Post by Wyldcomfort on Apr 5, 2007 11:36:01 GMT -5
Carl H. West
Acting District Ranger
Central Coast Ranger District
Sinslaw National Forest
4480 Hwy. 101 Building G
Florence, OR 97439
Re: Riley Ranch Trails Project EA
Dear Mr. West:
Please accept this letter as official comments from the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national trail-based recreation group, on the proposed Riley Ranch Trails Project Environmental Assessment (EA). This communiqué shall not preclude other BRC members or affiliates from submitting their own more site-specific comments on this off-highway vehicle (OHV) project.
BRC commends the agency and the Coos County Parks Department on this collaborative effort to designate an access route(s) across national forest system lands to connect the new Riley Ranch OHV Park with the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA). As you know, the demand for managed OHV recreation has increased dramatically in the last decade. According to a recent Forest Service Recreation Survey, approximately 24% of the American populace enjoys some form of OHV activity.
BRC supports the proposed development of two trails to facilitate ingress and egress from the Riley Ranch OHV Park to ODNRA. While multiple-use recreation (motorized and non-motorized) of public lands often occurs at dispersed recreation sites or large areas at the same time without significant conflicts, BRC does want to share some concern regarding putting equestrians on the “motorized” trail instead of directing them
to the existing “non-motorized” trail currently being used by the public.
Based on our review of the scoping document, BRC would like to make the following recommendations:
ONE – Designate/develop a “motorized only” trail for ingress and egress from Riley Ranch OHV Park to ODNRA. Use appropriate trail signing, route delineators, and fencing to manage OHV traffic to and from ODNRA and to protect sensitive habitat on an as needed basis. Consider volunteer OHV patrols to help agency and county staff manage the routes and/or areas. Direct equestrian use to the “non-motorized” trail.
TWO – Designate/develop the existing user-created trail as a “non-motorized” trail to be used by hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians for ingress and egress to and from ODNRA.
BRC appreciates the opportunity to comment on this worthy endeavor and, once again, commends the agency and county on this important collaborative project.
Sincerely,
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition, Inc.
555 Honey Lane
Oakley, CA 94561
Office: 925.625.6287
Acting District Ranger
Central Coast Ranger District
Sinslaw National Forest
4480 Hwy. 101 Building G
Florence, OR 97439
Re: Riley Ranch Trails Project EA
Dear Mr. West:
Please accept this letter as official comments from the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national trail-based recreation group, on the proposed Riley Ranch Trails Project Environmental Assessment (EA). This communiqué shall not preclude other BRC members or affiliates from submitting their own more site-specific comments on this off-highway vehicle (OHV) project.
BRC commends the agency and the Coos County Parks Department on this collaborative effort to designate an access route(s) across national forest system lands to connect the new Riley Ranch OHV Park with the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA). As you know, the demand for managed OHV recreation has increased dramatically in the last decade. According to a recent Forest Service Recreation Survey, approximately 24% of the American populace enjoys some form of OHV activity.
BRC supports the proposed development of two trails to facilitate ingress and egress from the Riley Ranch OHV Park to ODNRA. While multiple-use recreation (motorized and non-motorized) of public lands often occurs at dispersed recreation sites or large areas at the same time without significant conflicts, BRC does want to share some concern regarding putting equestrians on the “motorized” trail instead of directing them
to the existing “non-motorized” trail currently being used by the public.
Based on our review of the scoping document, BRC would like to make the following recommendations:
ONE – Designate/develop a “motorized only” trail for ingress and egress from Riley Ranch OHV Park to ODNRA. Use appropriate trail signing, route delineators, and fencing to manage OHV traffic to and from ODNRA and to protect sensitive habitat on an as needed basis. Consider volunteer OHV patrols to help agency and county staff manage the routes and/or areas. Direct equestrian use to the “non-motorized” trail.
TWO – Designate/develop the existing user-created trail as a “non-motorized” trail to be used by hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians for ingress and egress to and from ODNRA.
BRC appreciates the opportunity to comment on this worthy endeavor and, once again, commends the agency and county on this important collaborative project.
Sincerely,
Don Amador
Western Representative
BlueRibbon Coalition, Inc.
555 Honey Lane
Oakley, CA 94561
Office: 925.625.6287