if municipalities complete a multi-municipal plan the cooperating municipalities can
have the flexibility of providing for all land uses throughout the entire multi-municipal
planning area when participating municipalities adopt a joint zoning ordinance.
A multi-municipal comprehensive plan is developed and adopted by any number of proximate
municipalities. It is one of the most important tools municipalities use for land use planning
and local governance. The plan serves as an official public document that guides public
and private decisions about land use and quality of life in an area. A comprehensive plan
includes the municipalities’ vision for the future. A key component of a comprehensive plan
involves identifying how to make the vision a reality by implementing land use tools, forming
community partnerships, and securing resources. Comprehensive plans are most successful
when developed through a consensus building approach involving local stakeholders.
The purpose of the plan is to help the municipalities jointly assess their existing social,
environmental, and economic conditions and create a land use plan to guide future
development/redevelopment in the community. A key component is a plan for land use
that addresses the amount, intensity, character and timing of land use development such
as housing, industry, business, transportation and utilities, community facilities, and parks.
Ultimately, the plan should identify goals and actions to maintain and enhance quality of life
of the community. One of the main tasks for the AOAA adjacent communities’ comprehensive
plan should be to determine how best to accommodate the AOAA itself and the growth that it
will catalyze as described in this plan.
The comprehensive plan sets the land use vision for the communities, but this vision can be
made law by amending or in some cases adopting new land development ordinances. The two
most directly applicable to managing growth are zoning and subdivision and land development
ordinances (SALDO).
The zoning ordinance most commonly dictates where certain land uses can be located as well
as how buildings should be sized and situated on a lot. Because of this, the zoning ordinance
2-75
is often the best and most direct tool for implementing the land use recommendations of a
comprehensive plan. Four of the six communities currently have a local zoning ordinance.
Upon completing a multi-municipal comprehensive plan, or updating existing municipal
plans, all of the municipalities should consider updating their zooming ordinances. If a multimunicipal comprehensive plan is completed, then we recommend consideration be given to
establishing a multi-municipal zoning ordinance. If that cannot be accomplished, then we
recommend the individual municipalities with zoning ordinances update them to reflect the
goals and objectives of an updated comprehensive plan. In the case of East Cameron and West
Cameron Townships, if they do not participate in a multi-municipal zoning effort, they should
consider implementing zoning ordinances to provide local control over future land uses in the
communities.
The SALDO also plays an important role in ensuring that land development meets the
communities’ needs. In Pennsylvania, if a County has adopted a SALDO and a locality has not,
then the county’s ordinance applies to development in the locality. Once a community adopts
their own SALDO, then the county’s ordinance no longer applies. The City of Shamokin and
Coal Township currently administer their own SALDO. The remaining four AOAA adjacent
communities do not have a local SALDO and are controlled by Northumberland County’s
ordinance. The communities should adopt local SALDOs in conjunction with their zoning
ordinance revisions or adoptions. If this is not feasible, the County should revisit its own
ordinance to ensure that it is assisting the localities to implement the respective multimunicipal comprehensive plan/ or individual municipal comprehensive plan.
As noted earlier, we strongly recommend a multi-municipal comprehensive plan update be
completed to recognize the proposed OHV area, and its impact on the region, and surrounding
municipalities. The cost to complete this plan is estimate to be approximately $150,000,
depending on the scope of work. Partial funding may be available through the Pennsylvania
Department of Community and Economic Development to assist in funding such a plan.
Through this planning process it is evident that some local officials may be hesitant to embark
on any planning effort, or to implement/strengthen subdivision and land development
ordinances and zoning ordinances. Therefore, the County Planning Department should
continue its efforts to educate municipal officials on the value of such land management
controls to guide growth and development to achieve their vision, in lieu of the vision being
achieved by developers whose primary concern is their financial investment.
The comprehensive plan should address the desires of the public and municipal leaders for the
municipalities to guide and support the proposed OHV area and to encourage redevelopment
and economic development within the private sector, as well as, to reclaim and enhance the
natural resources of the property with a primary emphasis on water quality improvement.
In addition, municipal officials in Zerbe & Coal Townships, and the City of Shamokin recognize
the need to increase efforts to improve the appearance of their communities by addressing
vacant and blighted properties and the need to adopt/enforce property maintenance codes.
Although the International Property Maintenance Code 2009 is not required to be adopted
2-76
as part of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code, municipalities that elect to enforce the
UCC may also adopt and enforce the International Property Maintenance Code (or any other
property maintenance requirements).
PRINCIPLES TO SHAPE FUTURE PUBLIC POLICY
Through this planning process the following principles have been established to shape public
policy for community and economic development and related environmental enhancement:
1.
Develop a world class OHV area to provide legal OHV riding opportunities and
special events to meet the demands of the local, regional, state, and national OHV
communities.
2. The planning, development, and management of the AOAA will incorporate best
practices to facilitate and enhance local economic development activities by planning
for and encouraging the private sector to develop and provide the goods and services
required by visitors to the AOAA.
3. The planning, development, and management of the AOAA will incorporate best
practices for sound land development and implementation of sustainable design
and development practices to enhance the natural resources located on the AOAA
properties.
4. Local municipalities and the County will partner with the AOAA to market, promote,
and encourage the private sector to invest in developing restaurants, hotels, fuel
stations, OHV sales and repair facilities by promoting and adopting sound land use and
land development best practices.
5. The AOAA will encourage private investment in the local municipalities by coordinating
events with and in local municipalities.
6. The County will continue to market and promote the AOAA as a world class destination
and facility for OHV recreation, research, design, and training opportunities by working
with national OHV manufacturers, associations, and supporting manufacturers and
organizations to facilitate economic development within Northumberland County.
7. The County will promote, encourage, and enforce legal OHV practices, and partner with
organizations to provide OHV safety training programs at the AOAA.
8. The County will design, construct, and maintain the AOAA to become a national model
of sustainable development and natural resources restoration.
2-77
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
The Northumberland County Planning Department recognizes the AOAA presents
opportunities to launch numerous public and private partnerships. To date the County has
partnered with Geisinger Health Systems to provide youth OHV education opportunities, and
safe riding campaigns. Further, Bloomsburg University is partnering with the County to track
and quantify economic development activities associated with the development of the OHV
area. As discussed earlier, we recommend a multi-municipal comprehensive plan update be
completed to recognize the proposed OHV area, and its impact on the region, and surrounding
municipalities. The cost to complete this plan is estimate to be approximately $150,000, and
partial funding to develop this plan may be available through the Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic.
To enhance public private partnerships the County regularly consulted with and received
grant funds from private manufacturers to aid in the development, and promotion of the
AOAA. To date $30,000 was received from two private manufacturers (Yamaha and Polaris).
Additionally Kawasaki held a private national media event on the property to showcase the
project, Kawasaki equipment, and to give the County a sounding board for questions related to
what “experts” in the industry like to see, don’t like to see, etc. Kawasaki privately funded this
opportunity at a cost of $80,000.
To increase awareness among local businesses the County has attended, and will continue to
attend, a business round table with the Supervisors of Zerbe Township and representatives of
Zerbe Township’s businesses. Businesses within Zerbe Township attended to ask questions
and provide input on their ideas for the AOAA. Stemming from this meeting was obvious
signs that the Zerbe businesses were anxiously excited about this project. Somewhat anxious
because a private attraction, that draws many visitors currently, known as “Coal Hill” isn’t
involved and was rumored to be shutting down. Excited because the County was diligently
working with a private landowner to grant an access point in the Township, this was a desire of
the Supervisors and the business people.
The County Planning Department is poised to continue its efforts to target and pursue high
impact activities and projects within the County.
2-78
CHAPTER 3:
Design Considerations and Process
Northumberland Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
3-1
CHAPTER 3:
Design Considerations and Process
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES ANALYSIS
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE DESIGN GUIDELINES
To determine if, and how, the site can accommodate the various facilities and activities
identified, a review of the appropriate facility design guidelines is necessary. It is important
to provide properly located, safe recreation facilities and opportunities that are accessible
to all visitors. Safety issues include separation of transportation modes, ability to meet
all experience levels, and appropriate and properly designed facilities and trails. Most
importantly, the County must take steps to protect the health, safety, and welfare of visitors.
And finally, location of facilities and activities must be sensitive to the environmental resources
the County expects to conserve and enhance.
Generally, guidelines for the development of motorized activities and facilities have not been
defined in one, concise resource. However, by reviewing a variety of professional, association,
and organizational resources, requirements can be determined. For this study, the following
resources were used to compile facility standards and guidelines for this project:
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “The Pennsylvania
Trail Design Manual for Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles”, establishes standards for
the development of OHV trails.
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “Pennsylvania
Snowmobile and ATV Guide.”
• “A Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Management” published
by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Technology &
Development Program
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “Summary of
Pennsylvania’s All Terrain Vehicle Law.”
• “Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation”, Tom Crimmins in association with the
National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “So You Want to
Build an Off-Highway Vehicle Facility? A Practical Guide to Planning and Development.”
• National Off Highway Vehicle Council’s publication “Park Guidelines for Off-Highway
Recreation Vehicles” by George E. Fogg, establishes guidelines for the development of
3-3
OHV areas and facilities.
• “A Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Management – Draft July
2011”, USDA Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center
• “Off Highway Motorcycle and ATV Trails Guidelines for Design, Construction,
Maintenance and User Satisfaction” by Joe Wernex, establishes design guidelines for
design, construction and maintenance of OHM and ATV trails.
• “Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines” published by the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources Trails and Waterways Division, provides the most
comprehensive set of design guidelines covering all aspects of non-motorized and
motorized trails.
• “Best Management Practices for Off-Road Vehicle Use on Forestlands - A Guide for
Designating and Managing Off-Road Vehicle Routes”, published by Wildslands CPR
• U.S. Forest Service’s publication “Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds”
• Natural Surface Trails by Design, by Troy Scott Parker, defines the physical and human
design essentials for creating sustainable and enjoyable trails.
• American Motorcycle Association (AMA) “2005 Rules Governing Pro-Am, Standard,
ATV and Youth Competition”, defines OHM and ATV facilities and competition area
requirements.
GENERAL FACILITY DESIGN GUIDELINES
It is important to understand the general facility design standards that apply to traditional park
and recreation facilities also be applied to proposed the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
It is important to provide properly located, safe, recreation facilities, which are accessible to all
visitors. Accessibility issues include ensuring that facilities are able to meet the needs of the
physically and mentally challenged, as well as individuals experiencing temporary disabilities.
Ensuring accessibility to all facilities not only accommodates those with disabilities, but
also makes it easier for the general public to use the facilities. Additionally, it is imperative
Northumberland County take steps to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all visitors.
Accessibility, in design terms, is described by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which
guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to participate in the mainstream
of public life. To do so, the ADA sets requirements for facilities to prevent physical barriers
that keep people with disabilities from participating. When public facilities are built or altered,
they must comply with the ADA Standards with an accessible route to the area of play and
spectator areas. Improvements to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area must comply with
the following ADA standards and guidelines:
3-4
• Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II, Requirements for Public Facilities,
www.access-board.gov
• Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Federal Outdoor Areas, October 19, 2009
www.access-board.gov
SUMMARY OF OHV LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATED
TO LIABILITY CONCERNS
Disclaimer: This is not legal guidance or the sole source of information related to the matters
discussed herein. Before reaching an opinion one should consult with an attorney or municipal
solicitor to further research and discuss potential implications associated with actions taken
related to OHV opportunities in a municipality or by an agency, organization, or for profit entity.
Pennsylvania has adopted various regulations which address certain aspects of liability related
to OHV use in Pennsylvania. Each of these regulations are related to ATVs or snowmobiles with
the exception of the Act 87 of July 15, 2004, amended 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102 Comparative
Negligence which addresses OHVs in general. Pennsylvania’s legislation does not provide
for registration of off-highway motorcycles, or off-highway vehicles, other than ATVs, which
cannot be registered under the requirements of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
Many other states have adopted registration and liability provisions related to off-highway
motorcycles and off-highway vehicles.
Chapter 77 of the Vehicle Code
§ 7721. Operation on streets and highways.
(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to operate a
snowmobile or an ATV on any street or highway which is not designated and posted as a
snowmobile or an ATV road by the governmental agency having jurisdiction.
(b) Emergency and bridge crossings.--A snowmobile or an ATV may be operated on highways
and streets:
(1) During periods of emergency when so declared by a policy agency having jurisdiction.
(2) When necessary to cross a bridge or culvert.
(c) Crossing street or highway.--A snowmobile or an ATV may make a direct crossing of a
street or highway upon compliance with the following requirements:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the
highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing.
(2) The snowmobile or ATV is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder
or main-traveled way of the highway.
(3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an
immediate hazard.
(4) In crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such
3-5
highway with another public street or highway.
(July 11, 1985, P.L.220, No.56, eff. 60 days)
§ 7722. Designation of snowmobile and ATV roads.
(a) General rule.--The Department of Transportation on State-designated highways and
local authorities on any highway, road or street within its jurisdiction may designate any
highway, road or street within its jurisdiction as a snowmobile road, an ATV road, or both,
and may, in its discretion, determine whether such road shall be closed to vehicular traffic
or whether snowmobiles and ATV’s may share this designated road with vehicular traffic.
(b) Posting notices.--Adequate notices of such designation and determination shall be
sufficiently and prominently displayed.
(c) Liability.--There shall be no liability imposed on the Department of Transportation or
any other State agency or any political subdivision of this Commonwealth as a result of
designating any highway, road or street as a snowmobile road or an ATV road as provided
in subsection (a).
(June 23, 1978, P.L.523, No.86, eff. imd.; July 11, 1985, P.L.220, No.56, eff. 60 days)
§ 7729. Liability of Owner for Negligence.
(a) General rule.--Negligence in the use or operation of a snowmobile or an ATV is attributable
to the owner. Every owner of a snowmobile or an ATV used or operated in this
Commonwealth shall be liable and responsible for death or injury to person or damage
to property resulting from negligence in the use or operation of such snowmobile or ATV
by any person using or operating the snowmobile or ATV with the permission, express or
implied, of such owner.
(b) Exception.--The negligence of the operator shall not be attributed to the owner as to
any claim or cause of action accruing to the operator or his legal representative for such
injuries or death.
(July 11, 1985, P.L.220, No.56, eff. 60 days)
§ 7730. Liability Insurance.
(a) Requirement.--A snowmobile or ATV for which registration is required under this chapter
shall have liability insurance coverage for the snowmobile or ATV issued by an insurance
carrier authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. This subsection does not apply to
limited registrations.
(b) Proof of insurance.--Proof of insurance as required by this section shall be produced and
displayed by the owner or operator of such snowmobile or ATV upon the request of any
magistrate or any person having authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter or to
3-6
any person who has suffered or claims to have suffered either personal injury or property
damage as a result of the operation of such snowmobile or ATV. It shall be an affirmative
defense to any prosecution for a violation of this section that such proof was so produced
within 72 hours of receiving notice of such violation, injury or damage or the claim of such
injury or damage.
(c) Owner›s responsibility.--No owner of a snowmobile or ATV shall operate or permit the
same to be operated without having in full force and effect liability insurance coverage
required by this section. The operator of a snowmobile or ATV shall carry proof of
insurance on his person or on the snowmobile or ATV when it is in operation.
(d) Penalty.--A person who violates subsection (a) or (c) commits a summary offense and
shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $300 and costs of prosecution and, in
default of payment of the fine or costs, shall be imprisoned for not more than ten days.
(July 11, 1996, P.L.660, No.115, eff. 60 days; June 25, 2001, P.L.701, No.68, eff. 120 days)
PA Code Chapter 51. Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicle Registration and Operation
§ 51.82. Barricades for Snowmobile or ATV Roads
Streets and highways posted as exclusive snowmobile or ATV roads under section 7722 of the
Vehicle Code (relating to designation of snowmobile and ATV roads) shall be barricaded in the
following manner:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
At the beginning of the section of the street or highway so posted and at each
intersecting street and highway.
With Type III barricades which shall conform to the standards of PennDOT Publication
90, Handbook for Work Area Traffic Control, except as follows:
(i)
The barricade rails shall be alternate red and white stripes.
(ii) The entire area of red and white shall be reflectorized with Class I reflective
sheeting approved for use in this Commonwealth by the Department of
Transportation.
A Department of Transportation approved Type B flasher shall be attached to the top
rail of each barricade or a ‘‘ROAD CLOSED AHEAD’’ sign shall be placed in advance of
the barricade.
Each barricade will be posted with an official ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD CLOSED TO ALL
OTHER VEHICLES’’ or ‘‘ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ROAD CLOSED TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES’’
sign.
Signs shall conform to the requirements of 67 Pa. Code Chapter 211 (relating to official
traffic control devices).
§ 51.83. Posting Signs for Snowmobile or ATV Roads.
(a) A street or highway which has been posted as a snowmobile or ATV road allowing both
snowmobiles or ATVs and other vehicular traffic under section 7722 of the Vehicle Code
3-7
(relating to designation of snowmobile and ATV roads) shall be posted in the following
manner:
(1) An official ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or ‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign shall be used and shall
conform to 67 Pa. Code Chapter 211 (relating to official traffic control devices).
(2) The ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or ‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign shall be installed on the right side
of the street or highway at the beginning of the posted snowmobile or ATV road
and on the right side of the snowmobile or ATV road within 100 feet beyond each
intersecting street or highway and at locations thereafter which will afford notice to
all users of the road that it is a snowmobile or ATV road.
(3) The ‘‘END’’ plaque shall be used in conjunction with the ‘‘SNOWMOBILE ROAD’’ or
‘‘ATV ROAD’’ sign to indicate the end of a posted snowmobile or ATV road.
(b) On each street and highway intersecting the posted snowmobile or ATV road, an official
‘‘SNOWMOBILE CROSSING’’ or ‘‘ATV CROSSING’’ sign may be installed on each approach
of the intersecting street or highway. Signs shall conform to the requirements of 67 Pa.
Code Chapter 211. EQUIPMENT
PA Act 87 of July 15, 2004, amended 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7102 Comparative Negligence to add:
7102. Comparative Negligence
B.3) Off-Road Vehicle Riding
(1)
(2)
(3)
(D)
Off-road vehicle riding area operators shall have no duty to protect riders from
common, frequent, expected, and non-negligent risks inherent to the activity,
including collisions with riders or objects.
The doctrine of knowing voluntary assumption of risk shall apply to all actions
to recover damages for negligence resulting in death or injury to person or
property brought against any off-road vehicle riding area operator.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed in any way to abolish or modify
a cause of action against a potential responsible party other than an off-road
vehicle riding area operator.
Definitions.- - As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings given to them in this subsection:
“Defendant or Defendants.” Includes implied defendants.
“Off-Road Vehicle.” A motorized vehicle that is used off-road for sport or recreation.
The term includes snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and four-wheel drive
vehicles.
“Off-Road Vehicle Riding Area.” Any area or facility providing recreational activities for
off-road vehicles.
“Off-Road Vehicle Riding Area Operator.” A person or organization owning or having
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operational responsibility for any off-road vehicle riding area. The term includes:
(1) Agencies and political subdivisions of this Commonwealth.
(2) Authorities created by political subdivisions.
(3) Private companies.
“Plaintiff.” Includes counter claimants and cross-claimants.
Section 6. This Act shall take effect immediately.
Where a municipality is considering to adopt an ordinance to open up their local roads for OHV
use, we recommend they request a legal opinion from their municipal solicitor as to whether
the municipality will be exposed to a higher level of liability as a result of adopting such an
ordinance.
Pennsylvania Townships with Roads Designated for ATV Use
The “ATV Trail Network Development” study completed for North Central Pennsylvania
Planning and Development Commission for ATV Trails in the North Central region compiled
the following inventory of Townships in the North Central Pennsylvania region with roads
designated for ATV use.
Each of the regulations cited herein afford some protection from liability claims providing the
corresponding criteria are met.
When providing and operating a riding area, we strongly recommend the
operator of the area maintain liability insurance to assist with defending
their position should a claim arise. We consulted with Jeffrey Magowan of
the Garceau · Wenick-Kutz · Magowan Insurance Agency which can provide
liability insurance for such areas. Jeff offered the following advice, and
provided the following information.
Given the regulatory provisions which provide reduced liability for
governmental agencies, Jeff recommends the area be owned by a
governmental agency if possible.
Jeffrey A. Magowan
Garceau · Wenick-Kutz ·
Magowan Insurance Agency
823 Ludington Street
Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 789-0900
(906) 789-9124 Fax
[email protected]
www.garceauins.com
Jeff also discussed the operating entity and indicated there are differences
on how an insurance policy treats a club entity versus a public or private entity. A club entity
has members that participate in the activity, while a private entity has the general public
participate in the activity. A policy responds differently to members (insured), versus general
public (thirdparties). When you charge to participate and offer the activity to the general
public, the insurance companies are more reluctant to offer coverage since the risk and
exposure is much greater than in a club situation.
He indicated the annual insurance premium is typically based on the size of the area and the
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miles of trail associated with it. Similar facilities incur an annual premium cost of between
$5,000 and $10,000 for similar sized properties and amounts of trails.
We discussed the possibility of multiple sites that might be connected by a network of
Township roads and potentially through easements acquired through private property. Travel
along the Township roads, provided they are opened by the Township for ATV travel, as
permitted by State law, is afforded some protection from liability through the Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Code as documented earlier.
The liability of private land owners that provide easements form travel through their property
may be afforded some protection through Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water
Statute.
Pennsylvania Code, Title 68, Real and Personal Property, Chapter 11, Uses of Property, Recreation
Use of Land and Water
The purpose of this act is to encourage owners of land to make land and water areas available
to the public for recreational purposes by limiting their liability toward persons entering
thereon for such purposes.
Definitions
1. Land: land, roads, water, watercourses, private ways and buildings, structures and
machinery or equipment when attached to the realty.
2. Owner: means the possessor of a fee interest, a tenant, lessee, occupant or person in
control of the premises.
3. Recreational Purpose: includes, but is not limited to: hunting, fishing, swimming,
boating, camping, picnicking, hiking, pleasure driving, nature study, water skiing, water
sports, cave exploration and viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or
scientific sites.
4. Charge: means the admission price or fee asked in return for invitation or permission
to enter or go upon the land.
Overview of Act Provisions
 The Act generally provides that an owner of land owes no duty to keep the premises
safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes, or to give any warning of a
dangerous condition, use, structure or activity on the premises.
 The Act protects landowners from liability when their land is used for recreational
purposes by the public without charge, whether or not the landowner has invited or
permitted the public to enter his land. Friedman v. Grand Central Sanitation, Inc.
 The only time a landowner’s liability is not limited under the Act is for willful or
malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or
activity or if the landowner charges for entry onto his land.
• The Act only provides liability protection to individuals who have a legal interest in the
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•
land.
Absent a legal interest in a particular parcel of land, the act provides no protection.
However, the definition of “owner” and court interpretations have allowed for a broad
concept of landowner. An owner of land, under the Act, includes not only fee holders of land
title, but lessees, occupants, or even persons who are simply in control of the land. This broadsweeping definition helps to encourage greater recreational use of land because the liability
risk for recreational groups such as leasing hunt clubs is significantly reduced.
Generally, the more restrictions the landowner places upon his land, the less likely he is to be
protected by the Act. Pennsylvania’s Recreation Use of Land Statute was amended by Act
11 of 2007. The amendment strengthens Commonwealth’s Recreation Use of Land Statute
by further providing protection from liability to landowners for acts or acts of omission by
recreational users.
While the Recreational Use Statute provides certain protections from liability, nothing can
prevent a suit from being filed against a land owner. Typically, an agency’s general liability
insurance provides coverage to the owner if someone is injured on their property. In the case
where a trail may pass through leased land of a private landowner, the homeowner’s insurance
policy usually provides coverage to the owner if someone is injured on the owner’s property
whether that person is permitted to be there or not. If someone is injured and files a claim
against the property owner, the insurance company has the duty to defend the insured owner.
Land owners conducting active farming or timbering generally have special liability insurance
for those specific purposes.
The Recreation Use of Land Statute specifies the Act protects landowners from liability when
the land is used for recreational purposes without charge. This is a very important factor and
can void potential protections should it be determined that a fee is being charged for the use
of the land. It is unclear whether land being leased to connect two properties being operated
as an OHV riding area, could be covered under the Recreational Use Statute if a fee is being
charged to conduct recreational activities on the area properties. One could argue the fee is
specifically associated with the riding area, and not the connection between the areas. That
said, it is a gray area and additional legal research should be conducted. It may be determined
that this issue has not been tested in the court, and therefore, may remain a gray area until
such time a case brings it to court.
Given the development and operation of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will be
dependent on the revenues generated from user fees, the Recreational Use Statute will not
be applicable to the facility. However, depending on the structure of lease agreements with
private land owners who lease land for trail connections, the Recreation Use of Land Statute
may be applicable to those properties.
Insurance Coverage as Additionally Insured / Hold Harmless
The public / private / non-profit organization responsible for the management and operations
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on leased land may choose to have those property owners who provide easements for a
specific use through their property as additionally insured parties on the organization’s policy.
Last, if a governmental agency is the leasee, they may choose to hold the land owner harmless
from claims related to specified uses of the leased property.
Although nothing can prevent a law suit from being filed, the information here should be
utilized to educate property owners on ways they may be afforded some protections from
claims should they arise. If property owners have an understanding of the issues, they may be
more willing to provide easements.
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OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE PROGRAM
Based on the input received from the public input sessions, key person interviews, internet
surveys, and steering committee meetings, we identified potential program elements and,
where applicable, their corresponding design guidelines based on the guidelines previously
referenced. OHV activities anticipated on the property include:
 Off Highway Recreation Vehicles (ORVs):
• full size 4 x 4’s
• rock crawlers
• dune buggies
 Off Highway Motorcycles (OHMs):
• Dual Sport Motorcycle
• Motorcross (MX) Motorcycle
• Enduro Motorcycle
• Trials Motorcycle
 All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Terrain Vehicles, side-by-sides, (UTVs) Amenities
 Guest Services and Office Building
 Camping areas
 Restrooms and shower facilities
 Adequate parking
 ORV, ATV, OHM and trailer storage
 ATV and OHM Loading ramps
 Safety and training facilities
 Picnic areas
 Family and group gathering areas
 Good signage and maps
Trails
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trails with diverse skill and riding experiences
A variety of types and lengths of trails
Trails with varying degrees of difficulty of use
Trails specifically designed for ORVs
Trails specifically designed for ATVs
Trails specifically designed for OHMs
Hill climbs
Water and mud play areas
Trails connecting to surrounding areas
Miles of trails
Sufficient variety to maintain interest over the long term
Riding access on roads within the facility
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Competition and Play Areas
 ORV rock crawl areas
 ORV, ATV, and OHM Play areas
 ORV, ATV, and OHM Obstacle courses
 ORV, ATV, and OHM mud and water play areas
 ORV, ATV, and OHM Hill climb areas
GUEST SERVICES AND OFFICE BUILDING
The guest services and office
building will provide guest
services and serve as the primary
management and operations
center for the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area. The building will
include offices, comfort facilities,
meeting / education rooms
and associated short term and
employee parking. The building will
require electric, water and sanitary
infrastructure.
CAMPING FACILITIES
Office Program
Square
Footage
Quantity
Extension
Greeting / Lobby
Area
450
1
450
Conference Room
300
1
300
Restrooms
150
2
300
Showers
125
4
500
Offices
150
2
300
Two classrooms (to
accommodate 30
to 40 people each)
1200
2
2,400
One kitchenette
600
1
600
Room
Lodging is an important
Total Square Feet
4,850
consideration for a venue of this
nature. Given the limited OHV
opportunities in Pennsylvania, and the region beyond, many guests will be traveling long
distances with the intent of spending several days at this facility. Currently there are limited
lodging opportunities in the communities which surround the proposed facility. Further,
a review of the input provided by the OHV community indicates many guests will desire to
lodge nearby and / or on-site. Potential camping facility development to consider within the
AOAA includes primitive camping and camping with electric and potable water connections.
Furthermore, there is a desire to consider including camping cabins as lodging opportunities in
both the primitive, and utility connection camping areas.
The entrance to the campground should be controlled and provide for the operations of the
campground. Fees should be collected, camping permits should be issued, information should
be distributed to campers, and the personnel of the station should help provide security for the
campground.
A program area, in the form of a large picnic shelter and campfire ring, should be provided for
organized activities. The program area should be located away from and screened from the
camp site areas.
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The greater the campground amenities, the greater the likelihood the campers will return
for extended stays. Amenities to consider include coin-operated laundry facilities, a camping
store, firewood, telephone service, access and campsites accessible to people with disabilities,
pedestrian access routes to connect camp sites with the washhouses, camp store, central
camping complex and program activity area is a necessity. Play areas and play fields are
desirable in family camping areas. Of course, there is also a corresponding expense associated
with providing each of these amenities.
CAMPING SITES
Camp sites require level or gently rolling topography, soils with good drainage, vegetation with
overhead canopy for shade, and understudy growth for screening.
In “Park Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles”, Fogg indicates water and washhouse facilities
should be located no further than five hundred feet from the farthest camp site. Flush toilets,
showers, electric receptacles and a heated washhouse are desirable features. A potable water
supply must be provided, and a waste station connected to the campground’s sanitary system,
is desirable where campers with self contained toilets will overnight. Generally, campers desire
water, electric and sanitary hook-ups. Other amenities to consider include cable and internet
access. Although this recommendation has good intentions, it has the potential to significantly
increase the construction costs because of the remote nature of the area. Therefore, further
analysis of the guests’ utility needs is warranted.
We anticipate the majority of use will be short term stays of less than one week. Additionally,
many visitors will arrive in self-contained recreational vehicles which can be supported with
electrical service only. Those arriving in these types of RVs may require a sanitary dump
station, while those who will stay at the more primitive sites will require a bathhouse, and
water service to their site. The water service can be as simple as providing water hydrants
scattered throughout the primitive camping area, or be as complex as providing water service
directly to each site. Therefore, we recommend the campground begin as a primitive area,
with bathhouse facilities, and that electric service be provided to each site as funding permits.
Then, in future phases, funds should be invested to upgrade water and sanitary services to the
camp sites.
Camp sites, whether primitive or those with utility connections, must accommodate their
haul vehicle, an unloading zone to the rear of the vehicle, ample width to store their vehicle
adjacent to their haul vehicle, picnic table, fire ring, and an area for a tent. Therefore, we
recommend camping sites be a minimum of thirty feet wide by eighty feet in length. Each
camp site should be delineated and marked, and opportunities to access shaded areas are
important.
More formal camp sites can be arranged in a traditional campground arrangement, while
others can be more localized to particular locations throughout the property. We anticipate
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the later format will be a primitive camping environment while the traditional campground
arrangement can be either primitive or include utility connections.
For those sites developed with utility connections, and depending on the source of potable
water, water stations can serve groups of campsites, or be run to each site. Electrical service
requirements can range between 15 to 30 amps, with 30 amp connections being the standard
for large haulers and recreation vehicles (RVs).
OHV Campsite
The typical OHV camp site should consist of a cleared and level area for a tent or camper,
OHV trailer, picnic table, fire ring, and OHV parking and work area. The campsite should be
spaced a minimum of sixty feet on center along a campground road.
Group Camping
Group camping opportunities are also desirable at OHV facilities. Group camping areas
can vary but generally consist of a two-acre area (one hundred and eighty foot diameter
level, grass area), with perpendicular truck and trailer parking around the area’s perimeter.
The group camping area should be separated from the family camping area. Recreational
opportunities such as volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and an open field area are desirable
amenities within the group camp area.
Picnic Areas
Picnic areas are desirable amenities in an OHV facility. Picnic areas should be provided
near the visitor’s car / truck and trailer, as well as more remote picnic areas that are only
accessible by OHV trails. When picnic areas are near the visitor’s car / truck and trailer or
at trailheads or event venues, they should be located such that the OHV user’s equipment
is visible from the picnic site. Picnic sites in these areas should offer potable water and
electric service. Many OHV users come in groups, so picnic areas should be arranged to
accommodate them. Potable drinking water should be available within one hundred and
fifty feet to three hundred feet of each picnic site. Two parking spaces should be provided
for each available picnic table. Parking spaces should be designed to accommodate car/
truck and OHV trailer combinations.
Picnic areas accessible by OHV trails only, should be located in scenic settings, at overlooks,
or near water features. These picnic areas should be rustic in nature, and OHV users should
be required to pack in and pack out their equipment and waste.
TRAIL SYSTEM LAYOUTS
Trails can be arranged in several formats, or through a combination of them. These formats
include:
 Linear Trail System: This system is the simplest trail layout and consists of a starting
point and a destination. It can also be used to connect destinations along a single path.
The disadvantage of this system is that riders must return to a point of beginning over
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the same trail that has already been ridden. The linear trail layout is best used as a
connecting system for other types of trail systems.
 Single Loop Trail System: This system is used most often to circumvent the perimeter
of a property, lake, wetland, or for a single, long distance ride. The trail must have a
single level of difficultly associated with its entire length. The disadvantage is that rider
choices are limited.
 Stacked Loop Trail System: This system builds upon the single loop trail system by
providing staking loops. Typically each successive loop is greater in difficulty. They
provide the rider with greater opportunities, and can provide a trail meeting each level
of difficulty.
 Multiple Loop Trail System: This system typically has a centralized trailhead with
several loops radiating out from the trailhead. This system can provide for a variety of
trail user abilities.
 Spoked Wheel System: This system consists of an outer loop trail that is connected
by linear trails to a center trailhead. The spokes can provide for different levels of
difficultly or different experiences.
 Primary and Secondary Loop Trail System: This system has a primary loop with multiple
secondary loops. Secondary loops can provide for different levels of difficulty, or
provide access to different destinations. This system provides the user with the most
flexibility.
 Maze Trail System: This system consists of a system of loops and linear trails that
provide many alternative routes. Maze trail systems can be confusing, and users can
become lost. They must be well-marked and well-mapped.
ONE WAY VERSUS TWO WAY TRAIL SYSTEMS
Traditionally, OHV trails have been designed for one-way travel because many felt it would
reduce the opportunity for head-on collisions. However, The National Off-Highway Vehicle
Conservation Council has funded research on this issue. That research indicates one way trail
systems should be avoided.
During the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) Workshop held in
Northumberland County in October 2010, Mr. Tom Crimmins, OHV Trail Consultant and retired
Forest Service employee with 32 years of service, presented the following recommendation for
two-way trail systems in his presentation titled “Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation”.
As a general rule, managers should avoid designation of one-way trails. There are several
reasons for this even though many times riders will request them. First is the issue of speed.
The nature of the OHV activity is that riders will ride as fast as their comfort level allows.
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One-way trails increase this comfort level and will naturally increase trail speed because riders
assume that they will not encounter oncoming traffic. Having riders always aware that they
may meet oncoming vehicles reduces trail speeds.
In addition, one-way trails actually may create safety problems rather than reducing them as
may be assumed. First, if every access point along a trail is not adequately signed or marked
and if the signing is not always maintained, visitors may travel the wrong way without knowing
it. A rider may make a conscious choice to travel the wrong way if they encounter some type
of vehicle problem on the way out of the trailhead and try to get back by the shortest route
available. In either case, the wrong way rider will encounter others who have no expectation
that they will be on the trail. This is a clear prescription for disaster.
A final consideration, one-way trails increase the need for trail mileage in any system. Trails
ride or “feel” different when traversed in different directions. The scenery changes and the
rhythm of the ride is different. All of this contributes to a feeling of diversity in the recreation
experience. Therefore, having two-way trails improves the opportunities for creating different
loops and may reduce the need for additional trail miles.
Mr. Crimmins recommendation is supported by NOHVCC and this recommendation is
advocated in the NOHVCC publication “Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation”, authored
by Mr. Crimmins. Therefore, we recommend OHV trails within the AOAA be designated for
two-way travel.
SYNOPSIS ON MULTI‐USE MOTORIZED AND NON‐MOTORIZED TRAIL
PHILOSOPHY
Shared Use Trails are defined as those where similar modes of transportation utilize the same
trail, i.e. hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Multi-Use Trails are where non-motorized
and motorized trail uses are permitted on the same trail.
In its Travel Management Plan the Rocky Mountain Ranger District Forest summarizes the
issues associated with Multi-Use (motorized and non-motorized) Trail uses as follows:
There is a great disparity in opinions about the effects on a person’s recreational
experience when they encounter others on the trail. Some people using non-motorized
modes of travel become upset when they encounter or hear motorized equipment. The
reverse situation is not as frequently true…most people using motorized modes of travel
do not seem to be disturbed when they encounter people on foot or horseback, or on
bicycles. Often the situation is erroneously defined as “user conflict”, but there generally
is no physical or safety conflict associated with one party encountering another party
on the trail. The situation is more accurately defined as a failure to fully meet the social
expectation of the non-motorized visitor.
Strong preferences for specific recreation settings are leading to competition for
the recreational resources of this country. Competition is especially evident between
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motorized and non-motorized users, on-foot versus riding participants, fast-moving versus
slow-moving styles, highly specialized versus novice participants, commercial versus
private users, and risk/adventure versus sensing/learning motivated users. Even within
groups holding similar preferences there is conflict due to new technologies that are
incongruous with individual perceptions of the experience. The most prevalent example
is the use of GPS receivers, cellular and satellite phones, and laptop computers to keep in
touch with the outside world while deep in the wilderness.
The issue of conflict between uses is an indicator of the narrow range of tolerance that
humans have for others. Hikers complain their experiences are ruined by motorized
OHVs, by horse manure, by speeding bicyclists, and by areas disturbed by horses or OHVs.
Horsemen complain that their experiences are ruined by OHVs, by campers too close to
the trail, by hikers and dogs that scare their horses. Skiers complain their experiences are
ruined by dog tracks, by snowshoe tracks, and by snowmobiles. OHV riders complain land
managers closing motorized travel routes ruin their experiences. Intolerance becomes
most pronounced when it involves social and environmental views on opposite ends of
the scale.
Fifty years ago there were relatively few complaints about other people encountered
on the trail, because encounters were rare. There were fewer people traveling in the
backcountry, and the concept of sharing the trail was acceptable to the general public.
The majority of people were willing to embrace multiple forms of recreation because
there were very few other people sharing the outdoors. But as the population of the
United States grew, more and more people began using motorized OHVs to enjoy the
outdoors. Non-motorized and motorized enthusiasts alike began encountering more and
more people with differing mindsets as to what types of activity provided recreational
enjoyment. And the concept of multiple-use on trails became less acceptable.
Multiple-use is still a byword of the U.S. Forest Service, but it does not mean multiple uses
on every acre of ground, nor on every trail. It never did. Some uses are not compatible
with other uses, and managers have the responsibility to determine what, if any, uses
should be permitted, and where those activities should be permitted.
Francis Pandolfi of the U.S. Forest Service Washington Office described this situation best
when he stated “outdoor recreation is but one of the many multiple uses we have for
our lands, public and private. Yet, its importance in Americans’ lives and the benefits it
provides seem to be increasing faster than many other uses of our precious land. The rise
in importance of outdoor recreation in Americans’ lives is one of the dramatic changes,
as well as challenges, now occurring in the United States. There is no single constituency
for the outdoor recreation experience since activities vary so greatly and agendas of the
various user groups range across a broad spectrum of interests.”
It is important to note that wilderness is compatible with multiple-use management.
