Post by Wyldcomfort on Jan 17, 2008 20:25:47 GMT -5
Howdy - this is what many of us have been waiting for - the public hearings for the Dunes and rest of the Siuslaw National Forest. It is very important we provide input and attend one or more of these meetings if able. I would also like to ask you to post the meeting dates and times on your club blogs and encourage others to attend. It isn't a case of if these changes will be implemented - it is how. We need to participate in this process if we want to be considered. I will be going to the first one in Corvallis. If you have any questions please let me know so I can send you to the person with the answers!! Thank you and hope to see you!! Lindy ( I have pasted it in case you are unable to open it) File Code: 1950Date: January 14, 2008 The Siuslaw National Forest is seeking public input to the proposed Travel Management Project (the Project), which will implement the recently enacted Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 21). This project is guided by the Siuslaw Forest Plan, as amended by the Northwest Forest Plan. To make an informed decision about this project, we need your help. Your comments can help us develop and consider other ways of achieving the goals of the project. NeedThere is a need for a designated and managed system of areas, trails and roads to accommodate motorized vehicle use on the approximately 630,000-acre Siuslaw National Forest. Motorized use on roads is the primary means of access for the vast majority of Forest visitors. Much of the work that occurs on the National Forest is also highly dependent on motor vehicle use and access on roads. Off road motorized use is popular and an important form of recreation for many individuals, families and groups. Currently, unregulated motorized use and ever increasing growth in the size, power and versatility of off road vehicles, along with increasing numbers of users has led to a series of problems. These include but are not limited to: natural and cultural resource damage, user conflicts (i.e., among motorized users and non-motorized users), impacts to nearby residents and Forest neighbors, and safety concerns (i.e. motorized mixed use). Proposal Description, Location and ExtentThis proposal implements the recently enacted Travel Management Rule (36 CFR 212) on the Siuslaw National Forest. It is intended to provide for motorized use on the Forest, while minimizing the potential for resource damage resulting from that use. The process will identify all the locations on the Forest where motorized vehicles, both street-legal and non-street-legal, will be allowed to operate. One outcome of this process will be the production of a Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) showing the locations where motorized vehicles may operate. Areas not shown on the MVUM will be, by definition, closed to motorized use. In accordance with the rule, the MVUM will be reviewed and updated annually. The proposal falls entirely within the Siuslaw National Forest. Most of the Forest is currently open to Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use except for: 1) Wilderness, undeveloped areas, Special Interest Areas, Oregon Silverspot Butterfly habitat, Cascade Head Experimental Forest, Research Natural Areas, and 2) other locations specified in the Siuslaw National Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines (Forest Plan pp. IV-22&23) as well as 3) locations specified in the Oregon Dunes Management Plan (pp. III-33 - III-49) which amended the Forest Plan. Except for areas, trails and roads shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map, the Travel Management proposal will non-significantly amend the Siuslaw National Forest Plan from "motorized use open, unless designated as closed" to "motorized use closed, unless designated as open". In reality, due to steep terrain and dense vegetation, changes in opportunities for motorized use on the Forest will be minimal as a result of this amendment. This proposal is narrowly focused. Many decisions regarding motor vehicle use on the Forest have already been made. Prior decisions such as those made in the Oregon Dunes Management Plan (1994) to allocate large blocks of land as open or closed to motorized use, as well as those that have implemented the recommendations of the Siuslaw National Forest Roads Analysis Report (2003) and earlier decisions to close or decommission roads will not be revisited. It is proposed that motorized mixed use will not be allowed on the Key Road System except Key Roads connecting campgrounds and day-use staging areas on the ODNRA. These connectors, as well as, gravel Non-Key Roads that do not have past decisions to be closed to motorized use will be analyzed for motorized mixed use. The 2003 Roads Analysis which provides information useful for making informed decisions about road management can be found on the Siuslaw National Forest website (http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/forestplanning/roadanalysis/index.shtml). The proposal will non-significantly amend the Plan to close two small areas totaling about 300 acres near Florence currently used for off-highway motorized travel. A series of problems related to OHV use has developed or worsened at the approximately 250-acre Joshua Lane area (Section 34, T.17S., R.12W.) since the Forest Plan was completed in 1990. The problems include: OHV noise disturbance, especially at night, in nearby residential areas; trash; increasing public access through a residential neighborhood; trespass onto adjacent ownerships that are either private or closed to OHV use; and damage to a sensitive plant community. Similarly, OHV-use