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In response
to the
extensive
damage
caused by
the dumping
of garbage,
and the
operation of
off-road
motorized
vehicles on
public lands
in the
Central Pine
Barrens, it
was
determined
that a first
step towards
habitat
restoration
on public
lands may be
achieved by
reducing
those
activities
that are
injurious to
the
ecological
environment.
ATVs afford
access to
public and
private land
for a small
minority of
high-impact
users. This
small
minority of
the public
can have a
significant
negative
effect on
the
environment
by causing
irreparable
harm to
our trails
and natural
open space.
The vast
majority of
people who
visit “The
Natural
Island” do
not
participate
in motorized
recreation
and instead
seek
experiences
that are
free from
the effects
of motorized
recreation;
these people
are even
being
"displaced"
by
encounters
with these
unwanted
effects. The
Protected
Land Council
Interagency
ATV Damage
Mitigation
and
Restoration
Project in
Flanders,
Southampton
is using a
variety of
barrier
types to
protect
natural open
space from
illegal
vehicular
access.
LITLC
participated
in the
development
of this
project and
would like
to expand
its
participation
in this
initiative
by raising
money for
materials to
design and
build post
and rail
kissing
gates to
accommodate
appropriate
sites. Post
and rail
kissing
gates are
not visually
jarring;
they blend
in with the
natural
environment.
LITLC would
like to
focus its
efforts on
protecting
the formal
trails meant
for gentle
use; built,
blazed and
maintained
by the
nonprofit
and the
management
agencies.
Post and
rail wood
fencing
consists of
posts
attached to
split
rails. An
open design
allows these
fences to be
used without
blocking a
view. This
type of
fencing can
flow with
the terrain.
These
barricades
are not
infallible
barriers to
illegal use,
but the
presence and
persistent
maintenance
of these
barriers
sends out
the message
that
wholesale
damage of
the public’s
nature and
recreation
trails will
not be
tolerated.
Graham
Hawks,
Peconic Land
Trust South
Fork Land
Steward has
two paid
employees
installing
kissing
gates on
sensitive
trails. He
says, “the
barriers are
working
really well,
people
respect them
when they
see them in
the middle
of the
woods.”
Andy Gates,
East Hampton
Department
of Natural
Resources
has also
begun a
program of
installation
of these
gates. |
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Post and rail “Kissing
Gates” are harder to construct
than many other types of barricades,
but they blend into their natural
surroundings better. There are a
couple of different theories about
the origin of the actual name for
the kissing gate. One possible
origin has to do with the design
itself. Since the gate mechanism is
understood to kiss or touch the
sides of the enclosure when in
operation. A more fanciful idea has
to do with a game associated with
using the gate. Since only one
person at a time can go through the
mechanism, the first person emerging
from the gate can effectively block
the second person from proceeding.
Usually, passage is granted upon the
reception of a kiss. It is generally
understood that this game only takes
place between persons who are on
friendly terms.
LITLC will negotiate
with the land managers to construct
these gates in places where trails
are being badly damaged by motorized
traffic, or to protect especially
beautiful or fragile areas.
LITLC will work with
the land managers to develop, build,
monitor, modify, and replace the
gates. LITLC will also report
illegal activity, and assist in
educating the public about this
initiative in order to protect our
natural open space. We will work to
develop a volunteer patrol to
monitor and maintain the gates. If
vandalized, the gates must be
restored promptly otherwise the
impression will be that no one is
watching. Once the ongoing damage
abates, LITLC will assist in the
restoration of damaged trails and
natural areas. LITLC would also like
to experiment with developing
equestrian and mountain bike
friendly barriers. However, we can
easily start with trails that are
exclusively for hiking and do not
offer administrative vehicular
access.
Depending on the
particular site, the materials to
construct a gate could cost between
$60 and $125. When you consider the
value of the land it protects, that
seems well worth the expenditure.
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