Many multiple uses are enhanced by wilderness protection, for example, water quality,
wildlife, fisheries, and primitive recreation. Few, if any, wildlands are managed for a single
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use, even though some areas are managed with a narrower set of uses and values than
others.
The National Forest trail system is not large enough, and the Forest Service does not
have the financial resources to provide a separate trail system for each type of use. One
of the missions of the Forest Service is to provide a balance of opportunities for people
to experience the outdoors. Multiple-use trails accommodating motorized and nonmotorized uses (including hiking, stock, and bicycles) will continue to accommodate the
needs of a great number of people, especially where use levels are low. In addition, some
multiple-use trails may only accommodate a variety of non-motorized travel, and some
trails may only accommodate single modes of travel such as hiking. Travel planning is the
process used to evaluate social and resource concerns to determine the relative amounts
and locations of various types of trail.
If unlimited resources were available, separation of all trail uses would be most desirable as the
separation would control and provide each travel mode with the environment and experience
they hope to achieve. However, resources are not unlimited and there is a desire at the AOAA
to accommodate as many different travel modes, both non-motorized and motorized, as
possible.
In planning for the trail system of the AOAA, consideration will be given to providing separate
trails where possible for different uses by isolating various segments of the non-motorized and
motorized travel modes. That said, there will be trails that will accommodate multiple modes,
and perhaps some which combine both non-motorized and motorized uses. Where necessary
those trails will permit low speed and low densities of motorized use.
Further, management and operational policies of the AOAA will make every effort to educate
guests on the proper trail etiquette which will be dependent on their respective mode of travel
and the mode of travel of those they encounter on the trails.
Colorado Stay The Trails Program (www.staythetrail.org/etiquette/index.php)
The Colorado Stay the Trails Program is one of many examples of successful multi-use
programs across the country.
Be an Ambassador
Your trails are always in danger of being closed. As an OHV enthusiast you can
help prevent closures through responsible use and influence other OHV users
by example. On any day of riding you become the face of OHV recreation to
other users, leave them with a good impression of your sport.
Your behavior reflects on other trail users in the same group, ie. all
motorcyclists, atv riders, 4wd enthusiasts, etc. Don’t create situations that can
be used as issues against motorized use. It’s not a difficult task, all it requires is
common sense and some common courtesy.
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Respect Wildlife and Livestock
Slow down, give them space and don’t chase or harass. Also leave gates as you
found them whether opened or closed.
Always Yield the Trail to Non-Motorized Users
The mountain bikers have their yield triangle. The motorized version is
more of a diamond. Slow down and be prepared to stop when passing
or meeting non-motorized users on the trail. Yield the right of way to
them and be especially careful around horses.
Be Friendly
Interact with other users at the trailhead, especially non-motorized
users. Say hello, compare direction of travel or destination and ETA. By
creating a friendly mood early, possible unpleasant confrontations on
the trail can be avoided.
Be Respectful
Multi-Use trails are necessary to minimize overall impact on the land and all
those recreational users have the same right to enjoy the trails as you do.
Respect that right.
Be Aware
On the trail, slow down in the presence of other users and in areas where
forward visibility is limited, especially on crowded days. Non-Motorized
users will hear you coming, but give them a wide berth anyway. No one likes
surprises on the trail.
Be Helpful
As a motorized user, you have a greater cargo carrying capacity and speed than
non-motorized users. Chances are you have a good map or guide book, extra
water, or can get an emergency responder faster than a non-motorized user.
You could really leave a good impression by helping a lost group of hikers or
sharing some extra water with a mountain biker if the situation arises.
TRAIL LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
In March 2004, DCNR published “Pennsylvania Trail Design Manual for Off Highway Vehicles”.
This comprehensive manual covers all aspects of OHV trail design, from initial planning and
design, to trail construction and maintenance.
When designing trails for OHV use, it is important to understand the experience that one
desires to achieve while on the trail. OHV trails differ from roads, in that they provide
recreation, not efficient transportation. On OHV trails the trip is the purpose, whereas, on
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roads the purpose is to get to the destination. Finally, on OHV trails the goal is for rider safety,
excitement and reasonable challenge; on the road the purpose is to provide for safety only.
The design and alignment of OHV trails should make the trails interesting and challenging. This
can be accomplished by understanding the trail user’s level of ability, the OHV’s equipment
characteristics, and by locating trails where the topography and natural environment best fit.
We must begin by understanding the trail user’s ability level. In Pennsylvania, OHV trails are
characterized by the trail’s level of difficulty, as recommended by Joe Wernex in his publication
“Off Highway Motorcycle and ATV Trails Guidelines for Design, Construction, Maintenance and
User Satisfaction”, which are:
 Easiest – Identifies the easiest trails that are suitable for beginning riders and those
who don’t have the skill or desire to ride more challenging trails. These trails have a
low level of risk for the user and consequently offer less variety than those of greater
difficulty.
 More Difficult – These trails are designed to meet user expectations of the majority of
the trail users. They require skills beyond that of a novice and at times will challenge
the average rider.
 Most Difficult – Trails designed for riders with advanced skill, who are seeking a higher
risk and challenge.
A good mix for providing for all levels of difficultly to consider is:
 25% Easiest
 50% More Difficult
 25% Most Difficult
The Pennsylvania OHV Design Manual defines a trail’s level of difficulty based upon eight
elements of difficulty, identified by Wernex. These elements include: alignment, grade,
clearing, tread surface, obstacles, side slope, and isolation. The combination, quantity and
severity of the elements determine the overall level of difficultly for the trail segment.
The Pennsylvania OHV Design Manual focuses on ATVs and OHMs and does not include
guidelines specific to full size ORVs. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
publication titled “Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines” has adapted these
guidelines for ORVs.
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OHV Trail Rating
Source: Trail Planning, Design, and Development, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Element
1.
More Difficult
Most Difficult
Alignment
Minimum
Curve Radius
2.
Easiest
Approaches min. turning radius Can exceed min. turning radius of given
of given type of OHV and
type of OHV, and can require extensive
requires some maneuvering.
maneuvering to make a turn.
Easy flows
Grade
Maximum Grade
3.
Sustained
8%
12%
15%
Short
15%
25%
35%
Very Short
15%
35%
50% (rare)
Downslope
2 ft.
2 ft.
1 ft.
Upslope
3 ft.
3 ft.
2-3 ft.
Each side level
2 ft.
2 ft.
1 ft.
Minimum
Clear Height
9 ft.
8 ft.
8 ft.
Minimum
10 ft.
8 ft.
6.5 ft.
Maximum
12 ft.
10 ft.
8.5 ft.
Relatively smooth surface
throughout, no rocks or
roots protruding more
than 5”. Many sections
negotiable by 2 wheel
drive full size pick-up in dry
conditions.
Sections of relatively rough
surface, no rocks or roots
protruding more than 3”.
Climbing turns. No holes wider
than 36” or deeper than 6”.
Sand and loose material is
okay.
Relatively rough with short sections very
rough, no rocks or roots protruding more
than 6”. Climbing turns and switchbacks.
Some sections with holes wider than 36”
and / or deeper than 6”. Long sections of
sand and loose material desirable.
Clearing
Minimum
Clear Width
4.
5.
6.
7.
Tread Width
Tread Surface
Obstacles
Water 6” deep up to 10 ft.
long. No water bars or logs. long. a few logs up to 8”.
Water 10” deep up to 25’ long. 1 to 5 logs
up to 8” per mile. Rock ledges up to 12”
desirable on occasion.
If any mud is present, it
should be easily bypassed
on dry tread.
Some muddy areas have no bypass, but
worst muddy areas have dry bypass.
Mud
Wide range of muddy areas
okay, but all significant mud
has dry bypass route.
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ATV Trail Rating
Source: PA Trail Design Manual for Off Highway Vehicles
Element
1.
2.
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult
Minimum Curve
Radius
10 ft.
8 ft.
6 ft.
Turns per ¼ mile
2
6
11
Sustained
8%
12%
15%
Short
15%
30%
50%
200 ft.
300 ft.
500 ft.
Downslope
Upslope
Each side level
2 ft.
3 ft.
2 ft.
2 ft.
3 ft.
2 ft.
2 ft.
3 ft.
2 ft.
Minimum Clear
Height
9 ft.
8 ft.
8 ft.
Minimum
8 ft.
4 ft.
4 ft.
Maximum
8 ft.
8 ft.
6 ft.
Alignment
Grade
Maximum Grade
Maximum Length
3.
Clearing
Minimum Clear
Width
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tread Width
Tread Surface
Sections of relatively rough
surface, no rocks or roots
protruding more than 3”.
Climbing turns. No holes
wider than 36” or deeper
than 6”. Sand and loose
material is okay.
Relatively rough with short sections
very rough, no rocks or roots
protruding more than 6”. Climbing
turns and switchbacks. Some sections
with holes wider than 36” and / or
deeper than 6”. Long sections of sand
and loose material desirable.
Water 6” deep up to 10
ft. long. No water bars
or logs.
long. a few logs up to 8”.
Water 10” deep up to 25’ long. 1 to 5
logs up to 8” per mile. Rock ledges up
to 12” desirable on occasion.
Obstacles
Side Slope
Maximum Slope
Maximum Length
Isolation
Riders per mile
Length of Trip
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roots protruding more
than 3”. Sweeping curves.
No holes wider than 24”
or deeper than 6”. Avoid
sand and loose materials.
20%
300 ft.
30%
500 ft.
40%
More than 500 ft.
More than 10
4 to 10
4
3 miles
10 miles
15 miles
Off Highway Motorcycle Trail Rating
Source: PA Trail Design Manual for Off Highway Vehicles
Element
1.
2.
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult
Minimum Curve
Radius
8 ft.
6 ft.
4 ft.
Turns per ¼ mile
2
6
11
Sustained
8%
12%
15%
Short
15%
30%
50%
200 ft.
300 ft.
500 ft.
Downslope
2 ft.
1.5 ft.
1.5 ft.
Upslope
3 ft.
3 ft.
2.5 ft.
Each side level
1.5 ft.
1.5 ft.
1.5 ft.
Minimum Clear Height
8 ft.
8 ft.
8 ft.
Minimum
4 ft.
3 ft.
1.5 ft.
Maximum
8 ft.
8 ft.
3 ft.
roots protruding more than
3”. Sweeping curves. No
holes wider than 24” or
deeper than 6”. Avoid sand
and loose materials.
Sections of relatively
rough surface, no rocks
or roots protruding more
than 3”. Climbing turns.
No holes wider than 36”
or deeper than 6”. Sand
and loose material is okay.
Relatively rough with short sections
very rough, no rocks or roots
protruding more than 6”. Climbing
turns and switchbacks. Some sections
with holes wider than 36” and / or
deeper than 6”. Long sections of sand
and loose material desirable.
long. No water bars or logs.
Water 10” deep up to 25
ft. long. 1 to 5 logs up to
6” per mile.
Water 10” deep up to 25’ long. 1 to 5
logs up to 16” per mile. Rock ledges up
to 16” desirable on occasion.
Maximum Slope
20%
30%
40%
Maximum Length
300 ft.
500 ft.
More than 500 ft.
Alignment
Grade
Maximum Grade
Maximum Length
3.
Clearing
Minimum Clear Width
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tread Width
Tread Surface
Obstacles
Side Slope
Isolation
Riders per mile
More than 10
4 to 10
4
Length of Trip
3 miles
10 miles
15 miles
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OFF‐HIGHWAY RECREATION VEHICLE CHALLENGE COURSE
Off-highway recreation vehicle challenge courses are designed to test the abilities, to the
extreme, of four wheel drive vehicles and their drivers. The courses can vary in size and
challenge types given space availability and the diversity of the natural terrain. Typical
components of an off-highway recreation vehicle challenge course include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Inclines
Side Slopes
Vertical Steps
Water Fording
Clearance Challenges
Rock Crawls
Log Crossings
Boulder-Strewn Passages
Water Crossings
Mud Bogs
Hill Climbs
Deep Ruts
Off-highway recreation vehicle challenge courses are rated by the most difficult obstacle. A
course could be all easy except for one short section, which would raise the rating. Experience
has shown one person’s intermediate rating could be another person’s advanced or hardcore
rating. A surface that is dry might be easy, as in clay, but hard if wet. The courses change
all of the time by weather and use. A rainstorm can change a trail from easy to impassable
overnight.
Full size specific challenge areas need to be ranked based not only on the ability of the driver,
but also on the ability of their ORV. Off-highway recreation vehicle challenge courses are
typically rated on the ability of the driver and their vehicle:
Level 1 Novice ................................. Suitable for stock off-highway recreation vehicles
and slightly modified vehicles. Most of the obstacles
encountered are optional and typically offer a bypass
for those obstacles.
Level 2 Intermediate ....................... Suitable for stock off-highway recreation vehicles
and slightly modified vehicles whose drivers have
successfully mastered novice rides, and for those drivers
with previous off-road experience.
Level 3 Advanced Intermediate ..... Suitable for stock off-highway recreation vehicles and
modified vehicles whose drivers have successfully
mastered intermediate rides. These courses are more
technical and, therefore, more difficult and may include
boulder-strewn passages, water crossings, mud, hill
climbs, and deep ruts. They are recommended only for
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vehicles with skid plates, thirty-three inch tires, and a
winch.
Level 4 Advanced .......................... Suitable for modified off-highway recreation vehicles
and experienced drivers who are willing to risk damage
to their vehicle. Recommended only for vehicles with
skid plates, thirty-three inch tires, three inches or more
of lift, locker, tree saver strap, a winch, and frame
mounted tow hooks on the front and rear.
Level 5 Hard-Core............................ Suitable only for highly modified off-highway recreation
vehicles. Not much concern for vehicle or personal
safety. It is not uncommon for vehicles to have major
breakdowns.
YOUTH AND ADULT TRAINING AREAS
Many states require OHV users to complete a safety training course before a user can ride their
OHV on public land. We recommend youth and adult training areas be established to allow
those new to the sport to develop the skills and confidence required to operate their vehicles
in this facility.
The purpose of the training is to teach OHV users:
1.
2.
3.
4.
How to physically operate the vehicle
The rules of safe riding / driving
To to be an environmentally responsible driver
What the mechanics of the equipment are, and how to make repairs out on the trails
The All Terrain Safety Vehicle Institute (ASI) has developed a training program specific to ATV
and OHM riders. A training area, meeting the requirements of the ASI, is a key component
in promoting OHV safety. The training area requirements for ATVs and OHMs are modest.
However, to be successful we recommend the area include access to amenities such as a
classroom / shelter, restrooms, shade opportunities, and OHV storage lockers.
Ideally, the training area should be located near the Guest Services Building in an area of high
visibility. Such a location will promote the value and need for safety training. The ASI program
is also endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and the training facility can be utilized
for the MSF off-road motorcycle training program as well.
The ATV Safety Institute recommends training occur in a one hundred and fifty feet by two
hundred feet area. This area includes a thirty foot perimeter buffer. Within the training area,
a variety of terrain is offered so that students can learn the skills necessary to competently
operate an ATV. These skills include:
 Being prepared
 Pre-ride inspection
 Sharp turns
 Quicker turns
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 Safe riding practices
 Controls
 Braking
Turning




Quick stops
Hills
Traversing hills
Riding over obstacles
A direct trail connection from the training course area to an easy trail should be provided. In
addition, we recommend storage units be provided to allow storage of eight adult ATVs and
motorcycles and six youth ATVs and motorcycles. An adequate amount of parking must be
provided to accommodate participants.
We recommend the PA DCNR ATV Safety Training Course be offered at the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area as it is based on the ASI course.
ADVANCED SKILL TRAINING AND PRACTICE AREAS
Once the OHV owner accomplishes the basic skills that are necessary to enjoy their vehicle,
they will likely want to learn more advanced skills. Off-road trails with advanced skill features
provide desirable training opportunities and also provide space for club activities.
HILL CLIMBS
Hill climbs consist of a series of timed trials or a series of match races on a specially prepared
hill. The starting line should be at the bottom of the hill twenty to thirty feet from the timing
line. The finish must be at least twenty feet below the crest of the hill, and the hill must be at
least thirty feet wide.
Parking areas for participants should be provided in the immediate vicinity of competitive hill
climb venues.
ROCK CLIMB AREA
The rock climb area is a variation of the hill climb and can take place on a natural or built
course. The object is to test the limits of the equipment and the ability of the rider. Length
is variable, one hundred to five hundred yards or longer. Rock climbs are popular spectator
events. Vehicle access is required at the beginning and end, shade is desirable and the run is
one way but can be reversed. Parking and staging areas for participants should be provided in
the immediate vicinity of the rock climb venue.
DRAG RACE
A drag race is a series of match races or time trials designed to recognize the fastest vehicle.
The American Motorcycle Association provides the following guidelines for drag races.
The course is over a hard, smooth surface and is no longer than one quarter mile in length
with a one half mile de-acceleration area. Ample parking and pit area must be provided for
participants.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY FACILITIES
An area with motorized activities requires a facility to house safety and security personnel,
and their equipment. The facility should employ security personnel to enforce the rules and
regulations of the area, to provide security to the facilities within the area, and to discourage
trespassing onto the property or onto adjacent private property. Security personnel will
require office and equipment space, and must have the ability to communicate between one
another and management staff and volunteers as they patrol the site. Likewise, emergency
care will require office and equipment space and a triage room. They must also have the
ability to communicate between one another, the security personnel and management staff.
Given the extreme nature of the facility, we recommend a medical helicopter landing zone be
provided near the safety and security facility. All facility and activity areas should allow for
fire equipment access. The safety and security facility will require water, electric, sanitary and
telephone infrastructure.
MAINTENANCE OFFICE, GARAGE, AND STORAGE YARDS
The facility must include sufficient space to adequately conduct the maintenance functions
required of the area. The maintenance office and garage will require water, electric, sanitary
sewer and telephone services. In addition to providing offices for maintenance staff, the
maintenance area must contain sufficient shelter for the storage of maintenance equipment,
and sufficient storage yard space for storage of materials until they can be expended through
maintenance operations. The yard should be sized appropriately to provide for vehicle and
equipment loading and unloading, maintenance personnel parking, fuel storage tanks, and
indoor and outdoor repair space. The maintenance area must be secure. An area of this size
may also contain a satellite maintenance area so that maintenance activities can be conducted
in the most efficient manner. The storage of maintenance materials and equipment is generally
considered unsightly, and therefore the maintenance areas should be screened, or located
from view of the guests.
WASH STATIONS
A wash station is a station where visitors can clean their vehicles before placing them on the
trailer for the tow home. The wash station benefits the site by washing sediment and debris
from the vehicles before they are trailered out of the area, and it benefits local roads by
removing sediment and debris from the machines before their haul vehicles reach the local
road network. The wash station will require water, electric, and sanitary infrastructure.
PARTICIPANT PARKING AREA
OHVs arrive at recreation sites in the back of pick-up trucks and on small trailers pulled by
cars, vans, pick-up trucks, motor homes, and, during pro competitions, the OHV’s can arrive
in the form of tractor trailer combinations. Therefore, the parking areas must be designed
to accommodate these larger vehicle combinations. Parking areas should be laid out to
offer either pull through spaces, or sixty degree angle parking, which requires visitors to pull
in and back out. Pull through spaces are more desirable but also require more space and
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higher construction costs. Also, visitors desire space adjacent to their vehicles and trailers to
allow them to work on their OHV’s and to allow the safe passage of OHV’s between vehicles.
Participant parking spaces that are a minimum of forty-six feet in length and twelve feet wide
will accommodate the typical user. Larger spaces are required to accommodate the rigs during
professional competitions.
Because a large number of visitors will be transporting their vehicles to the facility in the back
of pick-up trucks, it is desirable to provide unloading ramps that the pick-up trucks can back
up to. These spaces should be located around the perimeter of the participant parking area
so vehicular flow is not impeded in the parking area. In addition, enough accessible parking
spaces must be provided in the participant parking area to meet the minimum accessible
parking space requirements as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
SIGNS
On the ground, signing is essential to the successful management of an OHV area. Signing
should show the allowable uses on each trail. They should also show closures and restrictions
and, where possible, indicate the reason for the closures or restrictions. To ensure better
compliance, signing should be consistent between all management agencies within a given
geographical area. Signing should be easy to understand, and the meaning of typical signs
should be explained at trailheads, on maps, and in brochures.
MAPS
Where route systems are complicated, high-quality, durable maps are necessary. Maps should
be simple and easy to understand. Maps are also a good way to convey responsible-use
information and to explain rules and regulations. Maps should be available to visitors in the
area. If agency offices are closed during the facility’s hours of operation, consider establishing
a network of vendors to distribute the maps and other riding information. It is very useful to
have maps available online, especially if they are in a downloadable format. Where possible,
maps (printed and downloadable) should include GPS waypoint data if the public land trails
and routes cover a significant area.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
No off-Trail Travel: One of the primary rules of the facility is no off-trail travel. Off-trail travel is
strictly prohibited except on existing roads and trails explicitly posted open and in designated
scramble areas.
Buffer Zone from Streams: Buffers of sufficient distance should be maintained from flowing
streams. Trails should not be located in such a manner that would entice or invite visitors to
leave the trail and enter the stream.
Stream Side Buffers: Setbacks from the streams are proposed as vegetative buffers. Trails
should primarily be located on high, steep bank sections of the stream corridor, eliminating
any potential ‘invitations’ to ride through the stream. Riders will not be permitted to leave the
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trail. Watershed disturbance can be further minimized by locating narrow, low-use OHM trails
lowest on the slopes with higher-impact ATV trails at higher elevations.
Trail Design for Minimal Erosion: Trail design is based on rolling grade implemented as a
series of appropriately designed “tread watersheds.” Tread watersheds limit tread grades,
tread width, and tread length to values that can remain sustainable given compaction, soil
displacement, and erosion forces caused by trail use, precipitation, and runoff. Amount of side
slope, type and amount of trail use, tread texture (behavior of the trail tread’s soil and rock),
local site hydrology, local weather and climate, splash erosion (depending on presence or
lack of tree canopy), and the sustainability of dips also factor into tread watershed planning.
In effect, trails are planned like small-scale roller coasters that continually go up and down,
forcing water to fall off the trail in the dips. The more frequent the dips, the less water can
accumulate on the trail between the dips, and the more sustainable the trail can be.
Side Slope Alignment Prevents Trail Widening: A common problem with OHV trails is tread
widening. If a trail gets rough or muddy, visitors tend to go around the problem area and widen
the trail in the process. The ever-widening area destroys even more vegetation and becomes
the source of even more mud and/or erosion. We prevent this problem by having trails
traverse side slopes of 20% or more wherever possible. The side slope keeps visitors on the trail
and makes it difficult or impossible for them to widen it.
Narrow Clearance Has Several Benefits: By design, trails will come close to rocks and trunks
of larger trees. Wherever possible, we will go around larger trees rather than remove them.
As a result, trees and rocks immediately next to the tread help anchor the tread, often create
an anchor for a crest or dip in a tread watershed, and create local “landmarks” that make the
trail seem longer by creating more differentiation in the trail experience. As noted previously,
narrow clearance also sharpens visitors’ attention on these points and heightens their
experience of nature.
Wetlands and Ponds Are to be Avoided: Trails must avoid wet soils and muddy areas. This keeps
trails out of wet areas and, naturally, keeps them away from wetlands.
Close and Revegetate Existing Trails Deemed Inappropriate Due to Environmental Features:
Existing roads and trails must be evaluated and any that have a negative impact to
environmental features, such as wetlands, streams, etc. should be closed, obliterated, and
revegetated to prevent access to them.
Berms Hide Trails In Meadows: In meadows, vegetated berms on the outside edges of trails
will make trails difficult to see from below or from vantage points level with the trail. This also
helps prevent trails from being visible from each other.
Narrow Trails: Narrow trails reduce the width of bare soil that makes a trail visible from a
distance. Narrow trails also preserve more of the tree canopy that helps conceal trails.
A web-like trail system affords countless loops of varying lengths. Even commonly used routes
should have multiple options. There should not be any dead-end trails in the entire facility.
3-31
Two-Way Trails with Passing Lanes: Nearly all trails have two-way traffic but are only wide
enough for one OHV. Where the side slope is too steep to pass, pullouts should be provided
at periodic intervals. Tread width can be wider on extremely busy trails and on blind curves.
Blind curves, however, are rare due to the relatively straight shape of most slopes. Note that
one-way trails have been found to be less safe than two-way trails. One-way trails create an
expectation of no oncoming traffic when in fact a rider could have missed or ignored posted
signs and be going in the wrong direction. With two-way trails, all riders remain alert to
oncoming traffic and adjust their speeds and behavior accordingly. Two-way trails also enable
riders to experience the same trail in both directions and create far more possible loops and
trip variations.
Intersections: Trail intersections should be designed to provide adequate visibility from all
approaches. Four-way intersections should be avoided if possible, and instead use an offset to
slow down riders.
High Variety for Interesting Flow: Trails should be designed to reveal the full range of
experiences and environments in the facility. Transitions from one environment to another
can be gradual or sudden. This is part of the “flow” of each trail and will be used to help make
individual trails as interesting and engaging as possible.
Natural Drainages And Drainage Crossings As Landscape Features: Strip mining homogenized
and re-graded much of the original topography into machined slopes with no microtopography. To incorporate more sense of natural topography into the trail system, trails seek
out areas with varied and natural topography and areas with sharp topographic contrasts.
Natural drainages have both, and are thus prized in the trail system. Each natural drainage, is
treated as a landscape feature that causes the trail to adjust to its shape.
TreadLightly!: The County and/or any agency developing the proposed riding area should do so
in an environmentally responsible manner by protecting and preserving the natural resources
of the property by protecting and enhancing the wildlife habitat that exists on the property.
Therefore, we recommend the agency responsible for the facility’s development adopt the
TreadLightly! philosophy of using the property for motorized development and educate visitors
to do the same.
Simply stated, the TreadLightly! program is an educational program dedicated to increasing the
awareness of how to enjoy the outdoors while minimizing impacts. It emphasizes responsible
use of off-highway vehicles, other forms of travel and low impact principles related to outdoor
recreational activities. It is a long-term, information program to increase the public’s awareness
that outdoor enthusiasts must exercise special care in the outdoors, if opportunities to
recreate are to continue, and the quality of experience maintained and enhanced.
Tread Lightly! was launched in 1985 by the USDA Forest Service to help protect public and
private lands. Shortly thereafter, the United States Department of the Interior’s (USDI)
Bureau of Land Management adopted the program. To maximize its effectiveness, program
3-32
responsibility was transferred from USDI in 1990, to a not-for-profit organization. Over the
years, the program has steadily added new dimensions to meet the needs of all types of
outdoor enthusiasts. The program’s message was expanded in 1997 to include the promotion
of responsible water based recreational activities. These changes brought the USDI Bureau of
Reclamation and United States Department of Defense’s (USDOD) Army Corps of Engineers on
board as additional federal partners. Most recently the USDI National Park Service and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service joined in partnering with Tread Lightly!.
Tread Lightly! Inc. unites a broad spectrum of federal and state government agencies,
manufacturers of recreational products, media, enthusiast groups and concerned individuals
who share a common goal to care for natural resources. Through education, restoration and
research, Tread Lightly! empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, ensuring
future use of the land and water.
Through the services of Tread Lightly! Inc., outdoor enthusiasts learn that opportunities to use
the outdoors tomorrow, depends on how they recreate today.
TreadLightly Pledge
Travel & recreate with minimum impact.
Respect the environment and the rights of others.
Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go.
Allow for future use of the outdoors, by leaving it better than you found it.
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.
TreadLightly, Inc. offers resources to help educate the public. These resources include:
Master Tread Training: Send your employees to become Master Tread Trainers or Tread
Trainers.
The Tread Trainer™ program is designed to train participants in innovative, practical
methods of spreading outdoor ethics to the public. Training is especially relevant for those
who deal with motorized or mechanized recreation on managed land or waters. To become
a Master Tread Trainer, training is provided through a one-day course that will qualify the
participant to become a Tread Lightly! representative—a “Master Tread Trainer.” Once
a participant becomes a “Master Tread Trainer” they are qualified to train other staff
members, clubs, educators, enthusiasts or community members to be “Tread Trainers.”
Tread Training: If your staff is unable to attend a Master Tread Trainer course, consider
requesting a Master Trainer in your area to train your staff to become Tread Trainers. Tread
Trainers are provided with an overview of Tread Lightly!, and become qualified to present
the Tread Lightly! message of responsible recreation to local clubs, enthusiasts, guided
groups and many others.
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Brochure Series: The most efficient way to spread the Tread Lightly! message is to
distribute TreadLightly, Inc.’s one-page tip brochures. These address the best ways to
minimize impact while recreating in the great outdoors. These brochures are available at
no cost to members, and government entities are considered members. Brochures include
tips on ATV riding, four wheeling, off-highway motorcycling, mountain biking, personal
watercraft use, snowmobiling, sand duning for kids, camping, geocaching, hiking, fishing,
hunting with ATV, horseback riding, water recreation and cross country skiing.
Guidebooks: Tread Lightly!’s guidebook series includes books for four-wheel driving, ATV
riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, personal watercraft use, trail biking and “leaving a
good impression.” The books are based on the TreadLightly! principles and include safety
tips, checklists, and ways to minimize impact on the outdoors.
Public Service Announcements (PSAs): Display Tread Lightly!’s public service
announcements to educate visitors to your site. Many agencies have printed the PSAs out
as posters, posted them in kiosks, inserted them into publications, and have urged local
newspapers and magazines to donate ad space for them. They are available on DVD at no
cost to individuals who commit to use them effectively.
Web Banners: Tread Lightly!’s web banners are educational and inspirational. A variety of
banner sizes and recreation types are available.
Promotional Items: Tread Lightly! products
act as billboards for responsible recreation by
visibly reminding people to “treadlightly.” Items
include: apparel, decals, educational materials,
maps, advertising and promotional materials,
souvenirs and vehicle accessories.
For more information contact:
Tread Lightly! Inc
298 24th Street, Suite 325
Ogden, UT 84401
Fax: (801) 621-8633
Phone: (801) 627-0077
(800) 966-9900
[email protected]
Logo Use: The Tread Lightly! logo renders a
strong message. Government agencies have the
opportunity to use the TreadLightly! logo on
brochures, maps, newsletters, posters, kiosks, signage and any other type of printed or
posted materials.
Youth Outreach Kits: Tread Lightly!’s Youth Outreach Kits help teach outdoor ethics to kids.
The printable kit includes pledge cards, a kids’ principles sheet, a poster/psa, and coloring
book pages. These items can be printed out and given away at information booths or
events and can be posted on websites and kiosks. Also available in this kit is a series of kids’
web banners.
Posters: Large, 30” x 22” full color posters are a great way to display the Tread Lightly!
principles to your visitors. Put it up in your info booth or on a kiosk.
Curriculums: Tread Lightly! has created several curriculums for hunter education, junior
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high teachers, and elementary school teachers.
Agencies who participate in TreadLightly!’s programs have the opportunity to access resources
not otherwise available. Through their “Restoration for Recreation” Program, partnerships
are established to restore recreational areas and educate the public about responsible
recreation. Tread Lightly! provides expertise and guidance to its partners by administering the
restoration and educational elements of each project. Initial funding for a project is generated
through Tread Lightly!’s official sponsors, making them partners in Restoration & Education.
In most cases, Tread Lightly! finds government and foundation partners willing to provide
additional funding, leveraging as many investments as possible. A strong educational element
incorporated into every project includes Tread Lightly! presentations in local schools, near a
project, to empower the next generation to enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
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NON-MOTORIZED FACILITY PROGRAM
Based on the input received from the public input sessions, key person interviews, internet
surveys, and steering committee meetings, we identified potential program elements and,
where applicable, their corresponding design guidelines based on the guidelines previously
referenced.
Amenities
 Equestrian Accommodations including stalls, boarding areas, equestrian camping
areas
Trails
•
•
•
•
Equestrian Trails
Hiking Trails
Mountain Biking Trails
Environmental & Geological Interpretation / Bird Watching / Wildlife Viewing Trails
Other Opportunities
 Hunting
 Climbing, Repelling, Bouldering
 Geocaching
 Canopy Tours (Zip Lines)
 Paintball Area
 Radio Control Airplane Area
EQUESTRIAN CONSIDERATIONS
In order to plan equestrian trails, it is important to have an understanding of horses, their
riders, and their needs. In 2007, the U.S. Forest Service published the “Guidebook for Trails,
Trailheads, and Campgrounds.” Excerpts from this publication are utilized herein as this
publication provides detailed background and guidance on equestrian trail planning issues.
Understanding Horses
The average light horse used for recreational riding or driving weighs about 800 - 1400 lbs.
Horses are herd animals, therefore, they feel more secure in groups, because there is safety in
numbers. Horses have a nearly 360-degree field of vision.
Horses are prey animals. Their natural instinct is to run when frightened. As a last resort, they
will turn and fight. From a horse’s point of view fishing rods look suspiciously like buggy whips.
The ticking of bicycle gears sounds like the electric fence charger at home. It hurts when you
touch an electric fence. Therefore, (in equine logic) bicycles must hurt. Boisterous dogs look
like wolves. Persons carrying canoes are perceived as large animals, threats to the horse.
But horses are not so scared of motorized trail users (ATVs, dirt bikes, cars, trucks,
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snowmobiles), loud music (often used in the show ring), or wildlife as they hang out with them
in the pasture every day.
When planning trail opportunities, consideration should be given to equestrians. The American
Horse Council surveys indicate the equestrian community has a $112.1 billion dollar economic
impact, with 6.9 million horses in the U.S, of which 2,970,000 are used for recreation purposes.
A major concern of equestrians is safety. The safety of horses and their riders is dependent on
minimizing opportunities for the horses to be frightened and providing acceptable trail tread.
Minimizing Frightening Opportunities
Horses have excellent vision, hearing, and tactile senses. They are capable of feeling vibrations
through their hoofs, which often alert them to others long before the rider becomes aware.
Horses need a comfortable operating space. When they can see something suspicious from
afar, they can more easily evaluate the danger and react accordingly.
What frightens horses is not always obvious. Anything that moves suddenly or makes an
unexpected noise can rouse an animal’s survival instincts and prime it to bolt. This natural
reaction, often referred to as a startle reflex, is the result of remarkably acute senses.
There is a fine line between what is comfortable for horses and what seems dangerous. In
addition to confined spaces and predators, things that can startle a horse include:
 Loud or unexpected noises—Buzzing model airplanes, exploding firecrackers, batting
practice, or a falling tree
 Quick or unexpected movements—Fast-moving bicycles, inquisitive children, running
animals, or birds rustling in the underbrush
 Things in unusual combinations—Hikers with large backpacks or vehicles with strange
loads
 Highly contrasting or reflective surfaces—A light-colored tread near dark soil, freshly
cut logs, black or white rocks, or a manmade object in a natural setting
 Unfamiliar situations—Activity at a golf driving range or a train nearby
 Wild or unfamiliar domestic animals—Mountain lions, moose, emus, pigs, or llamas
 Narrow or constricted spaces—Bridges, gates, or tight passages
 Unexpected trail obstacles—Litter, fallen trees, or boulders
So, what happens when horses are startled? They have a range of responses, from remaining
calm to becoming severely frightened. The more conditioned the animal is to uncomfortable
situations the more likely its response will be subdued. When something makes it nervous,
an animal may dance around, inadvertently step on things, or balk. Horses or mules that are
severely unnerved may run, jump, spin, or do a creative combination of all these things.
When horses and mules feel the need to protect themselves, they may kick, bite, or strike.
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Experienced riders can hold a well-trained animal in check under most circumstances. There is
a point, though, where a stimulus becomes so great that even the best conditioning will not
override the animal’s innate fight-or-flight instincts.
Trail stock have highly developed memories for pleasure, pain, fear, people, and places. Many
trail animals recognize a previously visited location or trail route. Once a horse or mule has
had a particularly unpleasant or painful experience, the animal will try to avoid that location,
condition, or object forever.
Recreationists in many areas minimize potential conflicts by practicing trail etiquette that
favors needs of horses and mules.
Demand for Equestrian Opportunities
One century ago, life in Pennsylvania revolved around the use of horses: for agriculture,
transportation, even warfare. Today the horse is less visible in daily life, but still a large part
of our culture and economy. Pennsylvania’s equestrian events and breeders of competition
horses are world-renowned, and Pennsylvania’s Amish communities still rely on horse power
for daily transport and farming.
According to Pennsylvania’s Equine Industry Inventory, Basic Economic and Demographic
Characteristics, a 2003 study by the Penn State Department of Dairy and Animal Science and
the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, equine owners retain over 1,000,000 acres
in Pennsylvania as farmland or recreational open space (trails, competition space, etc.).
In addition, more than 27% of PA’s horses are used for recreational (26%) and tourism (1%)
activities including trail riding, other recreational riding, and outfit hunts on horseback. Such
pursuits have given rise to numerous bed-n-breakfasts, guest farms, and working farms
welcoming visitors. Interest in horse trails has seen significant recent growth in PA, and in
some cases has even spurred formation of trail preservation organizations.
Susquehanna
Region
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Racehorse
Population
General
Population
Total
Population
County
Rank
Bradford
0
2,329
2,329
23
Columbia
111
2,209
2,320
24
Lycoming
29
1,678
1,707
35
Montour
18
445
463
63
Northumberland
193
942
1,135
47
Snyder
0
599
599
59
Sullivan
0
411
411
64
Tioga
82
1,250
1,332
45
Union
59
1,422
1,481
43
Total
492
11,285
11,777
During the study, 1,135 equine (horses and ponies) were inventoried in Northumberland
County. In terms of total equine population, the county ranked 47th among the 67
Pennsylvania counties. Using the statewide percentage of equine used in recreational and/or
tourism activities (27%), this plan estimates 306 equine within the county, and 3,179 equine in
the nine counties of the Susquehanna Region are being used for recreation or tourism.
2,329
2,209
1,678
445
942
599
County
Rank
19
24
33
61
50
58
Equine
Value
$10,619,355
$10,072,770
$7,652,182
$2,030,171
$4,294,592
$2,732,922
Related
Acres
24,636
13,085
19,279
5,453
7,207
10,811
411
62
$1,874,004
4,522
Tioga
Union
1,250
1,422
$5,700,095
$6,480,930
30,131
4,111
Total
11,285
45
40
Region
Rank-6
$51,457,021
119,235
Susquehanna
Region
Bradford
Columbia
Lycoming
Montour
Northumberland
Snyder
Total Equine
Sullivan
Equestrian Trail Design Considerations
Equestrian trail systems should be planned based upon a designed riding experience. In a
normal walking gate, horses travel approximately three to five miles per hour. Therefore, it is
important to plan trails based on the amount of time required to complete the ride. Looped
trail systems can loop trails of varying lengths. This gives the rider the option of shorter or
longer trail rides.
-
One hour loop: 3 to 5 miles
Two hour loop: 6 to 10 miles
Three hour loop: 18 to 15 miles
Equestrian Trail Guidelines
 Vertical Clearance: 10 – 12 feet
 Corridor Clearance: 5 – 6 feet (one lane)
 Tread Width: 18 – 30 inches (one lane)
 Grade (Slope): 0-10%
 Max – 10% sustained
 20% shorter than 50 yd.
