Post by Wyldcomfort on Nov 21, 2007 12:46:43 GMT -5
Hello all, It has been sometime since I have last written and I wouldn't be bothering any of you now if it wasn't really important.... Somehow the whole National Trails access planning has been under everyone's radar. It is SO UGLY and by the time it is all written up in a nice little package it will be a very bitter pill for us all to swallow. It amazes me that the news reporters don't have writers cramp on this issue. It will affect - DRAMATICALLY - all OHVers, hunters, hikers, horseback riders, bicyclists, and Sunday drivers. WE will all be affected. Rather than manage use, it is far easier to eliminate the use. In other words, if you won't let people on the roads or trails, you won't have the expense of maintaining the trails, roads, camping areas, parking lots, etc. I don't have the answers - I have tried to work with several Forest Service offices but the information available is very vague. We even tried mapping with GPS in the Dunes recreation areas and were finally told they couldn't use our information as it wasn't compatible.....in fact, they even said the equipment they had couldn't map if effectively. This is a complete and total mess and one most people will only begin to understand when the closure signs go up in their favorite riding or hunting spot in 2009. The public is supposed to be notified and fully understand what is going on and be allowed input. Honestly, no one seems to have a clue and input is often rejected. So please let your friends, the press, your clubs, and whoever you can know how serious this is..... I am sending you the letter below as it will provide more information and address some of the concerns we should all be having about now. Please make people AWARE!!
On another note things with SB101 are going very well. Parks and Rec, and many other folks, are working very hard at this very BIG task. There is still a National movement to ban ATVs for all children under the age of 16 by the same folks who brought it to Oregon - you can check it out on the "Concerned Families for ATV Safety" website.
Our family would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Thanks again, Lindy
This is the letter I sent to the media and below is a letter sent to me with more detail, etc.
Please give careful consideration and coverage to the Federal Lands Travel Management plan. Very few people are aware and many will be affected. This is about far more than keeping motorcycles, ATVs, and 4-wheel drive vehicles off of Federal lands - it includes all motor vehicle travel. Hikers, Horseback and bike riders, campers, fisherman, hunters, and anyone visiting our National Forests WILL be affected. Even many hikers utilize the Forest Service Roads to get closer to their destination and if a road is removed from the inventory it will not be maintained for any other use (walking, riding, biking, etc.) Certainly one of the targets is managing off-highway vehicles but this will seriously impact anyone who walks, rides, or drives on these lands. Few are aware of how dramatically this will change our access but many will be outraged when the signs begin to go up in 2009. As this plan takes shape, the amount of closures proposed and planned is unreal. This will have a much larger impact on Oregon as our citizens heavily utilize these public lands. At a time when Forest Service budget cuts reduce employees this may be seen like a solution for if a road is closed, there is no cost to maintain or manage. A gate at the bottom is cheap. They must remember they have an obligation to manage these lands for public use - clearly not the direction this seems to be taking. The need for recreational opportunities has never been greater. My children need to be able to access these lands to gain a respect and appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our great state. Please think about how this will affect your family and the many other families in Oregon..
I ask, no actually, I am begging you to take the time and research what is going on... at Mt. Hood, the Oregon National Dunes, on the East side and West.... Below is a letter that was shared with me - this may be a good starting point. Each Forest Service office seems to be dealing with it differently making it all that more confusing and complicated. They invite comment and input but don't have a format that is logical. Blue Ribbon Coalition is a good one to speak with on this. If needed I could provide you with some other contact folks who certainly are more versed in this matter. Please let me know if I can help. Thank you, Lindy
Travel Management Team
Attn: Cindy Whitlock
3502 Highway 30
La Grande, OR 97850
On another note things with SB101 are going very well. Parks and Rec, and many other folks, are working very hard at this very BIG task. There is still a National movement to ban ATVs for all children under the age of 16 by the same folks who brought it to Oregon - you can check it out on the "Concerned Families for ATV Safety" website.
Our family would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Thanks again, Lindy
This is the letter I sent to the media and below is a letter sent to me with more detail, etc.
Please give careful consideration and coverage to the Federal Lands Travel Management plan. Very few people are aware and many will be affected. This is about far more than keeping motorcycles, ATVs, and 4-wheel drive vehicles off of Federal lands - it includes all motor vehicle travel. Hikers, Horseback and bike riders, campers, fisherman, hunters, and anyone visiting our National Forests WILL be affected. Even many hikers utilize the Forest Service Roads to get closer to their destination and if a road is removed from the inventory it will not be maintained for any other use (walking, riding, biking, etc.) Certainly one of the targets is managing off-highway vehicles but this will seriously impact anyone who walks, rides, or drives on these lands. Few are aware of how dramatically this will change our access but many will be outraged when the signs begin to go up in 2009. As this plan takes shape, the amount of closures proposed and planned is unreal. This will have a much larger impact on Oregon as our citizens heavily utilize these public lands. At a time when Forest Service budget cuts reduce employees this may be seen like a solution for if a road is closed, there is no cost to maintain or manage. A gate at the bottom is cheap. They must remember they have an obligation to manage these lands for public use - clearly not the direction this seems to be taking. The need for recreational opportunities has never been greater. My children need to be able to access these lands to gain a respect and appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our great state. Please think about how this will affect your family and the many other families in Oregon..
I ask, no actually, I am begging you to take the time and research what is going on... at Mt. Hood, the Oregon National Dunes, on the East side and West.... Below is a letter that was shared with me - this may be a good starting point. Each Forest Service office seems to be dealing with it differently making it all that more confusing and complicated. They invite comment and input but don't have a format that is logical. Blue Ribbon Coalition is a good one to speak with on this. If needed I could provide you with some other contact folks who certainly are more versed in this matter. Please let me know if I can help. Thank you, Lindy
Travel Management Team
Attn: Cindy Whitlock
3502 Highway 30
La Grande, OR 97850