related problems have developed or worsened in the 17 years since the Forest Plan was completed at the 50-acre Collard Lake area (Section 2, T.18S., R.12W. andSection 35, T.17S., R.12W.). They include: noise disturbance in nearby residential areas; trash; user-created access to the area, for which there is no legal right-of-way; trespass onto any of numerous adjacent, other-ownership parcels that are closed to OHV use; and unsafe access off of Highway 101. To alleviate current problems and avoid worsening problems into the future, the Forest proposes closing these small, isolated parcels. Closure of these two small areas should have minimal impact on OHV riding opportunities in the area because the Oregon Dunes NRA offers 12,000 acres of motorized-open areas is only about five miles south. Maps and information for this project can be found on the Siuslaw National Forest website at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/rec-plans-projects/travel-mgmt/index.shtmlIn addition, five open houses will be held (see attached). Based on the needs listed above, the Forest intends to make the following decisions in this Travel Management Project: 1. Decide where motorized use routes, trails or areas will be open.2. Decide which motorized use routes, trails or areas will have vehicle or seasonal restrictions. Implementation of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Plan The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Plan (1994) includes Management Area 10(C) - ORVs Restricted to Designated Routes. The goal for this Management Area is to protect existing vegetated areas while providing controlled opportunities for ORV riding and travel on designated routes through the area to reach the beach and other areas that are open to ORV use. (Chapter III -36). In many cases, these upland vegetation areas contain a maze of undesignated routes. Continued expansion of user-created trails is impacting tree islands and other stands of trees. In some areas, this is also impacting the areas utilized for Matsutake mushroom harvest. The Dunes Plan expected these designated routes to be established in these upland vegetation areas within 3 years after the Plan was signed. However, due to budgets, staffing and other Dunes priorities, these routes have not been completely designated. These designated routes need to be identified on the Motor Vehicle User Map (MVUM). Since the decision has already been made in the Dunes Plan to designate routes in this area, this decision will not be revisited in the Travel Management Project. However, the Forest staff will begin discussions with the public regarding implementation. Implementation of these designated routes is expected to take many years to complete. Since the MVUM is scheduled to be reviewed and updated annually, it will allow the progression of the implementation of these designated routes to be displayed as developed over time. Why Are Comments Important? Your comments can help us design better projects, make us aware of issues we don't know about, and in general, help us do a better job of planning. Site-specific comments are the most helpful. For example, simply stating that you are opposed to road closures is not as helpful as telling us which road you would like us to leave open and why. The Forest Service would like your comments by February 15, 2007.Written comments should be sent to: Frank Davis, Natural Resource Planner, Siuslaw National Forest, 4077 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333; or by e-mail at "comments-pacificnorthwest-siuslaw @fs.fed.us". Written comments shall include: (1) Your name, address, and (if possible) telephone number.(2) Title of the proposed project on which you are commenting.(3) Specific facts or comments along with supporting reasons that you believe the Responsible Official should consider in reaching a decision. Although written comments are preferred, oral comments are also accepted. To provide oral comments or to receive additional information, contact Frank Davis at the Corvallis office by calling (541) 750-7077 between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on weekdays. Sincerely, Barnie T. Gyant BARNIE T. GYANTForest Supervisor enclosureTravel Management Open House Schedule Five open houses will be held throughout the Forest. These open houses will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm. Maps portraying the information provided in the scoping letter will be on display. Forest Service personnel will be available to answer your questions and receive your comments.
DATE PLACE TIME
Wednesday January 30, 2008
Corvallis Siuslaw NF Headquarters
4077 SW Research WayCorvallis, OR 97333
4 pm to 7 pm
Monday February 4, 2008
Yachats Yachats Commons
441 North Hwy 101Yachats, OR 98498
4 pm to 7 pm
Tuesday February 5, 2008 Beaver
Beaver Fire Hall
20055 Blaine Rd.Beaver, OR 97108
4 pm to 7 pm
Wednesday February 6, 2008
Coos Bay/North BendBLM OfficeConference Room A
1300 Airport Lane North Bend, OR 97459
4 pm to 7 pm
Thursday February 7, 2008 Florence
Florence Events Center
715 Quince Street
Florence, OR 97439
4 pm to 7 pm
DATE PLACE TIME
Wednesday January 30, 2008
Corvallis Siuslaw NF Headquarters
4077 SW Research WayCorvallis, OR 97333
4 pm to 7 pm
Monday February 4, 2008
Yachats Yachats Commons
441 North Hwy 101Yachats, OR 98498
4 pm to 7 pm
Tuesday February 5, 2008 Beaver
Beaver Fire Hall
20055 Blaine Rd.Beaver, OR 97108
4 pm to 7 pm
Wednesday February 6, 2008
Coos Bay/North BendBLM OfficeConference Room A
1300 Airport Lane North Bend, OR 97459
4 pm to 7 pm
Thursday February 7, 2008 Florence
Florence Events Center
715 Quince Street
Florence, OR 97439
4 pm to 7 pm