 Outslope 4% max
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 Trail length: minimum 5 miles
 (1 to 1.5 hours)
 Sight distance: 50-100 feet (two way traffic)
 Trail Tread Surface: Natural trail surface is preferred if soils are appropriate. Avoid
sharp gravel.
 Remove loose rocks (melon sized and up).
 Cut vegetation flush or below ground level.
 Remove dead or leaning trees.
 Remove protruding roots.
 Bridges
 Build bridges to support emergency & maintenance vehicles
 Flat, solid decking that doesn’t bounce
 Minimum width 48” for small, low bridges; preferably same width as trail tread
 Create a safe, inviting approach
 Railings should be strong and high, the higher the bridge, higher the rail
 Consider surface and surrounding conditions.
Equestrian Trail Amenities
 On-Trail Amenities
 Provide for horse water on trail (create a hardened, gentle slope down to a trailside
stream or pond).
 Create loop trails vs. linear trails
 Provide destinations
 Trailhead Amenities
 Parking separated from other trail user parking; spacious, with level, pull-through
design; parking pattern is clearly indicated; Hardened surface (gravel), pavement;
centrally located to disperse use
 Parking stall size – 30’ x 80’ to accommodate large truck and trailer combinations
and loading and unloading
 Potable water
 Restrooms nearby
 Concrete bunker for manure disposal
 Several clearly marked trails out of parking area
 Picnic tables, shade
 Signs and maps
 Accessible Mounting Platforms
 Ordinary mounting blocks (stones, stumps) – especially at places riders are
 Camping Areas
 Water is a must
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



Picket lines, corrals or stalls
Separate horse camp from others
Centrally located
Priced appropriately
Equestrian Trail Difficulty Rating:
General guidelines for difficulty ratings associated with equestrian trails.
Aspect
Grade
Tread Surface
Obstacles
Creek
Crossings
More Difficult/
Intermediate
Easiest
Very Difficult / Advanced
5% or less average
15% maximum for a
short distance
10% or less average
15% for longer distance
15% or less average
15% to 20% for short
distance
Firm and stable
Mostly stable, with some
variability
Widely variable, some
less stable footing
Avoidable or small
obstacles easy to get
around
Larger and more frequent
obstacles that require
some horse control and
maneuvering
Numerous unavoidable
obstacles that require
considerable horse
control and maneuvering
Bridges minimum 5’0” wide with railings
where needed
Shallow ford crossing
that are relatively easy to
maneuver through
Deeper, more challenging
fords requiring steady
horse control
Source: Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, MN Department of Natural Resources
Further information of the Pennsylvania Equine Council’s Trail Stewardship Program can be
obtained by contacting the:
Pennsylvania Equine Council
Post Office Box 62
Huntington Mills, PA 18622-0062
1-888-304-0281
[email protected]
ENDURANCE RIDING
Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the
international competitions recognized by the Fédération Équestre Internationale, www.fei.org.
There are endurance rides worldwide. In the United States, endurance riding competitions are
sanctioned by the American Endurance Riding Conference, www.aerc.org.
There are two types of long-distance riding, competitive trail riding and endurance rides. In
an endurance ride there is a mass start and riders are expected to establish a pace that is
appropriate for their mounts skill and fitness levels. Horses are required to meet very stringent
health standards at several veterinary checkpoints along the course. Contestants are ranked
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by completion time, with special honors given to the “Best Conditioned Horses”, which is
based on a veterinary evaluation after completion of the event.
In the United States, sanctioned one day endurance rides are never more than 100 miles, and
never less than 50 miles to discourage extended sprinting paces that might over-burden the
veterinary control system. Shorter rides, called Limited Distance Competition, are organized
for new riders to the sport or young horses being trained, but there is no recognition for
ranking (pace) in these events. There are also a few longer, usually multi-day, rides run as
well. As with human marathon running, many riders will participate to improve their horse’s
personal best performance, or to build on its mileage record to demonstrate longevity, and
therefore consider any finish with an honorable veterinary approval a “win”. The fastest
horses may complete 100-mile rides in 7-13 hours, depending on the terrain and climate.
Competitive trail rides are typically 20 to 40 miles per day, and may extend for several days for
a total of up to 100 miles. Horses and riders are released to the course singly or in small groups
at regular intervals ½ to 2 minutes apart. Everyone is expected to complete the day’s course in
the same pre-established time (+/- 15 min.). The horses condition is scored at each mid-course
check point and at the finish of each day. Awards are based on the cumulative veterinary
scores. Some Competitive Trail Rides also score and recognize horsemanship skills of the rider.
In the United States competitive trail rides are sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride
Conference, www.natrc.org, and throughout the east coast many races are sanctioned by the
Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association, www.ectra.org.
A typical regional endurance event requires local sponsorship and organization. The trail
routes need to be established, and a 10 to 20 acre base camp is required to host the event. The
base camp needs to accommodate event participants who arrive with livestock trailers and
set up camp for the weekend in the base camp. Events generally take place over a weekend,
with entrants arriving on Friday and competing throughout Saturday and Sunday. Events can
include 25, 50, and 100 mile rides and include approximately 150 entrants. Entrances fees vary,
ranging from $100 to $200 for a 50 mile event, to $200 to $400 for a 100 mile event.
Current and Past Pennsylvania Endurance Rides
 Fort Armstrong Horsemen’s Association 75-50-25 mile endurance ride – Ford City,
Pennsylvania
 Genessee 25/50 &30/50 Endurance- Pennsdale, Pennsylvania
 Lick Ridge Challenge CTRs 25/25 miles - Huntington. PA
 Leo & Betty Glass Memorial CTRs - Huntingdon,PA
 Michaux Madness Endurance 30/55-30/50/75-30/50 Endurance - Penn State Mont Alto
 Tidioute Wilderness 150-100/50/25-50/25 Endurance - Tideoute, Pennsylvania
 Coal Cracker Challenge CTR – Weatherly, Pennsylvania
 Muckleratz Run 25 7/25 - Elizabethville, Pennsylvania
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SINGLE TRACK MOUNTAIN BIKE / HIKING TRAILS
Consideration will be given to the level of trail development that is required based upon the
location, use, and other factors. Some trails may be natural surface trails, while others may
consist of more developed surfaces.
We strongly recommend trails be designed in a sustainable manner following the International
Mountain Bicycling Association’s (IMBA) five essential elements of sustainable trails. These
include:
 The Half Rule: A trail’s grade should not exceed the half grade of the hillside or
sideslope that the trail traverses. If grade does exceed half of the sideslope, its
considered a fall line trail and susceptible to erosion.
 The Ten Percent Average Grade Guideline: Generally a trail with an average grade of
10% or less is most sustainable. This does not mean that all grades must be kept under
10%. Many sections of trail will have short steep sections greater than 10%, and some
unique situations will allow average grades of more than 10%.
 Maximum Sustainable Grade Trails: Maximum sustainable grade is the steepest section
of trail that is more than ten feet in length. When designing a trail, it is essential to
determine early in the process the maximum grades the trail will be able to sustain
given the local conditions. Variables that impact the maximum sustainable grade
include:
Soil Type
Rock
Annual Rainfall Amount
Grade Reversals
Type of Users
Number of Users
Level of Difficulty
 Grade Reversals: A grade reversal is a spot at which a climbing trail levels out and then
changes direction, dropping subtly for about 10 to 50 linear feet before rising again.
This change in grade forces water to exit the trail at the low point before it can gain
volume, velocity, and erosive power. Grade reversals are also known as dips, grade
breaks, drainage dip, and rolling dip.
 Outslope: As the trail contours across a hillside, the downhill or outer edge of the trail
tread should tilt slightly down and away from the high side, encouraging water to sheet
flow across and off the trail.
Further, we recommend every effort be taken to avoid ten common trail building mistakes as
summarized by IMBA.
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IMBA also notes the ten most common trail building mistakes, which should be avoided at all
costs.
1.
Not Getting Land Manager Approval: We know: you just want to build trails. But
believe us when we tell you that nothing - not a single darned thing – is more important
before starting trail work than the approval of the land owner or manager. In our
experience, a failure to secure permission is the single biggest cause of trail closures.
When it comes to building trails, to ask for forgiveness is not better than to ask for
permission.
2. Falling for the Fall Line: Put simply, fall line trails are erosion nightmares. They turbocharge natural and user-created erosion, exposing rocks and roots and generally living
short lives before becoming loose, wide, ecosystem-damaging disasters. To build trails
that last, use the Half Rule: trail grade, or steepness, shouldn’t exceed half the grade,
or steepness, of the hillside; and the 10 Percent Rule: overall trail grade should be 10
percent or less.
3. Guessing the Grade: Nobody, no matter how masterful their eye, can guess trail
grades right every time. Trust us, we know. Sure, it’s fun to try, but use a clinometer
to confirm the grade whenever you’re laying out trail - it’s worth a regiment of selfpowered, Fantasia-style Pulaskis, because no amount of trail work can fix a trail built
on an unsustainable grade. If you don’t have a clinometer, we highly recommend an
investment in this indispensable tool.
4. Going Against the Flow: Not even race courses - which are sometimes designed with
erratic flow to throw off a racer’s rhythm - should make this trail building faux pas.
All trail builders should make “smooth transitions” their mantra. Bad flow, especially
fast sections leading into sharp turns, is a primary cause of user conflict. When you are
building, think flow - it’s the key to an enjoyable trail.
5. Half Bench is Half Baked: The only time you should ever skimp on a fully bench cut
trail is (1) when the sideslope is so steep - 80 percent or greater - that the backslope
exceeds six feet in height, or (2) when your trail design forces you to build close to the
downhill side of a large tree. In both cases, a proper crib wall should be built to support
your partial bench, and, as in all trails, the tread should maintain a five to seven percent
outslope.
6. The West Virginia Climbing Turn: Our friends in West Virginia affectionately gave this
name to some of their steep, fall line turns, and while they’ve gotten away with it in a
few locations because of the soil and user types, most fall line turns will erode badly. If
you want your climbing turns to endure, build them on sideslopes with no steeper than
a seven to 10 percent grade.
7. Building Houses of Straw: Using shoddy materials when building trail structures leaves
you and others similarly vulnerable by reducing the structure’s safety and longevity.
This opens the door to things like pain, guilt and even lawyers. Build it right. Keep the
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wolves at bay.
8. Finishing a Line Before Its Time: We heartily support on-the-trail training, but some
new trail builders are so eager to keep building more! new! better! trails that they don’t
devote enough time or care to each new trail section. Resist the temptation to move
forward. Don’t finish a line before its time, and always patch past mistakes.
9. Building a Pathway to Grandma’s House: This is what we call some trail builders’
obsession with lining trail with logs. A properly constructed trail shouldn’t need them.
In fact, lining a trail with logs can trap water and increase erosion.
10. Ignoring Old Wounds: As mountain bikers we may think our scars are cool, but scars
on the land left by closed trails are damaging wounds that need to heal. Always reclaim
eroded areas with check dams - natural obstacles like logs or rocks that divert the flow
of water and soil - and reclaim all closed trails with transplanted native vegetation that
conceals the old corridor. Shine the spotlight on the great trails you’ve built, not the
ugly scars that have been left behind.
GEOCACHING
Geocaching is a high tech outdoor adventure sport in which adventure seekers use a handheld
Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate hidden containers. The basic idea is to locate
these hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.
Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and
support for the environment. The containers are called “caches.” A typical cache is a small
waterproof container that holds a logbook and trinkets for participants to trade.
Upon finding these containers, or geocaches, one can add or remove items to / from the
geocache and share their experiences online. Geocache locations and coordinates can be
found at www.geocaching.com.
Geocaching can attract visitors from the surrounding region, other counties, states, or even
countries. It is a recommendation of this plan that Northumberland County permit geocaching
in the AOAA, and develop an official geocache permit process, application form, and guidelines
on geocache content and access. It is of concern to this Master Plan that geocaching in the
AOAA rely mainly on existing trails for access. Formation of geocaching user-created trails
could cause erosion problems on the AOAA’s steep slopes and should be kept to a minimum.
Examples of Geocache placement permits and guidelines are found in the appendices of this
report.
HUNTING
Throughout the course of the master planning process, hunting was a controversial subject.
On one hand, hunting is a well-established activity in Northumberland County as hunting
has occurred on the County property for many generations. On the other hand, if hunting
is permitted to occur on the property once the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is
3-45
established, safety concerns dictate the facility should be closed to all other activities. A closed
facility will not generate user fee revenues for the duration of the closing and it would be an
unpopular decision to charge a user fee for those interested in hunting on the property.
Also, as part of this analysis, an inventory of existing public hunting opportunities was
conducted. There are twenty-seven state game lands, totaling approximately 137,600 acres,
and 189,700 acres of State Forest, that are open to hunting, within 30 minutes of the proposed
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Given the amount of land open to hunting in proximity to
the County land, a strong argument could be made that providing additional lands for hunting
opportunities may not be warranted as sufficient opportunities are available in the region.
That said, it would be a very unpopular decision from a political perspective.
Each perspective was taken into consideration to determine whether a suitable compromise
could be reached. The ideal compromise would be to limit the closure of the facility to off-peak
times while permitting the hunting of each game species on the property.
Typically, the off-peak use season for an OHV facility is during the late fall and winter months.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission establishes the rules and regulations related to hunting in
Pennsylvania and the open season for each species is dependent on the breeding seasons of
the respective species. Of particular interest are the large game seasons. All of the seasons
were reviewed to determine their overlap during the anticipated off-peak season of the facility.
Refer to the attached table.
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2010 Hunting Seasons - Pennsylvania Game Commission
Seasons
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Squirrel
Grouse
Rabbit
Pheasant
Quail
Hare
Turkey
Spring Gobbler
Black Bear - Archery
Black Bear
Elk
Deer - Archery
Deer - Rifle
Deer - Muzzleloader
Antlerless Deer Flintlock
Raccoon and Fox
Bobcat
Coyote and
Groundhogs
The County owned Enterprise Site will be
closed year-round to motorized activity,
and hunting will be permitted on the
property year-round with respect to
the various seasons established by the
Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Year-round
Anthracite
Outdoor
Adventure
Area Closed,
Open for
Hunting
Only
Based on this analysis we recommend providing a six week opportunity for hunting within the
AOAA, by closing the AOAA Monday through Saturday, beginning with the Saturday before
Thanksgiving through the first week of January. This encompasses a portion of the fall and
winter small game (rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant, quail, and turkey) season, bear season,
deer (rifle season), a portion of the deer winter archery season, bobcat season, and a portion
of the raccoon and fox seasons. Further, closing the facility during this time frame should
have the least impact to the economics of the facility as this is the most likely time of year
(between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day) for limited use of the facility by the motorized
community. Given Pennsylvania Game Commission regulations prohibit hunting on Sundays,
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the AOAA could be open on Sundays only throughout the designated hunting season at the
AOAA. Many hikers, equestrians, and OHV enthusiasts typically stay out of the woods Monday
through Saturday, and recognize they can enter them on Sundays without conflicting with
hunters. Opening the AOAA one day a week during the proposed hunting period would allow
non-motorized and motorized use of the AOAA. All trails would be open to use, and, there
would be limited services as major facilities such as the campground would not be opened
during this period as it would not be economically feasible.
We recommend the County evaluate this policy on an annual basis to determine whether
the policy should be modified. Further, we recommend the County track the attendance of
hunters on the County property to determine the number being served. If it is determined the
facility is being closed for a few hunters, and if it is anticipated that opening the facility would
serve more visitors, then we recommend the policy hunting policy be eliminated.
ROCK CLIMBING
Rock climbing is a sport in which participants
climb up or across natural rock formations or
man-made rock walls with the goal of reaching
the summit of a formation or the endpoint of
a pre-defined route. Rock climbing is similar to
scrambling (another activity involving the scaling
of hills and similar formations), but climbing is
generally differentiated by its need for the use of
the climber’s hands to hold his or her own weight
and not just provide balance.
Rock climbing is a physically and mentally
demanding sport, one that often tests a climber’s
strength, endurance, agility, and balance
along with his or her mental control. It can be
a dangerous sport and knowledge of proper
climbing techniques and use of specialized
climbing equipment is crucial for the safe
completion of routes.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages certain State
Parks and Forests lands with long histories of climbing activities. Until recent, DCNR has not
had policies on climbing related activities. However, while desiring to meet the recreational
needs of climbing, repelling, and bouldering, DCNR also has a responsibility to conserve
those areas with ecological, environmental, geological, archaeological or historic resources
or values. Further, climbing management guidelines are necessary to prevent user conflicts,
environmental degradation and to ensure an enjoyable experience for every climbing
enthusiast and state forest visitor in general.
3-48
Excerpts from “Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation Rock Climbing,
Repelling, and Bouldering Management Policy and Guidelines”
In order to preserve the state forests’ and state parks’ unique geologic formations, historic and
cultural resources, to protect sensitive flora and fauna resources and to ensure each Bureau’s
core policies regarding recreational use are adhered to, the time has arrived to address all of
these concerns through the adoption of rock climbing management guidelines. In 2008, DCNR
adopted climbing management guidelines.
We recommend Northumberland County adopt similar policies for all climbing areas considered
or proposed for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. Further, we recommend that those
areas suitable for climbing, repelling, or bouldering be posted as such, and that visitors to the
AOAA are to assume all areas of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area are closed to these
activities, unless posted otherwise.
The following are DCNR’s General Rock Climbing Guidelines, we recommend rock climbing at
the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area be managed in a consistent manner according to the
following PA DCNR guidelines.
General Rock Climbing Guidelines
 The placement, removal, or replacement of fixed anchors, including bolts, coldshuts,
and chains is not permitted without prior approval of the Department. Rivets and
pitons are not permitted to be used for rock climbing purposes.
 It may, in certain instances, become necessary to close entire formations or particular
climbing routes permanently or on a temporary basis to ensure resource or value
concerns are protected. The aforementioned procedures shall be followed. In the
event of a closure on State Forest land, the Bureau of Forestry shall post an area (or
route) closed to climbing. The Bureau of State Parks will remove any signs indicating
an area is open to climbing should issues develop necessitating the reversion to
closure. The Regional Coordinator for the Access Fund and any local clubs should be
notified. The duration of the closure should also be relayed. The Access Fund is the
national advocacy organization that keeps U.S. climbing areas open and conserves
the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, the Access Fund supports and represents
over 1.6 million climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing; rock climbing, ice
climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on
national and local levels: public policy, stewardship & conservation (including grants),
grassroots activism, climber education, and land acquisition.
 Rock alterations by chipping, chiseling, sculpting, drilling, defacing, trundling, or
gluing/epoxying of holds (hand & foot) are not permitted without prior approval of
the Department. This also includes the practice of dry tooling which involves using ice
climbing tools on rock surfaces.
 Climbing and/or repelling within a known habitat of any rare, threatened or
endangered plant or animal species as well in areas determined by the Department to
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be ecologically significant on DCNR land is not permitted.
 Brushing away or removing vegetation of any type to clear a climbing route is
prohibited. Cleaning of individual holds is permitted.
 Climbers are permitted to use and remove temporary anchors without restriction.
 If a tree must be used for climbing purposes, padding must be used to prevent the
rope, sling or chain from damaging the tree.
 Climbing is permitted in natural and wild areas, subject to the above restrictions.
 Repelling, bouldering and ice climbing are permitted on State Forest land in accordance
with all local rules, regulations and/or restrictions. Repelling, bouldering and ice
climbing are permitted on State Park land only in those areas posted open to such uses
and in accordance with all local site restrictions.
Climbing Ethics
 Approved, fixed anchors must be of high quality stainless steel, or the equivalent.
 Critical nesting sites are often found in cliff faces for many birds and other animals can
use rock outcrops for shelter. Be aware of closures, both mandatory and voluntary,
and follow them. Keep alert for animals protecting their home and change or abandon
your route to leave them space.
 Remove and carry out all webbing & slings. Leave the area cleaner than you found it.
 Minimize chalk use, use chalk in a mesh bag, use chalk substitutes if available, and
brush off heavily chalked holds.
 Climb in small numbers and disperse your activities.
 Remain on climbing routes to avoid fragile ecosystems.
 Even though rock is highly durable, continual climbing can wear it down and break
pieces off. Avoid erodible or soft rocks.
 Use quick draws where possible to reduce wear on existing anchors.
 Minimize noise while waiting to climb.
 Climbers should avoid using climbing sites susceptible to erosion and compaction
during or after rainfall events to minimize environmental degradation.
 Give other climbing parties plenty of room and time to climb at their pace. Or, politely
ask if you can pass when it is convenient and safe.
CANOPY TOURS / ZIP LINE TOURS / ADVENTURE TOURS
Standards for ropes courses, canopy and zip line tours have been developed by the
Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA). The PRCA is currently undergoing a review
of our standards per these procedures and looks to publish the first ever industry national
standards in the near future through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Having
been first published in 2002 / 2003 and updated on a regular basis, the PRCA standards are
the source of information for insurance companies, operators, travelers, and the cruise ship
industry to name a few. The PRCA is the leading voice for the industry.
Canopy tours and zip lines must be managed and operated by individuals who complete the
specified ANSI PRCA certification process.
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PAINTBALL
Paintball is a game, first played in 1981 in the U.S. in the State of New Hampshire, in which
players compete, in teams or individually, to eliminate opponents by hitting them with capsules
containing paint (referred to as paintballs) propelled from a device called a paintball marker.
While oil-based paint was originally used, paintballs are actually made of a special non-toxic,
biodegradable, water soluble mineral-oil. The game is regularly played at a sporting level with
organized competition involving worldwide leagues, tournaments, professional teams, and
players.
Games are played on indoor or outdoor fields of varying sizes. A game field is scattered with
natural or artificial terrain, which players use for strategic play. Rules for playing paintball vary,
but can include capture the flag, elimination, defending or attacking a particular point or area,
or capturing objects of interest hidden in the playing area. Depending on the variant played,
games can last from seconds to hours, or even days in scenario play.
 a woods ball field for scenario players
 a speedball field for speedball players
 Operation Permits
 Annual Inspections
 Insurance and Liability
Paintball Resources:
National Professional Paintball League, www.nppl.com
National Collegiate Paintball Association, www.college-paintball.com
American Paintball Players Association, www.paintball-players.org
MODEL AERONAUTICS FIELD
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) establishes standards, guidelines and policies
for the planning, development, management and operations of model aeronautics fields,
www.modelaircraft.org/documents.aspx. There are currently one-hundred and fifty-eight
documents published by the AMA. When considering whether to develop a model aeronautics
facility, it is important to initially consult the following AMA documents:
 Document 105
 Document 106
 Document 535B
 Document 706
2011 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code
National Flying Site Rules
Flying Site Safety and Operational Rules
Recommended RC Flying Site Specifications
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Document 706, Recommended RC Flying Site Specifications, establishes the recommended
physical requirements for radio control flying facilities. Based on these recommendations, a
minimum of fifty acres are required to be dedicated for the pits, taxi way, runway, overfly area,
and safety zone. These are illustrated as follows:
AMA Land Side Facilities Dimensions
AMA Land Side Facilities Dimensions
Radio Control Model Aeronautic Fields are typically developed, operated, and managed
through a locally established AMA sanctioned club. The AMA offers its chartered clubs official
contest sanction, insurance, and assistance in establishing and retaining flying sites.
 Capitol Area Flyers , www.flycaf.org, Mechanicsburg, PA
 Conestoga R/C Club, Website: http://home.comcast.net/~conestogarc , Stoney Lane,
New Danville, PA
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CONCEPT PLAN
The Concept Plan described here is the result of the inventory and analysis of opportunities
and constraints of the site, an understanding of the desired program opportunities, and input
received through the public process.
The Northumberland County properties being considered for the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area encompass an area between Big Mountain, across Little Mountain and, on
and around Mahanoy Mountain, approximately 13 miles in length and 2.6 miles in width. Given
the area covered by the proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area the description of the
Concept Plan is divided into two components, the Eastern Reserve (area east of State Route
125) and the Western Reserve (area west of State Route 125).
EASTERN RESERVE AREA EAST OF STATE ROUTE 125
Traveling south on State Route 125, south of Shamokin from the intersection of Bear Valley
Road and State Route 125, approximately 2.1 miles one reaches the proposed entrance to the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area located on the eastern side of State Route 125. This is
proposed as the primary entrance into the AOAA and provides access to the Eastern Reserve
property. An access road into the AOAA is proposed from State Route 125 and will extend into,
and circle the perimeter of the heart of the Eastern Reserve. The Eastern Reserve consists of
27 county parcels totaling 2,780 acres.
Upon turning east onto the proposed access road, from State Route 125, and heading east one
will first arrive at the proposed AOAA administrative and operations office for the AOAA. This
office will serve as the first point of contact for guests arriving through this primary access.
The proposed administrative and operations office will contain offices for administrative and
operations personnel, as well as meeting rooms, and comfort facilities. Employee and short
term parking will be located immediately adjacent to the office for guests needing to do
business in the office, and for the office employees.
Just beyond the office, day use parking will be provided for day use guests. All parking areas
will be designed to meet the requirements of non-motorized, motorized, and OHV users,
including sufficient spaces for haul vehicles and trailers. Further, parking areas will comply with
the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements by providing accessible parking spaces at a
rate of two percent of the total number of parking spaces. Separate day use parking areas will
be provided for non-motorized and motorized day use guests. Non-motorized parking areas
will accommodate equestrian visitors and transports as well.
Near the proposed motorized day use parking area, and within view of the office, we propose
a motorized safety training area. This area should be designed to be multi-purpose in nature,
accommodating a full range of OHV safety training program offerings. The main Motorized
Trail Access (trailhead) will be immediately accessible from the motorized day use parking area.
The Motorized Trail Access will contain an informational kiosk and direct guests to motorized
trail offerings on both the Eastern and Western Reserves. Motorized trail opportunities on the
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Eastern Reserve will be limited to low speed and low density trails. Further the trails will be
designed primarily for full size OHV and family style UTV, ATV, and OHM riding opportunities.
A campground to serve motorized guests is proposed in proximity to the Motorized Trail
Access. This campground should be designed to accommodate primitive, tent, and RV
camping. Further, sites must accommodate not only campers but also their haul vehicles and
motorized equipment.
Driving further east, into the Eastern Reserve, one enters into the heart of the Eastern Reserve.
In this area the Non-Motorized Trail Access (trailhead) is proposed. The non-motorized day use
guest parking will be located near this trail access opportunity. The Non-Motorized Trail Access
is intended for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, and hunting access to non-motorized trails
located on the Eastern Reserve. Typically separate trails will be provided for non-motorized
and motorized uses. However, there may be instances where non-motorized and motorized
use occurs on the same trails as previously discussed in the Synopsis on Multi-Use (motorized
and non-motorized) Trail Philosophy. A network of trails is proposed in the Eastern Reserve to
serve the hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian uses. The Non-Motorized Trail Access should
also include a campground to serve non-motorized guests, their haul vehicles, and equipment.
A limited motorized access buffer is proposed beyond the northeast corner of the nonmotorized area, adjacent to the Excelsior neighborhood. Motorized use in the area will be
very limited and typically will only consist of AOAA authorized vehicle use, such as emergency
response vehicles.
In addition to the Non-Motorized Trails and Trail Access, an area has been designated for the
proposed zip lines / canopy tours and an OHV rock crawling venue. The zip line / canopy tour
area is proposed on the north side of Mahanoy Mountain and the OHV rock crawling venue is
proposed further east on the north face of Mahanoy Mountain. The OHV rock crawling area is
proposed to be created through the current PA DEP Bureau of Mine Reclamation project which
is being completed in the area identified. The funding being provided by the PA DEP Bureau of
Mine Reclamation for this project may be utilized to match other grant opportunities.
The existing Enterprise (aka Alaska Site) site is proposed to contain non-motorized trails and
shall be utilized to provide dedicated hunting opportunities.
The ‘finger’ of property extending along the ridge and southern face of Mahanoy Mountain
east towards Helfenstein is proposed to be a limited use motorized buffer, to provide respite
to the Helfenstein neighborhood located along State Route 2044 (aka Upper Road). These
areas will be opened to non-motorized use while motorized use will be limited in density and
speed.
Two private parcels, encompassing an additional 1757 acres, are situated between the above
‘finger’ and the Enterprise site. This parcel of land would provide an opportunity to expand
the trail system provided a lease agreement could be reached between the County and the
property owner.
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WEST ERN RESERVE AREA WEST OF STATE ROUTE 125
The Western Reserve is proposed to be accessed from the Eastern Reserve by a grade
separated crossing which will pass beneath State Route 125. A grade separated crossing
provides the safest alternative to reaching the Western Reserve from the Eastern Reserve. The
Western Reserve is comprised of 66 county owned parcels and encompasses almost 3,800
acres.
Making the connection between the Eastern and Western Reserve are two county owned
parcels separated by several privately held parcels from the remaining County owned
property in the Western Reserve. Connecting the County properties will require easement
agreements with the following land owners: Burring Coal Inc. and FER Land Company, Inc.
Upon reconnecting to the County owned parcels to the west, the internationally renowned
Whaleback Anticline site is located immediately adjacent to the northern edge of the County
property. The property which includes the Whaleback is privately held.
Given the international significance of the Whaleback Anticline we recommend the County
continue its efforts to lease, purchase, or otherwise preserve this outstanding geologic feature.
The area of interest contains approximately 44 acres, which is a little more than 50% of the
77 acre parcel that it is situated on. Until such time the property can be leased or acquired,
we recommend developing the informal overlook that exists along the northern edge of
the County property. On the Inventory and Analysis Map this is waypoint number 101 and is
identified as the Overlook.
A property survey should be completed in this area to determine whether the user-created
overlook is located on County or the adjacent private property. If located on the adjacent
private property, we recommend the County lease a minimal amount of land from the land
owner, one to five acres as required, so the existing user-created overlook can be enhanced
with the addition of a small parking area, picnic tables, a picnic shelter, and a sign or kiosk
interpreting the geologic significance of the Whaleback Anticline.
Should the County succeed in its efforts to acquire the 44 acres which encompasses the
Whaleback Anticline then recommend the area be further enhanced with hiking trails,
motorized access around the northern perimeter, further overlook development, and further
geologic and environmental interpretation opportunities be developed. Future programming
opportunities could include non-motorized and motorized geologic tours of this extraordinary
geologic feature. Consideration could also be given to developing a climbing and repelling
policy as it can offer those opportunities as well if desired.
Upon reaching the County property directly south of the Whaleback Anticline the heart of
the AOAA motorized trail system is at hand. This area includes the ridge and northern face
of Mahanoy Mountain, the area locally known as the “Bowl” (the valley located between
Mahanoy and Big Mountains), and the southern face and ridge of Big Mountain. The access
road extending from the grade separated crossing under State Route 125 is proposed to
extend to, through and circle, the Western Reserve property. This portion for the property can
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LEGEND
Potential Secondary Access
- Limited hours
- Limited days / potentially weekend
only
Buffer
- Limited Access
Projects
- Campground
Heart Lake
- Campground
Potential Site Use Areas
Non-Motorized Use
Whaleback
- Privately Owned
- Potential Lease of Properties
- Geologic and Environmental Interpretation
- Hiking Trails
- Potential Climbing Opportunities
- Overlooks
Old Trolley
Line
Buffer
- Limited Motorized Access
Buffer Area
(Non-Motorized &
Limited Motorized Use)
Non-Motorized Trail Access
- Hiking
- Equestrian
- Mountain Biking
- Hunting Access
- Day Use Parking
- Non-Motorized Campground
Main Entrance
- Non-Motorized and Motorized Entrance
- Motorized Trail Access
- Office / Meeting Rooms / Comfort Facilities
- Day Use Parking
- RV and Motorized Campground
- Safety Training Area
Non-Motorized &
Limited Motorized
Use
Motorized Use
Motorized Play
Area
Coal Township
The Mile
Buffer
Existing Trails
Notes
Property Boundaries are approximate.
Buffer
Project
Zerbe Township
Motorized Trails
Mud
Road
Potential Western Entrance
- Privately Owned
- Potential Private Development
- Motorized Entrance
- Comfort Facilities
- Day Use Parking
Heart
Lake
ATV Play
Areas
Privately Owned
Potential Lease
for Motorized Trails
Carbon Run
Site
- Hiking
- Equestrian
- Mountain Biking
- Hunting
AMD
Ponds
The
Pines
Sand Pits
Excelsior
Springhouse
Sinkholes
Big Mine
Shaft
ATV Play
Areas
The
Flats
Mine
Opening &
Fan House
Motorized Trails
Motorized Trails
North Slope
Mine
Site
Old Mine
Site
Mine
SinkholesDT
OHV Rock Crawling
Pole Line
Ridge
Reclaimation
Site
Privately Owned
Potential Lease
for Motorized Trails
OHV Rock Crawling
Motorized Trails
Foundation
Ruins
Open
Shaft
OHV Rock Crawling
Open
Shaft
Pole Line
Hill
ine
Open
Shaft
Caves
Overlook
Excelsior
Reservoir
The
Caves
Zip L
Potential Secondary Access &
Trailhead
- Limited hours
only
- private property - requires
cooperation and easement
Non-Motorized Trails and
Limited Motorized Trails
Mine w.
Water
Non-Motorized Trails
and Hunting
Opportunity
Enterprise
Mine
Easement Agreements
- for Trail Access
Mine
Shaft
x
x
x
x
Buffer
Whaleback Overlooks
- Explore opportunities for
Whaleback Overlooks on
County property
x
- Primarily non-motorized with
limited motorized access
- Opportunity for dedicated access to
non-motorized trails
Old Railroad
Grade
x
x
Buffer
- Limited Access
Buffer
East Cameron Cameron Township
Buffer
Buffer
Concept Plan
provide trail opportunities for the full spectrum of OHVs, including: off highway motorcycles,
ATVs, UTVs, full size 4 x 4’s, rock crawlers, and dune buggies. The concept plan identifies areas
specific to rock crawling (along the ridge of Mahanoy Mountain) and OHM, ATV and UTV play
areas in the area locally known as the ‘Sands’. Further, existing features locally known as the
Pines, Heart Lake and the Projects provide focal points for rest areas and potential primitive
camping areas, while features such as ‘Mud Road’ provide challenging full size opportunities.
A buffer area, for limited motorized access is proposed along Carbon Run and in the vicinity
of the Fairview Rod and Gun Club. Ample opportunity exists to create a world class OHV trail
system throughout the Western Reserve.
The County owned land, isolated from the previous property, along the northern face of Big
Mountain, and immediately adjacent to the Trevorton neighborhood is proposed as a limitedmotorized buffer, with the proposed secondary motorized trail access point following the
former trolley line corridor up the mountain, as identified on the Concept Plan. This secondary
access has been selected to provide direct access to the AOAA to eliminate the need to trailer
machines from Trevorton to the main AOAA Trail Access located east of State Route 125. The
proposed secondary access point need to be implemented in a neighbor-friendly manner, so
it is not a nuisance to the surrounding property owners. Therefore, consideration should be
given to policies governing all secondary accesses, such as day light use only, and potentially
weekend use only.
Immediately adjacent to the west of the County-owned property, and before reaching State
Route 2044 (aka Franklin Avenue) is the area locally known as the ‘Flats’, encompassing
approximately 287 acres of land in two parcels. Historically the ‘Flats’ has served as a primary
motorized trail access point. However, it is located on privately held land, and is in close
proximity to ‘Coal Hill’, lying immediately to the west, also on private property, and a source
of contention to municipal officials and surrounding neighbors due to dust, noise, and unsafe
riding concerns. Coal Hill typically generates many more ATV accidents during the course of
the year than does the 6,000 acres of County-owned property to its east.
Although the ‘Flats’ has been associated with negative aspects of OHV activities in the region,
it has tremendous potential to serve the AOAA. If an agreement can be reached with the
property owners to provide access from their property to the County-owned property the
potential exists to provide lodging opportunities on the site, from an organized campground
and camping cabins, up to and including hotel and hospitality opportunities. Additionally,
this area could serve as a prime location for a secondary access into the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area, regardless of whether a campground or lodging is provided in the vicinity.
Further, frontage along State Route 2044 could be developed by the private sector to further
meet the needs of guests who visit the AOAA.
Immediately north of the ‘Flats’ is another parcel, 572 acres in size, that is privately held. This
parcel, owner willing, can also provide the opportunity to expand motorized trail opportunities
in conjunction with the trails of the Western Reserve.
Last but not least, are the two parcels of County-owned land, totaling 242 acres in size,
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situated on the western side of State Route 2044, along the ridge of Mahanoy Mountain.
Given this parcel is disconnected from the remaining County-owned land, we recommend it be
considered for limited motorized use. It has the potential to be developed as a special event
area, catering to the rock crawling community. Secondary access is proposed to the southside
of the Mountain, from State Route 2044 or Shamokin Street, in the Helfenstein neighborhood,
following the former rail corridor which extends up the mountainside.
FACILITY NAMING
At the conception of this project the facility under consideration was referred to as the
Northumberland County OHV Park. That said, from the onset it has always been the intent to
plan for an all-inclusive recreation area that would meet the needs of all visitors, non-motorized
and motorized alike.
Further, it has also always been the intent to continue to provide opportunities for mineral
extraction throughout the County properties as deemed feasible. Both Federal and State
legislation provide language excluding or limiting mining activities in and within proximity to
parks.
Pennsylvania Code 25 Chapter 86.37 .6 says “The proposed activities will not adversely affect
any publicly owned parks or places included on the National Register of Historic...”
Pennsylvania Code 25 Chapter 86.102.10 says « Areas where mining is prohibited or
limited. .... (10) Within 300 feet (91.44 meters) measured horizontally of a public building,
school, church, community or institutional building or public park. «
§ 86.102. Areas where mining is prohibited or limited.
Subject to valid existing rights as defined in § 86.1 (relating to definitions), surface mining
operations except those which existed on August 3, 1977, are not permitted:
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(1)
On lands within the boundaries of the National Park System, the National Wildlife
Refuge System, the National System of Trails, the National Wilderness Preservation
System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including study rivers designated under
section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C.A. § 1276(a)) or study rivers
or study river corridors as established in guidelines under that act and National
Recreation Areas designated by act of Congress.
(2)
On Federal lands within the boundaries of a National forest. Surface mining operations
may be permitted on the lands, if the Secretary of the United States Department
of Interior and the Secretary find that there are no significant recreational, timber,
economic or other values incompatible with surface mining operations and the surface
mining operations and impacts are incident to an underground coal mine.
(3)
Which will adversely affect a publicly-owned park or a place included on the National
Register of Historic Places, unless approved jointly by the Department and the Federal,
State or local governmental agency with jurisdiction over the park or places.
(4)
On lands within the State park system. Surface mining activities may be permitted if
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department find that
significant land and water conservation benefits will result when remining of previously
mined land is proposed.
(5)
On lands within State forest picnic areas, State forest natural areas and State forest
wild areas. Surface mining operations may be permitted on State forest lands other
than picnic areas, natural areas and wild areas, if the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources and the Department find that one or more of the following apply:
(i) There will be no significant adverse impact to natural resources, including timber,
water, wildlife, recreational and aesthetic values.
(ii) Significant land and water conservation benefits will result when remining of
previously mined lands is proposed.
(6)
On lands within the game land system of this Commonwealth. Surface mining
operations may be permitted by the Department if the Game Commission consents
and finds that one or more of the following apply:
(i) There will be no significant long-term adverse impacts to aquatic or terrestrial
wildlife populations and their habitats.
