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Warner conservation commission prepares Town Meeting warrant urging state review of proposed Mount Kearsarge downhill trail
Summary
The commission drafted a warrant article and strategy for Town Meeting urging the Statewide Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) to ensure botanical inventories, safety planning and public input before allowing construction of a high‑speed downhill mountain‑bike trail on Mount Kearsarge; members discussed who will present and whether to focus on conservation or safety concerns.
The Town of Warner Conservation Commission agreed to file a warrant article for Town Meeting that asks the Statewide Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) to delay or require additional review before approving construction of a proposed high‑speed downhill mountain‑bike trail in Rollins Park and the State Forest on Mount Kearsarge.
Nancy Martin read the warrant text into the record and said the article will ask that the STAC allow meaningful Warner public input because, "no botanical or biological inventory has been conducted along the proposed trail route," and "no safety plan has been devised for the steep and duro‑style trail in the semi‑wilderness landscape of Mount Kearsarge." The text also cites adjacent landowner concerns about subsequent unauthorized 'spider trails' and the scarcity of state resources to address trespass.
Members debated strategy for Town Meeting: who should read the petition into the record (the moderator or the petitioner), whether commission members should speak in favor, and whether to restrict remarks to conservation issues or include safety concerns. Members agreed Nancy Martin would draft a short introductory statement, circulate it for edits and identify volunteers to speak if needed. The commission noted the warrant article is advisory to the state and may be amended or moved during Town Meeting.
The commission also discussed related upcoming public meetings: a State Trails Advisory Committee meeting in Concord on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. (172 Pembroke Road) and whether commission members or residents should attend; members cautioned that STAC public participation rules may limit direct comment but attendance could be useful.
