No more beer in Greenridge or other forests

[upcountryxj]

Well, I don't drink much at all, and I see both sides of this, but just don't know how I feel about it. I have seen some pretty trashy camp sites in the woods, and the common theme seems to be lots of beer cans.

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/22921353/detail.html

[doug38s]

Par for MD.

[davenjeip]

I was planning on camping at Green Ridge this summer, but now I'm not so sure I want to. I'm not saying that I need to have a beer to have a good time, but cracking open a cold one around the campfire is a huge part of the experience.

I do understand the amount of garbage that these parks get, and I have seen how much of it is beer cans. Yes, that does need to be addressed but I can't see how this is the way to do it.

I was born in Maryland and I worked my ass off to be able to move back after I went away. Lately I like it less and less, and can't wait to get to a state with a better government.

[ballen0351]

I
I was born in Maryland and I worked my ass off to be able to move back after I went away. .

WHAT were you thinking I cant wait to retire and get the hell out of this state

[racinghoss]

I think lots of states (including PA), have banned booze in state parks, etc.

It sucks, but I can sympathize with the folks who wanted the booze banned. I have had to clean up lots of campsites before I pitch my tent or park my trailer in them.

Assholes like the people who ruined this for us are in every state, not just MD. Although, MD might have more than its fair share.

[SLEWIS]

Once again, a couple asshats ruin it for everyone.

That will completely turn off campers from going there. Although I find it hard for them to enforce this, at Greenridge at least. I have camped there many times, a couple times with a rowdy group and I have never seen a park ranger once.

Unless they plan on bringing in rangers I just don't see it being too much of a deal.

Although drinking at the river would be more of a risk. But like I said I never once saw a ranger.

[matt-chris]

So it seems like the same thing as any place that allows tailgating but doesn't allow alcohol. Keep it out of site and don't act like an idiot and you will be fine.

[Ripster]

So it seems like the same thing as any place that allows tailgating but doesn't allow alcohol. Keep it out of site and don't act like an idiot and you will be fine.

X2
That's always been my experience at campgrounds that didn't allow it.

[dan58]

I think lots of states (including PA), have banned booze in state parks, etc.

PA's been that way for years.

[Numidian]

Stupid law... The people who are fucking things up aren't going to care about the law anyway and are just going to keep fucking things up...

[cwkann]

Stupid law... The people who are fucking things up aren't going to care about the law anyway and are just going to keep fucking things up...

That is about how it normally works.......

[Dave01XJ]

I remember hearing a story once(2001) out in WV a rowdy buch of immigrant were drinking too much and got into a fight with an armed ranger and the camp ground host.
They were loud when I was there and some of the immigrant kids gave my son and his friends a hard time at the play ground.

[poopypants]

immigrants :rolleyes:

camping at elk neck before the ban...many times in the middle of the night when we would be sitting around the fire making important decisions over a couple beers the park rangers would literally walk out of the woods right next to you...
a $500 fine for a first offense would be enough of a deterent for me
needless to say we are going somewhere else this year for the first time in 5 years

[jpowers]

See, the problem here is probably guys bringing 30 packs of Bud or some Nascar beer in and leaving crap all over the place.

The guys that bring decent beer (that comes in bottles that you need an opener for) don't do that sort of thing.

The real solution is to BAN CHEAP BEER.


Really though, the one thing I want while setting up my campsite and to do after getting the fire going is drink a beer. Its what I do when camping, if a site won't allow it I don't see myself going.

At least out here camping.. you can be 4 hours from the nearest paved road and rangers are fewer and father in between. The only thing you really need to worry about is having your campfire permit and knowing if you're allowed to have a fire or not.

Jason

[upcountryxj]

Well, they repealed the ban in the State forests, it is still in effect for the parks.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-state-forests-alcohol-20100527,0,2153617.story

[atjeep]

See, the problem here is probably guys bringing 30 packs of Bud or some Nascar beer in and leaving crap all over the place.

The guys that bring decent beer (that comes in bottles that you need an opener for) don't do that sort of thing.

The real solution is to BAN CHEAP BEER.


I am requoting Jason because this seemed like the perfect closing comment.
For the record, I don't drink beer that requires an opener.:flipoff2:

[Yingpin]

I was camping in Greendridge earlier this summer and we didnt realize that they went to an alcohol ban in the park. The rangers stopped by our camp site and it was just 4 of us sitting around the fire and we had cans in coozies.

They said "We want to make sure that you are aware of the new policy regarding alcohol.........we are not strictly enforcing it and would appreciate if you write a letter expressing your concerns about the new law" They then said be careful and make sure you keep your camp clean!

They made it clear that they are not a big fan of the new law but it does help when "younger kids" are acting up.

[67temp]

Updating an old thread:

I just talked to a woman at the greenridge state forest headquaters. She said alcohol is permitted at only the campsites, as long as you have your camping permit.

edit, mindy also found this: http://dnr.maryland.gov/dnrnews/pressrelease2010/052710.asp


DNR Amends Alcohol Policy In State Forests
Annapolis, MD (May 27, 2010) — Effective immediately, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is amending its Alcohol Policy on public lands to provide for a limited exception for State Forest campsites. The policy prohibiting alcohol in all Maryland State Parks, including family campgrounds, remains in place.

“We are grateful to the citizens and elected officials of Western Maryland, who gave us the opportunity to hear their voices in person on this matter,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “They persuaded us that many of the disruptive and unacceptable behaviors which formed the basis of the alcohol policy in the family-style campgrounds found in State Parks do not apply to the same degree in the more isolated individual campsites found in the remote settings in our state forests.”

DNR will continue to monitor the number and type of incidents and unacceptable behavior associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages on State Forests. Should those incidents increase to a level which interferes with the ability of State Forest visitors to enjoy a peaceful and safe camping experience, or should the Department’s resource protection objectives be compromised by the irresponsible consumption of alcohol, additional restrictions may be imposed in the future.

The Department will pursue the possibility of new partnerships with county tourism and retail liquor stores to establish a public outreach effort to educate State Forest Visitors about drinking responsibly and employing Leave No Trace (LNT) Ethics, a policy DNR has been promoting in its parks. In order to preserve the beauty and serenity of Maryland's State Forests, visitors are asked to leave their campsites litter-free, refrain from nailing and cutting trees, report vandalism of recreation facilities, pack out all food waste and be considerate of others. A public outreach effort will strive to raise the level of compliance with LNT ethics, in order to improve campsite conditions and the outdoor recreation experience in the State Forests.

“I hope all our visitors who enjoy alcohol while camping in our forests continue to do so responsibly,” said Secretary Griffin.