(ii) Significant wildlife habitat and land and water conservation benefits will result
when remining of previously mined lands is proposed.
(7)
On lands within the authorized boundaries of Pennsylvania Scenic River Systems
which have been legislatively designated as such under the Pennsylvania Scenic
Rivers Act (32 P. S. § § 820.21—820.29). Surface mining operations may be permitted
if the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department find
that significant land and water conservation benefits will result when remining
of previously mined lands is proposed, and that the surface mining operation is
consistent with the Scenic Rivers System designation and will not adversely affect the
values which the designation is designed to protect.
(8)
Within 100 feet (30.48 meters) measured horizontally of the outside right-of-way line
of a public road, except:
(i) For mine access roads or haulage at the point where they join the right-of-way
lines.
(ii) When the Department, with concurrence of the agency with jurisdiction over the
road, allows the public road to be relocated or the area affected to be within 100
feet (30.48 meters) of the road, after the following:
(A) Public notice and opportunity for a public hearing in accordance with
§ 86.103(c) (relating to procedures).
(B) Making a written finding that the interests of the affected public and
landowners will be protected.
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(9)
Within 300 feet (91.44 meters) measured horizontally from an occupied dwelling,
unless one or more of the following exist:
(i) The only part of the surface mining operations which is within 300 feet (91.44
meters) of the dwelling is a haul road or access road which connects with an
existing public road on the side of the public road opposite the dwelling.
(ii) The owner thereof has provided a written waiver by lease, deed or other
conveyance clarifying that the owner and signatory had the legal right to deny
surface mining operations and knowingly waived that right and consented to
surface mining operations closer than 300 feet (91.44 meters) of the dwelling as
specified.
(A) A valid waiver shall remain in effect against subsequent owners who had
actual or constructive knowledge of the existing waiver at the time of
purchase.
(B) Subsequent owners shall be deemed to have constructive knowledge if the
waiver has been properly filed in public property records or if the surface
mining operations have proceeded to within the 300 foot (91.44 meters) limit
prior to the date of purchase.
(iii) A new waiver is not required if the applicant for a permit had obtained a valid
waiver prior to August 3, 1977, from the owner of an occupied dwelling to mine
within 300 feet (91.44 meters) of the dwelling.
(10) Within 300 feet (91.44 meters) measured horizontally of a public building, school,
church, community or institutional building or public park.
(11)
Within 100 feet (30.48 meters) measured horizontally of a cemetery. Cemeteries may
be relocated under the act of April 18, 1877 (P. L. 54, No. 54) (9 P. S. § § 41—52)).
(12) Within 100 feet (30.48 meters) measured horizontally of the bank of a perennial
or intermittent stream. The Department may grant a variance from this distance
requirement if the operator demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that there
will be no adverse hydrologic impacts, water quality impacts or other environmental
resources impacts as a result of the variance. The variance will be issued as a written
order specifying the methods and techniques that shall be employed to prevent
adverse impacts. Prior to granting a variance, the operator is required to give public
notice of application thereof in two newspapers of general circulation in the area
once a week for 2 successive weeks. If a person files an exception to the proposed
variance within 20 days of the last publication thereof, the Department will conduct
a public hearing with respect thereto. The Department will also consider information
or comments submitted by the Fish and Boat Commission prior to taking action on a
variance request.
Taking these facts into consideration, the project steering committee concluded the name of
this project should be changed and therefore, the committee recommended the project be
referred to as the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area from this point forward.
3-62
CHAPTER 4:
Master Plan
4-1
CHAPTER 4:
Master Plan
INTRODUCTION
The master plan for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is the result of careful analysis of
the site, active public participation, and in depth discussion regarding the needs of the area,
region, and state’s motorized recreation users. The master plan provides the foundation to
guide decision making for the creation of the proposed the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure
Area. With this master plan, the County will be able to respond in an orderly and fiscally
responsible manner, to the requests of various user organizations and individuals for specific
facilities and activities.
Good planning helps to reduce future conflicts and safety issues, and can reduce operation
and maintenance costs. Further, a sound master plan has a greater chance of being funded by
various agencies.
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area has been comprehensively designed to meet the
demands of Pennsylvania’s 166,895 registered ATV users (as of June 1, 2011), the needs of
Pennsylvania’s off-highway motorcycle and off-highway vehicle users who are currently not
required to register their vehicles, and the needs of Northumberland County residents’ nonmotorized recreation activities needs. The AOAA will become a world class destination for
off-highway vehicle activities.
The AOAA master plan was prepared to address aspects of:
•
•
•
•
Safety
Experience
Environmental Considerations
Financial Considerations
It is the vision of Northumberland County to develop this facility in a manner that responds
to the needs of its visitors. The OHV community generally is looking for places to pursue their
sport, and typically less concerned about the polish of the offerings. Additionally, the nonmotorized hunting, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian community are looking for a similar
level of quality in facilities. Therefore, we recommend improvements be designed in a rustic,
yet functional, and aesthetically pleasing manner, much like the design standards established
for Pennsylvania State Parks. Further, we recommend the design standards promote the coal
cultural heritage of the Anthracite region.
4-3
The locations of facilities, activity areas, and trails were carefully thought out in order to:
• Contribute to the conservation ethic of the Area
• Encourage private investment in local and regional economic development
opportunities
• Provide for effective and efficient management and operation of the Area
• Minimize infrastructure costs
• Maximize revenue opportunities
• Promote economic development and private investment
4-4
LEGEND
- Limited hours
only
- Hiking and Hunting Opportunities
Trevorton Buffer
Project
- Primitive Camp Area
Heart Lake
- Primitive Camp Area
Existing & Proposed Roads and Trails
Old Trolley
Line
LZ
Motorized Play
Area
Proposed Wind Turbine
Locations with DCNR
Recommended Setback
Primitive Camp Area
x
Enterprise Site
LZ
and Hunting
Opportunities
Carbon Run
Excelsior
Springhouse
Pit w.
Sinkhole
Big Mine
Shaft
Western Reserve
Caves
Overlook
Motorized Trails
LZ
Mine
Site
Pole Line
Ridge
Equestrian
Hiking /
Mountain
Bicycling
13.90
13.44
52.53
13.20
52.53
52.53
23.01
24.52
24.52
23.43
15.00
27.34
8.58%
65.73
20.63%
100.06
31.41%
Motorized Trail Mileage
77.05
24.18%
15.00
4.71%
10.00
33.43
10.49%
Acreage by Use
Abandoned Mine
Land Concerns
Medical Evacuation
Landing Zone
65.73
27%
77.05
32%
Trails Open to ORV Use
Open
Shaft
2,111.69
33%
2,311.51
36%
Motorized Use Area
Non-Motorized & Limited
Motorized Use Area
Trails Open to ATV Use
Trails Open to OHM Use
Buffer Areas
LZ
100.06
41%
Notes
1,946.41
31%
Northumberland County will request the assistance of local universities, the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, and PA DCNR Office of Conservation Science to prepare forest management and wildlife
habitat management plans for non-motorized, limited motorized, and limited motorized buffer use areas.
AOAA improvements shall comply with American with Disability Act 2010 Standards.
Helfenstein Buffer
- Hiking, Equestrian and Hunting
Opportunities
Mine Openings
& Sinkholes
Mine
Shaft
Easement Agreements
- for Trail Access
x
x
x
Whaleback Overlooks
- Opportunities for
Whaleback Overlooks on
County property
State Route 2044 Buffer
OHM
Mine
Mine
Reclaimation
Site
Buffer
Pole Line
Hill
Foundation
Ruins
Open
Shaft
Open
Shaft
Mine
Site
LZ
Open
Shaft
Old Mine
Site
Excelsior
Reservoir
The
Caves
North Slope
ATV/SXS
Property Boundaries are approximate.
LZ
Potential Secondary Access &
Trailhead
- Limited hours
only
ORV
Trail closures and re-routes will occur as necessary to allow continued resource extraction and remediation
activities on the properties.
Mine
Opening
LZ
Mine
Opening &
Fan House
Featured Lake / Pond
Gate(s)
LZ
Sand Pits
Access
Roads
Primary Access Road
Secondary Access Road
Exis ng ORV/ SXS / ATV / OHM Trails
Rock ORV Crawling Trails
Exis ng Dedicated ATV Trails
Proposed Dedicated ATV Trails
OHM Dedicated Single Track Trails
Single Track Mountain Bike Trails
Equestrian Trails
Hiking Trails
Total Miles
Percentage of Total
Motorized Use
(hiking, equestrian, & Mountain Biking)
Non
Non-Motorized
Trails
ra and
Limited Motorized
ot
dT
Trails
The
Pines
Mileage by Mode Type
Motorized Trails
Proposed Site Features
Mud
Road
Play
Area
Trail Type
Non-Motorized &
Limited Motorized
Use
Eastern
E
rn Reserve
erve
LZ
Buffer Area
Boyers Knob
Reclamation Area
Zerbe Township
Potential Secondary Access /
Emergency Response Access
- Limited hours
only
Trail Mileage
OHV Trail - More Difficult
OHV Trail - Most Difficult
OHV Trail - Rock Crawling
SXS/ATV/OHM Trails
(Dedicated Single Track Trails)
Burnside Buffer
- Hiking and Hunting
Opportunities
Non-Motorized
(Non-Motorized &
Limited Motorized Use)
OHV Trail - Easiest
Coal Township
The Mile
Carbon Run Buffer
- Limited Motorized Access - limited to existing trails
- Carbon Run / AMD restoration and stabilization
- Hiking and Hunting Opportunities improvements
Excelsior Buffer
- Hiking and Hunting opportunities
Non-Motorized Trail Access
- Hiking
- Equestrian
- Mountain Biking
- Hunting Access
- Day Use Parking
- Non-Motorized Campground
AOAA Entrance and Trailhead (see enlargement)
- Non-Motorized and Motorized Entrance
- Office / Meeting Rooms / Comfort Facilities
- Day Use Parking
- Safety Training Area
- Commercial Outparcels
Proposed Site Use Areas
Primary Vehicular Access Road
Easement Required
Secondary Access
Main Access Road, typical
- Suitable for daily visitor vehicle
access and first responder access
x
x
OHV Rock Crawling
Old Railroad
Grade
x
x
- Primarily non-motorized with
limited motorized access
- Opportunity for dedicated access to
non-motorized trails
OHV Rock Crawling
Buffer
Opportunities
Helfenstein Buffer
Opportunities
Master Plan
4-6
1
Entrance
(sign and landscapeing)
11
Picnic Area
2
Commercial
(1.7 - 2 acre parcels)
12
OHV Camping
(250 sites)
3
Main Office
13
Overflow Parking
(1000 spaces)
4
Maintenance / Storage /
Emergency Vehicle
14
5
ATV / OHM Training
Camp Office / Non-motorized
Trail Head
(20 spaces + 100 overflow spaces)
15
Picnic Area
16
Primitive Camping
(36 sites)
17
Non-motorized / Equestrian
Trail Head
(10 spaces)
Non-motorized / Equestrian
Camping
(24 sites)
Easiest Trails
6
ORV Training
7
Day Use Parking
(250 spaces)
8
Buggy Wash and Storage
9
Underpass Connection
to Western Reserve
10 OHV Event Area
18
19
19
19
AOAA improvements shall comply with American with Disability Act 2010 Standards.
19
18
18
4
2
17
3
5
1
16
13
6
15
14
12
11
7
9
8
10
LEGEND
Existing & Proposed Roads and Trails
Primary Vehicular Access Road
Easement Required
Secondary Access
OHV Trail - Easiest
19
OHV Trail - More Difficult
OHV Trail - Most Difficult
OHV Trail - Rock Crawling
SXS/ATV/OHM Trails
(Dedicated Single Track Trails)
(hiking, equestrian, & Mountain Biking)
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Entrance & Trailhead Master Plan
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
a
pennsylvania
corporation
4-8
MASTER PLAN DESCRIPTION
As described earlier, the Northumberland County properties being considered for the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area encompass an area between Big Mountain, across Little
Mountain and, on and around Mahanoy Mountain, approximately 13 miles in length and 2.6
miles in width. The properties are physically separated by State Route 125 with approximately
one-half of the property being located east of State Route 125, and one-half being located west
of State Route 125.
Given the area covered by the proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area the description
of the Concept Plan is divided into two components, the Eastern Reserve (area east of State
Route 125) and the Western Reserve (area west of State Route 125).
EASTERN RESERVE (AREA EAST OF STATE ROUTE 125)
Traveling south on State Route 125, south of Shamokin from the intersection of Bear Valley
Road and State Route 125, approximately 2.1 miles one reaches the proposed entrance to the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area located on the eastern side of State Route 125. This is
proposed as the primary entrance into the AOAA and provides access to the Eastern Reserve
property. An access road into the AOAA is proposed from State Route 125 and will extend into,
and circle the perimeter of the heart of the Eastern Reserve. The Eastern Reserve consists of
27 county parcels totaling 2,780 acres.
Promoting safety, responsible riding, respect for the environment, and the heritage of the
Anthracite Coal Region are all aspects that should be readily apparent and visible upon arriving
to the AOAA. We recommend all facilities, activity areas, and trails be named in accordance
with terminology associated with Anthracite Coal Heritage.
The proposed AOAA must comply with local and County Subdivision and Land Development
Ordinance requirements and zoning requirements. Applicable permits and approvals must be
obtained before the development of the AOAA is begun.
In addition, the proposed development must obtain:
• Cultural Resource Clearance from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
- the purpose of this clearance is to ensure there will not be any negative impacts to
cultural (historic and/or archeological resources) that may be located on the property.
• Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Clearances from:
-
-
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – to ensure
there will be no negative impacts to rare threatened or endangered plants or
invertebrates.
Pennsylvania Game Commission - to ensure there will be no negative impacts to
4-9
-
rare threatened or endangered mammals.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission – to ensure there will be no negative
impacts to rare threatened or endangered aquatic, amphibian, or reptile species.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - to ensure there will be no negative impacts to
Federally regulated species.
The PNDI process was initiated during the mastering planning process. The potential
locations of Species of Special Concern were identified and Northumberland County is
coordinating with the respective resource agencies to confirm or deny the presence of
the various species, and where their presence is confirmed, develop a plan of action to
ensure the development of the AOAA has no negative impact on such species.
Further, Northumberland County has initiated discussions with the Pennsylvania Game
Commission regarding the possibility of obtaining the Commission’s assistance in
preparing timber and habitat management plans for the AOAA property.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection – applicable permits related
to earth disturbance, erosion control and stormwater management, mining activities
including resolving mining hazards, sanitary facility and service permits, stream
crossings, potential wetland impacts (if necessary), etc.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – where wetlands are located near proposed
development the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may require a Jurisdictional Wetland
Determination to be performed to confirm the presence of jurisdictional wetlands,
and to ensure no negative impacts will occur to the wetlands given the adjacent
development near them. This may be a pre-requisite of the PA DEP to earth
disturbance, erosion control, and stormwater management permitting process.
KING COAL ROAD
Visitors will arrive at the AOAA from State Route 125 by turning east onto the proposed King
Coal Road. In order to establish this entrance PennDOT will require the operator of the AOAA
to obtain a Highway Occupancy Permit. This permit ensures applicable design requirements
and appropriate sight distances are provided for this new access along State Route 125. We
recommend an entrance sign be located at this intersection. This primary entrance into the
AOAA should be easily identified from State Route 125.
As visitors arrive and travel along King Coal Road to reach the entrance and trailhead facilities
the environmental ethic and environmental stewardship aspects of the AOAA should be readily
apparent. We recommend stormwater management be addressed in this location through
non-structural best management practices that utilize a sustainable and green approach to
addressing the control of stormwater. Landscaping and habitat improvements should be
implemented with native plant materials. Mowed lawn areas should be kept to a minimum to
reduce maintenance requirements and minimize air pollution. In lieu of establishing mowed
lawn areas we recommend field grassy meadows that would be mowed to create space for
4-10
special events on a seasonal basis. Where mowing is required we recommend using a propane
fueled lawn mower as they provide an eighty percent reduction in toxic emissions and sixty
percent fewer smog forming emissions than a gasoline mower. A conventional gasoline
powered lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as forty late model cars.
Commercial Outparcels
Immediately entering the AOAA, from State Route 125, approximately ten acres of land
is recommended to be set aside for commercial opportunities that support the activities
occurring at the AOAA. This land can be leased to private entities interested in establishing a
business at the entrance into the AOAA. Such business ventures might include: OHV, SXS &
ATV rentals; OHV, SXS, ATV, MX dealer; convenience store, restaurant / food & beverage sales;
repair shop / garage, etc.
The Breaker
Following the King Coal Road into the site the first facility visitors will encounter is the Breaker,
the administrative and operations office for the AOAA. Further, we recommend the Breaker
contain exhibit space where artifacts representing the Anthracite Region’s coal heritage can be
displayed and interpreted. This office will serve as the first point of contact for guests arriving
through this primary access. The proposed administrative and operations office will contain
offices for administrative and operations personnel, a counter where visitors will conduct
business with office staff, merchandise display area, multi-purpose meeting rooms, and
comfort facilities. We recommend the building be designed to recall images of a coal breaker.
Employee and short term parking will be located immediately adjacent to the Breaker for
guests needing to conduct business in the office and for the office employees.
To promote an environmental ethic we recommend the building be developed in accordance
with LEED principals for sustainable building design, operation, and maintenance. The
proposed building must comply with local and state building code requirements; therefore,
applicable permits must be obtained. Given the proposed wind energy development slated
to take place on an adjacent to the County property, we recommend a demonstration wind
turbine be located adjacent to the Breaker. Electricity generated from this turbine may be
used to meet the electric requirements of the building, and/or return electricity to the power
grid. We recommend interpretive signage be located near the turbine to educate visitors on
the benefits of wind energy.
We also recommend an area near the Breaker be
designated as a landing zone for medical and EMS
helicopter responses.
4-11
BURNSIDE COLLIERY
Following King Coal Road east, just beyond the Breaker, one will arrive at the Burnside Colliery.
The Burnside Colliery will contain motorized facility and activity areas, including:
• Day use parking area to accommodate two hundred and fifty day use guests. Parking
areas will be designed to meet the requirements of motorized visitors, including
sufficient spaces for haul vehicles and trailers. Further, parking areas will comply with
the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements by providing accessible parking spaces
at a rate of four percent of the total number of parking spaces.
• To promote safety we recommend an ORV, SXS, ATV, and MX safety training course
be located near the proposed motorized day use parking area, and within view of the
Breaker. This course should be visible to those arriving at the AOAA and should be
directly connected to a multi-purpose room in the building for classroom activities
associated with a hands-on safety training program. The safety training course should
be should be designed to be multi-purpose in nature, accommodating a full range of
OHV safety training program offerings, including the training requirements of PA DCNR,
the ATV Safety Institute, and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
• The primary Motorized Trail Access (trailhead) will be immediately accessible from
the motorized day use parking area. The Motorized Trail Access will contain an
informational kiosk and direct guests to motorized trail offerings on both the Eastern
and Western Reserves. We recommend the kiosk not only contain a map of the
AOAA and its trails, but also provide information to educate visitors on the aspects
of responsible riding, environmental stewardship, and the Anthracite heritage of the
region.
• To meet training needs for full size vehicles we recommend a Motorized Challenge
Course be developed. The course should be accessible from the primary motorized
trail access. The purpose of this course to provide visitors with no or little off-road
experience with an opportunity to become comfortable with the various scenarios
they may encounter throughout the property. Those scenarios will be provided in
a controlled environment along a proposed access road that is planned to circle the
Eastern Reserve property. The challenge course can also be utilized for programmed
activities that the AOAA might offer such as 4x4 101, safety and first aid, etc.
• A campground to serve motorized guests is proposed in proximity to the Motorized
Trail Access. This campground should be designed to accommodate primitive, tent,
and RV camping and initially accommodate two hundred and fifty campsites, and have
the potential for future expansion. Camp sites must accommodate not only campers
but also their haul vehicles and motorized equipment. Camp sites will be semi-primitive
and primitive in nature. Semi-primitive campsites will have electrical service. Picnic
groves will be available around the perimeter for the campground to meet the needs
of campers. Potable water and sanitary needs will be met by providing centralized
4-12
potable water stations and sanitary dump stations.
• An Overflow / Special Event Parking Area is proposed east and north of the motorized
campground. This area will accommodate one thousand additional vehicles and
trailers to meet the demand of large events that may occur at the AOAA. As with
other parking areas at the AOAA this parking area will comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act requirements by providing accessible parking spaces at a rate of four
percent of the total number of parking spaces.
A medical / EMS response helicopter landing zone is also proposed in this area.
HENRY CLAY COLLIERY
Driving further east into the Eastern Reserve, past the proposed Burnside Colliery, one enters
the heart of the Eastern Reserve. The Henry Clay Colliery will contain non- motorized facility
and activity areas:
• In this area the Non-Motorized Trail Access (trailhead) is proposed. The non-motorized day
use guest parking will be located near this trail access opportunity. The Non-Motorized
Trail Access is intended for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, and hunting access to nonmotorized trails located on the Eastern Reserve.
• The primary Non-Motorized Trail Access (trailhead) will be immediately accessible from
the motorized day use parking area. The Non-Motorized Trail Access will contain an
informational kiosk and direct guests to non-motorized trail offerings primarily located
on the Eastern Reserve. Access will be provided to equestrian, hiking, and mountain
bicycling trails. We recommend the kiosk not only contain a map of the AOAA and its trails,
but also provide information to educate visitors on the aspects of responsible trail use,
environmental stewardship, and the Anthracite heritage of the region.
• A campground for non-motorized visitors is proposed to serve non-motorized guests,
their haul vehicles, and equipment. This includes equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers.
Initially forty camp sites should be provided, and two group camping areas accommodating
ten to fifteen sites each, all with the opportunity for future expansion. Camp sites will be
semi-primitive and primitive in nature. Semi-primitive campsites will have electrical service.
A centralized picnic grove is proposed to meet the needs of campers. To meet the needs of
equestrian campers we recommend providing two horse stalls for each camp site. Potable
water and sanitary needs will be met by providing a centralized potable water station and
sanitary dump station.
EASTERN RESERVE TRAILS
The Eastern Reserve will provide both motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities.
Motorized trail opportunities on the Eastern Reserve will be limited to low speed and low
density trails. Further the trails will be designed primarily for full size OHV and family style
4-13
SXS, ATV, and OHM riding opportunities. In addition several rock crawling areas will provide
opportunities for the general rock crawling ORV visitors as well as a venue for competitive rock
crawling events.
An OHV rock crawling area is proposed to be created in and around the current PA DEP Bureau
of Mine Reclamation project, locally known as Boyers Knob. The funding being provided by
the PA DEP Bureau of Mine Reclamation for this project may be utilized to match other grant
opportunities.
Typically separate trails will be provided for non-motorized and motorized uses. However,
there may be instances where non-motorized and motorized use occurs on the same trails
as discussed earlier in Chapter Three, Synopsis on Multi-Use (motorized and non-motorized)
Trail Philosophy. A network of trails is proposed in the Eastern Reserve to serve the hiking,
mountain biking, and equestrian uses.
Mile markers will be located along all trails at one-half mile intervals and at the intersection of
all trails. These markers not only serve to keep trail users oriented, but also to identify their
location should they need to be located.
BURNSIDE PATCH
The existing patch neighborhood of Burnside is located eight-tenths of a mile northwest of the
proposed Burnside Colliery. A limited use buffer provides residents of this area respite from
the motorized activities located on the AOAA property. This buffer area extends eight hundred
to one thousand feet from the rear property lines of the Burnside neighborhood. At the
request of Burnside residents, no motorized access is provided from this neighborhood into
the AOAA. Should this access be desired by Burnside residents at a future point in time, it can
be re-evaluated at that time.
UPPER EXCELSIOR PATCH
The existing patch neighborhood of Upper Excelsior is located immediately south of State
Route 901. A limited use buffer provides residents of this area respite from the motorized
activities located on the AOAA property. This buffer area extends eight hundred to one
thousand feet from the rear property lines of the Upper Excelsior neighborhood. At the
request of Upper Excelsior residents, no motorized access is provided from this neighborhood
into the AOAA. Should this access be desired by Upper Excelsior residents at a future point
in time, it can be re-evaluated at that time. The existing access from Upper Excelsior should
be gated and locked, and only emergency response and maintenance vehicles should be
permitted to access the AOAA from Excelsior.
We recommend a medical / EMS response helicopter landing zone be established near the
Excelsior Patch gate to accommodate emergency response to this portion of the AOAA
property.
4-14
ENTERPRISE COLLIERY
The existing Enterprise (aka Alaska Site) site is proposed to contain non-motorized trails and
shall be utilized to provide dedicated hunting opportunities.
HELFENSTEIN PATCH
The eastern ‘finger’ of AOAA property extending along the ridge and southern face of
Mahanoy Mountain east towards Helfenstein is proposed to be a limited motorized use buffer,
to provide respite to the Helfenstein neighborhood located along State Route 2044 (aka High
Road). This buffer areas can be utilized for non-motorized trail use. These areas will be opened
to non-motorized use and motorized use will be limited in density and speed. We recommend
exploring the possibility of establishing a small equestrian trail access point where the AOAA
property fronts Shamokin Street in the Helfenstein neighborhood.
A seven 2.5 megawatt turbine wind energy farm is proposed along the ridge of Mahanoy
Mountain as it extends through this area. Within this area of the property the County has a
lease agreement with Penn Wind, LCC for the development of three turbines on the County’s
property.
Two private parcels, encompassing an additional 1757 acres, are situated between the north
of AOAA property situated near Helfenstein and south of the Enterprise site. These parcels
of land would provide an opportunity to expand the trail system provided a lease agreement
could be reached between the County and the property owner.
4-15
4-16
WESTERN RESERVE (AREA WEST OF STATE ROUTE 125)
The Western Reserve is proposed to be accessed from the Eastern Reserve ultimately by a
grade separated crossing which will pass beneath State Route 125. A grade separated crossing
provides the safest alternative to reaching the Western Reserve from the Eastern Reserve. In
the short term the crossing is proposed to be at-grade. The Western Reserve is comprised of
66 county owned parcels and encompasses almost 3,800 acres. Ample opportunity exists to
create a world class motorized trail system throughout the Western Reserve.
WESTERN RESERVE CONNECTOR
To make the connection between the Eastern and Western Reserves there are two county
owned parcels separated by several privately held parcels before reaching the remaining
County owned property in the Western Reserve. Connecting the Eastern and Western Reserve
County properties will require easement agreements with the following land owners: Burring
Coal Inc. and FER Land Company, Inc. Preliminary discussions have been held between
Northumberland County staff and the property owners in this area during the master planning
process. These property owners appear to be amenable to providing easements to provide an
ORV trail connection between the Eastern and Western Reserves. These easements should be
acquired immediately so that development of the motorized trails on the Western Reserve can
occur with the first phase of development of the AOAA. There are also other opportunities for
making this connection that involve additional land owners. If desired and / or necessary those
options should be explored.
WHALEBACK
Upon reconnecting to the County owned parcels to the west, the internationally renowned
geologic feature, the Whaleback Anticline, is located immediately adjacent to the northern
edge of the County property. As described earlier in Chapter One – Background Inventory and
Analysis, the Whaleback Anticline is a geological feature of international interest. The property
which includes the Whaleback is privately held. The owner of this property was approached
to discuss their interest in leasing the Whaleback property to the County. The property owner
was not interested at that time.
Given the international significance of the Whaleback Anticline we recommend the County
continue its efforts to work with the property owner and /or other interested parties to
lease, purchase, or otherwise preserve this outstanding geologic feature. The area of interest
contains approximately forty-four acres, which is a little more than fifty percent of the seventyseven acre parcel that it resides upon.
Should the County succeed in its efforts to acquire the forty-four acres which encompasses
the Whaleback Anticline, then we recommend the area be further enhanced with hiking trails,
motorized access around the northern perimeter, further overlook development, and further
geologic and environmental interpretation opportunities be developed. Future programming
opportunities could include non-motorized and motorized geologic tours of this extraordinary
4-17
geologic feature. Consideration could also be given to developing a climbing and repelling
policy as it can offer those opportunities as well if desired.
A property survey should be completed in this area to determine whether the existing usercreated overlook is located on County or the adjacent private property. If located on the
adjacent private property, we recommend the County continue to pursue a lease for a minimal
amount of land from the owner, one to five acres as required, so the existing user-created
overlook can be enhanced with the addition of a small parking area, picnic tables, a picnic
shelter, and a sign or kiosk interpreting the geologic significance of the Whaleback Anticline.
Opportunities may exist to provide overlooks to the Whaleback property from surrounding
private properties. Therefore if leasing a portion of the actual Whaleback parcel, then off-site
lease opportunities should be explored. If viable the County may be able to negotiate a lease
to acquire access to these areas in order to provide opportunities for geologic interpretation of
this internationally significant geological feature from adjacent property.
Conversations with a staff geologist at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources Bureau of Topography and Geology indicated it would be very difficult and
length process to obtain Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permits for
resource extraction that impact the Whaleback formation in a negative manner.
MAHANOY MOUNTAIN, BEAR VALLEY, AND BIG MOUNTAIN
Upon reaching the County property directly south of the Whaleback Anticline the heart of
the AOAA motorized trail system is at hand. This area includes the ridge and northern face of
Mahanoy Mountain, Bear Valley, locally known as the “Bowl”, and the southern face, ridge, and
northern face of Big Mountain. The access road extending from the grade separated crossing
under State Route 125 is proposed to extend to, through and circle, the Western Reserve
property. This portion for the property provides trail opportunities for the full spectrum of
OHVs, including: off highway motorcycles, ATVs, SXSs, full size 4 x 4’s, rock crawlers, and dune
buggies.
The Master Plan identifies areas specific to rock crawling (along the ridge of Mahanoy
Mountain) and OHM, SXS, ATV, and ORV play areas in the area locally known as the ‘Sands’.
Further, existing features locally known as the “Pines”, “Heart Lake” and the “Projects”
provide focal points for rest areas and potential primitive camping areas, while features such as
‘Mud Road’ provide challenging full size opportunities.
Carbon Run begins in the center of Bear Valley and extends eastward through the County
property as it flows towards the Fairview – Ferndale neighborhood located in the western side
of the City of Shamokin.
The areas along Carbon Run may contain plant species classified by DCNR as “Species of
Concern”. Therefore DCNR recommends a 500 foot no-disturbance buffer be placed along
the stream and its headwaters. In addition, they recommend steps be taken to limit access
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of ORVs to the streamside habitats. The master plan proposes the recommended buffer and
Northumberland County has invited DCNR Office of Conservation Science to conduct a field
view to confirm whether the species of concern exist in the area. Further, we recommend
stream crossings and trails located within the buffer area be limited to existing the crossings
and trails provided they do not have any negative impacts to wetlands, water, or the habitat of
the species of concern.
A secondary access to the AOAA property can be considered to provide access from the
adjacent Fairview Rod and Gun Club property should it be desired. If desired, issues of security
and control must be adequately addressed.
Four landing zones are proposed in this area to meet the needs of emergency responders. The
are proposed near:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bear Valley / Upper Patch Road Entrance into the property
Near The Projects
Near Heart Lake
On the County property near The Flats gate
TREVORTON PATCH
The County owned land, isolated from the Mahanoy Mountain, Bear Valley, and Big Mountain
properties described above, along the northern face of Big Mountain and immediately adjacent
to the Trevorton neighborhood is proposed as a limited-motorized buffer, with the proposed
secondary motorized trail access point following the former trolley line corridor up the
mountain, as identified on the Master Plan. This secondary access has been selected to provide
direct access to the AOAA to eliminate the need to trailer machines from Trevorton to the main
AOAA Trail Access located east of State Route 125. The proposed secondary access point needs
to be implemented in a neighbor-friendly manner so it is not a nuisance to the surrounding
property owners. Therefore, consideration should be given to policies governing all secondary
accesses, such as day light use only, and potentially weekend use only.
THE FLATS AND COAL HILL
Immediately adjacent to the west of the County-owned property, and before reaching State
Route 2044 (aka Franklin Avenue) is the area locally known as the ‘Flats’, encompassing
approximately 287 acres of land in two parcels. Historically the ‘Flats’ has served as a primary
motorized trail access point. However, it is located on privately held land, and is in close
proximity to ‘Coal Hill’, lying immediately to the west, also on private property, and a source
of contention to municipal officials and surrounding neighbors due to dust, noise, and unsafe
riding concerns. “Coal Hill typically generates many more ATV accidents during the course of
the year than does the 6,000 acres of County-owned property to its east.
Although the ‘Flats’ has been associated with negative aspects of OHV activities in the region,
it has tremendous potential to serve the AOAA. If an agreement can be reached with the
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property owners to provide access from their property to the County-owned property the
potential exists to provide lodging opportunities on the site, from an organized campground
and camping cabins, up to and including hotel and hospitality opportunities. Additionally,
this area could serve as a prime location for a secondary access into the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area, regardless of whether a campground or lodging is provided in the vicinity.
Further, frontage along State Route 2044 could be developed by the private sector to further
meet the needs of guests who visit the AOAA.
Immediately north of ‘The Flats’ is another parcel, 572 acres in size, that is privately held. This
parcel, owner willing, can also provide the opportunity to expand motorized trail opportunities
in conjunction with the trails of the Western Reserve.
MAHANOY MOUNTAIN WEST
Last but not least, are the two parcels of County-owned land, totaling 242 acres in size,
situated on the western side of State Route 2044, along the ridge of Mahanoy Mountain.
Given this parcel is disconnected from the remaining County-owned land, we recommend it be
considered for limited motorized use. It has the potential to be developed as a special event
area, catering to the rock crawling community.
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ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AREA TRAIL SYSTEM
A total of over two hundred and ten miles of existing and proposed motorized and nonmotorized trails are shown on the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Master Plan. This two
hundred and ten plus mile network of trails results in over three hundred and eighteen miles of
trail use potential by the various user modes. Further, as the facility develops and ages, there
are opportunities to expand the trail system by between twenty-five and fifty percent.
The trails identified on the master plan are a combination of existing and proposed trails.
Further, they are shown conceptually. This means that as AOAA transitions from planning
to design and implementation, both the existing and proposed trail corridors need to be
evaluated in the field to determine their ability and potential to serve the intended users. This
should be accomplished by using specific criteria. We recommend the County adopt the U.S.
Forest Service’s soon to be published “Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle
Trail Management” as the guiding document for establishing policy and the management
frame work of the trail system. Further, the trails should conform to the design principles and
requirements highlighted in Chapter Three.
The following table identifies the mileage associated with each mode of motorized use as
delineated on the master plan:
Mileage by Mode Type
Motorized Trails
Trail Type
Access
Roads
Primary Access Road
13.90
Secondary Access Road
13.44
ORV
SXS/ATV
OHM
Existing ORV/ SXS / ATV / OHM Trails
52.53
52.53
52.53
Rock ORV Crawling Trails
13.20
Existing Dedicated ATV Trails
23.01
Proposed Dedicated ATV Trails
24.52
OHM Dedicated Single Track Trails
Equestrian
Hiking /
Mountain
Bicycling
24.52
23.43
Equestrian Trails
15.00
Hiking Trails
10.00
Total Miles
27.34
65.73
100.06
Percentage of Total
8.58%
20.63% 31.41%
77.05
15.00
24.18% 4.71%
33.43
10.49%
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When comparing only the motorized trail uses trail types, and excluding access roads, the
breakdown as follows:
Motorized Trail Mileage
77.05
32%
65.73
27%
Trails Open to ORV Use
Trails Open to ATV Use
Trails Open to OHM Use
100.06
41%
As the master plan is implemented and final design of the AOAA is started decisions on trail use
will be made. This will involve criteria adopted from the U.S. Forest Service’s “Comprehensive
Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Management”. Criteria will include:
•
•
•
•
•
Trail type
Trail class
Managed use
Designed use
Design parameters
Once the travel mode is identified for a particular segment of trail, then the trail will be
designed in accordance with recognized design standards for the intended use. These include:
• Design Tread Width: expressed in terms of single lane, double lane, and the minimum
tread width on trail structures.
• Design Surface: expressed in terms of surface type, protrusions, and obstacles.
• Design Grade: expressed in terms of target grade, short pitch maximum grade, and
maximum pitch density.
• Design Cross Slope: expressed in terms of target cross slope and maximum cross slope.
• Design Clearing: expressed in terms of width, height, and shoulder clearance.
• Design Turns: expressed in terms of the turning radius.
The trail management framework allows the basic trail sustainability elements to be applied is
a systematic manner. The ten elements recommended in the U.S. Forest Service’s publication
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“Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Management” provide the trail
manager with guidance on information collection, data evaluation, decision making, and
program development and implementation.
The ten trail management elements are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Preliminary status assessment
Environmental analysis
Trail management objectives
Documentation of trail location
Trail condition assessment
Evaluation of management options
Trail prescriptions
Trail maintenance
Implementation
Trail monitoring and evaluation
This process will include reviewing and evaluating existing trails to eliminate unsustainable
trails, to eliminate negative environmental impacts, and to direct users away from potential
liability concerns that may exist on the property. Further, it will identify and provide
recommendations for seasonal closures due to weather patterns, trail use, and the desired
management practices of the AOAA. This process is applicable to both the motorized and nonmotorized trail system.
This process should be completed during the design, permitting, and construction document
phase as it will establish the trail system which will become available to the public when the
AOAA opens.
As long as this process is followed, new trails (not indicated on the master plan) can continue
to be developed in accordance with the guiding principles of the master plan, and in
accordance with the carrying capacity of the property.
For example, the Mahanoy Mountain, Bear Valley, and Big Mountain area of the Western
Reserve contains the area known as the Bowl. In the Master Plan this area is proposed for a
high density of trail development. Therefore, the above process is followed, and it deemed
that there is sufficient carrying capacity to add additional miles of single track SXS / ATV trails
in the area, without negatively impacting the environment, and without increasing potential
liability, then it would be acceptable to design and construct additional trails in the Bowl.
Another example, in the Master Plan much of the Eastern Reserve is programmed for limited
motorized access and non-motorized trail development. Trail density in these areas should
be sparse to reduce potential conflicts between motorized and non-motorized trail uses.
Therefore, if the planning and design process is followed and it is determined additional
motorized trails cannot be developed without negatively impacting the non-motorized trail
system and users, then additional trails should not be developed in those areas.
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CONSERVATION
Motorized recreation and conservation are not mutually exclusive. A primary goal of the AOAA
is to improve the condition of the land, water, and habitat located on the property. During the
master planning process care was taken to locate facilities, trails, and activity areas in a manner
that respects the habitat, water, and landscape resources present on the site. Refinement of
the locations of these facilities, during the design process, and over time as the master plan
may be revised and refined, must also take these resources into consideration.
Although motorized and non-motorized trails extend throughout much of the property,
their impact is limited to the narrow corridor which the typically occupy. The following chart
illustrates that two-thirds of the property is allocated for buffer, non-motorized, and limited
motorized use.
Acreage by Use
2,111.69
33%
2,311.51
36%
Motorized Use Area
Non-Motorized & Limited
Motorized Use Area
Buffer Areas
1,946.41
31%
To actively implement the goal of improving the condition of the land, water, and habitat
located on the property, we recommend the following best management strategies be
incorporated into the design and implementation of the AOAA:
a. Evaluate existing trails to determine whether they are sustainable. If a desired existing
trail is not sustainable, then the trail layout needs to be evaluated to determine if the
unsustainable sections can be re-routed in a sustainable manner. If the unsustainable
sections cannot be re-routed, then the trail should be abandoned, and the ends of the
trail need to be obliterated. This applies to both motorized and non-motorized trails.
