ast and impressive natural resources exist in the Allegheny region of western and central Pennsylvania. Human activity over the last century has resulted in severe degradation of some of these resources.
Remediation and reuse of open space for recreation can transform this degradation into sustainable, environmentally, and economically sound assets. Much progress toward environmental stewardship has been made in the last few decades by several conservation related organizations, businesses, and individuals. Due to the ever-growing popularity of off highway vehicles (OHVs) and the Commonwealth's massive task of reclaiming over 250,000 acres of abandoned mine lands (AML), the Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp) developed Project RidgeRIDER, or Regional Initiative to Defend Environmental Resources, as an innovative approach to both of these issues to bring about a net environmental, recreational, and economical gain for Pennsylvania. Through the RidgeRIDER™ concept, acres and acres of abandoned mine lands can be reclaimed. Miles of degraded stream can sustain life again, and public and private lands will be eased of the pressure of illegal riding in inappropriate areas through the creation of legal, professionally planned and maintained recreational areas on abandoned mine lands. The RidgeRIDER™ Steering Committee has been vital in guiding this project, providing invaluable information. With the goal of identifying and developing a multi-use, motorized recreation area, the committee worked tirelessly to bring this project from concept to fruition.
Project RidgeRIDER™ was recently recognized for excellence in the creative implementation of an innovative undertaking by a panel of judges representing a cross-section of business expertise and geography and was awarded the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame Innovation Award. Since its inception, Project RidgeRIDER™ has become a nationally recognized revolutionary concept that has resulted in a positive contribution to the success of Allegheny Ridge Corporation and the Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program.
RidgeRIDER™ has been discussed in the media, at various meetings of diverse organizations throughout the state, and in the Pennsylvania Legislature; it was featured at the 2001 Mid-Atlantic Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways and Green Infrastructure and The National Trails Symposium since 2000. This most recent honor is evidence that RidgeRIDER™ continues to thrive. Publicity and accolades have surrounded Project RidgeRIDER™ since its inception. It is important to use momentum generated to accomplish the following:
Continue the search for potential ATV park sites throughout the 12-county study area that meet the six site selection criteria Assist potential ATV park developers within the framework of professional planning Stay involved with potential sites to move them from concept to planning to implementation Keep partnerships strong that will allow the RidgeRIDER™ Steering Committee to accomplish its goal
HISTORY
Project RidgeRIDER™ offers an innovative, holistic approach in the development of multi-use motorized recreation areas through restoration and reuse of land, specifically abandoned mine lands (AML), in the Allegheny Region of western and central Pennsylvania. RidgeRIDER™ couples the seemingly unrelated topics of environmental stewardship and off-highway vehicle recreation to envision new possibilities for supporting reclamation and remediation efforts within the RidgeRIDER™ region and Pennsylvania. While greatly improving and expanding the Commonwealth's recreational opportunities by developing a recreation-based economy for struggling communities, RidgeRIDER™ eases user conflict and trespassing and implements a new strategy to protect the Commonwealth's natural resources. Established by Allegheny Ridge Corporation and its partners, the RidgeRIDER™ concept was introduced in 1999. The following year ARCorp was invited to present the concept during the National Trails Symposium in Redding, California. It's About Time -The 2000 RidgeRIDER™ Conference was also held. This public forum brought together specialists in conservation and recreation, AML experts, wildlife biologists, and OHV enthusiasts for the first time in Pennsylvania. The dialogue that ensued set the agenda for the project's future. From that point and throughout 2003 information gathering and data collection commenced. The compilation of which resulted in the development of a fact sheet, a website, a case statement, and a map of the region to be included / considered for project implementation. A RidgeRIDER™ Regional Advisory Council was established to gather information from local conservation and recreation organizations, local elected officials, and private citizens, verify the accuracy of all recorded data, and solicit input for a regional study. Two rounds of public meetings were held throughout the entire project's region. A RidgeRIDER™ Steering Committee was formed to select the RidgeRIDER™ region, develop a vision, format a manual, develop selection / rejection criteria for AML sites under consideration for the pilot site, and review and ratify all documents produced respective to the project. Data collection, information gathering, and collective input from public meetings, the Advisory Council, and the Steering Committee produced a Regional Reconnaissance Study. The Allegheny Ridge Corporation, located in the center of the bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania, sees great possibilities for RidgeRIDER™ and views the initiative as a win-win situation for the entire Commonwealth. Conservation and recreation communities can work hand-in-hand to create an environmentally friendly, multi-use, motorized recreation system that will mitigate the environmental problems of yesterday.