Pleasant Hill Meeting.

[BLACKDOG]

Well, Marlincrawler had a good turn out tonight.  Saw several people from the board there.  I'm terrible on crowd estimates, but the room we were in was packed.  The chairs were full, the folding chairs that were brought in were full, and the walls were lined with people. 

I have to say, I was extremely disappointed in the responses the FS gave in response to probably 98% of the questions.  There were several good points brought up, and the FS reps felt it necessary to dance around, instead of being open and honest about what they are doing.
I do have several Q and As that I wrote down, I will try to put them up tommorow.

In the meantime, please poke around on the project site, and educate yourself on the issues.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/inventory-maps/index.shtml

Here are the 4 proposed Alternative plans that are being considered
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado/projects/route/alternatives/index.shtml

REMEMBER!!!!  we have until SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2007 to email, fax, drop off, and mail in our comments in regards to this issue.  Even if you didn't make it to a meeting, please sit down, and take the time to write out a well thought out, specific comment.  If the comments are not specific, they will be thrown out, according to the FS  An example would be :  "I think we should keep all the trails open."  Address specific trails you would like to see remain open, and address specific issues concerning these trails.  If this is done, and your comment is specific, you then have the right to appeal the decision made at the end of this year. 

This is all my understanding of what was told to us at the meeting, I'm sure someone else from the meeting will chime in shortly. 

[fordh8r]

   Hey BD, it was nice to meet you there along with some others, sorry for the sudden departure. The guy with me had to get home to be up early for work. Also good to see some other familiar faces there as well. Even though the meeting was supposed to be over by 9pm I wasn't dissappointed that it went till 9:30. I'll venture a guess of 150 -200 people, easy, at the meeting tonight
   However, I was disappointed at the vagueness of the answers from the FS reps that were there.  Especially since "specificness" was a hot topic that they couldn't adhere to with any answer.  I can't help but feel that this was just a "dog and pony show". When given the alternative measures it seemed they did not oppose any measure but "A". It appeared that alternative measure "A" was offered as a choice that would most likely never happen and was there only to appease the masses. This is what I h8 about these guys (Gov't), they are paid (by taxpayers) to support an initiative like this and we have to oppose it on our own dime and time, doesn't that count as double dipping?    I also can't help but feel like all those papers they wrote the Q and A's on are just gonna get thrown out and disregarded since no one will know if that ever happened and they sure don't have enough time before Sept 4th to consider all those Q's. I was a bit annoyed that for a two year study, which is the basis of these proposals, they didn't know Jack when it came to answering the Q's at hand. 
   The funny thing is it would seem the FS wouldn't have a whole lot to do if the trails were to close. Are they really looking to cut the need for a FS.  No trails, No jobs?  It just doesn't make sense. I just can't believe they don't know what they're wishing for because they just might get it. (gosh! I hope not) 

[Duffil]

   Hey BD, it was nice to meet you there along with some others, sorry for the sudden departure. The guy with me had to get home to be up early for work. Also good to see some other familiar faces there as well. Even though the meeting was supposed to be over by 9pm I wasn't dissappointed that it went till 9:30. I'll venture a guess of 150 -200 people, easy, at the meeting tonight
   However, I was disappointed at the vagueness of the answers from the FS reps that were there.  Especially since "specificness" was a hot topic that they couldn't adhere to with any answer.  I can't help but feel that this was just a "dog and pony show". When given the alternative measures it seemed they did not oppose any measure but "A". It appeared that alternative measure "A" was offered as a choice that would most likely never happen and was there only to appease the masses. This is what I h8 about these guys (Gov't), they are paid (by taxpayers) to support an initiative like this and we have to oppose it on our own dime and time, doesn't that count as double dipping?    I also can't help but feel like all those papers they wrote the Q and A's on are just gonna get thrown out and disregarded since no one will know if that ever happened and they sure don't have enough time before Sept 4th to consider all those Q's. I was a bit annoyed that for a two year study, which is the basis of these proposals, they didn't know Jack when it came to answering the Q's at hand. 
   The funny thing is It would seem the FS wouldn't have a whole lot to do if the trails were to close. Are they really looking to cut the need for a FS.  No trails, No jobs?  It just doesn't make sense. I just can't believe they don't know what they're wishing for because they just might get it. (gosh! I hope not) 

were you the short mexican guy who said hi rex and shook my hand?  sorry but I had no idea...just thought it was some random guy...my name is on my shirt, so I get hi rex alot.