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b. AOAA management should continue to engage and partner with conservation
organizations to implement habitat, landscape improvement and acid mine drainage
remediation projects throughout the property.
c. Management of the AOAA must actively and passively educate visitors to the AOAA
on the conservation ethic, and TreadLightly / Leave No Trace philosophies and policies.
This should occur from management’s first point of contact with potential visitors,
through promotional material and the AOAA website; when visitors arrive at the AOAA
through brochures, signage, and staff contact with visitors; and through signage and
enforcement at problem locations throughout the property. All staff, management,
maintenance and security must understand and promote the conservation ethic in all
respects of performing their duties at the AOAA.
d. Conservation and timber management planning should be incorporated into the
overall management structure of the AOAA. Opportunities exist to partner with the
Penn State Cooperative Extension District Forest, the Pennsylvania Game Commission,
and other public agencies to prepare specific recommendations for the future of the
landscape of the AOAA. These opportunities should be explored and capitalized upon.
PA DEP BAMR MINE HAZARD PRIORITIES
In Chapter One: Inventory & Analysis we identified the locations of abandoned mine land
hazard areas as documented in the PA DEP BAMR’s Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Inventory
database. Although the PA DEP BAMR database acknowledges AML hazards located on
the County property, the field review identified additional AML hazard areas that are not
documented. These locations, as documented in Chapter One, were provided to PA DEP
BAMR, and they requested to be invited by Northumberland County to conduct a field view
of these locations so they can determine whether they should be added to the AML Inventory
Database. The inclusion of all AML hazard areas in the database is important as inclusion
with the database provides access to funding that may be available from the Federal Office of
Surface Mining, which is administered in Pennsylvania by PA DEP.
We recommend that both the AML Inventory database priorities and the undocumented AML
areas identified during this planning process be further reviewed by PA DEP BAMR at the
request of Northumberland County. During this review process we recommend the following
considerations be given to each AML feature:
1.
What and where are the hazards that present liabilities should the properties be
opened to the public?
2. Can the AML hazards be adequately protected / cordoned off so the liability is
eliminated / drastically reduced? How is that accomplished in each specific instance?
3. Are there any remaining liabilities that need major capital investment to address before
opening to the public?
4. What should the priorities be for AML investment and hazard mitigation given the
public use of the properties?
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At the time of this study PA DEP BAMR had one active remediation process that was in the
process of planning and design. This is the Boyers Knob Reclamation project as identified on
the master plan. It is anticipated this project will be completed within the next two years.
All AML remediation projects must take into consideration the future use of the property which
is to provide motorized and non-motorized trail opportunities. In many cases traditional AML
remediation projects will eliminate features desired by the motorized trail users. Therefore,
each remediation project needs to be carefully coordinated with the County and AOAA
management so that it is implemented in a complementary manner to future uses instead of
having negative impacts to / or eliminating desired features for future use. AML remediation
projects typically require a significant financial commitment of OSM funds. The value of
this work can often be utilized as a local match, especially with the DCNR grant programs.
Therefore, we recommend the AML projects be coordinated and timed so the OSM funding
can be used to leverage DCNR funding for AOAA development activities.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Up to this point emphasis has been placed on sustainable trail design, it does not end
there. Sustainable design practices should be implemented throughout all phases of AOAA
development, management, operations, maintenance and security.
During the design process, consideration was given to construction and lifecycle costs based
on the physical layout of the proposed facility and activity areas on the site. Because the site is
over six thousand acres in size, those design alternatives that consolidated activity areas and
reduced road construction were determined to be more appealing than the alternatives than
did not.
In addition, consideration was given to the lifecycle cost of proposed improvements utilizing
a sustainable design approach. If there was no sustainable design solution to the particular
item, or the sustainable design approach was substantially greater than a traditional design or
engineering solution, then consideration was given to the various methods of achieving the
need through traditional design and engineering practices.
To fully understand the impact of materials and design options, one must have an
understanding of sustainable design, and how it can reduce the life cycle costs of
development. Sustainable design, green design, green building, and high performance building
are interchangeable terms that reflect a sensitivity of site and building improvements to the
environment, and to those who occupy and visit the improvements.
In “Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design”, the National Park Service defines a sustainable
design philosophy as follows:
Site design is a process of intervention involving the location of circulation, structures, and
utilities, and making natural and cultural values available to visitors. The process encompasses
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many steps from planning to construction, including initial inventory, assessment, alternative
analysis, detailed design, and construction procedures and services.
In many places, the land is more damaged than previously believed. Soil erosion, groundwater
contamination, acid rain, and other industrial pollutants are damaging the health of plant
communities, thereby intensifying the challenge and necessity to restore habitats. As only one
component of an interdependent natural system, the human species must develop a respect
for the landscape and expend more effort towards understanding the interrelationships of
soils, water, plant communities and associations, and habitats, as well as the impacts of human
uses on them.
Beyond a change in basic approach, sustainable site design requires holistic, ecologically based
strategies to create projects that do not alter or impair, but instead help repair and restore
existing site systems. Site systems such as plant and animal communities, soils, and hydrology
must be respected as patterns and processes of the living world. These strategies apply to all
landscapes, no matter how small, how urban, or how degraded it has become.
The “Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design” offers the following general and specific design
considerations that should be made as one plans for the development of a site.
General Sustainable Site Design Considerations
• Promote spiritual harmony with, and embody an ethical responsibility to, the native
landscape and its resources.
• Plan landscape development according to the surrounding context, rather than by
overlaying familiar patterns and solutions.
• Do not sacrifice ecological integrity or economic viability in a sustainable development;
both are equally important factors in the development process.
• Understand the site as an integrated ecosystem with changes occurring over time in
dynamic balance; the impacts of development must be confined within these natural
changes.
• Allow simplicity of functions to prevail, while respecting basic human needs of comfort
and safety.
• Recognize there is no such thing as waste, only resources out of place.
• Assess feasibility of development in long-term social and environmental costs, not just
short-term construction costs.
• Analyze and model water and nutrient cycles prior to development intervention - “First,
do no harm.”
• Minimize areas of vegetation disturbance, earth grading, and water channel
alternation.
• Locate structures to take maximum advantage of passive energy technologies to
provide for human comfort.
• Provide space for processing all wastes created onsite, so no hazardous or destructive
wastes will be released into the environment.
• Determine environmentally safe means of onsite energy production and storage in the
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•
•
•
•
early stages of site planning.
Phase development to allow for the monitoring of cumulative environmental impacts
of development.
Allow the natural ecosystem to be self-maintaining to the greatest extent possible.
Develop facilities to integrate selected maintenance functions such as energy
conservation, waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation into the visitor
experience.
Incorporate indigenous materials and crafts into structures, native plants into
landscaping, and local customs into programs and operations
PA DCNR’s publication “Creating Sustainable Community Parks and Landscapes
A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources” documents sustainable
recommendations and practices that are applicable to the AOAA.
These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enhancing Wildlife Habitat
Conserving and Protecting Water Resources
Monitor and Minimize Water Uses
Reuse Water
Create and Enhance Riparian Buffers
Protect Wetlands and Critical Recharge Areas
Manage Stormwater Naturally
Minimize Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces and Turf Areas
Reduce Soil Compaction
Reduce the Use of Chemicals
Plant Selection
Proper Tree Care
Maintaining Soils
Fertilizing
Composting
Mulching
Vegetation Maintenance
Pruning
Turfgrass
Weed and Pest Control
Invasive Species Prevention
Integrated Pest Management
Water Use and Conservation
Public Relations
Educational Materials and Programs
Volunteer Programs
Staff and Volunteer Training
It is important to evaluate materials and design options during the master planning process
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and throughout the design and implementation phases, to ensure that life cycle costs of the
improvements being proposed are as are low as possible. This assists those responsible for the
management and operations of the improvements in avoiding unnecessary financial burdens in
operating, maintaining, improving and repairing the development.
PROPOSED GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following is a recommended list of rules and regulations for visitors to the Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area. These rules have been developed from a review of similar facilities
across the USA. Some have been modified to fit the needs of the AOAA.
While these are typical rules for similar facilities, the management of AOAA can amend, adjust,
eliminate or add as they determine is in the best interest of safety, operations, and promoting
an enjoyable experience at the AOAA.
THESE RULES ARE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY! Visitors that disregard the rules and regulations
or pose a safety threat to themselves or others will at a minimum, be ejected from the
area without a refund and may be suspended from future visits to the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area.
• All visitors of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area must abide by all laws of the
Commonwealth of PA and the local municipalities.
• Parking is permitted in designated areas only.
• No person may enter the Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area except through
designated entrances.
• No person is permitted in the Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area except during
posted hours of operation.
• No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs may be carried onto or consumed on the
property. No person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances
that may hinder thinking ability or reaction time will be permitted access to the
property. Coolers may be inspected at any time on the grounds to enforce this rule.
• Firearms or weapons of any kind are prohibited (except as permitted by
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or US law.)
• A responsible adult must be with and supervise minors at all times.
• Overnight camping is permitted only in designated areas.
Prohibited Activities
• Starting or maintaining a fire except in a fire pit, grill, stove. Leaving a fire unattended.
Disposing hot charcoal except in a facility designated for charcoal disposal.
• Cutting, picking, digging, damaging or removing, in whole or in part, a living or dead
tree, shrub or plant.
• Damaging, defacing, cutting or removing rock, shale, sand, clay, soil or other mineral
product, natural object or material.
• Feeding wildlife.
• Releasing an animal that was brought into the Area.
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• Depositing, dumping or causing to be deposited or dumped, litter, trash, refuse,
garbage, bottles, and pollutants.
• Disposing material that was not accumulated during use of the Area.
• Disorderly conduct of any kind.
• Swimming, except in designated swimming area. Additional rules may be adopted for
the use of swimming areas.
The following activities are prohibited without written permission of the County or Authority:
• Engaging in construction or excavation.
• Moving, removing, damaging or defacing an AOAA sign, structure, facility or
equipment.
• Possessing, discharging or causing to be discharged a firecracker, explosive, torpedo,
rocket or other pyrotechnical material.
• Using a chain saw.
• Engaging in commercial activity.
• Posting or displaying a sign or printed matter.
• Soliciting funds.
• Removing or disturbing a historical or archeological artifact, relic or object.
Trespassing
A person, who violates any of the rules described herein, disregards an instruction or warning
given by an official of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area or interferes in the performance
of the duties of an Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area employee may be ordered to leave
the Area. A person who refuses to leave the Area after receiving an order to leave from an
Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area employee or official representative shall be considered to
be trespassing and shall be subject to criminal prosecution.
When you Arrive
• Report to the Guest Services Building
• Provide proof of valid ATV Registration, we honor other states registrations that honor
ours! If you don’t have registration someone at the Welcome Center will be able to
assist you in purchasing an Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Registration.
• Provide Photo ID. Anyone without Photo ID must provide proof of age or have a
Parent’s consent.
Before You Can Ride
• All riders must use designated entrances only.
• All visitors to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area must check-in at the Welcome
Center before using the area. All trail users must have a valid Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area Permit.
• All riders and passengers must complete and sign the insurance waiver.
• All riders/passengers under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the
insurance waiver.
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Your Personal Conduct
• No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs may be carried onto or consumed on Anthracite
Outdoor Adventure Area property. No person under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or
any illegal substances that may hinder thinking ability or reaction time will be permitted
access to the property. Coolers may be inspected at any time on Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area grounds to enforce this rule.
• No firearms or weapons are permitted while riding on Anthracite Outdoor Adventure
Area property.
• No disorderly conduct
• No Littering. Please pack out what you pack in.
• A responsible adult must be with and supervise minors at all times.
• Be courteous of other drivers and Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area employees on
and off the trails.
Your Vehicle
• All ATVs and off-highway motorcycles must have a properly functioning muffler and
USFS approved spark arrestor. ATVs and motorcycles may not exceed an engine noise
limit above 96 decibels as tested under SAE J1287.
• Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is not required nor should be expected to recover,
repair, or escort non-emergencies out of the facility. Please have a way to get yourself
out of the facility if you are broken down. Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area staff, if
able to do so, will do their best to offer assistance.
• All full-size vehicles must have the following: at least one tow point (example: tow
hook or receiver hitch), proper roll-over protection to include the passengers, battery
tie down (no bungee cords), seatbelts for everyone in the vehicle, fire extinguisher, and
trash bag for liquid spills. Front and rear tow points are mandatory for the harder trails
along with a winch and locker.
Your Ride
• All riders/passengers of all types of ATV’s and off-highway motorcycles are required to
wear the following while riding at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area:
- DOT, SNELL or other approved Helmet
- Goggles
- Long Sleeve Shirt
- Long Pants
- Closed Toe Over the Ankle Shoes
- Other suggestions: Gloves, Chest Protector, etc.
• The parking lot is for parking and unloading your vehicles only. No speeding, tricks, or
horseplay permitted. For the safety of all visitors, these rules will be strictly enforced.
• Travel is permitted on designated routes only. The trail is clearly marked with sign
posts at each intersection. Blazing new trails is strictly prohibited and can lead to
disciplinary actions including ejection from the facility. This not only protects the facility
from problems with adjacent properties but allows the staff to focus its efforts on
maintaining a safe and fun trail system for you instead of repairing illegal activity!
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• All vehicles must operate in a manner to avoid incidents and/or accidents while in the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
• All off road vehicle drivers and riders should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s safe
operating procedures. Please be sure that your OHV has the appropriate equipment
needed to operate on the rough terrain in the area.
• All trails at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area are two way trails! Please be courteous
to oncoming traffic and utilize proper trail etiquette. Practicality dictates that the
vehicle(s) that can pull over with the least amount of difficulty should do so and yield to
oncoming traffic.
• Ride the trails appropriate for your machine and skill level. Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area offers a variety of trails to suit almost every rider; please select your
routes carefully.
• Stay within the boundaries of facility and away from posted areas.
• For your safety, all riders are required to be in groups of two or more. Riding solo can
leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate a meeting place
in case of separation.
• Non-operative vehicles should be moved to the side of the trails and attended to
immediately.
• All visitors must leave the facility within 15 minutes of closing time. Please allow
yourself plenty of time to return to the parking area, pack up and leave.
The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
• If you find yourself in need of a winch, please use tree saver straps on an appropriate
size tree to protect the scenic beauty of the trail. Under no circumstances is the cutting
of any tree permissible.
• The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is neither liable nor responsible for damage,
loss or theft of personal property or injury to visitors.
• Tread Lightly - Please review and abide by our Tread Lightly standards.
Failure to comply with the above rules, regulations and safe operating procedures may result in
arrest, fines, temporary or permanent banning from using the area or participating in any future
area activities or events.
Discussion on Pets
Initially the proposed Rules and Regulations included a no pet policy. During the public input
process and during steering committee input the question was raised as to why a no pet policy
was being recommended. Not permitting any pets makes it easier to enforce pet restrictions.
Pets my include dogs, cats, birds, pigs, goats, rodents (guinea pigs, hamsters), exotic animals,
and snakes, to name a few. People can make pets of virtually any animal. Stating no pets are
permitted addresses all of these without having to list them individually. To allow a certain
type of pet and not others requires AOAA to provide justification as why one and not the other.
The specific question has been asked about allowing dogs in the campground or even
throughout other areas of the facility including both the motorized and non-motorized areas.
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Most pet owners are responsible about their care and concern for their pets, the safety of
others, and not being a nuisance. Many, however, are not. A dog that is leashed and under the
control of its owner will usually not present a problem.
Some pet owners, however, are unable to keep their dogs under control and quiet. These
become both safety and nuisance issues to other users requiring enforcement of the AOAA
staff and/or volunteers. Sometimes these types of safety and nuisance issues are very
subjective leaving opportunity for confrontation and disagreements among visitors and
putting enforcement staff in awkward situations.
If dogs are to be permitted in the general areas of the AOAA, there are additional risk with
dogs, vehicles, and equestrians. When at home, dog owners keep their pets away from busy
roads and high traffic areas. Bringing pets to the AOAA creates a direct conflict of uses putting
animals in the same places as multiple kinds of vehicles, and with horses in the non-motorized
areas of the AOAA. Vehicles are often travelling quickly on trails with limited visibility due to
other vehicles, winding trails, and overgrowth of vegetation. Unexpected pets in the area are
a hazard to both the rider and the pet. Horses can be easily spooked by dogs and throw its
rider. Further dogs, not use to horses, are apt to want to ‘play’ and/or chase horses. Each of
these instances may create additional liability issues.
After discussing the issues associated with permitting pets it was the consensus of the steering
committee to recommend not addressing pets in the proposed Rules & Regulations. Rather if
it becomes an issue in the AOAA the policies can be modified at that time.
We recommend the County review and evaluate each rule and regulation on an annual basis to
determine whether modifications are necessary.
4-33
4-34
OPINION OF PROBABLE CONSTRUCTION COSTS
An Opinion of Probable Construction Cost was developed to project the costs to design and
construct the improvements proposed within the AOAA. These projections were based on a
number of assumptions as described herein.
Costs for construction activities, in each phase, were assigned based on our experience
with construction costs. These costs are typically based upon publicly bid projects that pay
prevailing wage rates, exceptions are noted in the tables. Exceptions include such items such
as trail and campground improvements that can be constructed through volunteer and in-kind
services. In addition, the cost projections take into account the following:
• The condition of the corridor at the time of construction will be similar to its condition
in 2011.
• Property lease / acquisition costs have not been incorporated into the opinion of
probable construction costs.
• Opinions of probable construction costs should be confirmed / revised upon
completion of preliminary design.
• For budgetary purposes 15% of the estimated construction costs have been included in
the projections to provide a contingency to address design revisions, unknown, and / or
unforeseen conditions that may arise during design and construction.
• To budget for inflation, a four percent annual inflation rate should be applied to the
projected construction costs, for each year past 2012.
The opinions of probable construction costs presented herein are liberal in nature and assume
the following costs that may, or may not be required depending on the requirements of
funding sources utilized on the project.
The overall development costs for the facilities and activities proposed within the AOAA
are projected on the tables on the following pages. Cost projects are broken down into to
categories:
1. Entrance and Trailhead Facilities and Activities
2. Trail Development
4-35
4-36
4-37
3200
Asphalt entrance road, incl. esc &
stormwater management, & entrance sign
Pervious short term parking at office
Walkways
b.
c.
d.
Potable Water Service, on-lot treatment
system
Sanitary Disposal, drip irrigation
Primary Electric Extension
b.
c.
d.
Office Total
Design, Engineering, & Permitting
15% Contingency
Office Subtotal
1
Office / Comfort Station / Meeting Room
Building incl. plumbing, electric, HVAC
a.
1
1
4850
Office
2.
Trailhead Entrance Road and Parking Total
LS
LS
LS
$40,000
$200,000
$350,000
Notes
$1,950,000
$156,000
$350,000 All construction to be
completed through public
$200,000 bidding process. Building to
$40,000 be stick-built construction
$1,560,000 basedon anthracite heritage
$234,000 theme.
$970,000
$684,297
$54,744
$200
$25
Notes
$20,875 completed through public
$547,438 bidding process.
$400,000
$4,063
Extension
SF
SY
$25
$125
$1,250
Cost per
Unit
$82,116
835
SY
SY
AC
Unit
15% Contingency
Trailhead Entrance Road and Parking Subtotal
3.25
Clearing and grubbing
a.
4900
Trailhead Entrance Road and Short Term Parking
Qty.
1.
Entrance and Trailhead Facility & Activities
ENTRANCE AND TRAILHEAD FACILITY & ACTIVITY DEVELOPMENT OPINION OF PROBABLE COSTS
4-38
Access road
Maintenance, Safety, & Security Building
Maintenance Yard
Potable Water Service, extend from office
building, sanitary service not provided
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
ORV Challenge Course
ATV / OHM Training Area
a.
b.
c.
ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training Areas Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training Areas
1
1
1.50
ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training Areas
4.
Maintenance, Safety, & Security Building Total
15% Contingency
1
1
5000
1800
675
1.40
Subtotal Maintenance, Safety, & Security Building
3.
LS
LS
AC
LS
LS
SY
SF
SY
AC
$50,000
$150,000
$1,250
$5,000
$20,000
$4
$150
$30
$12,500
Notes
$252,344
$20,188
$201,875 completed through public
$30,281 bidding process.
$150,000
$1,875
$440,938
$35,275
completed through public
$20,000 bidding process. Building
to be pre-fab steel building
$5,000 primarily for equipment and
$352,750 materials storage.
$52,913
$270,000
$20,250
$17,500
Notes
4-39
3
Picnic groves
Buggy wash, no soap water only, therefore
no sanitary requirement
N0n-Potable Water Well
Storage units (10x15 each)
c.
d.
e.
g.
h.
Access road extension
Graded camp roads
250 primitive campsites
Campground Picnic Grove
Sanitary Dump Station, in-ground tanks
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
ORV Campground Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal ORV Campground
ORV Campground
6.
Day Use Parking Area Total
1
6
250
31200
31200
EA
EA
EA
SY
SY
$15,000
$60,000
$1,500
$5
$5
Notes
$1,358,750
$156,000 Construction to occur
with OHV facility staff /
$375,000 volunteers with exception of
$360,000 dump station which will be
$15,000 constructed through public
$1,087,000 bidding process. Aggregate
for roads will be obtained
$163,050 and crushed on-site.
$108,700
$156,000
$25,000
$1,073,438
$85,875
$1,250
$4,000
$15,000
$30,000
Notes
Construction to occur
$30,000 with OHV facility staff /
volunteers. Aggregate for
$15,000
roads will be obtained and
$80,000 crushed on-site.
$858,750
$270,000
$200,000
$251,250
$12,500
ac
EA
LS
LS
$90,000
$50,000
$15
$1,250
$128,813
20
20
1
1
EA
EA
SY
AC
15% Contingency
Subtotal Day Use Parking Area
4
Access roads
b.
16750
a.
10.00
ORV Day Use Parking Area (250 spaces)
5.
4-40
Minor grading
a.
b.
c.
Satellite office
Trailhead parking area
b.
c.
d.
Non-Motorized Trailhead Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Non-Motorized Trailhead
a.
15
700
25
1060
600
1640
2.00
Hiking / Equestrian / Mountain Biking Trailhead
8.
Overflow Parking Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Overflow Parking Area
Overflow Parking Area
7.
SY
SF
SY
AC
AC
SY
AC
$20
$200
$15
$2,500
$2,500
$15
$2,500
Notes
$24,600 Construction to occur
with OHV facility staff /
$120,000 volunteers, except for
$21,200 satellite office which will be
$170,800 constructed through public
$25,620 bidding process. Aggregate
for roads will be obtained
$213,500
$5,000
$138,125
$110,500 volunteers. Aggregate for
$16,575 roads will be obtained and
crushed on-site.
$11,050
$10,500
$62,500
Notes
4-41
36 primitive campsites
Equestrian camp stables (1 per 3 sites)
Day use stable (ten stalls)
Primitive group camp area sites
Campground Picnic Grove
Sanitary Dump Station, in-ground tanks
c.
d.
3.
f.
g.
h.
Total
Graded camp roads
b.
Notes
$25,000 volunteers, except for camp
$120,000 stables, day use stables, and
dump station which will be
$180,000
constructed through public
$15,000 bidding process. Aggregate
$628,250 for roads will be obtained
$180,000
$75,750
$4,946,703
$785,313
$15,000
$60,000
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$5,000
$5
$12,500
Non-Motorized Campground Total
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
SY
$2,500
$62,825
1
3
48
10
8
36
15150
AC
15% Contingency
Subtotal Non-Motorized Campground
a.
5.00
Hiking / Equestrian / Mountain Biking Campground
9.
4-42
4-43
Grading of existing road
New access road construction
Access control gates
Traffic Control Signs
Mile Markers / Directional Signs
Final design for permitting
Permitting
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Grading of existing road
Access control gates
Final design for permitting
Permitting
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Secondary Access Roads Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Secondary Access Roads
Secondary Access Roads
2.
Primary Access Roads Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Primary Access Roads
Primary Access Road
1.
Trail Type
1
1
28
18
10
13.44
1
1
26
13
20
2.00
11.90
Qty
LS
LS
Each
Each
Each
Mile
LS
LS
Each
Each
Each
Mile
Mile
Unit
$13,000
$13,000
$50
$200
$7,500
$12,500
$12,500
$12,000
$50
$200
$7,500
$125,000
$25,000
Cost per
Unit
TRAIL DEVELOPMENT OPINION OF PROBABLE COSTS
Notes
Notes
$168,000 Assumes existing haul roads through
$75,000 properties will be utilized for 90%
of the secondary access road; road
$3,600
improvements will be limited to fine
$1,400 grading, and stablization of limited
$13,000 problem areas; as an existing road on
$13,000 the property it is assumed no further
stormwater management facilities will
$274,000
be required; primary road width will be
$41,100 limited to widths of between 16’ - 20’
maximum. Aggregate for roads will be
$315,100
obtained and crushed on-site.
Notes
$297,500 Assumes existing haul roads through
$250,000 properties will be utilized for 90% of the
$150,000 primary access road; road improvements
will be limited to fine grading, and
$2,600 stablization of limited problem areas;
$1,300 as an existing road on the property
$12,000 it is assumed no further stormwater
$12,500 management facilities will be required;
primary road width will be limited to
$725,900 widths of between 18’ - 24’ maximum.
$108,885 Aggregate for roads will be obtained
Extension
4-44
Field staking, final design for
permitting
Permitting
e.
f.
44
1
permitting
Permitting
d.
e.
More Difficult ORV Trails Total
$102,258
$13,338
$11,000
15% Contingency
$11,000
$22,000
$2,200
$88,920
LS
$22,000
$50
Subtotal More Difficult ORV Trails
1
LS
Each
$4,400
$200
c.
Each
b.
22
Assumes majority of the More Difficult
ORV trails will follow existing trails
throughout the site; volunteers will
construct new trail segments; volunteers
will install traffic control signs, mile
markers, and directional signs; PA DEP
will require construction drawings
locating existing trails to be included in
NPDES Earth Distrubance Permit, with
corresponding erosion, sedimentation,
and permanent stormwater management
controls being estasblished to comply
with State and Federal regulations.
ESC, stormwater controls, existing
trail rehabilitation
a.
$49,320
Notes
More Difficult ORV Trails
$204,010
4.
Easy ORV Trails Total
$26,610
$20,000
$40,000
$6,000
15% Contingency
$4,500
$20,000
$40,000
$50
$12,400
$177,400
Mile
LS
LS
Each
$200
Subtotal Easy ORV Trails
10.96
1
1
120
Each
$9,000
d.
62
$6,000
Mile
c.
1.50
New trail construction
$90,000
b.
$3,000
Assumes majority of the Easy ORV trails
will follow existing trails throughout
the site; volunteers will construct new
trail segments; volunteers will install
traffic control signs, mile markers, and
directional signs; PA DEP will require
construction drawings locating existing
trails to be included in NPDES Earth
Distrubance Permit, with corresponding
erosion, sedimentation, and permanent
stormwater management controls being
estasblished to comply with State and
Federal regulations.
Mile
a.
30.00
Notes
Easy ORV Trails
3.
4-45
1
permitting
Permitting
e.
f.
$109,500
$11,000
1
permitting
Permitting
e.
f.
$150,100
$13,600
$172,615
$13,600
$26,000
$3,000
$5,200
Rock Crawling ORV Trails Total
LS
$26,000
$50
$200
$22,515
1
LS
Each
Each
15% Contingency
Subtotal Rock Crawling ORV Trails
60
d.
26
$82,500
$12,500
c.
Mile
b.
6.60
Assumes some of the Rock Crawling
throughout the site; volunteers
will construct new trail segments;
volunteers will install traffic control
signs, mile markers, and directional
signs; PA DEP will require construction
drawings locating existing trails to be
included in NPDES Earth Distrubance
Permit, with corresponding erosion,
sedimentation, and permanent
a.
$19,800
Notes
Rock Crawling ORV Trails
6.
$125,925
$3,000
$11,000
$21,000
$2,400
Most Difficult ORV Trails Total
Mile
LS
$21,000
$50
$4,400
$16,425
6.60
1
LS
Each
$200
15% Contingency
Subtotal Most Difficult ORV Trails
48
Each
$40,400
d.
22
$8,000
Mile
c.
5.05
$30,300
b.
$6,000
Assumes some of the More Difficult
throughout the site; volunteers
will construct new trail segments;
signs; PA DEP will require construction
included in NPDES Earth Distrubance
Permit, with corresponding erosion,
Mile
a.
5.05
Notes
Most Difficult ORV Trails
5.
4-46
permitting
Permitting
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
permitting
Permitting
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
OHM Trails Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal OHM Trails
OHM Single Track Trails
8.
ATV Trails Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal ATV Trails
ATV Trails
7.
1
1
100
50
24.52
1
1
100
50
24.52
LS
LS
Each
Each
Mile
LS
LS
Each
Each
Mile
$25,000
$50,000
$50
$200
$2,500
$25,000
$50,000
$50
$200
$6,000
$61,300 Assumes all OHM Single Track trails will
$10,000 be constructed / ridden-in by volunteers;
$5,000
$50,000 signs; PA DEP will require construction
$25,000 included in NPDES Earth Distrubance
$151,300 Permit, with corresponding erosion,
$22,695
$173,995 estasblished to comply with State and
Notes
$147,120 Assumes all ATV trails will be
$10,000 constructed / ridden-in by volunteers;
$5,000
$35,568
Notes
4-47
1
permitting
Permitting
c.
d.
e.
1
permitting
Permitting
c.
d.
e.
Equestrian Trails Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Equestrian Trails
30
b.
1
15
a.
15.00
Equestrian Trails
1
10.
Single Track Mountain Bike Trails Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal OHM Trails
48
b.
24
a.
23.43
9.
LS
LS
Each
Each
Mile
LS
LS
Each
Each
Mile
$24,000
$48,000
$50
$200
$4,000
$24,000
$48,000
$50
$200
$2,500
$60,000 Assumes all Equestrian trails will be
$3,000 constructed / ridden-in by volunteers;
$1,500
$20,475
Notes
$58,575 Assumes all Single Track Mountain Bike
$4,800 trails will be constructed / ridden-in
by volunteers; volunteers will install
$2,400
traffic control signs, mile markers, and
$48,000 directional signs; PA DEP will require
construction drawings locating existing
$24,000 trails to be included in NPDES Earth
$137,775 Distrubance Permit, with corresponding
erosion, sedimentation, and permanent
$20,666
Notes
4-48
1
permitting
Permitting
c.
d.
e.
Trail Obliteration
a.
Boundary Markers
Sensitive Environmental Area
Markers
Abandoned Mine Opening Barriers
c.
d.
e.
Total
250
Boundary Fencing
b.
General Site Improvements Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal General Site Improvements
1000
Steel Pipe Gate with Lock Box
a.
10
5
General Site Improvements
25
500
1
13.
Trail Obliteration Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Trail Obliteration
Trail Obliteration
12.
Hiking Trails Total
15% Contingency
Subtotal Hiking Trails
20
b.
10
a.
10.00
Hiking Trails
11.
Each
Each
Each
Mile
Each
Each
LS
LS
Each
Each
Mile
$10,000
$50
$50
$45,000
$7,000
$200
$5,000
$10,000
$50
$200
$1,250
$2,167,715
$175,000 Includes: purchasing fabricated gates
$225,000 installation by volunteers; all signs
and markers installed by volunteers;
$50,000
boundary fencing to be highway right-of$12,500 way fence installed by contractor; mile
markers, sensitive area markers, and
$100,000 boundary markers shall be reinforced
$562,500 fiberglass markers with adhesive stickers
for identification; abandoned mine land
$84,375
opening barriers shall consist of markers
$646,875 / fencing / barriers, as required.
Notes
$100,000 Trail obliteration will be performed
in conjunction with permitting and
$100,000
construction of specific trail types,
$15,000 includes obiliterating first 100’ of trails to
$115,000 be closed.
Notes
$12,500 Assumes all hiking trails will be
$2,000 constructed / walked-in by volunteers;
volunteers will install traffic control signs,
$1,000
mile markers, and directional signs; PA
$10,000 DEP will require construction drawings
locating existing trails to be included in
$5,000 NPDES Earth Distrubance Permit, with
$30,500 corresponding erosion, sedimentation,
and permanent stormwater management
$4,575
controls being estasblished to comply with
$35,075 State and Federal regulations.
Notes
PHASING RECOMMENDATIONS
Ideally, the Athracite Outdoor Adventure Area would be developed in one phase, minimizing
construction activities, disruptions, and realizing “economies of scale” savings. However, few
facilities of this nature can be developed in this manner.Therefore, it is it more appropriate to
phase construction of improvements over a period of time.
We recommend the improvements to the AOAA be constructed in a series of logical phases.
Depending on the AOAA’s financial situation, and the success of grant writing efforts, this
phasing plan may be expedited, or lengthened, depending on the financial capabilities of the
AOAA.
Taking into consideration grant opportunities and availability, we have outlined five phases
of improvements within the AOAA. Improvements not included in these initial phases are
considered lower priorities, and will be re-visited upon completion of the work described
herein.
The five phases recommended with the concensus of the steering committee. The illustrated
on the following pages. The financial oblications required to implement Phase I are as follows:
DCNR
Facility or Area
2010
1. Primary Access Road & Short Term Parking
3. Building - Maintenance, Safety, Security
2011
348,300
Outside
Funds
300,000
400,000
Total
648,300
400,000
Additional for Electric , Phone, Water
150,000
150,000
5. ORV Day Use Parking Area 125 Spaces
150,000
150,000
20. Trail Obliteration
100,000
100,000
21. Combined #8 Non-motorized Trailhead
323,348
323,348
Permitting for ORV Trails & Development
375,000
375,000
Boundary Surveys
100,000
100,000
Total
400,000
1,546,648
300,000
2,246,648
4-49
4-50
PHASING PLAN OPINION OF PROBABLE COST SUMMARY
Facility / Area
Phase Ia
Phase Ib
Phase II
1
Trailhead Entrance Road and Short Term
Parking
2
Office
3
4
ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training
Areas
5
6
ORV Campground
7
8
Hiking / Equestrian / Mountain Biking
Trailhead
9
Campground
10
Primary Access Road
11
12
ORV Trails
$177,400
13
$375,820
14
ATV Trails
15
16
Equestrian Trails
17
Hiking Trails
18
Trail Obliteration
$100,000
19
$646,875
$161,719
$2,353,792 $1,094,555
$3,319,836
Total
$684,297
$1,950,000
$440,938
$134,180
$339,688
$268,359
$339,688
$213,500
$362,950
$362,950
$237,120
Notes
1. Refer to Trailhead and Entrance, and Trail Development Opinion of Probable Cost for further cost breakdowns.
2. Phase I proposes Maintenance, Safety, & Security Building will function as AOAA office, without potable water
and site sanitary service upon facility opening. Portable toilet units will be utilized for sanitary disposal.
3. Projections do not include costs for extension of public water and sanitary sewer to the site which will be
required to lease proposed commercial parcels.
4-51
PHASING PLAN OPINION OF PROBABLE COST SUMMARY
(continued)
Facility / Area
Phase IV
1
Trailhead Entrance Road and Short Term
Parking
2
Office
3
4
ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training
Areas
$252,344
5
$402,539
$268,359
6
ORV Campground
$339,688
$339,688
7
8
$213,500
9
Campground
$785,313
10
Primary Access Road
11
12
ORV Trails
13
14
ATV Trails
15
$151,300
16
Equestrian Trails
$136,500
17
Hiking Trails
18
Trail Obliteration
19
Total
4-52
Phase III
$138,125
$274,000
$30,500
$100,000
$161,719
$1,856,214
$1,737,359
OVERALL OPINION OF PROBABLE COST SUMMARY
Facility / Area
Total
1
Trailhead Entrance Road and Short Term Parking
2
Office
3
$440,938
4
ORV Challenge Course, ATV, & OHM Training Areas
$252,344
5
$1,073,438
6
ORV Campground
$1,358,750
7
$138,125
8
$213,500
9
Hiking / Equestrian / Mountain Biking Campground
$785,313
10
Primary Access Road
$725,900
11
$274,000
12
ORV Trails
$375,820
13
$150,100
14
ATV Trails
$237,120
15
$151,300
16
Equestrian Trails
$136,500
17
Hiking Trails
18
Trail Obliteration
$100,000
19
$646,875
Total
$684,297
$1,950,000
$30,500
$9,724,818
4-53
4-54
CHAPTER 5:
Business Plan
5-1
CHAPTER 5:
Business Plan
INTRODUCTION
The financial expectation of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area is that it will be fiscally
successful year after year by producing operating revenues in excess of operating expenses. It
is further expected, that from the beginning, the AOAA will need to rely on outside sources to
provide the greatest share of development funding. These outside sources will include the PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant programs, grants from other state
and federal agencies, private businesses, foundations, non-profit organizations, and others.
Northumberland County is expected to contribute to the AOAA in many forms, including
continued planning, grant writing, and other in-kind services. In addition to direct funding
of the development of the facility, volunteers will play a significant role as they assist in
development of trails, riding areas, support facilities, and amenities.
Municipally operated recreation facilities have long been considered community services.
Often, such facilities are operated using financial principles of government that tend to
focus on providing a community service at the lowest possible cost. They tend to look to be
subsidized by government funds and fundraising rather than establishing a financial structure
in which expenses incurred are covered by revenues produced. They are seen as providers of
services rather than operators of a business. While these operational practices are often quite
appropriate for these types of organizations, they will not promote the long-term success of
the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
In the interest of operating the AOAA as a financially successful operation, it is the
recommendation of this Plan that the County create an Operating Authority to develop,
manage, maintain, and operate the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
The County and the Authority must recognize that this facility must function primarily as a
business, employing typical business practices in its operations. The AOAA will be a unique
combination of two governmental entities brought together to operate a community business.
The expectation of the AOAA is that from an operational position it will be completely selfsufficient. The results of this study suggest that its on-going operation can be self-sustaining
if it is operated under sound business principles. However, it is highly unlikely that it can be
completely self-sustaining in its construction and development.
As a business, AOAA will need to be creative in its efforts to consider all sources of income
for both operations and development. The business operations of AOAA will be completely
separate from County functions. The Authority essentially stands as an independent agency.
Their business approach must encompass all aspects of AOAA’s operations, fees, operating
and development expenses, staffing, programming, safety and security, marketing, and much
more. All decisions must be made from a business perspective.
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The remainder of this Chapter, including its analyses and recommendations, presume
operations under typical business management practices.
MANAGEMENT OF THE ANTHRACITE OUTDOOR
ADVENTURE AREA
CURRENT OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Northumberland County currently owns and manages all of the properties related to the
AOAA. As the landowner, they are completely responsible for all management, maintenance,
security, operations and development of anything that takes place on the property.
The Northumberland County Planning Department, an agency of the County, has been charged
with managing the planning and development of a master plan for the site. As part of the
master plan, a business and management plan is being developed to determine the best
method of managing and operating the AOAA for the future.
In recent years, a small group of volunteers has been integrally involved in assisting the
Planning Department in evaluating existing conditions of the properties and casting the vision
to develop it into a county recreational facility. They have not, however, been responsible for
management or operations of the site.
