At the Thursday meeting of the Wawarsing town board the board voted to amend the town code to add rail trail regulations.

This comes after some incidents on the O&W Rail Trail running north from the Village of Ellenville into the town and on to the Eastern Correctional Facility. On several occasions, people have driven all-terrain vehicles and small motorcycles on the trail. This is obviously dangerous to pedestrians and it also damages the surface of the trail, causing erosion problems.

The new law officially prohibits motorized vehicles being used on the rail trail with the exceptions of motor driven wheelchairs and class one bicycles with electric assist – think e-bikes that require pedaling to run (regular bicycles are also still allowed). Also allowed are motorized equipment authorized for maintenance activities and emergency vehicles employed by police, fire and rescue services.

Dog regulations were also put in place. They are allowed, but must be leashed, on leashes no more than 6 feet long. They must be “under control” at all times as well.

Alcohol consumption is banned on the rail trail. Littering is also against the law. And, of course, damaging the trail or any rail trail property is forbidden, too. That includes signs, notices and bollards erected at the entrance to keep out motorized ATVs.

Penalties are $50 for a first offense, the fine increases to $100 for a second offense and a third that occurs within five years of the first incurs a $250 fine, or 15 days in jail.

The rail trail is open to the public from dawn to dusk every day of the year. The law takes effect immediately.