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After last night's discussion of K-9935, the Virginia Wildlife & Bird Trail, I've been looking at those sites in Central Virginia.? Has anyone activated K-9935 at Montpelier, and how did you go about getting permission?
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Thanks and 73, Mike KQ9P

Mike,

One of the things I recently learned (thanks to W4MAF) is that the POTA rules (link below) indicate that an activation (operator and equipment) must take place in a designated park and on public property. Since Montpelier is owned by a private non-profit, it technically is not public property, even though they pretty much allow access to their trails to the general public, but that as a private land owner is at their discretion of course.

Jim
KQ4AVP

Link:

Ah, yes, thanks for the pointer.? I had forgotten about the public property rule.? So places like Montpelier, even though they are listed on the Wildlife and Bird Trail, aren't eligible.? Makes sense.
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73, Mike KQ9P

The Virginia Wildlife & Bird Trail (VWBT) requires some detailed research into ownership.? For example, the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch is on the VWBT, located at the site of the tourist information center (now demolished).



From the Augusta County GIS system, the land where the VWBT pin is located belongs to Skyline, but the access road is a public road.? Presumably, one could set up on the shoulder of the access road, be on public land within 100ft of the Trail, and be allowed to activate.



I'm not advocating, but it is an interesting thought experiment.? There are plenty of unambiguous parks left to activate.
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73, Mike KQ9P

This has become more confusing since the POTA officials have updated the rules to use the term "public property".? In the past, I've communicated with W4BKR (regarding K-4567) who designates the Virginia POTA references and the term "public property".? The VA references appear to be 100% state or federal properties.? So in my example during the net, if I wanted to visit my local K-9935 at Deep Run Park owned by Henrico Parks and recreation, it would conflict with every other VA POTA reference which is either state or federal public property.? I think W4BKR always sides on the spirit of POTA from its roots and believe he worded the description of VBWT K-9935 as such:? ?"The VBWT passes through many numbered park entities. Search the DWR website for the VBWT for an in-depth look at locations."? That seems pretty clear to me and worded appropriately.??

I may be dense, but I'm still not clear on this.? If I understand you correctly, you are saying that an activation at Deep Run Park, even though it is on K-9935, is not a valid activation.? If that is the correct interpretation, then it seems to me that either the VWBT should not be a numbered POTA entity, or it should be made clear that it is only appropriate for use in conjunction with another federal/state numbered entity.

I'm not arguing for one interpretation or the other, just trying to understand the rules.? Thanks for helping!
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73, Mike KQ9P

It can be totally confusing.? I totally get that and of course, do your own vetting. To my knowledge, this bird trail is the first and only VA POTA reference which is not one contiguous trail so there isn't a comparison.? The NOTES from K-9935 by my interpretation which I did write W4BKR for verification states "The VBWT passes through many numbered park entities. Search the DWR website for the VBWT for an in-depth look at locations."? I would love to give you a supporting example using another trail but I just reviewed those notes and the verbiage will simple all of us.? ? Based on previous feedback and discussions, I do believe my?interpretation?is correct and you can verify for yourself but I have to admit, I'm finding some inconsistences trying to support my explanation (all based on the language used).? I'll get back with you... hopefully with greater clarity.?

I can try to clear up some of the murkiness of K-9935 as well as the initial intent when adding it.? The VBWT is a disjointed trail having many many locations throughout VA.? Activating it individually can be a tedious and daunting task that (in my personal opinion) is not worth the effort to stay within the letter and spirit of the rules.? My initial intent with adding it, as with all the long trails (e.g. AT, Potomac Heritage, Star-Spangled Banner, etc) was as a park activated jointly with another park - a 2-fer, 3-fer, etc.? The POTA rules had a recent (as in last couple years) which changed the letter of the law from only activating on federal or state owned property to you must activate on public property.? The VBWT passes through an?immense number of parks which exist within the POTA system already.? My last casual look counted about 50% of the existing POTA locations in VA.? Personally, given the widespread ability to activate it in conjunction with an already existing park, trying to solely activate it is nonsensical.? ...but it does take some individual research to verify where it exists.??

All that being said, I'm not the POTA police and, at the end of the day, activating and log submission are all about personal integrity.? For my own activations, I stick to the same rules I have to use when adding new parks to the system: federal or state owned and operated property only.

de W4BKR

This all sounds reasonable.? As you say, it's an honor system.? I, myself, will keep the VWBT K-9935 in mind for a twofer, etc., but stick to the federal and state lands in the POTA system.? There are certainly enough of those to stay busy!? My first goal for POTA is to get outside more, and there are ample opportunities for that.

Thanks, everyone!
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73, Mike KQ9P