Additionally, a study committee consisting of one County Commissioner / State Representative,
Planning Department Staff, the County Human Resource Director, and twelve other county
residents has represented the County in the development of this master plan. One of their
functions has been to assist the planning consultant in identifying the best method of
management of the AOAA for the future.
EXISTING AND ANTICIPATED SITE USES
The proposed Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area includes multiple uses. Some of them are,
or will be, related to the recreational aspects of the site, while others exist independent of any
recreational use.
Non-recreational uses must be managed differently than the recreational uses. Existing and
potential non-recreational uses include:
•
•
•
•
•
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Mineral extraction
Oil and gas extraction
Reclamation of mine lands
Water resource management
Utility transmission lines
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water treatment ponds
Roads
Windmills for the production of wind energy
Cell phone and 911 tower(s)
Lease and/or sale of portions of the property for commercial use in support of the
AOAA
Disposal of surplus property
Potential recreational uses of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area include:
 Management, operations and maintenance of AOAA facilities and trails including nonmotorized and motorized activities and facilities.
 Safety and security operations related to AOAA activities and facilities.
 Marketing and promotion of AOAA and all special events.
 Implementation of conservation, wildlife habitat, and forestry management
improvement recommendations.
The above potential non-recreational and recreational uses just touch the surface and there are
and will be many uses not identified herein which will arise.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS SYSTEMS
Three potential management options were evaluated by the Consultant and presented to the
Study Committee for discussion. The following presents the synopsis of those discussions and
a description of pros and cons identified by the committee.
OPTION 1 ‐ COUNTY OWNERSHIP/COUNTY OPERATION
Under this option, all property and facilities are owned and operated by Northumberland
County. The County could utilize an existing county department and/or current staff to manage
operations or they could create a new department and/or new staff positions to operate and
manage the facility.
Pros:
The County would maintain ownership of the property; the County would control use
of the property; the property would be developed primarily as a recreational facility;
residents would have a say in the planning and development of the site.
Cons: Would require an expansion of county government; the county is not set up to manage
such a business oriented facility; it becomes part of the overall county political climate;
counties don’t tend to operate under the same business model that will be required by
this facility; the facility may require larger subsidies of cash than if it is operated by a
business-orientated entity.
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OPTION 2 ‐ COUNTY OWNERSHIP/OTHER OPERATION
With this option, Northumberland County still owns the property but through a contractual
agreement another organization would manage and operate the property, facilities, and
programming. The agreement could be with any number of agencies or organizations
including:
 County OperaƟng Authority
 A private company or non-profit organizaƟon
 Land and operaƟons leased to another organizaƟon
Pros:
Same as in Option 1 plus: A managing entity could be required to operate with a
specified county subsidy or strictly as a for-profit business with no subsidy; the
operating organization would need to be efficient in its operation and user driven to
maintain success;
Cons: The County would have little input into general operations; County politics could
still come into play as the Commissioners appoint Authority Board members;
environmental issues and county mandates could impede profitability.
OPTION 3 ‐ OWNERSHIP AND OPERATIONS BY OTHERS
In this option, the County would lease or sell the property to a private company who would
own and operate it as an OHV facility. The lease or sales agreement would include legal
stipulations and restrictions on the development of the property to ensure its development as
a recreational OHV facility. Sale of the property could be limited by existing restrictions on the
property and its legal uses as well as by the fact that mineral rights are owned by a third party.
This scenario would mean very limited, if any, county involvement in development and use of
the property.
Pros: A private owner would have to operate at a profit in order to stay in business; there
would be no County subsidy required; the business would need to be efficient in its operation
and user driven to maintain success; the County would benefit financially from the lease / sale
of the property.
Cons: The County would have no input into operations; the county would no longer control
or own the property; if the business failed the County would have few options to continue
operation of the OHV facility.
Recommended Ownership and Management Structure
The consultant and the committee concurred that the best option is for the County to
maintain ownership of the property and to create an operating authority to manage and
operate it as described in Option Two.
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PROPOSE GENERAL ROLES, RIGHTS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
COUNTY AND THE AUTHORITY
Allocation of Revenues
All (100%) of the revenues produced by the recreational portion of the project shall be used
by the AOAA Authority for supporting those purposes. Revenues produced from the lease
or rental of properties or facilities located on the proposed commercial area of the site
are considered to be part of the recreational uses of the property as they are intended to
specifically support these uses. All revenues produced from non-recreational activities related
to those facilities and functions of the County Commissioners shall be used for the County at
their discretion.
Grants
Either Board may acquire grants for development of the project and may agree to “pass
through” the funding to the other Board.
Consent shall not be unreasonably held from one Board to the other, so long as the Board has
complied with the terms of the grant and appropriate laws of procurement, and so long as the
grant project does not materially, negatively impact the Master Site Plan.
Northumberland County will have the right and responsibility to:








Carry out all matters to which they are legally bound
Create the operating authority for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
Appoint the members of the Authority Board
Manage and operate only non-recreational uses of the property that are compatible
with DCNR’s deed restrictions
Have fiduciary responsibility for all functions and activities not specifically passed on to
the Authority
Retain ownership of all property currently under County ownership
Maintain general insurance for its liability related to facilities, properties, activities, and
functions that are the responsibility of the County
Approve modifications to the Master Site plan
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority will have the right and
responsibility to:




Operate as a Pennsylvania Authority
Establish its own bylaws and methods of conducting business
Have fiduciary responsibility for all functions and activities assigned to the Authority
Manage and operate all recreational facilities, programs, activities and portions of the
Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area property. It may be necessary to delineate certain
portions of the property to be used exclusively for recreational purposes, others as
mixed-use areas, and others for non-recreational uses.
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 Contract for, purchase, or
otherwise acquire, sell or
otherwise dispose of materials,
supplies, equipment, services,
or anything else related to its
operation
 Establish and charge fees for
goods or services, and utilize
those fees for its conduct of
business
 Apply for, secure, acquire,
receive, administer, and dispense
funds from municipal, state,
federal, private or other sources
 Have authority to borrow money,
but not commit any property of
the County as collateral for such
loans
 Have exclusive right to make
decisions regarding the use of its
own monies and other assets
 Develop the AOAA in accordance
with established Master Site Plan
that has been approved by the
County
 Comply with terms of all grant
agreements
Maintain all insurances required by law,
as well as general liability insurance
and property insurance. May need to
work with the County to acquire some
insurance. The County may need to be
included as an additional insured
 Reinvest all monies received
from operation of the property
back into operations and/or
development
 Have the right, responsibility,
and authority to conduct all
business related to operating
the AOAA’s recreational facilities
and activities. This will include
management and administration
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Steps for Creating the Authority
The following list is a summary outline of the
steps required to create the Authority. All steps
may not occur in the order listed. More detail
on each step can be found in the Act.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Agree that the creation of an authority
is the best method of operation of the
AOAA.
Adopt a resolution or ordinance
announcing the County’s intention
to create the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area Authority.
Develop the articles of incorporation.
Hold a public meeting to allow public
comment concerning the County’s
intent to create the Authority.
Adopt the resolution or ordinance to
create the Authority. (No sooner than
30 days after the public meeting.)
Publish notice of the adopted resolution
in the legal periodical of the county
and at least one time in a newspaper
published and in general circulation. The
notice must contain a brief statement
of the substance of the resolution or
ordinance, including the substance of
the articles making reference to the Act.
File the articles of incorporation with
the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
(The Act includes details of what must
be included in this filing.)
County Commissioners must execute
the articles of incorporation.
If all is in order, the Secretary of
the Commonwealth will certify the
incorporation.
Report to the Secretary of the
Commonwealth a listing of the names
and addresses of the authority board
members and the principle location of
the authority.
of all functions of the AOAA; employment of personnel; assurance of safety and
security; administration of finances and funding; production of revenue; programming;
development of facilities; maintenance of facilities; acquisition of goods and services
necessary for operation of the AOAA; marketing; application for and administration of
grants; coordination with outside agencies; and any other function related to AOAA
operations.
CREATION OF A MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE ANTHRACITE
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AREA
Summary of the Municipal Authorities Act
The Municipal Authorities act of 1945 and all of its related updates govern the creation and
operation of Authorities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Act clearly details
as law methods of incorporation, steps for creation of the authority, purposes and powers of
authorities, minimum qualifications for board members, limitations and prohibitions, financing
and financial management, ownership of property, coordination with municipalities, and
operating rights and responsibilities.
According to the PA Governor’s Center for Local Government Services publication entitles
Municipal Authorities in Pennsylvania, “The municipal authority in Pennsylvania is an alternate
vehicle for accomplishing public purposes rather than through direct action of counties,
municipalities and school districts.” According to the Act, an authority, among other things, is
authorized to acquire, construct, finance, improve, maintain, and operate projects.
An authority is not an agency or representative of the municipality, but is an independent
agency of the Commonwealth. The municipality is responsible to create the authority and
to appoint its board members but the authority is not a part of its government. Instead, it
is a public corporation engaged in the administration of civil government. An authority is a
separate legal entity.
Authorities are often created under the assumption they operate business-like services more
efficiently and effectively than a municipal government. A function such as the operation of the
AOAA requires it to operate under sound business principles more often found in the private
sector. The structure of an authority can allow it to hold to such principles. The authority
board can make decisions based on what is best for the long-term success of the operation
without concerning themselves with short-term political influences. As well, it removes the
burden of such a major undertaking from the County Commissioners freeing up their time and
energies to be spent on more typical government functions.
Key Components of the Act
Prior to the creation of the authority, all parties involved must be sure they clearly understand
the PA Authorities Act of 1945 and agree to the standards and regulations it establishes for the
creation and conduct of an authority. While all aspects of the Act are important, the following
are several direct excerpts from the Act that will be of particular interest to the AOAA and the
County.
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Article 5607. Purposes and Powers
Section a. Scope of projects permitted.—Every authority incorporated under this chapter shall
be a body corporate and politic and shall be for the purposes of financing working capital;
acquiring, holding, constructing, financing, improving, maintaining and operating, owning or
leasing, either in the capacity of lessor or lessee, projects of the following kind and character…
•
Parks, recreation grounds and facilities
Section d. Powers. – (partial list of 33 total included in the Act)
1. To acquire, purchase, hold, lease as lessee and use any franchise, property, real,
personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein necessary or desirable
for carrying out the purposes of the authority, and to sell, lease as lessor, transfer and
dispose of any property or interest therein at any time acquired by it.
2. To acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise and to construct, improve, maintain, repair
and operate projects.
3. To finance projects by making loans which may be evidenced by and secured as may be
provided in loan agreements, mortgages, security agreements or any other contracts,
instruments or agreements, which contracts, instruments or agreements may contain
such provisions as the authority shall deem necessary or desirable for the security or
protection of the authority or its bondholders.
4. To make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs.
5. To appoint officers, agents, employees and servants, to prescribe their duties and to fix
their compensation.
6. To fix, alter, charge and collect rates and other charges in the area served by its
facilities at reasonable and uniform rates to be determined exclusively by it for
the purpose of providing for the payment of the expenses of the authority, the
construction, improvement, repair, maintenance and operation of its facilities and
properties.
7. To make contracts of every name and nature and to execute all instruments necessary
or convenient for the carrying on of its business.
8. Without limitation of the foregoing, to borrow money and accept grants from and
to enter into contracts, leases or other transactions with any Federal agency, the
commonwealth or a municipality, school district, corporation or authority.
9. To do all acts and things necessary or convenient for the promotion of its business
and the general welfare of the authority to carry out the powers granted to it by this
chapter or other law.
10. To make contracts of insurance with an insurance company, association or exchange
authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth, insuring its employees and
appointed officers and officials under a policy or policies of insurance covering life,
accidental death and dismemberment and disability income. Statutory requirements
for such insurance, including, but not limited to, requisite number of eligible
employees, appointed officers and officials…
11. To appoint police officers who shall have the same rights as other peace officers in this
Commonwealth with respect to the property of the authority.
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Article 5613. Transfer of existing facilities to authority.
Section a. Authorization.—Any municipality, school district or owner may sell, lease, lend,
grant, convey, transfer or pay over to any authority with or without consideration any project
or any part of it, any interest in real or personal property, any funds available for building
construction or improvement purposes, including the proceeds of bonds previously or
hereafter issued for building construction or improvement purposes, which may be used by the
authority in the construction, improvement, maintenance or operation of any project.
BUSINESS MODELS
Management of a business is one of the key components in creating a successful business
plan. It is critical that management practices and philosophy match with the business model
under which the organization will operate. The consultant conducted research on dozens of
OHV facilities across the United States to determine the types of business models under which
they functioned. Most OHV facilities fall into one of four categories – private ownership, state
parks, club management/ownership, or leases on public land. Below is a description of each
model.
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
The primary purpose of a privately owned facility is to make a profit for the owner by providing
a service for which people are willing to adequately pay. The owner’s focus is on producing
revenue that is greater than expenses incurred. That means providing services that the
customer is willing to pay for or that provide added value to increase profits. This typically
means that amenities that are profitable are provided and those that are not profitable are
not provided. In most cases, being environmentally concerned about the property on which
the facility is situated is not profitable. Protecting environmentally sensitive areas, protecting
habitat, and constructing in environmentally sensitive ways does not often produce revenue or
profit. Therefore environmental concerns are most often viewed as just something required
by the government and only the absolute minimum is done to meet requirements.
A profit must be made in order to stay in business. There are no government subsidies and few
grants available to private businesses.
Examples of Privately Owned facilities Included in the Research for this Study
 Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, PA
 Mountain Ridge Trails Resort, PA
 Northwoods Overland, WI
 Badlands Off-Road Park, IN
 Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park, WV
 Coal Creek OHV Area, TN
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STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS
State and national parks and forests have, as one of their primary functions, the protection and
preservation of natural resources. That expectation takes precedence over individual activities
that occur within the parks and forests. OHVs are permitted within the parks if it is determined
that trails can be developed and managed in ways to accomplish that objective. In some cases,
it has been determined that providing specific locations for OHV use will serve to protect other
areas of natural resources.
At the same time, it is the responsibility of the state and federal governments to provide for
recreational activities of its residents. In most cases, facilities are provided through the use
of tax dollars and little or no additional fee is charged for use. This is the case with most OHV
trails located on state and federal lands. Most states that operate under this philosophy find a
balance between providing adequate trails and protecting natural resources. This is typically
done with the use of tax dollars. Some states have initiated a gasoline tax, vehicle tax, or
registration fees to provide the funding to develop and operate ATV trails and parks.
Examples of State Parks and Forests Included in the Research for this Study
 California – Prairie City, Hungry Valley, Carnegie Park, Hollister Hills
 West Virginia – Hatfield and McCoy Recreation Authority
 Minnesota – Iron Range
 Kentucky – Harland County Outdoor Recreation
 Michigan – Department of Natural Resources
 Pennsylvania – Bureau of Forestry
CLUB MANAGEMENT/OWNERSHIP
Several OHV clubs across the US have acquired or leased property for the development of OHV
trails. In cases of club ownership or operation, users must be members or guests of the owner/
operator OHV Club. Non-members are not permitted to use the facilities. Club members
typically build and maintain all trails and supporting facilities. The Club is responsible for all
activity related to the facility. They are also responsible for all finances. Funding is usually
raised through membership fees, donations, fundraisers, and special events. The intent is to
re-invest all revenues back into development and operation of the trails.
Examples of OHV Club Owned/Operated Facilities Included in the Research for this Study
 Tri-County ATV Recreation and Rescue, PA
 Snowshoe Rails to Trails, PA
 Indian Creek Valley, PA
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Business Model Conclusion
The consultant has concluded and the Committee agreed that the Business Model for
AOAA would be a hybrid. As a municipal authority, it will be a municipal entity but will
not function under the political structure of a governmental body. It will have some of
the rights that are generally reserved for governments, such as eligibility to receive state
and federal grants and freedom from taxation on it assets and revenues. However, its
only operating revenues will be produced through fees and charges for the services it
provides, thereby making it very similar to a business operation. Sufficient revenues must
be produced to offset expenses. Its operating focus will follow a for-profit model as it
seeks to be completely self-sustaining. It will also have components of the club model as
it creates a volunteer group to assist with development, maintenance, operations, and
security. The authority and the county must recognize that to make the hybrid model
successful it will require an exceptional commitment to cooperation and to keeping the
vision of a successful OHV facility at the forefront of all they do. It will not be an easy task.
PROPERTY FEASIBILITY
The property being considered for the Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area is owned and under
the control of the Northumberland County Commissioners. As a property owner has the right
to determine how to use their property and for what purpose, the County Commissioners
have the authority to use the property as they desire. Until the proposal for the AOAA was
conceived, the County chose not to enforce trespassing on the property. Rather they cast a
blind eye to the unauthorized activities occurring on the County’s land. Unauthorized activities
included both positive and negative use of the property. Some of these activities include:
 OHV Use
 Camping
 Environmental Restoration
 Hunting
 Dumping
 Drug Use
 Vandalism
 Arson
All of which can be deemed illegal if the County would have chosen to enforce no trespassing
on the property. Not to mention enforcement of other laws of local, county, and state
agencies having jurisdiction on the property.
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In the current state the public use of the County property presents the county, and its
taxpayers, with a large amount of liability. Therefore, the County has several options to
consider for the property:
Option One
Hire or contract for security to reduce the use / monitor the property. Perhaps allowing
everyone to use the property for free, but be monitored and in accordance with rules
established by the County. With an average cost for a security guard at approximately
$40,000 per year between salary and benefits, plus costs for vehicles, maintenance,
equipment, and signage, it is projected it would cost, at a minimum, $200,000 a year to
operate in this manner, without any income to offset the costs, resulting in increased
burden on the County’s taxpayers.
Option Two
Sell the property to a private entity. This option would result in a one-time cash influx
to the County, no promise of increased taxes, and no promise of public access to the
property.
Option Three
Sell the property to a public entity, i.e. the game commission. The maximum price paid
by the Pennsylvania Game Commission is below market rate, therefore, the County would
receive less for the property selling to a public agency than it would to the private sector.
Sale to a public agency likely means loss of access to the property for motorized uses as
those uses are not compatible with the mission of Pennsylvania Game Commission, and
other public agencies.
Option Four
Recognize what and how the property is being used for currently and find a way to
mitigate the hazards, increase the attractiveness, eliminate the financial burden on the
County, and spur economic development while preserving access for County residents in
the best possible form.
The proposal to create the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area will accomplish several goals of
the County, including:
1. Preserving the use of the land for legal recreation opportunities. Without formalizing
a plan for the property and having it remain idle, the future of the property is not
guaranteed. It could be sold to the private sector that could use it as they see fit.
This could include establishing a land fill, or other use that is not consistent with the
region’s vision for the area or the property. Acquisition of the property by a private
entity could very well mean the loss of public access to the property for current and
future generations of Northumberland County. If the County proceeds with the plans
for implementing the AOAA, public use of the land will be preserved for all.
2. Taking the opportunity to repurpose economically underutilized land to foster
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economic development and capitalize of the economic potential of the AOAA in the
Lower Anthracite Region. By implementing the plans for the AOAA Northumberland
County is undertaking a process to turn the current liability into an asset by increasing
the tax base, reducing liability, and attracting tourists, while providing for the
recreation needs of County residents.
3. As it sits today, the County property produces no revenue for the county, the
municipalities, and the school districts. There are some coal royalty payments that
are made, but they typically do not exceed $30,000 per year in total. The same can
be said for it after development of the AOAA. That said, with the development of the
AOAA there are tremendous opportunities for creation of businesses to provide the
goods and services desired by visitors of the AOAA, all of which will pay taxes. These
opportunities are projected to have a significant positive impact to the tax base of the
County, municipalities, and school district.
4. Reducing liability to the county, the municipalities, and their citizens by formalizing the
AOAA as a motorized and non-motorized recreation area. Expectations for use of the
property will be formalized and enforced. Fatalities have occurred on the property
and fortunately to date the County has not been sued by trespassers on this property.
Other surrounding coal operators have been sued multiple times for negligence
and other charges by trespassers on their properties directly adjacent to the county
property. If the County does not attempt to do something to control the property the
County could be facing the same fate.
Based on the analysis conducted during this planning process, we believe the most prudent
option would be for the County to move forward with the implementation of the AOAA at a
scale and pace which is financially self-sustaining.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
The business and operations section of this chapter describes the expectations and general
operations of the AOAA. It discusses staffing needs, the anticipated season and hours of
operation, expected users of the facilities and from where they will come. From the financial
perspective, the section proposes a pricing plan and describes marketing strategies. It ends
with a description of anticipated revenues and expenses along with pro-forma financial
projections.
STAFFING PLAN
There will be a variety of staff needed to manage, operate, and maintain the AOAA. Staffing
can be divided into two types in four different categories. The two types of staff will be paid
staff and volunteers. The categories of staff are management, operations, maintenance, and
security.
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Volunteer and paid staff should be hired, managed, and treated the same. The only difference
between the two should be that some are paid and some are not. Volunteers will serve in an
array of job functions quite similar to those of paid staff.
All staff will be employees of the Authority.
MANAGEMENT STAFF
Management staff will be responsible for the overall management of the organization and
the AOAA. Management staff will include the AOAA Manager, and eventually an Assistant
Manager, and Safety and Security Director.
The Manager will report directly to the Authority Board of Directors. He or she shall be
responsible for all management functions of the organization. This will include the oversight
of daily operations, management of all staff, administration of finances, supervision of
programming and facilities, management of maintenance and security, application for and
administration of grants, supervision of marketing and public relations, short and longterm planning , and implementation of the Master Plan. As this job could be much too
overwhelming for one person to fulfill, the Board must develop a plan that will delineate
responsibility appropriately between the Board and the Manager.
An Assistant Manager does not need to be hired immediately upon opening of the AOAA
but should be hired as work dictates and funding is available. The job responsibilities of
the Assistant Manager should be identified to relieve operational responsibilities from
the Manager. Such responsibilities will likely include management of daily operations and
operations staff, supervision of maintenance, marketing, and public relations.
A Safety and Security Director will be needed as the AOAA begins to grow. The Safety Director
should be responsible to assure that the Safety Policy is being implemented as planned.
Other management staff may need to be considered as the AOAA expands.
OPERATIONS STAFF
A variety of operations staff will be needed to fulfill a host of functions. These may include
staff for collecting admission fees, selling concessions, directing and parking vehicles,
performing administrative assistance, and supervising the campground, or other facilities. As
the AOAA opens, it is anticipated that the staffing need will be limited to several seasonal /
part-time admissions and administrative assistance staff. Other staff will be added as demand
dictates and funds are available.
MAINTENANCE STAFF
Maintenance staff will be key to assuring the maintenance and development of the AOAA.
In the beginning one full-time and three seasonal maintenance workers will be needed to
adequately maintain the AOAA. It is recommended that future maintenance workers be hired
as part of the construction crew during the early phases of AOAA development. This will also
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help them to learn and understand the design and function of the trail system so they can
know better how to maintain it. If one or more of these trainees are able to adequately learn
the construction system, it would be wise to train them and eventually hire them to serve as
AOAA staff. This would allow the AOAA to construct future trails with its own staff rather than
contracting out all construction work. This could save a tremendous amount of money in the
long term.
SAFETY AND SECURITY STAFF
The safety and security section of this chapter provides greater detail concerning the staffing
for this category of staff.
VOLUNTEERS
In the early stages of operation of AOAA, it is expected that there will be very few paid staff.
Volunteer staff, including the Board of Directors, will play a vital role in all operations. All staff,
whether paid or volunteer, must be appropriately trained to understand the roles they play as
volunteer staff members. Volunteer staff need to understand that they will be treated with
the same respect as paid staff and will be held to the same level of expectation as well. AOAA
should pay for the cost for required training for volunteers. As well, all staff should be involved
in on-site safety education, in-services training, and safety drills.
Volunteers should be considered as unpaid staff and should be treated as such. They should
agree to perform certain functions within the facility and commit to the required certification
processes. They should be expected to perform all functions in an exemplary manner and
should be held to a higher standard than other AOAA visitors. Volunteers should be held
accountable for their actions.
A volunteer safety and patrol team should be created to assist with a variety of safety and
security functions. A complete description of the role of this group can be found in safety and
security section of this chapter. A similar group can be used to provide maintenance and assist
in development of trails and facilities.
START‐UP STAFFING
The following chart details the staffing needs and associated costs for the first five years of
operation of the AOAA. It should be understood that the AOAA may grow at a different rate
than projected in this chart. Planning for adjustments to staffing needs should be based on the
need for additional positions and the amount of funding available for new positions. Staffing
will most likely be the largest single expense category in the budget. The AOAA Board and
management staff should exercise extreme caution in creating new staff positions. A complete
analysis of the financial impact of adding new staff should be conducted before they are added.
5-17
Projected Staffing
Pay
Rate
Total
Wages
Number
Hrs/
Day
Days/
Week
Weeks
Manager
1
8
5
52
Maintenance Director
1
8
5
52
$14.00
$29,120
Seasonal Maintenance
3
8
5
20
$8.00
$19,200
Administrative Assistant
1
6
3
52
$12.00
$11,232
Seasonal Admissions Staff
1
10
7
20
$8.00
$11,200
Weekend Admission Staff
1
8
2
32
$8.00
$4,096
Total Staff Costs
$40,000
$114,848
The Manager and Maintenance Director will need to be full-time, year-round positions with an
Administrative Assistant working part-time year-round. The administrative assistant position
may need to become full-time within the first five years. All other start-up staff will be parttime and seasonal.
As the AOAA grows, maintenance and administrative staff may need to increase both the
number of hours per week as well as the number of weeks per year. Thus should be done as
demand dictates and funds are available.
Some-time between the third and the sixth year, a permanent safety director and an assistant
director will likely be required. Both of these positions could start out as part-time and grow
as needed. Salary for the safety director, if the position is full-time would be about $38,000
annually while annual full-time wages for the assistant director would be about $31,000.
SEASON AND HOURS OF OPERATION
The proposed seasons and hours of operation are based on several factors. The AOAA
is primarily designed as a motorized vehicle recreational facility. Therefore the greatest
opportunities will be available to accommodate those users. Secondary uses for nonmotorized trails and other activities will be provided as well. Finally, seasonal use should
consider appropriate rest periods for protection of the area against overuse and abuse,
maintenance needs, and protection against damage. With these factors in mind, the following
seasons are recommended.
 OHV Season – Open year-round with some limitations in November, December, and
January to accommodate hunting. Open Daily 10:00 a.m. till Dusk
 HunƟng Season – Saturday before Thanksgiving through the second Saturday in
5-18
January. Operations hours are governed by PA Game Commission laws. Open to
recreational OHV use on Sundays only. AOAA closed Monday through Saturday.
 ParƟal Closures – Sections of the AOAA will need to be closed at the discretion of the
management to repair and rehabilitate trails, protect against environmental impacts or
hazards, allow for regeneration of seasonal vegetation, promote wildlife propagation,
protect against trail damage, prepare trails for use, or other reasons as determined by
the management.
PRIMARY MARKET SEGMENTS
It is anticipated that the AOAA will draw users from four primary user groups – off-road
recreational vehicles (ORVs defined as full size motorized vehicles designed for off-road
recreational use); all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and off-highway motorcycles OHN); equestrians;
and other non-motorized recreational uses such as fishermen, hunters, hikers, mountain bikers.
A fifth market category of potential users may include more specialized activities that may or
may not be related to AOAA’s motorized theme.
OFF‐ROAD RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
ORVs may not be the largest users of AOAA but they will likely be the most recognizable. These
will include Jeeps, Hummers, and other brands of 4x4 street-legal, modified, and hand-built
vehicles.
Local and Regional Competing Facilities
Just three facilities for these types of vehicles are identified within Pennsylvania. They are
Rausch Creek Off-Road Park located in Tremont, Schuylkill County; Rock Run Recreation Area in
Patton, Cambria and Clearfield Counties, and Outback Off-Road Adventures in Eau Clair, Butler
County.
Rausch Creek has a good following of users that come to the park regularly. Rock Run
currently has a small ORV component. Outback Off-road Adventures is a club operated facility
that holds several special events each year. While all of these facilities will draw for their own
share of the ORV market, AOAA should consider opportunities to partner and cooperate with
each of the facilities to enhance use at all facilities.
5-19
Anticipated Uses of AOAA by ORVs
 Daily use – Wile there will be some daily use by individual vehicles, the majority of ORV
visits will be through group use.
 Weekly group outings and tours will be the most commons use by ORVs. These will
include:
o Multiple groups of varying sizes on most weekends throughout the year.
o Some will desire tours of AOAA that will allow them to learn the facility and find
their way around. Tours are an added revenue stream for AOAA.
o Generally there will be 8-35 vehicles per group.
o AOAA can plan for 50-80 groups per year.
o Some will include overnight stays
 Large group outings
o Typically from further away.
o 20-50 vehicles per group
o These groups may have specialized needs such as multiple tours, reserving of
specific trail areas, group parking, and overnight accommodations.
o Often they may include family members looking for other recreational activities
within or outside the AOAA. AOAA officials should identify these opportunities
and provide information to those who are interested. Offering package deals
for surrounding recreational opportunities could also provide an additional
revenues stream for AOAA.
o Most of the users in this group will spend one or two nights in local hotels.
 Local and regional Special Events
These will be large events that will draw as many as 100-500 vehicles per event with
the possibility for hundreds of spectators. It would be likely that the AOAA could
accommodate five or six events per year. Events could include:
o Vehicle brand gatherings – Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Jeep, Hummer, etc.
o Competitions
o Swap meets
o Seasonal events
o Rallies
o Trail rides
 National special events
AOAA will certainly be attractive to large national events. AOAA should anticipate
holding one or two such events annually with primary operation of these events being
done by the event sponsor.
Use and Revenue Potential
ORV use will provide an extremely good source of on-going use and revenue.
5-20
ATV AND OHM
Local and Regional Competing Facilities
There are fourteen privately operated ATV/OHM facilities and seventeen publicly operated
facilities distributed across Pennsylvania yet riders are continually asking for more (see map in
Chapter 2). Nearby to AOAA are the Reading Anthracite properties, Rausch Creek ATV Trails,
Allegheny National Forest, and several State Forest riding areas.
Anticipated Uses by ATVs and OHMs
 Daily use – This category of vehicles will undoubtedly provide the greatest number of
regular users at the AOAA. It is easier to get an ATV or OHM to the facility than any
other type of vehicle. These will ride AOAA every day and use will be even greater on
weekends. Year-round use should be expected.
 Weekly group outings and tours should be anticipated as well with 12-50 ATVs per visit
on average. These will come from:
o ATV club outings
o Group visits from regional areas
o Some will desire tours.
 Large group outings
o Typically from further away.
o Up to 50 vehicles per group
o Similar to ORV groups, ATV/OHM groups may have specialized needs such as
multiple tours, reserving of specific trail areas, and group parking.
o They may also include family members looking for other recreational activities.
o Many will spend one or two nights camping or in local hotels
 Local and regional special events
These will be mostly club events and fundraisers that will draw 50-150 ATVS or more per
event. AOAA could anticipate 10-15 events per year. Each event could draw hundreds of
visitors.
 National and State special events
AOAA has the space and amenities to attract large state and national events. AOAA
should expect 1-3 events per year with up to 1,000 or more ATVs per event and
thousands of visitors. These might include Fisher World ATV, GNCC, Mud and Sand
Nationals, National ATV Jamboree. These events may require closing large sections of
the AOAA to general use during the events.
There is a high usage with good revenue potential from all uses by ATVs and OHMs.
5-21
EQUESTRIAN
Anticipated Uses of AOAA by Equestrian Users
 Daily use – Has the potential for moderate to high daily use over the long-term. Greater
on weekends. Year-round users.
 Special events will draw additional users.
 Boarding, training, guided trail rides could also promote greater equestrian use of
AOAA.
AOAA should anticipate moderate overall use from the equestrian community that will provide
a supplemental revenue potential.
HIKING, BIKING, FISHING, HUNTING
Anticipated Uses of AOAA by hikers, bikers, fishers, and hunters
 Daily use – Low daily use expected. Greater use can be anticipated on weekends. Yearround users.
 Increased use by fishers during peak fishing seasons
 Significant increase in hunters during the season the entire area is open to hunting.
Low overall use with limited revenue potential should be expected.
OTHER USES





Safety officer training
Canopy tours and zip-lines
ATV/OHM Train the Trainer program for military branches
Robotics Research and Design
Paintball
All have the potential to produce supplemental revenue.
5-22
FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROJECTIONS
The following financial recommendations and projections are made based on conservative
estimates of revenues and reasonable estimates of expenses. All financial projections are
subjective and dependent upon operations and management decisions made by the Authority,
and may be impacted by decisions and requirements of the County and DCNR. The fewer
impacts and requirements placed on the Authority by outside organizations the greater the
opportunity for financial success.
One of the biggest negative impacts on the profitability of the AOAA will be the requirements
from anticipated non-recreational uses of the property, including mineral extraction, mine
reclamation, and AMD remediation. AOAA will have little control over these uses that will be
scattered across the entire acreage of the Area. One of the proposed methods to offset the
costs associated with these impacts is to utilize revenues produced by private enterprise as an
investment back into the AOAA. The Master Plan proposes ten acres of commercial property
adjacent to the AOAA main entrance to be leased to private enterprise. The resulting revenues
are to be utilized by AOAA for development and operations.
AOAA USAGE – NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
For purposes of projecting both revenue and expenses, it is necessary to understand the
market place and to estimate the number of users on an annual basis. This projection needs to
consider both the early years of operation and operation in future years.
Chapter 2 of this report analyzes the potential demand for the AOAA and makes estimates for
its future use. These projections suggest that by the fifth year of operation, total motorized
visits will reach 41,500 per year.
In 2008 the US Forest Service titled published a report titled “Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation
in the United States and its Regions and States: An Update National Report from the National
Survey on Recreation and the Environment (NSRE)” the report is provided “to aid interested
individuals and organizations gain access to statistics describing Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
recreational use and users in the United States. The source of these statistics is the National
Survey on Recreation and the Environment.”1
“The focus of this report is on tabulated statistics describing off-highway driving of motor
vehicles as a recreational activity. [It] refers to “off-highway” use to capture a broad band of
motorized land-based uses that include backcountry roads, trails and cross-country riding.”2
This essentially means all off-road motor vehicles. Using this definition of off-highway use the
report identifies the following total number of users in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
1
2
Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States and its Regions and States: A National Report from the
National Survey on Recreation and the Environment (NSRE), February, 2008” H. Ken Cordell, Carter J. Betz,
Gary T. Green, and Becky Stephens.
Ibid, page 1
5-23
Further, the report states, “From
Participation in Percent of State
1982 to 2000-2001, driving motor
State
users age 16 and Population age
vehicles ‘off-road’ became one of
16 and older
older (millions)
the fastest growing categories of
Pennsylvania
1.85
18.8%
outdoor activity in the country.
New York
1.99
12.9%
Growth continued from 19992000 to the most recent NSRE
New Jersey
0.85
12.6%
interviewing period, the fall of
Maryland
0.64
14.3%
2007. Added were about 3 million
West Virginia
.50
33.7%
OHV users. The proportion of
Virginia
1.17
19.1%
people age 16 and older who said
they participated in OHV recreation National Average
18.6%
increased from 17.5 percent in
1999-2000 to a peak of 23.2 percent
in fall 2002 through summer 2003. After this peak, percent of the population participating
decreased somewhat to 19.2 percent in 2005-2007”3
The chart to the right displays the 2007 usage rates and percent of the overall population by
users age 16 and older for Pennsylvania and surrounding states.4
These are very encouraging statistics for the development of the AOAA. While OHV user
estimates appear to have leveled out, other data shown throughout this report show that
there is a significant demand for legal places to ride. There are very few places in the
northeastern United States for full size ORVs to ride.
At the same time, other factors suggest a need for caution and wise decision-making as the
AOAA moves forward with implementation. Numerous trail facilities are in various stages of
planning and development both in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Pennsylvania has
recently awarded grants to at least three OHV facilities to expand existing facilities or develop
new ones. Additionally, southwest Virginia’s Regional Recreation Authority is in the process
of implementing a plan to make their seven county area a major OHV attraction. The West
Virginia Hatfield and McCoy Trail system continues to expand both in size and use. While the
AOAA must continue to be aware of the competitive marketplace for OHVs, there is still great
opportunity to create a highly successful project in Northumberland County. Leaders will need
to be vigilant in their continued analysis and decision-making so as to find their market niche
and make it successful.
As well, anecdotal information suggests that attendance at motorized sports facilities and
activities has experienced varying levels of decreased attendance in the recent economic
recession.
3
4
5-24
Ibid, pages 9-10
Ibid, pages 19-21
The Consultant has concluded from this that OHV trails and facilities will continue to be a
popular and growing recreational activity for years to come. The current downturn in use at
motorized sports facilities and activities will reverse as the economy picks up again. AOAA
must position itself to compete as a strong business enterprise in a growing field. This Plan
proposes a viable strategy for a successful business operation.
As is the case with any business in a competitive field, AOAA must be prepared to address
the changing character of the business over the years. The business must be able to change
with the times to continue to provide high quality products and services that meet the everchanging demands of its users. It will be vital to constantly monitor user demands and adjust
to meet those demands. It will be crucial to operate as a first-class business that understands
the industry and the clients it serves.
AOAA will need to continually manage its business plan to be on the cutting edge of the
industry. The Board should be planning for five to ten years into the future but should also be
prepared to make immediate changes in operations and fiscal policy as required.
AOAA management must be deliberate and purposeful in guiding its own growth so as not
to become too big too quickly. AOAA will need at several years of regulated growth to be
able to effectively manage its on-going operations. AOAA management should target to stay
within the projected usage identified in the accompanying chart. This type of growth will allow
management and operations efforts to keep pace with usage. It will also allow for realistic
financial planning to ensure both short and long-term fiscal success.
Growing too quickly could place undue strain on management and operations resulting in
unproductive management of overall facility use, unsafe conditions, inability to meet user
needs and expectations, and ineffective decision-making for the long-term. Slower growth will
require a disciplined approach but will result in a stronger operations system to manage the
long-term needs of the facility. The site will be better controlled and safer; decision-making will
be more effective; users will be more satisfied; and the opportunity for on-going fiscal success
will be significantly enhanced.
Based on the demand analysis and the strategies outlined in this Plan, the Consultant projects
that usage will increase annually from about 15,000 daily uses in Year 1 of operation to as
many as 41,500 by the Year 5 (see Chapter 2). The projections are based on utilization of the
proposed fee schedule prepared as part of this report. It also assumes continual progress
toward fulfillment of the AOAA Master Site Plan.
Three different types of passes are proposed to be sold – one day, two day, and annual passes.
The chart below projects usage of AOAA for each type of pass. Annual admission from day
passes equals one admission for each pass sold; for two day passes, admission is two times the
number passes sold; and for season passes it is estimated that each of these users will use the
AOAA an average of ten times each year. The chart below provides the details of projected
use and associated revenues for the first five years of operation.