[fordh8r]

  Yeah, that was me. I had a name tag on too...guess ya missed it... 

[Duffil]

Yeah, that was me. I had a name tag on too...guess ya missed it... 

I saw a name...joe something?...sorry bro!

[fordh8r]

It's all good.... Maybe next time!   

[mikerob]

Ya I thought it was pretty lame, how the FS people, really didnt give a good answer to a single question asked.  There was some very good points brought up that they pushed aside, and gave some BS answer.  It was cool though afterward they had volunteer sign up sheets, and all that I saw seemed to be full of names.  The FS answering the questions, were completley helpless, but one of the rangers outside seemed to wanna do what he could to help keep the trails open.  Alternative "A" seems like the best choice. but if tonight was an indication of things to come I dont think the FS is interested in listening to anybody's opinions.  Lets keep our fingers crossed, and bombard them with, comments, emails, and letters.

[cougarfreak]

The meeting wasn't as bad as I figured it'd be, but it still wasn't Woo Hoo. I heard between 420-470 people in attendance, and a pair of Anti-Access-I-like-my-quiet types voiced their opinion. On the positive side there were many questions/comments mentioned that help our attempt to put routes on the map.

1 in particular dealt with writing in to the FS and tell them to strongly consider Alternate "A" instead of their proposed "D" then close on an as needed shown by scientific proof basis.

If it's resources they want/are lacking, offer assistance. Give the forest service your name and address and let them know you'll volunteer your time to help keep the trails open.

Tell them you want the proposed seasonal closures to be based on an "as needed" basis instead of a hard Nov-April

Their Stand (FS) is "It's a dynamic system and trails will be considered for adding or subtraction to or from the map on an annual basis". So, According to them, "Closed" isn't necessarily forever (remember, positive thinking).

Be specific about where your route is that you want added (FS site has route numbers for most of the trails. Those that don't have route numbers, use GPS coordinates and/or include a hilited spot on a map to indicate SPECIFICALLY which routes you want put back on the map). The better your "Why" is the more power it can punch, but a simple "favorite wheeling spot" is apparently an acceptable reason.

Send your comments before September 4th to:
A) Ramiro Villalvazo, Forest Supervisor
Attn: ENF Travel Management DEIS
Eldorado National Forest
100 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667

B) via e-mail in plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), or Word (.doc) To:
[email protected]

In your mail subject line include:
ENF Travel Management DEIS

Eldorado Travel Management Hotline is 530-295-5666

[MiniSimp]

And remember, if you have any questions....please refer to Chapter 3

I'm going to start with alternative D and add trails from there, but on my sheet I'm voting for Alternative A/B

I was hoping to see BigMike there last night, but Michael was there instead. Host up that video!

[Blingn]

I actually wanted more answers so I held up BigMike and his crew so that I could hold some interviews with some of the forest service members.  I have an interview that I am writing right now, and I have a couple ideas that the gentlemen I talked to loved the ideas.  I will keep you guys informed.  I think you guys will like this! Also I am very proud of the crowd that showed up.  I am so impressed with the people that actually asked the question in front of the around 400 or around there in attendance.

[*FFC*]

Be specific about where your route is that you want added (FS site has route numbers for most of the trails. Those that don't have route numbers, use GPS coordinates and/or include a hilited spot on a map to indicate SPECIFICALLY which routes you want put back on the map). The better your "Why" is the more power it can punch, but a simple "favorite wheeling spot" is apparently an acceptable reason.

Send your comments before September 4th to:
A) Ramiro Villalvazo, Forest Supervisor
Attn: ENF Travel Management DEIS
Eldorado National Forest
100 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667

B) via e-mail in plain text (.txt), rich text (.rtf), or Word (.doc) To:
[email protected]

In your mail subject line include:
ENF Travel Management DEIS

Eldorado Travel Management Hotline is 530-295-5666

This CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH!! Regardless if you feel your input won't make a difference.  It won't make a difference in court, BUT it WILL make a difference in their proposal to the court.  It's worth 30 minutes of your time to sit and write a letter, DETAILED and SPECIFIC letter.  Email, fax, mail, or hand deliver!


It was nice seeing ya'll last night I hope we made a difference