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Soooo….here’s a quick take on what I learned from the meeting last night....Basically the plan breaks down into four possible alternatives. A-D I’ll start with my preferences first and then work backwards. Keep in mind my opinions are based almost entirely on the Naches Ranger District since it is the one that I’m most familiar with.Plan/Alternative A leaves everything the way it is now. Nothing changes. Don’t get to excited though, Alternative A cannot and will not happen. Put it out of your mind. I’m always up for a fight, but sometimes you have to know when to move on.Alternative D This plan leaves the most miles of motorized roads open to the public (more specifics later.) It lists all of the roads/trails as designated corridors. This means that dispersed camping WILL be allowed along all of these routes (camping in places other than the fee areas.) This alternative also gives us back the ATV routes on level 1 roads in the Little Naches that were implemented (and then pulled) last year….or at least until the Bird Huggers sue. One bad thing about this plan, and I haven’t had time to find out if it’s true, is that it offers no trail/road maintenance. When something washes out, it stays closed forever. Like I said though, I don’t know if that’s true. I need to do a little more research, or if someone has the answer please chime in. If it IS true, then I’m not supporting this alternative. If it IS NOT true, then this the one that I’ll support in my comments.Alternative B This is the alternative that the Forest Service is pushing. It is a reasonable compromise between the motorized users and the Bunny Huggers. It closes NO numbered trails, only some mileage of old spur/logging roads in the Naches District (More details on the later) From what I saw, none of which cut off access to any of our trails, at least in the Naches Ranger Dist. Like Alt D, this also gives back the ATV routes from last year until somebody sues to close them. At the moment I have two main problems with this plan (beside a few road closures.) Problem 1. There are at least two numbered trails in the Rimrock Area that aren’t on the TMP maps. I need to verify the numbers when I get to a map, but it’s the tail end of 615 where it forks, Southwest of Narrowneck, and heads down to towards Klickitat or toward the gate on the old Layman Highway (1070) We’re told by Kelly Lawrence that it’s just a misprint, an honest mistake. I’m inclined to believe her since they’ve always been horrible at things like this, but it’s imperative that they get back on the approved map. Ron Rutherford is spearheading this and will keep us all in the loop. Problem 2. Both the Little Naches Road and Bumping Lake Rd are NOT designated corridors. This means all of those nice camping spots (that are more than a 100ft from water) in there are no longer going to be allowed. This will just force more people into the same areas. No good can come from that. More use, more damage, more garbage etc… We go to the mountains to get away from people, not to jamb into the same little campground as all of them.This is the plan, in my opinion, that is most likely to get approved regardless of comments. At the moment, I’m not necessarily for OR against it. I need a little more info.Alternative C Don’t bother. Sell your toys and by yourself some hiking boots and a copy of “A Bird Watchers Guide to the Northwest.”Regardless of which plan you decide to support there are a few key points, in my opinion, that you need to address in your statement in addition to the ones I’ve already touched on.1. ALL forest service roads must be open to ATV’s2. We need accountability on a trail maintenance plan. Ex. If a trail/road washes out, what plan & Funds are in place to repair it. There’s some specific wording that a few people are working on regarding this that will better explain to them what we expect. I’ll let you know when I have it.3. Your comments need to focus on facts as to why your opinions will create less resource damage, and more economy for the surrounding areas. Don’t bother with what your rights are. Money talks, bull crap walks.
I write this in grave concern for the impact of this proposal on a long standing recreational area. These areas are of great worth to many of Washington's citizens. I know I am not alone in saying that I have been going to these areas with my family and friends for many years. The thought of losing more destinations to get outdoors and enjoy our beautiful country and state concerns me. These areas provide a location for old friends and new to come together and enjoy some good clean fun in their 4x4, ATV, or other OHV. I sincerely hope and pray that the committee will take into account my protest and go forth with alternative D to secure our ability to utilize and enjoy these treasured areas. Furthermore to make my stance clear on this matter my stance is as follows:1. All forest service roads must be open to WATVs.2. We need accountability on a trail maintenance plan. Ex. If a trail/road washes out, what plan & funds are in place to repair it. I know myself and other's in the off road community are happy to help as we always have.3. Camping should not be removed from these areas nor limited any further.4. Off roading is not a crime nor is it a "scourge" on the area as some claim. The off road community volunteers thousands of hours of their time to maintaining these areas. More so than any other group of people. To limit the use of these areas to them is the true crime.5. The off road community brings in vast amounts of income to these areas as it utilizes them throughout the year. So much so that if it were to be prohibited from utilizing the areas the local economies would be stricken terribly by the loss.Thank you for your time and hearing my stance on these issues.Sincerely,Andrew HackettWashington Wet Wheelers
Hey SqWADoosh, what about posting this over on NWWHEELERS?
Letter sent, But ALL OF US MUST BE AWARE.................The liberal sierra club members have infiltrated the Forrest service & the judicial system. They will not be happy until all the public lands are closed to all, including, Horses ,4x4, bicycles, snowmobiles, cars & wheel chairs.Please tell all your friends & families to consider not supporting the liberals, with their sierra club friendly agenda in the next election.They have slowly closed many of the trails & campsites that I have been using with my family for over 50 years.Every few years there are more closures or use restrictions, this must stop or there will be nothing left., but the left.... Please tell all your friends & families to consider not supporting the liberals, with their Sierra Club friendly agenda in the next election.The future of our outdoor freedom depends on this...PLEASE VOTE
Like it or not, it is the factual truth that has been restricting sensable off roaders for years. I wish there was a better way to make the public aware of the gradual reductions of public lands available for enjoyment. Any suggestions? Because our current method is not working.
I think one of the big problems is with in the offroad community it's self. I can honestly say that of all the people I know that wheel or even just really care about access to public land, Only like 1% of them do anything about it, not even something as simple as sending in a comment to let the FS know how they feel. Just look at this thread. The people that want us out are active and very organized and they put a lot of pressure on the FS to keep us out. I agree that more needs to be done to let the general public know whats going on. I also think we need a way to change the image that the general public has of offroaders.
Not only all of this but the sad fact is that a lot of the off roading community lives up to the stereo type. Every time I wheel I am able to nearly fill up my trasharoo with trash I pick up off the trail. The unfortunate truth is that this hobby is very appealing to a lot of very ignorant people.
I think one of the big problems is with in the offroad community it's self....
This isn't a thread to push your political agenda.
The other side wants higher gas taxes, land restrictions, smog / engine restrictions, camping restrictions, time of access restrictions & so much more. If the public believes that this is not a political issue, then motorized recreation is doomed for the future generations on public lands. I wish I was wrong, but living in Cali I have been on the liberal front line & have seen all the massive restrictions / closures that have taken place since the 1960s & it never stops. Think about it before you vote........................................
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