5-25
Projected Use by Admission Category
Annual Membership Passes
Year 1
Number
Sold
Cost
One Day Pass
$25.00
1,000
$25,000
1,000
Two Day Pass
$40.00
2,000
$80,000
4,000
Annual Pass
$80.00
1,000
$80,000
10,000
4,000
$185,000
1,200
$24,000
1,200
Two Day Pass
$40.00
2,000
$80,000
4,000
Annual Pass
$80.00
1,500
$120,000
15,000
4,700 $224,000
$224,000
20,200
One Day Pass
$20.00
1,500
$30,000
1,500
Two Day Pass
$40.00
2,500 $100,000
5,000
Annual Pass
$80.00
2,500 $200,000
25,000
6,500 $330,000 $330,000
31,500
One Day Pass
$20.00
1,800
$36,000
1,800
Two Day Pass
$40.00
2,500 $100,000
5,000
Annual Pass
$80.00
3,000 $240,000
30,000
7,300 $376,000 $376,000
36,800
Total
Year 5
15,000
$20.00
Total
Year 4
$185,000
One Day Pass
Total
Year 3
Total
per year
Season Pass
Total
Year 2
Total
Total
Annual
Revenue
One Day Pass
$20.00
2,000
$40,000
2,000
Two Day Pass
$40.00
2,500 $100,000
5,000
Annual Pass
$80.00
3,500 $280,000
35,000
8,000 $420,000 $420,000
42,000
Total
Total
Attendance
15,000
20,200
31,500
36,800
42,000
PRICING AND MARKET STRATEGIES
PRICING
A variety of pricing strategies are used in OHV facilities throughout the country. Most
strategies provide a series of pricing levels dependent upon age, residency, proximity to the
facility, subsidies provided by government agencies, and type of use. Two pricing models were
analyzed for the AOAA.
5-26
Pricing Model 1
Model 1 uses higher admission fees that would require fewer admissions to cover expenses but
would likely bring fewer users to the site. Under this model, annual fees would be around $125
to $150 per person with some fee reductions for multiple family members. Daily admissions
would range from $20 to $35 depending on the type of vehicle. This fee structure is typical of
most OHV facilities in Pennsylvania with some of the annual fees as high as $300 or more. Most
of these facilities are competing with each other and not with nationally recognized parks
throughout the US that use different pricing models.
With this model, in order to produce $200,000 of revenue, 1,600 annual passes would need to
be sold at $125 each.
Higher fees will likely result in fewer users, at least in the early years of operation. This could
be good as the AOAA grows during the early years of operation. Fewer users means less staff,
maintenance, programming, etc., resulting in lower overall costs. A smaller operation will allow
management to focus more on start-up functions and plan for future growth. However, with
the slower growth in admissions may not provide the influx of revenue needed to grow the
AOAA into a nationally recognized facility. With a higher fee model, AOAA will limit itself to the
finite number of users who are willing to pay that fee.
If AOAA intends to compete on a national level, it must compare itself with facilities across
the US of similar scale. To become a nationally known facility, AOAA must be able to produce
sufficient revenues in its early years to support its growth. This higher price model might be
more appropriate for a local or regional facility that is intending to draw only from a few hours
away but to draw the numbers needed to become a first class facility, the pricing model must
be able to compete in the national OHV market.
The higher fees have been one of the strongest objections to the facility from local residents.
Residents who have ridden the area for years without paying are vehemently objecting to high
use fees. The higher fees will likely keep many local users away.
The higher fees may even keep the AOAA from reaching its fullest use potential. Local riders
have other riding options that are in the same price range. Customers from further away will
compare the fees with other large facilities that have significantly lower fees. While they would
be likely use AOAA occasionally, it is more likely they would opt for the facilities with lower fees
for their regular use.
Pricing Model 2
The second model is similar to those used at places like Hatfield-McCoy in West Virginia
and Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area in Kentucky. These locations maintain lower
admission fees with the expectation that the affordability will produce greater use of the
facilities. The larger volume of riders produces higher income for each facility. Annual
admission rates range from $20 to $50. The focus of these types of facilities is as much on
tourism as it is on use of the OHV facility.
5-27
Under this model, the proposed rates for AOAA are $25 for a single day pass; $40 for a two day
pass; and $80 for an annual pass. Although these are slightly higher than Hatfield-McCoy and
Black Mountain, they are certainly competitive. At these rates, in order to produce $200,000
in revenue, about 3,000 passes would need to be sold – almost twice as many as in Model
1. However, these proposed rates set the AOAA at
Proposed Admission Fee Schedule
the low end of fee structures of nearby facilities as
well as most across PA. This should boost the sale of
One Day Pass
$25
passes to meet AOAA’s financial needs.
Two Day Pass
$40
The sale of more passes will result in more visitors
using the AOAA…potentially a lot more visitors.
The expectation is that the lower rate will produce
a greater influx of cash that will allow the AOAA
to hire additional staff and purchase supplies and
maintenance equipment to accommodate the
enhanced use.
Among the primary objectives of the AOAA are
to provide first-class OHV facilities for both local
and distant users and to boost the economy of
the region by attracting visitors from all across the
eastern United States and Canada. This pricing
model creates a facility that will be extremely
competitive in the OHV community and will
attract individuals and groups, as well as a host
of local, regional, and national events. This kind
of attraction will provide for all the needs of
local riders while, at the same time, boosting
the local economy as thousands of visitors come
from outside the area. With a great facility that
will rank among the best in the country and the
attractive pricing structure proposed in this
model, AOAA should be able to meet both its use
and financial goals.
Our economic impact analysis projects that
every 1,000 OHV visitors from outside of
Northumberland County produces $116,037 in
total economic impact (see Chapter 2). The
economic impact will, therefore, be significant in
the County. While business decisions for AOAA
cannot be made based on economic impact,
which does not provide direct revenue to AOAA,
the economic impact must be considered in
evaluating the overall success of the facility.
5-28
Annual Pass
$80
Spectator/non-motorized
daily pass
$10
Spectator/non-motorized
annual pass
$25
The development of the Business Plan
for the AOAA has been completed
base on the proposed admission fee
schedule in Pricing Model 2 above.
The financial analysis indicates that
it provides the best opportunity for
the financial success of the AOAA.
The AOAA Study Committee and
the general public have expressed
the need to have a lower rate for
Northumberland County residents
and a higher rate for non-residents.
If the AOAA Board chooses to
adopt such a policy, the consultant
recommends a maximum of $90 and a
minimum of $70 for an annual pass.
Additionally, the consultant
recommends that anyone under the
age of 18 pay half the price of an
annual pass when being purchased
with an accompanying adult annual
pass.
In both models, the admission fee or pass provides access to basic services. These services
include trail riding, access to general parking, restrooms, safety and security, and most
specialized facilities, including hill climbs, water play areas, children’s learning and practice
areas, and training facilities. An additional fee may be charged for limited use or other
specialized facilities. These may include the campground, professional tracks, buggy wash and
storage, and special event parking.
Fees for facilities and programs not included in the general admission should be priced to cover
all direct and indirect costs associated with the respective program or facility, and to provide
an established profit rate.
Pricing Model 2 is the recommended model that will best meet the needs and
expectations of the AOAA.
MARKETING STRATEGIES
The projected marketing area for AOAA is expected to extend up to 500 miles from the site.
Chapter 2 provides a general description of the market area. Some market segmentation is
done by dividing this area into five concentric circles with AOAA as the center point. Different
marketing strategies will be needed for each of the areas based on its expected market
potential.
The Internet will serve as a key marketing tool in all market areas.
AOAA’s current website serves as its primary source of marketing. AOAA should be sure
to maintain the site as an attractive, easy to use web site. All other AOAA publicity should
refer users to the AOAA website. The website should provide the most detailed information
available. At a minimum, it should include directions; admission and season pass rates,
available facilities, trail conditions, safety and security policies, future plans, and contact
information. It should also provide a street address to allow those using digital navigation to
easily find the it.
One of the most detrimental marketing efforts is a web site that is poorly designed, poorly
maintained, and out of date. Users become very frustrated and assume that information on
the site is inaccurate and not relevant. Many will not return to the site, thus minimizing its
intended marketing value.
In addition to its own website, the internet provides many other marketing opportunities to
AOAA. AOAA should work diligently to include a link to its website on as many other related
sites as possible. Many of these links are provided at no charge. Sites that could provide links
to AOAA include PAOHV, ATVingPA; ORV, ATV and motocross club sites; other OHV parks
within the 500-mile market area; vehicle sales sites; tourism sites; and, many others. AOAA
may also want to consider purchasing advertising on key sites.
5-29
Many users communicate among themselves on internet-based discussion boards developed
specifically for OHV users. AOAA officials should monitor these communications regularly and
use this venue to point potential users to the AOAA.
The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau has shown a particular interest in the AOAA.
They are anticipating it as a strong tourist attraction in the region. The Visitor Bureau, as well
as local chambers of commerce should play key roles in promoting the AOAA as part of the
regions tourism opportunities.
Other forms of marketing that should be utilized include:







Word of mouth
ORV, ATV, and snowmobile dealers
OHV Clubs
Local print media– brochures, local magazines, flyers, newspaper
Distant print media – magazines, newspapers
Local and distant radio and TV
Local and distant billboards – up to 150 miles away
Market Regions
Within 50 Miles
The first circle encompasses an area within fifty miles of the AOAA includes all local riders.
People in this area are expected to be the most frequent users of the AOAA. The largest group
of these users will be ATV riders. Special attention should be paid to recruiting these users and
they will provide a significant portion of the annual income. These are most likely to purchase
annual membership passes and ride several times per week. The hope is that these people will
take a strong interest in the AOAA and even feel a sense of ownership in it. Marketing should
be focused on selling season passes and getting users to buy into the fact that this is “their”
place to ride.
In the local communities, word of mouth and an inundation of flyers, posters, news articles,
brochures, street banners, signs and the Internet will serve as the best means to attract these
users early on. Personal contact will also play a key role in outreach to this market segment.
Positive publicity in the local communities will be an absolute necessity to expanding usage
to a wider area. If local folks are excited about the facility and share their excitement with
others, use will grow quickly. If they are not particularly excited or if they provide negative
perceptions to outside users, it will be more difficult to bring in new users.
Local merchants should be a part of the local marketing plan. AOAA officials should provide
well-designed, thorough information to all local business. As potential users visit these
businesses, they should find them very knowledgeable about the AOAA and able to provide
accurate information and accurate directions.
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Within 100 Miles
Those within 100 miles will be the next most frequent users of AOAA. Many of these users will
ride at the AOAA several times per month, frequently on weekends. Most of this region is still
within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It includes the central and western portions of the
state, which typically has high ridership potential, as well as the Harrisburg and Philadelphia
market areas.
Once again, word of mouth will be a key marketing factor in this area. Many potential riders
will hear about the AOAA from friends and fellow riders.
Marketing to this area will be similar to that of the local area although more emphasis should
be print media such as newspapers and local magazines. Brochures, flyers, and posters will
also be tremendously important, as many will look to the Internet for information about the
AOAA.
Within 150 Miles
This region extends through most of Pennsylvania, includes all of New Jersey, and extends to
portions of New York, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Most of these potential users are
within a four hour drive of AOAA. They will be primarily weekend users. Some will come for
a day while others will stay for the entire weekend. The will rely primarily on the Internet for
information about the AOAA. AOAA’s internet publicity should include OHV Blogs, discussion
boards, and advertisements on other OHV related sites.
Billboards should also be considered as part of the marketing plan for this user group.
Billboards located along major highways will attract great attention for these more distant
users. The billboard should refer the viewer to the AOAA’s website and provide simple
directions to AOAA.
A great resource for marketing in this area would be the OHV clubs, local ATV and snowmobile
dealerships, and statewide PHV organizations. Riders are always asking at these places about
new locations to ride.
Within 250 to 500 Miles
This area extends from South Carolina to Maine; from Tennessee to Michigan, and even into
parts of Canada. Marketing to these areas should not be neglected. A large group of users
are willing to travel hundreds of miles for the right facility. AOAA, as it develops, will be of the
caliber that will attract users from these locations.
Most of these potential users will rely in the Internet to find information about riding places.
AOAA should take full advantage of internet advertising opportunities.
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FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
MAJOR SOURCES OF REVENUE AND EXPENSE
Revenue
Admission Passes – Admission fees will be the basic source of revenue for the AOAA. These
fees will provide the largest source of operational income. A proposed fee structure is outlined
as part of this report. It includes fees for multiple types of uses including both motorized and
non-motorized. Fees will be charged for nearly all uses of the AOAA, with the exception of
hunting as the AOAA will be closed for all other purposes. Fees will include daily admissions,
season passes, week-end passes, and could be expanded as user demand dictates.
In addition to the various entrance fees, charges should be levied for a variety of other uses.
These could include camping, buggy wash, rental of OHV storage units, picnic shelter rentals,
and other services provided.
Group Tours – A 6,000 acre facility is quite daunting to many users. Tours will help users to
familiarize themselves with the AOAA to make them feel more comfortable and safe when
using the trails on their own. Groups tours should be available every weekend at specified
times and provided to larger groups by appointment. Many weekend users, whether in small
or large groups, will need assistance to maximize their time at the AOAA. Tours fees should be
charged in addition to the regular admission fee.
Sponsor Fees – Local, regional, national and even international businesses frequently provide
sponsorships for facilities, programs, and activities that provide them with appropriate
publicity. There will be many opportunities at the AOAA to offer these types of sponsorships
to businesses. Businesses may be interested in providing development funds for specific
facilities to which their name would be attached. These could include trails, rock crawl areas,
trailheads, and others. Others may be willing to be full or partial sponsors for special events or
fundraisers. A little bit of creativity can be attractive to potential sponsors for a wide variety of
offerings. For instance, a medical supplier or drug store chain may be interested in sponsoring
a medical services ATV, or an OHV manufacturer or supplier may be interested in sponsoring
an entrance sign, or directional signs throughout the facility may include a company’s logo.
Sponsorships could provide significant revenues for both development and operations.
Advertising – There will be plenty of locations in the Area for placement of business
advertisements. Banners can be placed on fencing, billboards can be placed at key facilities,
and posters can be used at special events.
Merchandise Sales – AOAA should develop its own series of logo merchandise. This could
include t-shirts, mugs, hats, and many specialty items. The AOAA Logo and name should be
registered and/or copyrighted to protect against unwanted use and to allow the AOAA to
receive a royalty any time it is used by any person or organization other than AOAA.
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Food and Beverage Concessions – AOAA should plan to provide a food and beverage concession
from the outset. In the early stages of operation vending machines may adequately meet
the needs for food and beverages. As use of the facility grows, the clientele will begin to
demand a greater variety of food and beverages than can be adequately provided by vending
machines. Some type of concession stand will be needed. Management will need to weigh
the advantages and disadvantages of operating a concession stand on its own as compared
to contracting it out. The objective is to make a profit on the stand while providing needed
services to users.
Concessionaires and Promoters – AOAA should consider using private concessionaires or
promoters to operate specialized facilities, programs, and events. Several of the large-scale
events will be leased to such concessionaires. These would include events like the GNCC, Jeep
Jamboree, and many national programs.
A concessionaire may also be contracted with to develop, operate, and maintain specialized
facilities at AOAA. One such facility that should be considered for such an endeavor is the
equestrian center. Since most of the AOAA Authority is expected to be comprised of persons
familiar with the operations of OHV facilities, it would make sense to lease out the operation
of the major non-OHV facility on the site. The length and type of the contract between
the concessionaire and AOAA will be determined by the initial investment provided by the
concessionaire and the type of activities to be operated.
Special Events – A host of special events can be operated either by the AOAA itself or through
promoters. Special events can include poker runs, motocross or ATV races, 4X4 challenges,
rock crawl competitions, tug-of-wars, new vehicles shows, rallies, and many others. Events not
only offer an exciting deviation from the standard use of the facility but also serve as a way to
attract new users. If the user has a good experience he or she will return for other uses of the
AOAA.
Fundraising Events – Fundraising events can be considered special events as well. The primary
difference is that fundraising events are specifically intended to raise funds for development
of the AOAA or for specific purposes. Fundraising events should be planned to earn a higher
profit than can be expected from other special events.
Camping – Camping should be primarily provided in the private sector around the AOAA.
Several campsites, however, that will be established on-site that will meet a small portion
of the camping demand. A fee structure will need to be established for camping that is
competitive with the private market surrounding AOAA.
Hiking, Equestrian, Mountain Biking – While an entrance fee is proposed for all of these uses
the one that has the greatest opportunity for revenue production is the equestrian area. Use
fees for private equestrian facilities in Pennsylvania are similar to those proposed in this plan
for ATV/OHM uses. If additional amenities such as stables, arenas, indoor facilities, lessons,
and tours are included revenues could increase significantly. Earlier in this chapter, the
recommendation is made to lease these facilities to a concessionaire to develop, manage, and
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operate the equestrian facilities.
Other Sources of Operating Revenue – There will likely be a variety of other sources of income
that are not yet identified. AOAA officials should always be looking for opportunities to
produce other income from both current and potential users.
Non-Recreation Related Revenue
There will be a number of sources of non-recreation related revenue produced from the AOAA.
Some of those will be a direct result of AOAA operations and others will be produced from
non-recreation operations.
There are two specific non-recreation opportunities that will likely be able to provide the
greatest amount of revenue for the County and the Authority.
1.
One of the sources of revenue from non-recreation related functions directly
associated with the operation of the AOAA will be the leasing of property to
commercial entities related to AOAA use and operations. A parcel of property located
near the AOAA main entrance and welcome center has been set aside for future
commercial development. This property will provide for commercial enterprise related
to AOAA visitors that may include outfitters, ATV rentals, OHV supplies stores, repair
shop, gas station, convenience store, restaurant or other similar businesses. The leasing
of these parcels will provide a direct source of income to AOAA. All revenues produced
by these leases should go directly to AOAA for reinvestment into the operations and
development of the facility.
2. The second significant opportunity for non-recreation based revenue will be from
the leases and agreements for natural resource extraction on the property. There
are existing coal leases on the property and the opportunity for future extraction of
natural gas, methane gas, and timber. Additionally, the County is currently in negations
for use of a section of the property for wind power generation.
Unfortunately, these activities could have a negative impact on the recreational use of the
property. In any situation where expenditures need to be made to modify the existing
recreational activities, the cost associate with that modification should be paid for either by
the lessee or by the County from revenues received through the lease. Otherwise, all revenues
produced through the leases will go directly to the County.
Grants
As of the writing of this report, Northumberland County
has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
for the planning and development of AOAA. AOAA is
required to match this grant with a minimum of $100,000.
Additionally, a $20,000 grant has been awarded from
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DCNR Grant Funding
Full development of the
AOAA cannot take place
without an ongoing
commitment from DCNR
to provide significant grant
funding.
Yamaha Corporation for signage and mapping; and an application has been submitted to the
Appalachian Regional Commission for a $300,000 development grant. The ARC grant will also
require a match of at least $75,000.
The Bureau of Mine Reclamation is also investing $1.8 million in a reclamation project on the
site. This project can be used as a match toward of grants awarded.
The most significant grant funding available for AOAA development is through DCNR who
administers the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), PA Recreational
Trails Program (PRT), and the ATV/Snowmobile Fund. Both grant programs provide
development grants for trail facilities, while the PRT program also has grants available for
equipment and training.
Full development of the AOAA cannot take place without an ongoing commitment from DCNR
to provide significant grant funding. Northumberland County has proceeded with its plans for
development and operation of the AOAA based on the commitment of DCNR to continue to
provide development funding. However, the County and AOAA must continue look to other
sources to supplement the DCNR funds.
Other state agencies, including the
Department of Community and Economic
Development, Department of Commerce,
Department of Transportation, Department
of Environmental Protection, and others,
also provide grants. Federal grant programs,
grants from private businesses, non-profit
agencies and foundations are available as
well. AOAA should take full advantage of
available state, federal, and private grant
funding.
Other grants are available to non-profit 501 (c ) 3 organizations that are not accessible to
governmental agencies. The AOAA should create a “Friends of Anthracite Recreation (FOAR)”
organization that would meet these criteria.
The “Friends” organization should research and apply for foundation grants, corporate and
business contributions, and private contributions as additional funding opportunities for the
AOAA.
AOAA should request a $140,000 grant from DCNR for acquisition of start-up maintenance
equipment. A list of needed equipment with associated costs is included later in this chapter.
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In-Kind Services
While not providing direct cash contributions, a variety of individuals and organizations can
provide valuable services that reduce expenses and the need to produce revenue for many
facilities, operational functions, programs, and activities. In-kind services can come in the form
of technical assistance, manpower, professional expertise, promotion, and much more. During
this planning process, more than sixty individuals, organizations, and business have indicated a
willingness to provide these services. AOAA should take advantage of the multitude of in-kind
services available.
In-Kind Services
More than 60 organizations and individuals have offered
services. They include:
Geisinger Medical Center – Safety training; children’s injury and
trauma prevention
Fingerlakes 4x4 – Clean-up and trail development
PaOHV – Harrisburg advocate; public relations
PA Jeeps, Inc. – Trail development
SRV Visitor Bureau - Promotion
Quadratech – Sponsor trail, provide give-away items
VP ATV Club – Trail building, maintenance, mapping
Charles B. Haws – Legal assistance
Evelyn Tyson – Civil engineer services
Bloomsburg University – Business assistance
American Motorcycle Association – Promote events
SEDA-COG – Website development
Studio K – Graphic design
TNT Motorcycles – Promotion
Adventurous 4x4 – Facility and event sponsor
Valley Forge Trail Riders – Organize Hare Scramble
Hummer Club – Promote national events
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Expenses
The major categories of expenses of AOAA will be:
Planning and Development – Full build out, as recommended in the master plan, of the AOAA is
projected to cost approximately ten million dollars. Some of the funding for this development
will come from grants and other outside sources. The County and AOAA should expect that
at least thirty to fifty percent of the cost will need to come from within. This could include
revenues produced through AOAA operations, contributions from the County general fund,
staff time, volunteers, and in-kind services. A portion of local funding for planning and
development is projected in the operations budget.
A Capital Fund should be maintained as part of the operations budget. It should be funded
with $50,000 to $500,000 annual contributions from the operating fund. The initial budget
projection shows a smaller contribution in the first five years of operation.
Staffing – This will be the number one operating expense. In the first five years of operation,
wages and related costs are expected to be just under 50% of the total projected expenses.
As the facility expands, the percent of expenditures for staff costs should be expected to rise.
Details of staffing are described elsewhere in this chapter. Included in staff expenses will be
payroll taxes and related insurances.
Maintenance – Maintenance costs will be relatively low in the early years of operation while
most trails and facilities are new but will increase as years pass. With the wide variety and
types of facilities and amenities anticipated at the AOAA, maintenance will be a significant
expense. Included in the maintenance expense will be staffing, materials, supplies, contracted
services, and equipment.
Materials and supplies – Materials and supplies includes such items as needed for ongoing
operations and maintenances.
Vehicle Repair – This will be dependent upon how many vehicles are provided by various
dealerships as opposed to ones that much be purchased and maintained by the AOAA. An
amount is included in the budget with the expectation that AOAA will be required to maintain
some of their own vehicles.
Utilities – Electricity, water, heating, air conditioning, and telecommunication services will all be
needed for basic operation of AOAA.
Building Occupancy – includes all expenses related to operation and use of AOAA’s buildings.
Equipment and Tools – An annual allocation should be included to fund ongoing replacement
and upgrades for equipment and tools needed in the operation and maintenance of the AOAA.
Insurances – The cost of liability insurance will likely be the biggest insurance expense. It is
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very difficult to estimate a cost at this time. There continue to be too many variables for an
insurance company to be willing to provide even an estimate at this stage of planning. As
soon as AOAA is established as the legal organization to operate the facility, it should begin
investigation into liability insurance. There are few companies that write policies for this type
of business.
Other necessary insurances will include directors and officers insurance, casualty loss,
commercial automobile, business interruption, and a number of personnel insurances.
Marketing – This category of expenses is described more fully in its own section of this chapter.
Administration –includes all expenses related to the operation of the AOAA offices. These
include such items as office supplies and equipment, stationary, postage, and office equipment.
Security – Security is not projected to be a great expense in the first five years of operation but
as security and safety staff is added the cost will rise dramatically.
Professional services – AOAA may need the services of an accountant, solicitor, planning
consultant, business consultant or other professional services.
Contribution to Municipalities in Lieu of Taxes – AOAA should consider making a contribution to
local municipalities and school districts since AOAA does not pay property taxes, yet will utilize
municipal services.
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STARTUP COSTS
There will be costs associated with startup of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area that
will be over and above the projected operations budget. The AOAA will need to secure
startup funding to cover these expenses. The expenses will fall into three basic categories –
maintenance equipment, office expenses, and operating capital.
Maintenance Equipment
In order to be prepared for the maintenance and security tasks that will be needed as the
facility opens, the AOAA Board will need to have appropriate maintenance equipment on hand.
At a minimum this equipment should include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
SWECO 480 Trail Dozer – This will be the primary machine used for major maintenance
on the trail system. It is also likely that the trails will be constructed using this
machine. The SWECO 480 will dramatically simplify trail maintenance and allow it to be
conducted in the most efficient and effective manner. Despite its higher cost, it will pay
for itself over time by reducing the number of maintenance staff needed.
Pickup Truck – A one-ton 4x4 pickup truck will be necessary for general use by the
AOAA manager and maintenance staff. A second will likely be needed within a year or
two of opening.
Utility 4x4 Jeep type vehicle to travel around the site and to use for maintenance,
administrative, and programmatic functions.
Utility ATV’s – Two side-by-side utility type ATV’s and one standard ATV will be needed
for use by maintenance and operations staff. Staff will have over 300 miles of trail to
travel, inspect, secure, and maintain in the first phases of development. There will
also be the need for maintenance and upkeep of many items directly related to the
trails including signs, fencing, parking areas, roads, buildings, tracks, and more. These
machines will be used to transport staff and equipment as maintenance, operations,
and security tasks are performed.
Commercial Grade Utility Tractor (with related attachments) – A tractor is needed for
maintenance and construction of much of the structure supporting the trail system.
A full complement of accessories should include a back and front blade, stone rake,
auger, bucket, and mower.
Other Equipment – Other equipment needed will include two utility trailers, air
compressor, a portable generator capable of operating power equipment in the field,
miscellaneous power tools, and hand tools.
Much of this equipment will be eligible for purchase through the PA Trails Program Grant
administered by DCNR. This grant program can pay for up to 80% of the cost of the equipment.
The AOAA should submit an application for this grant so that equipment can be acquired prior
to opening.
A backhoe with frontend loading capabilities may be needed as well but may be able to be
rented for specific work tasks during early years of operation.
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The ATVs and other OHVs identified for purchase may be able to be acquired at no cost through
an agreement with one or more vehicle manufacturers or vendors. This will reduce start-up
costs.
Start-up Budget
Receipts:
Start-up Equipment and Supplies Loan
$124,000
Cash Flow Loan
$80,000
DCNR Equipment Grant
$140,000
Total Receipts
$344,000
Expenses
1
SWECO Trail Dozer w attachments *
$82,000
1
4x4 Pick Up Truck*
$25,000
2
Side by Side ATV’s (Rhino*)
$24,000
4x4 Jeep type vehicle
$24,000
1
Utility ATV (Grizzly)*
$10,000
1
Tractor*
$20,000
Tractor Attachments*
$10,000
2
Utility Trailers*
$6,000
Air Compressor*
$2,000
Air Tools*
$2,500
Portable generator*
$2,500
Miscellaneous Power Tools*
$3,000
Miscellaneous Hand Tools*
$3,000
Office Set-up
$20,000
Maintenance Building Set-up
$10,000
Initial Marketing Blitz
$10,000
Other Startup Expenses
$10,000
Total Expenses
Loan Balance for Operating Capital
$264,000
$80,000
*Match with DCNR PA Trails Grant
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Office/Marketing Expenses
It will also cost tens of thousands of dollars to get the AOAA administration and operations
office up and running. Computers, printers, a copier, desks chairs, tables, file cabinets,
telephones, and all other equipment needed to run an office will need to be purchased. Office
and administrative supplies will also need to be acquired. Everything from letterhead to
staples, computer software to pencils, and cell phones to paper will be needed.
Finally, a major marketing campaign will need to be undertaken. This will involve print media,
web page development, billboards, radio, and television. All of this should be addressed well in
advance of the AOAA opening so that staff is ready to handle management of the business as it
gets up and running.
Operating Capital
In order to avert cash flow difficulties in the early operation of AOAA there must be a source
of available cash to use for ongoing operations. Cash will be needed not only during the early
months when insufficient revenue is being produced but also throughout the early years of
operation to offset anticipated peaks and valleys of cash flow. The AOAA Board should plan on
needing up to eighty thousand dollars for these purposes.
Funding Start-up Costs
The AOAA Board will need to secure a business loan to cover the startup costs for equipment,
office expenses, and operating capital. Based on the budget shown on the previous page,
approximately $204,000 will be needed. In addition to the loan, a grant will be needed from
DCNR to help cover the cost of maintenance equipment. The amount of this grant will directly
affect the amount of the loan.
The larger the grant, the lower the loan amount will need to be. The proposed budget includes
a monthly payment on a $204,000 loan for five years at 6.0% interest. The estimated quarterly
payment is $12,000.
The cashflow loan could be taken as a $80,000 line of credit. The advantage to a line of credit
is that interest is charged only for the amount of the loan each month. If only $25,000 is
needed, interest is only being paid on that amount rather than the full $80,000. This would
reduce the monthly payments on the loan.
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FIVE-YEAR PRO-FORMA OF INCOME AND EXPENSE AND BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS
The Pro Forma estimates both revenue and expenses through the first five years of operation.
It is based upon ongoing implementation of the Master Site Plan. By the third year of
operation, the pro-forma projects that annual revenues will exceed annual expenses, however,
because expenses are projected to exceed revenues in the first two years, breakeven does not
occur until the fifth year of operation.
Although all revenue and expense categories have already been described, the following notes
will provide clarification in understanding the projections.
Notes on Expenses:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Staff expenses account for 50% of the annual expenses.
Most staff positions show a 3% increase in wages annually unless otherwise noted.
Health insurance is included for full-time staff.
In year three, the budget includes additional staffing expenses for adding a security
director and staff; increasing the hours of the seasonal maintenance staff; and changing
the administrative assistant position from part-time to full-time.
5. Repayment of the start-up loan is based on a $204,000 loan at 6% interest for five years.
6. An allocation of $5,000 is made each year for unexpected expenses. It is difficult to
project all expenses for a new business. This amount will help offset these unforeseen
expenses.
7. Beginning in year 4, $50,000 is allocated annually for the capital fund.
Notes on Revenues:
1. Admission Passes are expected to account for about 80% of the annual income.
2. Many revenue categories that have expenses directly associated with them are
shown as net receipts. That is, the balance of revenue after expenses. Direct expense
categories are not included in the budget.
3. The start-up loan will be paid off in year five leaving and additional $48,000 per year of
available funds beginning in year six.
4. There is still much uncertainty concerning revenue production from camping on the
site. While most camping is expected to be developed by the private sector, some will
be available on site.
5. The revenue projections do not account for income that is anticipated with the
development of the proposed commercial business area on the site. As this revenue
becomes a reality, it should be used to further develop the AOAA and/or to support its
operations.
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Operating Budget Projections
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Expense
AOAA Manager Wages
$40,000
$41,200
$42,400
$43,700
$45,000
Maintenance Director
$29,120
$30,000
$30,900
$31,800
$32,800
Security Director
$0
$0
$38,000
$39,100
$40,300
Security Staff
$0
$0
$20,000
$20,000
$20,000
Seasonal Maint Staff
$19,200
$19,800
$30,400
$31,300
$32,200
Administrative Assistant Staff
$11,200
$11,500
$20,300
$21,100
$29,100
Weekend Admission Staff
$4,100
$4,200
$4,300
$4,400
$4,500
Seasonal Admissions Staff
$11,200
$11,500
$11,800
$12,200
$12,600
Payroll Taxes (Employer share)
$13,800
$17,700
$21,000
$21,700
$23,400
Health Insurance
$12,000
$12,500
$25,000
$26,000
$27,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$12,000
$12,000
$14,000
$14,000
$16,000
$0
$2,500
$3,000
$4,000
$4,000
Utilities
$2,000
$2,200
$5,000
$5,500
$5,800
Building Occupancy
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$0
$5,000
$5,000
$6,000
$8,000
Insurance
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
$30,000
Repayment of Start-up Loan
$48,000
$48,000
$48,000
$48,000
$48,000
Marketing
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$6,000
$7,000
$7,000
$8,000
$8,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
Professional Services
$2,000
$5,000
$5,000
$6,000
$6,000
Unexpected Expenses
$5,000
$5,000
$10,000
$5,000
$5,000
$0
$0
$0
$50,000
$50,000
$272,620
$292,100
$398,100
$454,800
$474,700
Miscellaneous
Materials and Supplies
Vehicle Repair
Small Equipment and Tools
Administration
Security
Capital Improvement Fund
Total Expenses
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Revenue
One Day Pass
$25,000
$24,000
$30,000
$36,000
$40,000
Two Day Pass
$80,000
$80,000 $100,000
$100,000
$100,000
Annual Pass
$80,000
$120,000 $200,000
$240,000 $280,000
Advertising Revenue
$15,000
$15,000
$15,000
$18,000
$20,000
Special Events spectators,
concessions, sponsors (net receipts)
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
Annual fundraising event for AOAA
(net receipts)
$5,000
$5,000
$6,000
$8,000
$10,000
Programs - group tours, safety
education, etc. (net receipts)
$6,000
$6,000
$6,000
$4,000
$3,000
Merchandise sales (net receipts)
$6,000
$7,000
$8,000
$9,000
$10,000
Food and beverage concessions
(net receipts)
$5,000
$8,000
$8,000
$10,000
$12,000
Camping (net receipts)
$1,000
$1,500
$4,000
$6,000
$9,000
$238,000 $286,500 $402,000
$461,000
$519,000
Total Revenue
Total Revenue Minus Expense
-$34,620
-$5,600
$3,900
$6,200
$44,300
Cumulative Net profit/loss
-$34,620
-$40,220
-$36,320
-$30,120
$14,180
FIVE-YEAR PRO-FORMA CASH FLOW PROJECTION
The cash flow analysis shows that with partial proceeds of a start-up loan, the AOAA should
have sufficient operating capital to maintain operations through each of the first five years. The
average cash balance at the end of each of the first five years is about 14% of annual revenue.
Annual Cash Flow Analysis
Beginning Balance*
Annual Revenue
Annual Expenses
Ending Balance
Year 1
$80,000
$238,000
$272,620
$45,380
Year 2
$45,380
$286,500
$292,100
$39,780
Year 3
$39,780
$402,000
$398,100
$43,680
Year 4
$43,680
$461,000
$454,800
$49,880
Year 5
$49,880
$519,000
$474,700
$94,180
*Year 1 beginning balance is the proceeds from the start-up loan
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CAPITAL BUDGET
Capital cost for the development of the AOAA are projected in Chapter 4.
Five Phases of construction are proposed. Details of these expenses can be found in the
Estimate of Probable Costs charts in that chapter.
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN NORTHUMBERLAND
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE AUTHORITY
In any cooperative effort, communication between the
parties involved is critical. Because of the nature of
the combined operational structure of the Authority
and the County, there are functions, activities, and
operations that cannot be definitively established
specifically as the right or responsibility of one or the
other agency. Both organizations are sharing the
same property of different uses. The AOAA’s interest
is in the recreational functions of the property while
the County’s interest is primarily in the site’s natural
resources. These will undoubtedly create times when
the two interests are in conflict. Such conflicts must be
jointly resolved.
The following are several recommended methods to assist in reducing such conflict.
MASTER PLAN
Both Boards should adopt the Master Plan as the plan for development of the AOAA. The
Authority shall implement the Master Plan. The County shall evaluate the implementation of
other non-recreational opportunities on the site according to the Master Plan taking care to
avoid conflicts with the plan.
ON-GOING COMMUNICATION
Ongoing communications between the two Boards should be a priority. Informal meetings
among the staff of each organization should provide a time discuss the current state of
operations, development plans, anticipated changes, and successes, challenges, and obstacles.
All activities and plans that will affect the other should be candidly discussed.
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SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING
A joint meeting of the AOAA Authority Board and the Northumberland County Board of
Commissioners should be held in March and September of each year. These meeting are
intended to keep the decision makers of each organization directly informed.
ANNUAL REPORT
The Authority should submit a wriƩen annual report of its acƟviƟes and plans to the County
Commissioners not later than March 15th of the following year. The report shall include but not
necessarily be limited to the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
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Year-end Income and Expense Report for all accounts.
Statement of assets and liabiliƟes.
Statement of in-kind contribuƟons received from each municipality.
LisƟng of capital projects completed or in progress.
Review of all faciliƟes and programs.
General review of programming.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
INTRODUCTION
Safety and security should be at the forefront of operations at the Anthracite Outdoor
Adventure Area. The basic safety and security objectives should be to:
 Safeguard people and possessions at AOAA
 Protect adjacent properties from hazards and nuisances resulting from use of the
AOAA
 Prevent undesired access
 Enforce the laws of the Commonwealth and local municipalities
Staff and users alike should develop a “safety first” attitude that affects all that is done at the
site. Safety should be one of the first considerations in all decision-making. At the same time,
safety must be balanced with the sense of fun, adventure, and thrill that is inherent in OHV
riding. It is the role of the AOAA board and staff to determine where the fulcrum of balance
falls between safety and the user’s desire for adventure. If the AOAA is built and managed
to eliminate every possible safety hazard or risk, much of the sense of adventure is taken
away. Without the excitement of adventure, few people will find the attraction worth visiting.
However, if it is not built and managed with reasonable safety measures, accidents, injuries,
and catastrophe may eventually force the facility to close its gates.
During the public input process concern was expressed by the public and municipal officials
regarding the frequency of accidents in and around the project area as there is a perception
that OHV activity in Northumberland County is unsafe. Therefore, a review of accident
data was conducted. This process began by requesting OHV / ATV accident data from local
responders, EMS providers, and health care providers. With this request we found that a
comprehensive system for documenting accidents of this nature is not in place. Data was
limited and in many cases relies on anecdotal reports. Agencies contacted included:
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Police Departments
Fire Companies
Coal Township Police Department
Coal Township Fire Company
Pennsylvania State Police
East Cameron Township Fire Company
Mount Carmel Police Department
Locust Gap Fire Company
Shamokin Police Department
Shamokin Fire Bureau
Zerbe Township Police Department
Trevorton Fire Company
Ambulance Services
Other
A.R.E.A. Services
"Northumberland County Department of
Public Safety"
Trevorton Fire Company Ambulance
Geisinger LifeFlight
Mount Carmel Rescue Squad
Geisinger Health Systems
Shamokin Emergency & Rescue Squad
The best information was provided by the Northumberland County Department of Public
Safety. They provided annual reports of ATV accident by municipality beginning June 20, 2007
through the present. The data indicates the number of ATV accidents in each municipality
based on 911 system dispatches to emergency response providers. The recording system does
not record specific locations of accidents within the municipalities. This data is as follows:
2007*
2008
2009
2010**
Total
Monthly Average
by Municipality
0
1
1
0
2
0.05
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Coal Township
3
8
7
4
22
0.58
4
3
5
1
13
0.34
Zerbe Township
7
11
17
9
44
1.16
Shamokin City
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Total
14
23
30
14
81
2.13
2.43
1.92
2.50
1.70
Municipality
Annual Monthly Average
* Reported for 5.75 months
** Reported for 8.25 months
Anecdotal reports from local police departments and EMS providers pointed to a high rate of
accidents in and around ‘Coal Hill’ located in Zerbe Township. Correspondingly Zerbe Township
had the highest total number of reported accidents, 44, which was double the next highest
number of accidents reported by a municipality, 22 at Coal Township.
