Turnpike To Take On ORV Trespassers

Authority Promises Restoration Of Riparian Habitat Damaged By Off-Roaders

 

By Hugh M. Carola

 

In response to an article in our previous issue of Hackensack Tidelines (“ATVs And Dirtbikes Still A Menace In The Meadowlands,” Spring 2005, page 5) as well as letters from Captain Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack Riverkeeper®, and a number of our supporters, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has made a firm commitment to ending illegal off-road vehicle (ORV) activity on its property. During a meeting at the Authority’s Newark offices on July 12, Deputy Executive Director Stephen Dilts assured Capt. Bill that “all reasonable measures” would be taken to deal with this serious problem.

“I am very happy that the Turnpike Authority convened this meeting,” said Capt. Bill. “And I am even happier about the zero-tolerance position they’ve taken regarding unauthorized access on their rights-of-way.”

Dilts and NJ State Police Lieutenant John Quigley were appalled to learn the extent of these illegal activities in the area around Exit 16-W in East Rutherford as well as underneath the Turnpike bridge next to Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. Both men agreed that the ORV problem clearly illustrates the need to secure the Authority’s rights-of-way from intruders of any kind. In so doing, Homeland Security concerns will be addressed.

Because trespassers access the areas from outside Turnpike property, Lt. Quigley pledged to coordinate efforts with local police departments to close down the illegal access points. Additional meetings will be convened to bring them, the Meadowlands Commission and EnCap (from whose property it’s believed most trespassers access the 16-W area) together to create a workable strategy. In addition, Dilts detailed the Authority’s plan to completely restore the ORV-blasted landscape and stop the erosion and sediment discharges caused there.

“Regardless of what it takes, all of us are optimistic that this problem and the people responsible for it will be dealt with appropriately,” said Captain Bill. “I look forward to seeing the ruts and bare dirt replaced with a landscape that looks like nature instead of motorcross.”

 

Note: On July 26, the first phase of the restoration began as Turnpike workcrews used bulldozers to destroy the jumps and tracks made by the trespassers and started re-grading the landscape. Kudos to the Authority for making good on its promises so quickly!