Northcentral PA ATV Initiative

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CENTRAL MOUNTAINS ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE ASSOCIATION, INC. (CMATVA, Inc.)   is a 501(c)(3) organization – contributions to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The official registration and financial information of   CMATVA, Inc. (EIN #26-1610598)   may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999.
Registration does not imply endorsement.

 Please Remember: 

*  The maps contain currently legal trails and proposed trails … Only the GREEN trails are currently LEGAL.
*  Be respectful, riding these township roads is a privilege, not a right.
* Abuse of this privilege will result in it being taken away for everyone.

MAPS: (click to download full size)
System Map
Updated 2/20/24
Detailed Maps
*  Cross Fork to Potato City	*  Benezette
Updated 12/4/19	Updated 10/31/2018
*  Route 6 Corridor	*  Elk County
Updated 5/3/21	Updated 11/8/2018

NEWS:

02/20/24 Map Update

 System map updated.

08/06/21 ATV Pilot Program Information

 Click for press release from DCNR concerning the ATV Pilot Program.
Click to open the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area Online GIS Map.
Click to open the Print-Ready ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot Area Map.

07/30/21 Map Update

 System map updated.

05/03/21 Map Updates

 System & Route 6 Corridor maps updated.

05/09/20 Cross Fork Bridge Repair

   9 CMATVA members (Andy Shultz, Todd Peifer, Todd Hess, Alvin Shaffer, Gary 
Leitzel, Ed Eisenhower, Travis Peters, Mike Kunes, & Greg Kunes) repaired the 
bridge approach washouts.

12/30/19 NCPA ATV Initiative Update Meeting

The PowerPoint presentation can be viewed here: Link

8/14/19 Summary of NCPA ATV Initiative Meeting in Harrisburg

   Sen. Scarnati recently scheduled a meeting regarding the status of
the Bloody Skillet to Whiskey Springs Connector project. The meeting was 
held in his Harrisburg office on August 14, 2019. Invited to the session 
were Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, Officials from DCNR and PennDOT, and 
Central Mountains ATV Association. PennDOT chose not to respond to the 
invitation. DCNR was represented by the Deputy Director - John Norbeck,
State Forester - Jason Albright, and two officials in charge of special 
projects. CMATVA was represented by President - Henry Sorgen IV, Vice 
President - Todd Peifer, and NCPA ATV Initiative Chair - Rich Wykoff. 
The session was coordinated and chaired by Legislative Director for 
Senator Scarnati – Adam Pankake. Following is a synopsis of that 
meeting.

Discussed:
* DCNR is working on finding different avenues of funding for the Bloody 
     Skillet to Whiskey Springs Connector Trail
* Estimated cost to build the connector trail
* DCNR presented a list of things that are being done and have been done 
     to support ATV recreation within the NCPA ATV Initiative region.
     - New section of trail connecting to Denton Hill trail system
     - Lyman Run State Park pilot project.
     - Investigating possibility of a connection between Kettle Creek 
        State Park and Whiskey Springs
     - Improvements to Haneyville ATV Trails (Duncan’s Demise)
     - Continued annual support of the Bucktail Medical Center Relay For 
        Life team’s “Renovo ATV Cruise For A Cure” fundraiser
    - Larson Group’s feasibility study regarding the Bloody Skillet to 
        Whiskey Springs Connector Trail
    - A statewide study (the GAP Study) showed that interest in ATV 
        recreation is growing.
    - DCNR leaders have been investigating the impact of ATV recreation 
        in other states such as New Hampshire and West Virginia. The 
        economic benefit is real.
    - This Fall, DCNR will evaluate / investigate a project for 
        connecting the Denton Hill Trail System to the Notch Road.
    - DCNR noted that the Huling Branch Run remediation project is being 
        scheduled to begin in the near future. That will affect riding
        at Whiskey Springs as happened with the previous project. That 
        may impact the connector trail project.
    - DCNR made it clear that at this time there is no effort to change 
        policy (as directed in the recently enacted fiscal code). 
        Instead, they are attempting to find solutions or “work–arounds” 
        that would essentially create the connector without taking the 
        required step of changing DCNR policy that blocks use of 
        forestry roads.
    - DCNR is looking at connecting Whiskey Springs ATV trails to Leidy 
        Township (Stewart Hill Road) and Cross Fork. They are also 
        looking at a possible solution for connecting Kettle Creek State 
        Park to Whiskey Springs ATV Trails.
 
Summary:
   The meeting was essential to enabling the Initiative and the 
Connector Trail project to move forward. It was precipitated by 
Secretary Dunn’s letter in response to Commissioner Jeff Snyder’s query 
about the status of the implementation of Governor Wolfe’s charge to 
PennDOT and DCNR to work together to build the Bloody Skillet to Whiskey 
Springs ATV connector trail.
   The NCPA ATV Initiative map was useful in helping attendees to focus 
on the size of the overall project, the potential impact of the 
initiative on the region, and the important role the Connector Trail 
plays in assuring the success of the project.
   It was evident throughout the discussion that all were aware of what 
this project means to tourism and economic impact.
   Existing code does not allow DCNR to open forestry roads to ATV 
traffic. They will not be making changes to the policy manual regarding 
use of forest roads by ATVs. DCNR stated that they have been “doing 
everything through the Governor’s office.” Their position is that they 
need time and resources to implement the changes that are required by 
the new law.
   Adam Pankake, Legislative Director for Senator Scarnati and 
Representative Stephanie Borowicz are going to have further discussion 
with the Governor’s office and PennDOT / DCNR related to questions, 
concerns, and issues that resulted from this session. Specifically, they 
intend to determine why the two departments are not complying with the 
Governor’s directive to change policies as was signed into law.

 Submitted by
 Rich Wykoff
 CMATVA
 Northcentral PA ATV Initiative Committee Chair

12/14/18 Bloody Skillet to Whiskey Springs Connector Trail Update with DCNR

The PowerPoint presentation can be viewed here: Link

Jim Bull attended this meeting. A summary and links to additional information can be found in his blog post: Link

3/15/17          Lock Haven Express editorial:  Link

1/31/2017     The Northcentral Pennsylvania ATV Initiative was published in the January 2017 National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council’s (NOHVCC) newsletter.  Read the article here:

8/17/2016     75% of West Branch Twp and Abbott Twp roads now have signs.  The remaining signs are on backorder from DCNR.

2/6/2016      Northcentral Pennsylvania ATV Initiative Project Article: Link

7/25/2015     Northcentral Pennsylvania ATV Initiative Project Article:  Link

Please Check Back Soon for updated map and connectors trails … this project is a work in progress.