Monthly averages per municipality ranged between 0 for West Cameron Township, and 1.16
accidents per month for Zerbe Township.
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Accident data specific to OHM or ORVs is currently not recorded. Therefore, a comparison
cannot be made between the various segments of OHV enthusiasts.
PA ATV regulations require the accident reports to be filed as follows:
• The operator of an ATV involved in an accident must stop and give his or her name and
address, the name and address of the owner of the ATV and its registration number to
the other person(s) involved in the accident or to a police officer.
• If the accident results in the injury or death of any person or property damages to the
estimated amount of $100 or more, the operator must report the matter in writing
within seven days to the DCNR, Bureau of Forestry, P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
It is a violation of the Snowmobile/ATV Law to not report the accident to the DCNR.
• Accident forms are available upon request from the Bureau of Forestry and State Park
offices and state police stations.
The only accidents reported in Northumberland County as required by the PA DCNR have been
those that have resulted in a fatality. Over the past five years there was one accident reported
in the County to DCNR.
Unfortunately the available data does not allow one to determine the frequency and severity
of reported accidents specific to Northumberland County property. Baseline data is important
as the County moves forward to allow one to determine whether OHV use at the AOAA will
reduce the frequency and severity of accidents on Northumberland County property. Further,
this data may be useful to isolate OHV activities at the AOAA from other areas of the County.
With the opening of the AOAA, a system to comprehensively maintain accident reports is
critical to evaluating and determining the frequency, type, severity, and specific location of
all ORV accidents that have occurred. As this data is complied, an evaluation can detail OHV
accidents occurring in the AOAA versus OHV accidents occurring throughout Northumberland
County.
Trail layout and design, and facility design will implement best management practices of the
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OHV industry to pro-actively address safety. These include:
a) Separation of competing trail uses, non-motorized from motorized, with the exception
that equestrians can share motorized trails in some instances, i.e. low speed and low
density motorized trails.
b) Design of trails to limit speeds. Slower speeds tend to reduce the severity of injuries
sustained in accidents.
c) Clear signage, regulatory (i.e. yield, stop, etc.), warning, and directional.
d) Directing trail use away from hazardous locations.
In addition to physically designing for safety, management standards safety must also be
implemented. The following is a sampling of those being recommended within the master
plan:
a. Rules and policies must be adopted to address safety and security issues.
b. All visitors will be required to check in when they arrive and check out when they leave.
c. A safety committee will be appointed. This will be comprised of members of local
safety services, Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area staff and Board Members.
d. Safety staff will include a safety director as well as both paid and volunteer safety
officers.
e. Regular maintenance and safety patrols will be made to keep all trails and facilities in
good condition.
f. All vehicles will be required to meet certain safety standards to reduce accidents, spills,
fires, and other types of incidents.
We recommend the AOAA be operated in a
pro-active manner by educating visitors on safe
riding habits and practices and we recommend
enforcement of the AOAA rules. OHV use is an
extreme sport and as such accidents are likely to
happen. Pennsylvania’s Comparative Negligence
Statute addresses an OHV participant’s assumption
of risk as follows:
AOAA management must recognize
that area law enforcement agencies
are already being stretched to the
limits of their capabilities. The
addition of a 6,000 acre OHV facility
will not fit well within their already
constrained resources.
(1) Off-road vehicle riding area operators shall have no duty to protect riders from
common, frequent, expected, and non-negligent risks inherent to the activity, including
collisions with riders or objects.
(2) The doctrine of knowing voluntary assumption of risk shall apply to all actions to
recover damages for negligence resulting in death or injury to person or property
brought against any off-road vehicle riding area operator.
(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed in any way to abolish or modify a cause of
action against a potential responsible party other than an off-road vehicle riding area
operator.
Through design, education, and enforcement of the AOAA’s rules a culture of responsible
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riding will be promoted and required. By implementing best practices, educating visitors to the
facility, and enforcing of rules will be critical to defending liability claims when they arise.
When the above recommendations and considerations were presented to local responders
during a focus group meeting, their concerns regarding a potential increase in accidents were
alleviated.
That said, they are still concerned with personal safety with respect to responsible and legal
conduct within the AOAA. Local law enforcement representatives indicated they fear for their
personal safety when responding to calls in remote portions of the County property as often
they are responding without backup and responding to calls involving armed persons. This is a
serious issue and strict education and enforcement will be required at the onset of opening the
AOAA to return civility to activities on the property.
First responders also requested improved access to remote portions of the site, by vehicle
and by helicopter. They also recommended that landing zones be established in key locations
of the AOAA, and that an off-road emergency response vehicle be based in a central location
within the AOAA to facilitate EMS response in remote locations in the AOAA.
CONTROLLING ACCESS
Since coal mining on the property slowed to almost nothing, the County land was essentially
abandoned. As that has happened there has been little done to protect the property against
unauthorized use. This has brought on significant personal and public safety issues on the site.
All types of OHV users along with a host of other illegal and undesired activities have overtaken
the property. Little has been done to manage or control activity on the site. This has resulted
serious OHV accidents and injuries; constant gatherings of groups for illegal alcohol and
drug parties; excessive dumping of garbage; theft of natural resources; and construction
of unauthorized building structures. There have even been multiple alleged incidents of
abandoned or stolen vehicles, rapes, arson, assaults, and illegal use of weapons.
It will be a major undertaking to manage and control future access to the site even with
a designed plan in place. AOAA must work out cooperative efforts with local and state
police agencies to assist with the enforcement. They should get commitments that the law
enforcement agencies will strictly enforce existing state and local laws concerning ATV use of
local roads and will enforce trespassing laws against violators on the AOAA property. Opening
the AOAA, managing it for legal OHV use, and enforcing existing laws will be the first step at
remedying this situation.
The situation will not be remedied easily or quickly. Part of the solution will be to work
very closely with law enforcement agencies to establish an understanding of the respective
roles of the agencies and the AOAA. Most of the area police departments have been much
more proactive in recent times in enforcing existing laws related to OHV use on local roads,
private properties, and illegal uses of the AOAA site. A strong cooperative venture among the
agencies and the AOAA will be required.
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The master site plan for the AOAA calls for the elimination of most of the more than 500
existing access points around the perimeter of the site. These will be removed in a variety
of ways – building fences, moving dirt, planting vegetation, and installing signage. OHVs are
specifically designed to travel in all types of terrain and in places that are challenging. This
makes it extremely difficult to simply construct barriers and expect them to prevent access.
The rugged design of an off-highway vehicle allows it to drive over or around barriers or simply
travel to other places that are not barricaded to prevent access. However, the barricades will
establish the fact that access is not permitted. Beyond that it will be up to AOAA officials and
law enforcement agencies to enforce trespassing and unauthorized use laws.
In addition to barricades to prevent unlawful access to the site, the AOAA will institute other
means of preventing or deterring users from intentionally or unintentionally traveling onto
surrounding private properties. Trails on the site will be designed to keep users away from its
perimeter. Users will have to make an intentional decision to travel into restricted areas to
access surrounding properties. Additionally, signs should be posted at key locations around
the perimeter indicating that riders are approaching private property and that entering that
property is prohibited. In some cases video cameras and/or security lighting may also be used.
Once again, these methods will not prevent unlawful trespassing into the site or onto private
property but will establish the fact that it is prohibited.
Three or four designated entrance areas will be established where legal users will register, pay
their fees, and park. All users will be directed to these points to access the site.
A user control system will need to be utilized to identify the legal users of the AOAA. There are
a variety of systems available.
FLAG/PENNANT SYSTEM
Some OHV facilities provide marker flags that are fastened to all vehicles that have paid their
user fee. The marker flags are generally four to six feet long and fasten directly to the vehicle.
They are highly visible and make it easy to identify if a vehicle is a paid user.
STICKER SYSTEM
This system uses a sticker that is placed on the rider’s helmet or vehicle. Use stickers for
season pass holders and flags for day-users.
ELECTRONIC TRACKING
Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID), SMART cards, or General Purpose Radio Signals
(GPRS); Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). These electronic systems work in conjunction with
one another to provide direct communication that would allow AOAA to have a comprehensive
tracking system of all users of the site. This system does much more than a simple tracking of
users.
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Using this system, monitoring sensors would be placed throughout the facility that would
identify the presence of activity and the type of activities occurring in the Area. Data
collected from the monitors would be processed through a software system that would
determine whether or not a response is required. The system could be sophisticated enough
to distinguish between an OHV and a chainsaw or a weapon firing or could be one simple
enough to just track access in and out of the Area. The computer software could automatically
push the data through a filtering system to determine the appropriate response and the
corresponding responder to notify.
Further, the use of smart cards and other technology could collect and store registration
information for users, register payments to credit cards, track the number of uses for each
user, and much more. The use of any combination of these devices, along with appropriate
computer software, could create an extremely sophisticated management system for the
entire facility that could manage security, finances, maintenance, and much more.
The primary obstacle to this type of system is its cost. At least one private company has had
discussions with Northumberland County about the seemingly unlimited possibilities of such a
program. They are working with the County to determine whether or not grants can become
available that can make it financially feasible. Unless it becomes more financially realistic for
the County, the sticker and pennant system is the recommended option.
ADDITIONAL SECURITY
As an addition to any of the systems, the AOAA could also provide a dashboard card for the
road vehicles parked in the parking lot. Placing the dashboard card in the vehicle shows that it
has brought paying users to the AOAA.
With any of these systems, enforcement will be the key to their success. Signage must be
prominently displayed to notify all potential users of the admission process. During peak use
times such as weekends, holidays, and evenings, it will be helpful to have a staff or volunteer
stationed at an appropriate location directing users through the admission process. The staff
or volunteer should also be watching the parking area for those who have not paid so they can
collect payment as they leave and instruct them of the procedure for the future.
Tracking license plate numbers will help to recognize those that habitually attempt to bypass
the system. After a couple of warnings for non-payment, police should be called to issue
warrants for trespassing or theft of services.
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VIDEO CAMERAS, SECURITY
LIGHTING, AND FENCING
Video cameras should be installed at key locations
where problems can be expected. Video cameras
can observe and monitor the entrances to the
AOAA, after- hours use, suspicious activities,
vandalism, breaking and entering, unlawful
activity, accidents, and incidents. Video cameras
are a relatively low cost investment for the
potential return in deterring damage to property.
Systems can be installed that simply record
what the camera sees and provide playback
opportunities. More sophisticated systems can be
channeled to monitors in the safety and security
room of the administration building. Cameras
with monitors allow for immediate response to
undesired or unlawful activity.
Video Cameras Can Help
When Placed in Key Locations
• Main Entrance – to monitor all
vehicles entering the property
during or after hours
• Parking Lots – to observe
potential theft, vandalism, and
confrontations
• Buildings – to view vandalism,
breaking into buildings, suspicious
activity
• Campground – to monitor activity
• Specialized facilities – to be able to
review accidents and incidents
Security lighting is an effective deterrent to would-be vandals and law breakers. Security could
include dusk to dawn lights, motion detector lights, and interior building lighting. Dusk to day
lights should be installed in parking areas, the main entrances, various locations throughout
the campground, around restrooms, and anywhere else that night lighting is appropriate to
deter unwanted activity. Motion sensitive lights can be placed where lighting is not needed all
night long. Theses lights provide an element of surprise to unwanted users entering a given
area. Appropriate locations for these lights would be around the safety and security building
and storage buildings. Interior lighting should be left on in buildings to allow visibility of any
after-hours activity.
Fencing may also be appropriate to protect certain areas from unwanted activity. Some places
where fencing would be appropriate include maintenance and mechanical areas, sanitary
stations, and water towers. Fencing may also be used to keep visitors out of specific program
areas during times that are not in use. This may include track areas, mud bogs, water play
areas, and others.
SAFEGUARDING PEOPLE AND POSSESSIONS
There will be many issues in safeguarding people, including staff, volunteers, visitors, and
guests, as well as their possessions. Security concerns will include vandalism and theft of both
AOAA and private property, issues of disputes and disagreements, illegal activity, disobeying
of rules and regulations, vehicles, parking and traffic issues, accidents and emergencies, and
violence.
Basic safety begins in the simplest of ways. A set of rules is developed for AOAA users to
help them understand what is expected of them. AOAA management should clearly establish
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these rules as policy and institute consequences for
violation of the rules.
The rules should be simple, straightforward and
easy to understand. They should include a simplified
listing of applicable state and local laws concerning
the use of all types of OHVs. This would include
registration requirements, sound restrictions, safety
and equipment requirements, plates and stickers,
training certifications and others.
Every person who uses the AOAA should see the rules
in various formats and several times throughout their stay at the facility. A comprehensive
written list of rules should be provided to every rider prior to use of the AOAA. Some places
require users to sign a statement indicating that they have read and understand the rules and
agree to abide by them.
A safety and security center should be developed in the administrative building to serve as the
hub in managing these functions. All staff and volunteers will need to be trained in matters
related to security. This includes:
• An awareness of security issues
• A clear understanding of AOAA rules and regulations
• Understanding the differences between
violating rules and breaking laws
Consequences for
• Methods of dealing with difficult people
Violation of AOAA Rules
• Ways to defuse difficult situations
• Knowing when to call law enforcement
• Verbal explanation of the rule and
officials
warning not to violate again
• Enforcement techniques
• Written warning not to violate
• Knowing and understanding the AOAA’s
again
Safety and Security Plan
• Short-term suspension of AOAA
privileges – rest of the day or
Staff and volunteers will need to be the first line
weekend
of defense against all such issues. In addition to
• Long-term suspension of privileges
the recommended training, other sections of this
– a week, month, or season
Chapter identify rules and procedures that will
• Permanent termination of
enable staff to understand the safety and security
privileges
needs and how to address them effectively.
• Revocation of season pass
• Submission of trespassing or
The Volunteer Safety Team will need to patrol
other charges to local police for
parking areas, campgrounds, roadways, buildings
corresponding legal penalties
and other facilities to assure security of all areas.
• Summon police to handle through
Maintenance staff will need to be watching for
the legal system
issues of security as they go about their daily
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routines. The rules developed for the AOAA will need to address security measures as well as
safety.
Enforcement of all rules and regulations will be of utmost importance beginning the day AOAA
opens for business.
COMMUNICATION
A communication system will also need to be developed to provide for quick response to
problems on the site. If a report is made to security staff or the administrative office, there
needs to be a communication system to allow contact with the appropriate person to respond
to the incident. Cell phone service is generally adequate and available throughout the
site. Many people carry cell phones for personal use. This provides an easy way for users to
communicate incidents with AOAA staff. A phone number should be posted in a variety of
locations including signs, brochures, maps, and in the Information Guide telling users how to
report an incident or accident.
Two-way radios would be a communication option for staff and volunteers. They provide a
direct and immediate communication among staff.
Local first responders have expressed a concern that there is not a unified system of
communication among all agencies. Individual departments and agencies do not necessarily
have radio communication with most others. This is a situation that will need to be resolved
quickly to strengthen safety and security responses at the AOAA.
Northumberland County Department of Public Safety holds the primary responsibility for
such coordination. Development of the County’s Enhanced 911 system would address unified
communication among emergency responders. It will also assist in determining specific
locations of emergency callers using cellular phones.
The Northumberland Department of Public Safety should proceed immediately with their
plans to fully implement Enhanced 911 services.
Federal Grants are available for E911 implementation and can be structured to include the
recommended RFID system that could be used at the AOAA.
VOLUNTEER SAFETY TEAM
security functions in the Area. Many similar teams across the country require a nominal
membership fee, as well as requiring members to commit to attending safety-training courses,
acquiring specific certifications in vehicle safety, first aid, CPR, and others.
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agree to perform certain functions within the AOAA and commit to the required certification
processes. They should be expected to perform all functions in an exemplary manner and
should be held to a higher standard than other AOAA users. Volunteers should be held
accountable for their actions.
Team members should be available to users to provide information and assistance. They should
patrol the Area looking for persons in need of assistance. They should be expected to identify
safety hazards, enforce the rules of the AOAA, quell undesired behavior, and respond to
accidents or injuries.
AOAA users should be made aware that the team is patrolling the Area and serving in the
capacity as peace and enforcement officers. Team members should be easily identifiable
through vehicle markings and uniforms. They should have radios, cell phones, or other
means of communication to report accidents, contact AOAA officials or summon emergency
assistance.
INCIDENT AND ACCIDENT REPORTS
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires the reporting of ATV accidents. AOAA will need
to enforce this requirement and expand it to include all vehicles that are permitted to use their
facilities. A copy of the State reporting
form is included herein and is available
from the Pennsylvania Department of
ACCIDENT REPORTING SIGN
Conservation and Natural Resources.
If your OHV is involved in an accident:
Complete records will be needed for
AOAA officials’ use in cases of legal action
1. Help other people involved in the accident.
brought against them. Additionally,
2. Notify a member of the AOAA Safety
accidents and injuries should be logged
Patrol Team immediately by the quickest
and tracked so that AOAA officials can
means of communication available.
identify trends in accidents or injuries
3. Safety Patrol can be reached by cellular
that may indicate safety hazards or
phone at 555-555-5555. If no Safety Patrol
maintenance needs. AOAA’s solicitor
Team member is available, notify local law
should assist in developing reporting
enforcement officers.
forms and procedures to assure the
4. Assist the Safety Patrol in completing
greatest protection against potential
an accident report. If no Safety Patrol
liability.
member is available, complete the
accident report yourself and place it in
AOAA should use the State Accident
the accident reporting box at the main
Report Form as the basis for accident
administrative building. Accident reporting
reporting and tracking. A page specific to
forms are available in display racks
AOAA should be added as an addendum
throughout the Area.
to the form to gather information specific
5. Failure to report an accident may result in
to the AOAA’s facilities. This should
suspension from the AOAA.
include information such as:
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







Specific location of the accident – trail name, parking lot, road, track, feature, etc.
Member or daily user
Staff person or Volunteer Safety Team member who responded to the accident
Checklist of safety requirements met
Rule violations
AOAA response to the accident – vehicle recovery, rescue, first aid, EMS contacted
Is a Waiver of Liability signed?
Was the Area opened when the accident occurred?
Accident reporting forms should be carried at all times by the members of the AOAA Volunteer
Safety Team. They should be responsible for completion of the forms as often as possible.
When the Volunteer Safety Team is not on premises, users should have clear instructions to
complete the forms themselves and to contact local law enforcement agencies to report all
accidents.
Similar to accident reporting, incident reporting is vital to understanding, responding to
and planning for all types of incidents. Most incidents deal with safety or security of staff,
volunteers or visitors. Incidents should be reported and tracked through a similar system to
that outlined in the accident report section of this Chapter. A copy of the PA DCNR Incident
Report Form is included in this section.
Incidents should be digitally tracked through the same or similar system to the one outlined
earlier in this chapter. This will allow AOAA management to track locations and types of
incidents to identify trends that need to be addressed. Recurring types of incidents may
indicate the need for better education of AOAA users, a change in rules or enforcement, or
program adjustments. Incidents that continually occur in certain locations may suggest the
need for additional security measures such as lighting, fencing, or increased patrols.
Incident Reports also provide a written report that may be valuable to the AOAA Board in case
of future litigation dealing with a particular incident. It is therefore essential that the reports
provide correct and detail information about each incident.
EDUCATION
Educating users about appropriate uses of the AOAA, expectations of users while at the site,
how to be a responsible user and safe use of facilities will go a long way in setting a high
standard of use. All users should understand the basics of responsible recreation. At the
AOAA these will include:




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Being respectful of people and property
Maintaining control of one’s actions, vehicles, equipment, and minor children
Always acting in a safe manner
Obeying the rules
 Using expected trail etiquette
 Respecting all parts of the natural
environment
AOAA management can assist in ensuring that
users recreation responsibly by educating users
in a variety of ways.
WRITTEN INFORMATION AND
SIGNAGE
Develop a safety and information booklet
that includes a summary of rules, State laws
and regulations, safety tips, trail etiquette,
and other information about the AOAA. Use
this booklet to point them to where a full
list of rules and regulations are posted or
can be found. The rules should be simple,
straightforward, and easy to understand. A list
of proposed rules for the AOAA can be found in
Appendix *. Use the following lists as the basis
for information on trail etiquette and safety.
Signs should be used to reinforce the same
principles in appropriate areas such as access
areas, trailheads, rest areas, campgrounds,
parking lots, restrooms, and potentially
hazardous areas.
Tips on Trail Etiquette
Many times OHV riders will come in contact
with other user groups sharing the same lands,
roadways or trails. It is important to practice
common courtesies.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Be considerate of others on the trail and
keep to the right
Slow down when passing
Ride only where permitted
Yield the right of way to bikes, horses
and hikers
Carry out what you carry in
Wave and say ‘hello’ as you pass
Report downed trees and trail
maintenance needs to AOAA managers
Teach respect for the
environment using
Tread Lightly! Principles
Travel Responsibly on land by staying
on designated roads, trails and areas. Go
over, not around, obstacles to avoid
widening the trails. Cross streams only at
designated fords. When possible, avoid
wet, muddy trails. On water, stay on
designated waterways and launch your
watercraft in designated areas
Respect the Rights of Others including
private property owners, all recreational
trail users, campers and others so they
can enjoy their recreational activities
undisturbed. Leave gates as you found
them. Yield right-of-way to those passing
you or going uphill. On water, respect
anglers, swimmers skiers, boaters, and
divers and those on or near shore.
Educate Yourself prior to your trip by
obtaining travel maps and regulations
from public agencies, planning for your
trip, taking recreation skill classes,
and knowing how to operate your
equipment safely.
Avoid Sensitive Areas on land such
as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands
and streams. Stay on designated
routes. This protects wildlife habitats
and sensitive soils from damage. Don’t
disturb historical, archeological or
paleontological sites. On water, avoid
operating your watercraft in shallow
waters or near shorelines at high speeds.
Do Your Part by modeling appropriate
behavior, leaving the area better
than you found it, properly disposing
of waste, minimizing the use of fire,
avoiding the spread of invasive species,
and repairing degraded areas.
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Safety Tips
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wear required protective gear at all times
Do not let young or inexperienced riders operate OHVs without proper training and
supervision
Do not use alcohol or other drugs when you ride
Learn proper riding skills from an instructor or qualified rider and practice such skills
before driving
Always maintain a safe distance between vehicles - tailgating can lead to collisions and
injuries
Ride with others and let someone know where you are
Never ride alone
Obey the laws
Stay on trails designate for your type of vehicle
Be informed of local weather conditions and dress and equip yourself appropriately
Know the area where you are riding
Be aware of potential hazards
Always ride at a safe and responsible speed
Know your abilities and don’t exceed those levels
Training Classes
A variety of off-road education programs are available to teach OHV safety and responsible
riding. Such programs should be offered at the AOAA to promote responsible and safe use of
OHVs. The following are a few such classes.
SCORE - The SCORE Rider Training (Sensible, Courteous, Off Road Enthusiasts) is an interactive
program designed to promote safety and environmental stewardship when participating
in off-highway vehicle recreation. It is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle
Association and the PA DCNR.
Tread Lightly has a series of educational videos and tolls designed specifically for the off-road
community. Information can be found at www.treadlightly.org.
PA DCNR ATV Safety Course - The objective of this course is to promote an increased
awareness for the importance of safety and responsibility in the sport of all-terrain vehicles
(4-wheelers.) This course is required by law for all youthful ATV operators age 8-15 who operate
an all-terrain vehicle on all lands, except those owned by their parent or guardian. It is good
training that is open to all ages.
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association has a free on-line, multi-media safety course.
The two-hour course helps develop safe driving habits but it is not a “learn to drive” course. It
is intended to improve awareness about ROVs and inspire a safety-minded approach to offroad recreation.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY PROGRAM
RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
A risk management plan for the AOAA is of the highest importance to assure the safety
of the users and to minimize the liability exposure of the Authority. When facilities and
programs are provided for public use, every precaution should be taken to ensure user safety.
Documentation of all risk management procedures is essential, not only for good record
keeping and maintenance scheduling, but also to provide evidence in case of legal action.
Every facility and program should have its own risk analysis and management plan. This would
include but not be limited to OHV trails, equestrian, hiking, and biking trails, support amenities,
roadways, parking areas, bridges, special event areas, 4X4 challenge course, campgrounds,
natural features, restrooms, buildings, and maintenance areas. This risk analysis should:
1.
Identify the risk. Determine what it is
about the program or facility that creates
a potential hazard. Identify the anticipated
frequency of injury or loss associated with
the risk. Determine how frequently an
incident is likely to occur. Is likely to happen
frequently, occasionally, or rarely?
2. Consider the loss potential. Assess what
type of injury is likely from the risk. Is it
likely to cause fatal or severe injuries, major
or minor injury or simple injuries? The same
questions should be asked about potential
financial implications of the risk. Is the
potential financial loss critical where it may
force closing of the AOAA? Or would the
losses be moderate or minimal?
3. Evaluate potential responses. Determine
what changes could be made to minimize
the risk. Will there need to be major
changes made in the program or facility?
Will minor modifications of the program or
facility reduce the risk sufficiently? Is the risk
so great that the program or facility should
not be provided? Is the risk limited enough
that no change is necessary? Identify what
can be done to minimize or limit the risk.
Should signs be posted; should the ages be
limited; should railings be installed; should
trail grades be changed? There are dozens
of possible adjustments that can be made
Geisinger Medical Center Provides
In-Kind Services to AOAA
Geisinger Medical Center is
interested in a potential long-term
relationship with the AOAA that
would address reducing injuries,
particularly traumas, for children
and youth.
For 2011, Geisinger has received a
grant from the Children’s Miracle
Network to fund ATV Youth Safety
Classes to be held at the AOAA.
Classes have been established
for the 2011 season and after just
three days of advertising additional
classes had to be added. Geisinger
hopes to be able to support these
classes on an annual basis.
Their team of about 20 doctors,
nurses, police officers, emergency
medical responders, and other
community representatives will
partner with AOAA to address
methods of immediately reducing
child injuries and helping to
establish policies and standards for
long-term impacts.
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to limit the risks of a facility.
4. Implement the appropriate response. After the analysis is complete, AOAA must
take appropriate action. It is never appropriate to conduct the evaluation and then
do nothing. If the response is to make no changes, a written documentation of the
analysis and its findings should be completed and kept on file.
This should not be a one-time analysis but should be ongoing. As risk is observed within any
facility or program, it should be assessed and tracked to determine if changes are needed, and
the Board’s response documented.
STAFFING
Staff at AOAA will include both paid and
volunteer personnel. A detailed description of
the anticipated staffing needs for the entire
facility is described earlier in this report.
Discussions of staff in this section are specific to
safety and security.
A single staff person needs to be designated
as the Safety Director for the AOAA. This
will not necessarily be that person’s only
responsibility. It would seem most likely that
in the early operations of the AOAA the Safety
Director would be the AOAA Manager. As the
number of staff expands, the role of Safety
Director may be delegated to another person,
although the AOAA Manager should continue
to play a significant role in managing the safety
aspects of the facility. The Safety Director will
be responsible to oversee all aspects of safety
management for the entire facility.
Safety Director Responsibilities
• Oversee all aspects of safety and
security
• Chair the Safety and Emergency
Services Committee
• Serve as the point of contact with
all emergency services agencies
• Oversee all safety training programs
• Review the Emergency Plan
annually
• Assure compliance with the AOAA
Risk Management Plan
• Supervise the Volunteer Safety
Team
• Manage safety related information
and reporting
• Serve as the point of contact for the
AOAA in any accident or emergency
In the early stages of operation, it is expected that there will be few paid staff. Volunteer staff,
including the AOAA’s Board of Directors, will play a vital role in safety and security. All staff,
whether paid or volunteer, must be appropriately trained to understand the safety and security
issues of operating an OHV facility.
security functions in the Area. Many similar teams across the country require a nominal
membership fee, as well as requiring members to commit to attending safety-training courses,
acquiring specific certifications in vehicle safety, first aid, CPR, and others.
5-62
agree to perform certain maintenance and safety functions and commit to the required
certification processes. They should be expected to perform all functions in an exemplary
manner and should be held to a higher standard than other AOAA users. Volunteers should be
held accountable for their actions.
SAFETY PLANNING TEAM
Establishing emergency preparedness plans for the AOAA is best accomplished by those who
have the greatest expertise and interest in such issues.
One of the results of the focus group meeting for first responders was an agreement among
the agencies and the Consultant that the emergency service and law enforcement agencies
should be integrally involved in the development of the safety management plans for
AOAA. These agencies are already responding to
emergency situation on the AOAA property. They
The following issues were
understand the issues and the needs for emergency
identifi
ed by the First Responders
preparedness and response. They know the local
Focus Group
communities very well and how they operate.
Representatives of this group will serve best
in the role of planning for safety at AOAA. This
includes state and local police departments,
local fire departments, Northumberland County
Department of Public Safety, EMS services, and
Geisinger Hospital who will serve with AOAA Board
representatives and staff as members of the Safety
Planning Team. The AOAA Board of Directors will
appoint specific members to the Team.
The role of this team will be to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Coordinate efforts between the AOAA and
emergency service providers
Develop enforcement guidelines/standards
Develop emergency procedures
Develop safety training for staff, volunteers,
and users
Identify an emergency access to all areas of
the AOAA
Create a Risk Management Plan
Develop Emergency Response Plans for all
potential emergency and hazard situations
Establish a search and rescue plan
 None of the local responders
have capabilities for water
rescue.
 Local police departments are
already stretched beyond their
resources.
 Current communications
systems do not allow
individual police, EMS, and fire
departments to talk back and
forth with each other.
 Expectations of local police
departments to handle
unauthorized access to the
AOAA
 In handling incidents on-site,
an escalation plan needs to
be developed to determine at
what point police involvement is
required.
 Concerns that charging an
admission fees will simple move
the problems to other properties
in the area.
 How will after-hours security be
handled?
5-63
The team should be created early enough that it can begin its work before the AOAA opens
for business. This will ensure that appropriate safety plans will already be in place when the
AOAA begins operation. The team should continue to meet regularly after the facility is open to
ensure policies, procedures and plans are kept current.
The PA DCNR Bureau of State Parks can serve as a resource in development of an emergency
management plan. The Bureau has developed such plans for each of the PA State Parks.
MAINTENANCE
Effective maintenance of trails and other facilities begins with good design. This plan uses
“best practices” standards in the design of all aspects of the AOAA. Constructing according
to these standards will significantly reduce the amount of maintenance required on the site.
When maintenance is needed, it should be completed to bring a trail or facility back into
compliance with its original design.
A proactive, maintenance plan is one of the best management tools to maintain a sustainable
and safe facility. The maintenance plan should call for scheduled inspections and maintenance
on all facilities throughout the Area. It should specifically identify and address potential
safety hazards. The plan should provide a regular schedule of maintenance that will reduce or
eliminate potential safety and maintenance problems.
Trail Management Objectives
According to the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), in their book
entitled “Management Guidelines for OHV Recreation”, trail systems should establish trail
management objectives to guide their development, management, and maintenance. Trail
Management Objectives (TMO) should:
 IdenƟfy the purpose of each trail. Why does it exist and what recreational experience
will it provide?
 Describe the trail. What it looks like; how long and wide it is; what the trail surface is.
 Explain the types of desired use. Will it be for motorized or non-motorized users? If,
motorized, for which vehicles? If non-motorized, for what users? If mixed use, what
specific uses?
 Describe the management strategy. How will conflicting uses be managed? How will
non-conforming uses be kept off of the trail? Will seasonal restrictions be needed?
 Project expected levels of use. How many of each type of user will be on the trail daily,
weekly, monthly?
 Establish maintenance criteria. What types of maintenance will be needed and to what
standard? Will maintenance be accomplished by machine or will it need to be done by
hand?
5-64
Establishing these TMOs will provide a true vision of the expectations of each trail or
system. The TMOs help managers make decisions concerning maintenance, management,
programming, signage, safety, and much more.
Similar management objectives should be established for other facilities within the AOAA
including parking lots, buildings, trail heads, roads, campgrounds, and others.
Preventative and Routine Maintenance
A Maintenance Plan, based on the TMOs, should set maintenance standards that will keep
facilities safe, reduce liability risks, and plan for prevention of accidents. AOAA management
should develop and follow a complete preventative maintenance and risk management
program. All facilities should be scheduled for regular inspection and assessment. A written
inspection form should be completed, and minor repairs should be made immediately. Areas or
equipment needing major repairs should be posted as unsafe, reported in writing and repaired
as soon as possible.
Routine equipment maintenance and servicing must be scheduled and performed on a regular
basis. Addressing maintenance needs as a preventative measure is much less costly than
waiting until an issue occurs.
As well, properly maintained maintenance equipment will last a long time. With proper care,
replacement of maintenance equipment can be kept to a minimum. An equipment and
tool inventory should be kept accurate and up-to-date to assure the availability of proper
tools when they are needed. A fund should be established to provide for new maintenance
equipment and a regular replacement program.
Regular review of legal requirements and inspections for conformance to sanitary regulations,
criteria for licensing, fire laws, building codes, pesticide applications and safety procedures
should be a priority for the maintenance staff. The AOAA should keep current on safety
standards established by regulatory agencies or the ATV /OHM/ORV industries.
Maintenance staff and volunteers should receive training for all types of work to be
conducted. DCNR and other state and national organizations regularly offer training seminars
5-65
and workshops specific to trails, general maintenance, and facility management. A budget
allocation should be provided to assure that staff and volunteers are able to keep up with
current maintenance and safety training.
A maintenance plan will set standards of care for all facilities that helps them comply with
the management objective for each. This allows for a measure of productivity in facility
maintenance. Maintenance should be monitored and compared to the established standards.
These standards should identify the required level of maintenance for individual facilities or
types of facilities.
Routine Inspections
Every mile of trail should be inspected for safety and maintenance deficiencies at least every
week during the peak season. During slower seasons the frequency of inspections could be
reduced. Inspections should be conducted in such a way that safety hazards are corrected as
soon as possible. Inspectors should carry basic tools with them so that, as often as possible,
hazards or deficiencies can be corrected when they are found. If hazards or deficiencies cannot
be corrected immediately, the location, date, time, and type of hazard should be recorded and
scheduled for repair.
A record of inspections and repairs should be kept. This will allow maintenance staff to identify
trends in types and locations of repairs and provide a written record of repairs made. Such
records will provide an added level of protection in liability for accidents or injuries caused by
trail deficiencies.
Reporting Hazards and Maintenance Needs
A system should be developed that will allow staff and users to report hazards they discover. In
order to be effective, reporting methods must be simple, convenient, and accessible. A method
must also be set up to respond to these reports in a timely manner. All reported safety hazards
should be responded to within twenty-four hours.
All staff should be expected to be constantly looking for potential hazards as they traverse the
facility. Similar reporting methods can be used for both staff and visitors. A simple form should
be developed to record the hazard location and description, date and time discovered, name of
the person reporting the hazard, and a description of the needed repairs. This report could be
in the form of a small tablet that is carried by all staff members. There should be a centralized
location where the form is to be turned in. A staff person should be assigned to gather the
reports at specified times each day and to determine how the situation needs to be addressed.
The same forms should be available at various locations throughout the AOAA where visitors
can complete them on their own. It should be clearly described where the forms should be
submitted. A daily schedule must be established for the collection of the forms. Once collected,
the reports should be passed on to the appropriate staff person to determine how to handle
the situation.
5-66
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Organization
1. Leave ownership of the property with Northumberland County.
2. Create an operating authority whose task shall be to manage and operate the
recreational and recreation related functions of the AOAA.
3. All revenues produced from recreational use of the property shall belong to the
Authority for operation of the AOAA. This will include revenues produced through
the lease and/or operation of the proposed commercial area of the property where
support businesses will be developed for the property’s recreational uses.
4. All revenues produced from non-recreational activities and functions shall belong to
Northumberland County to be used at their discretion.
5. Utilize the Master Site Plan and the tool that guides all development of the property.
6. Hold informal meetings between the AOAA staff and County staff to ensure open and
on-going dialogue.
7. Hold a meeting between the AOAA Authority Board and the Northumberland County
Commissioners semi-annually to ensure that the decision-making bodies are well
informed of each other’s activities and plans on the property.
8. The Authority should prepare an annual report for the County Commissioners and the
general public.
Staffing
9. Hire the following staff to open the AOAA:
a. AOAA Manager (full-time)
b. Maintenance Director (full-time)
c. Administrative Assistant (part-time)
d. Seasonal maintenance staff (part-time)
e. Seasonal and week-end admissions staff (part-time)
10. Utilize volunteers to support paid staff positions.
11. Hire additional staff as funds are available and demand dictates
Season and Hours of Operation
12. Open year-round with some limitations during November, December, and January to
accommodate hunting on the property.
13. General hours of operation shall be 10:00 A.M. to dusk daily.
Financial
14. Adopt pricing strategy 1 that uses the fees in the chart to the right.
15. Utilize grants from DCNR and other agencies as often as possible.
16. Develop and maintain a capital fund to use for facility development and maintenance.
17. Utilize in-kind services from individuals, groups, organizations, and business to offset
costs for development, operations, and activities.
18. Be deliberate and purposeful to guide growth in use of the property so it does not
outgrow AOAA’s management capacity.
5-67
19. Secure a start-up loan to ensure appropriate cash flow in the first years of operation.
Plan for break-even only after 4-6 years of operation.
Safety and Security
20. Appoint a security director to manage all aspects of safety and security. (This
responsibility may be part of another position as the AOAA first opens but should
become a separate position as demand dictates.)
21. Create a safety and security center as a separate and distinct location from which
all safety and security activities are managed. This could be a room in the main
administrative building of eventually a building of its own.
22. Appoint a safety planning team consisting of representatives of state and local police
departments, local fire departments, Northumberland County Department of Public
Safety, EMS services, and Geisinger Hospital.
The role of this team will be to:
 Coordinate efforts between the AOAA and emergency service providers
 Develop enforcement guidelines/standards
 Develop emergency procedures
 Develop safety training for staff, volunteers, and users
 Identify an emergency access to all areas of the AOAA
 Create a Risk Management Plan
 Develop Emergency Response Plans for all potential emergency and hazard
situations
 Establish a search and rescue plan
23. Apply for a grant to develop and fully implement Enhanced 911 in the County.
24. Use a combination of stickers and pennants to control legal access to the site. Stickers
should be given to all season ticket holders to be placed on either the vehicle of
personal helmet. Pennants should be used to mark the vehicles of daily users.
25. Adopt the proposed list of rules and regulations to govern use of AOAA facilities.
26. Adopt a specific series of consequences for violation of AOAA rule and laws.
27. Create a volunteer safety team that will provide assistance to users, patrol trails and
facilities, encourage safety, report safety hazards and maintenance problems, and
enforce rules.
28. Develop a preventative maintenance plan that will address both maintenance and
safety issues throughout the facility.
29. Adopt the proposed accident and incident reporting procedures described in the
Business Plan.
30. Develop and adopt a risk management plan.
31. Conduct routine safety inspections of all facilities. Create a written record of safety
hazards, take corrective action and record it in the written record.
32. Develop an education program to teach OHV safety to all users.
5-68

anthracite outdoor adventure area

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