Eileen,

The City has always been adamant that the only "trails" open for use in
the 3 watersheds are the fire roads.  For example, when I wrote "Baltimore
Trails", in 2000, Gene Scarpulla asked me to list only fire roads.  (I
considered his request, but felt it would be ridiculous to have a
guidebook that omitted some very obvious and well used trails.  I did omit
those trails that seem to have been created only recently by mountain
bikers, however.)  So it's not a new thing or a change in policy.

The difference is that now the City has added a police force dedicated to
the reservoirs, basically a city verson of the state's Natural Resources
Police.  This allows the City to enforce regulations that have always been
on the books.

And yes, this will unfortunately affect birders who use these foottrails
to access good birding areas.  Few if any fire roads have views of the
water, and waterfowl and other water-associated birds are the primary draw
for us birders at the reservoirs.  Perhaps our local Clubs may wish to
join other trail users in discussions with the City; there is strength in
numbers.

Bryan MacKay
Catonsville


>
> As anyone else heard of the reservoir trails closing to all users. It will
> be difficult to do any birding at the resevoirs if the trails are closing.