Our friends in Utah need our help. The unfair
influence that the Sierra Club wields in Washington
D.C. is attempting to drastically shift the
management of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest
in Utah. The stage is being set to manage all
"roadless" areas as "non-motorized". If allowed
to take hold in Utah, this could set a dangerous
precedent for future management of all forests.
We have only got one week to try and save many
wonderful roads and trails. Please send a letter
by November 1.SITUATION: The Wasatch-Cache
National Forest is amending their Forest Plan.
(Information at: [http://www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/]
When the draft alternatives were released for
initial public comment, most of us thought the
Forest Service (FS) would "split the baby" so
to speak and select one of the balanced alternatives.
It didn't happen that way. Perhaps because of
the intense pressure that the Sierra Club brought
to bear on the process, or perhaps because the
FS actually believes that "pre-European" or
"pre-Columbian" is a desired condition for the
forest. Whatever the reason, the preferred alternative
(alternative 6) took a drastic turn toward the
extreme preservation alternatives. If preferred
plan is implemented we will all be robbed of
a national treasure.
WHAT TO DO: COMMENT LETTERS ARE NEEDED URGENTLY.
Below are some comment suggestions. The deadline
is set for November 1. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO....
Wasatch-Cache Planning Team
8226 Federal Building
125 S. State Street
SLC UT 84138
E Mail: To: Wasatch-Cache Planning Team C/O
[kamurray@fs.fed.us]
DO NOT forget to include your snail mail address
if you send an email.
Dear Planning Team, My family uses vehicles
for access and recreation on National Forest
lands. Off-Highway-Vehicle use is a legal, appropriate
and wonderful way to view and enjoy our public
lands. I support maintaining the existing opportunity
for OHV use on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
I recommend the Forest Service adopt alternative
5 since it is the alternative that comes closest
to keeping the existing opportunity for our
use and enjoyment of the forest.
Other Comment Suggestions:
Managing "roadless" areas as "non-motorized"
is inappropriate and unacceptable. To do so
is contrary to even the Roadless Area Conservation
Rule. I strongly object to the assumption that
"roadless" should automatically mean non-motorized
management.
Additional Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM)
areas need to be added. Please provide for a
quality ATV system on the Logan Ranger District
(one is desperately needed!). The single track
motorcycle trail system is inadequate for even
the current need and must be expanded.
26% of the forest is currently Wilderness.
That is enough. I do not support further wilderness
designations for the Wasatch-Cache.
The Preferred Alternative needs to address
the following issues associated with the increase
in the popularity of OHV use:
1. Adequate Opportunity
2. User Education
3. Proper maps and signage
4. Enforcement
All are key ingredients that the Planning
Team has left out. I support the development
of new ATV and single track motorcycle trails
to address the current and future need.
The Providence Canyon quarry should be available
for a challenge park type of designation. It
is a perfect area for rockcrawling, observed
trials and other events. Please change the MPC
and ROS designations to permit this to be a
designated "open on designated routes and areas".
|
