MDC... No more! Mountain Biking's future on MDC propety?

[johnflat]

Hi All,

Does anybody know what effect the elimanation of the MDC will have on the parks and mountain biking? Might be a good time to grab a little more control of our future.

[knucklebuste]

Is it for real that the MDC will be ousted, or is it just speculation at this point? Well if all the environmental police are gonna be fired, I wish that I hadn't got rid of all my motorized equiptment, but we definitely have to do something to secure the future is the MDC is eliminated. Knuckle
I was also wondering how many people are on this forum, anybody have any ideas on that? U_K (aka uncle knuckle)

[joe]

It appears that the MDC will be going away as an agency but that does not mean that everyone who works for them will be fired. There may be some cuts, but there will still be rangers. I know that we are watching the situation as closely as we can in the Greater Boston chapter and we just don't have much information at this point.

This is certainly an opportunity for us to improve our relationships with the land managers at some MDC parks since there will be a change in leadership and the budget crunch may make our volunteer trails maintenance activities even more valuable to land managers than they have been in the past.

joe

PS The front page of the forum tells you how many registered users there are (small print near the top). The bottom of the same page will tell you which registered users are online as well as how many unregistered people are browing at the moment.

[pk]

For a 5 and a half minute audio from WBUR on the MDC, click here:

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wbur/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=450276

pk

[johnnyt]

The MDC is one of my biggest clients and the word from the inside over there is that right now nothing has changed. There have been no bills brought up to Beacon Hill for the eradication of the MDC yet. Once there is it needs to hit the floor for debate. The legislature then can ammend the bill. Once the legislature approves the ammended bill it has to be approved by a vote and then sent to our friend Mitt. They estimate this process will take at least 6-8 weeks once the bill hits the floor. My contact pointed out that this has been attempted at least 2 times previously with no success. Maybe tird time is a charm...

In addition, the MDC does have many facilities that generate $$ for the state. It is unlikely that Mitt will totally abandon these. In fact, it is likely that he will impose fees on more state lands to assist in collecting $$$. I would not be surprised to see park entry fees at every state park, MDC park, and higher rates at the ones that already charge.

[joe]

The Globe ran an article today with some new info about Romney's plans for the future of the MDC:

http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/050/metro/Governor_to_create_a_bureau_to_replace_MDC+.shtml

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

Well, this could either save or totally destroy the fells.

[T Grimble]

I am pretty optimistic about the current changes that are being proposed and what it will mean for mountain biking. The local superintendents and Rangers have not created the problems that we have had with access, it has bee the administration that has been our biggest headache. NEMBA has had a terrific relationship with the DEM at most of the state parks. The state understands what we have to offer and that we are a group of trail users that can be relied on to follow through. Even before this whole issue with the MDC got started, NEMBA had begun discussing ways that we can improve our relationship at the Fells with MDC officials. Change is in the works. We are planning to hold a maintenance day there this year. If you want more information on what is happening at the Fells, e-mail me directly or come to a Greater Boston Chapter meeting. Our meeting on March 3rd will focus on the Fells at length.