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Federal officials are proposing the relocation onf an ATV trail in the Allegheny National Forest in Northcentral Pennsylvania to avoid close proximity to an active timber rattlesnake den. This is being met with opposition from some local officials who are concerned that disruption of ATV activity will affect the local economy. The Forest Service is requesting comments on this issue. Since I'm sure the ATV community will be sending their share of comments, I am requesting that concerned members of the herp community do the same.
Pennsylvania is the last stronghold of the timber rattler in the Northeast, and it is vitally important that any populations here be protected.
See the link for the full article.

http://www.bradfordera.com/articles/2007/12/20/news/doc476744088e3cb106008164.txt

Please email comments to: comments-eastern-allegheny-marienville@fs.fed.us

Thanks to all in advance and have a happy and safe 2008

You are so right, and this is a rare example were federal land belonging to all of us (in the USA) is involved. Everyone should get on this and protect our Gadson Flag ("Don't Tread on Me" icon. If this was a gopher tortoise or alligator (not to mention Bald Eagle or Manatee) there would be no question. I assume the ATV'ers are not expecting to coexist with the ratters.

Alligators are poached along the orange grove canals and nothing is done , you can buy a permit to destroy gopher tortoise burrows for construction, bald Eagles have been taken off the endangered species list, the status of manatees has been down graded to threatened in spite of over 400 being killed in Florida last year due to boats and most importantly contamination of the water ways . Cattle farmers have been given permission to go into national parks where they have caused a tremendous amount of damage. Nothing is sacred .

Ernie Eison
westwoodreptiles.com

I wouldn't even harrass a Burmese Python in a National Park (like the Everglades).

to whom it may concern,
My name is Adam Jeffery and I live in ##### NY.
I support the plan to relocate the trail in order to avoid the timber rattler den. Dens are retreats that are used for many years, and are selected by the rattlers for their ability to provide the proper environment for the snakes to brumate and survive the winter months. When sites are selected it is because they are the best choice in that area. If a site was to be disturbed or destroyed it could have a major impact on the snake population of that area, especially if another site is not available.

I understand that atv's are a part of the economy but its not a huge business nor a required one. It is unethical to put an entire population at risk to allow people to have some fun when their is another way that allows both parties to to be happy. Moving the trail seems the best choice in allowing the timber rattler den to go undisturbed and still allow the atv riders the ability to ride. I dont see how it would matter where the atv's ride as long as they can ride, and no animals suffer from it. moving the trail seems logical to me.

On a second note, moving the trail also reduces the chances of people being bitten by a timber rattler. We all know that people will stop and either out of curiosity or hatred, end up harrassing the snakes and either the snake or the person end up paying for it.

Again i would like to say i am for moving the trail away from the den without effecting the den.
adam jeffery
(phone # was here)
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