A comment about the closing of Savoy Mountain State Forest to all-terrain vehicles was posted under one of the articles. To anyone who missed reading the information in other publications, we hope this answers your question. Below is the press release, dated April 28, 2005; about the closing of the State Forest.

“SAVOY MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST WILL NOT BE REOPENED TO OFF ROAD VEHICLES"

Due to public safety concerns and increasing environmental impacts from off-road vehicles (ORVs) and other motorized uses on the trails of the Savoy Mountain State Forest, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will not reopen the state forest to motorized trail use this year.

DCR made this decision after determining that continued motorized vehicle use in the Savoy Mountain State Forest would cause severe and irreparable harm to the forest and its trails and would place trail users and park visitors at risk. The evaluation criteria used to make this determination included wetlands conditions and protection, topography and slopes, soil conditions, habitat protection, and public safety.

“At DCR, we place the utmost importance on public safety and the protection of the natural resources in our care,” said Stephen Pritchard, Acting Commissioner for DCR. “Our analysis and recent trail inspections have clearly demonstrated that motorized vehicle use on Savoy’s trails would not be in the best interest of either of these priorities.”

Savoy Mountain has previously been one of eight state forests where ORV use was allowed by DCR since 1996. The state agency does plan to open other Berkshire County forests to motorized use on May 1st with ORVs being allowed in Pittsfield State Forest, October Mountain State Forest, Beartown State Forest and Tolland State Forest. Recent and forecasted heavy rains may result in postponement of the opening until trails dry out enough for minimal trail impact and safe riding. DCR is evaluating the weather and conditions before officially opening on this date.” from the editors