Clubs are asking riders not to use trails until they have been officially opened. Submitted photo
LIVERMORE — Local ATV clubs met at the Livermore Community Center to discuss the damage done by the extensive rainfall on May 1. Brettuns Wheelers ATV Club (BWATV) has a work party slated on June 3 and volunteers are asked to meet at the Crash Road crossing at 8 a.m. They will be working on the trail that needs rock hauled in and spread, so ATVs with trailers will be needed to carry the rock in and tools (hoes, rakes, shovels, etc.) will also be needed.
The Maine Department of Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has posted this trail alert on its webpage:
“Trail Alert – Given the extreme flooding and the resulting damage and wet conditions that have occurred over the past several days, we expect that all trails including rail trails will remain closed until at least Memorial Day Weekend. Please plan accordingly and obey all closures. Most of the hundreds of miles of ATV trails located throughout Maine are on private land and are maintained by local clubs. Cooperative agreements between private landowners, ATV clubs, and the Bureau’s ATV Program are key to the success of the trail system.”
Trail damage like this will cost the ATV clubs thousands of dollars. Submitted photo
Western Maine ATV Club President Bob Dalot wants riders to know that the damage done by the May rain has washed out several areas on the Whistle Stop trail and trails are closed until further notice. They have posted this notice on Facebook.
“Given the extreme rain and trail washouts, trails undermined and trails under water no one should expect to see any ATV trails open including the rail trails before Memorial Day Weekend. We are already finding very dangerous situations with trails that have been undermined by the extreme flooding so it is extremely important that all trails be checked before any are opened for the season.”
“We’ve got a lot of work to do before we can open. This also means the access roads are also closed,” said Dalot. “Between the rain and the industrious beaver that torment the club every year, some areas of the trail are just gone.”
The area clubs get grants from the DACF according to the miles of trails that the club maintains. “Our grant for this year will take care of some of the damage, but Recreational Vehicle – ATV Coordinator for the DACF Brian Bronson will inspect the damage and see what they can do to help. Our grant will be going towards the rainstorm damage of May 1,” he added.”
The trail that follows the old railroad bed is state owned.
“The heavy rain on May 1 did more damage to the Whistle Stop Trail than to the trails in Livermore. They are in better shape than expected,” said Ashley Langlin-Hebert, BWATV president. She and Trail Master Dan Sleeper spent time examining the Livermore trail system and noted some trouble spots.
The beaver dam on the trail from the Crash Road to Meadowview, which caused so many problems last year, is gone, but beaver are known to quickly rebuild this dam, so some of the areas on that trail will be filled with rock and a culvert installed, which allows water to travel without causing washouts. The work party on June 3 has been planned to address that issue, so it may be a while before the Livermore trails can open.
“We need to fill or build small bridges on the trail near Fish Meadow. We would rather use stone as the trail is multi use and needs more work now because vehicles have been tearing it up,” she added.
WMATV Meetings will be on the first Wednesday night each month at 7 p.m. at the Jay Town Office. It is open to the public, hope to see you there. Dates are June 7, July 5, August 2, August 16 (two in August as we prepare for the toy run) and Sept. 6. Sept 9 will be the Annual Whistle Stop toy run. Mark your calendars. Anyone with questions can contact us at 207-897-2926 or email me at kdalot@roadrunner.com (be sure to add in the subject line, ATV Club or it might get overlooked). Visit us on facebook at Western ME ATV Club for updates.
In Livermore, Brettuns Wheelers ATV Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Livermore Community Building, 29 Church St. Next month it is June 13 at 7 p.m.
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