Posts Tagged ‘forest service’

Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Announces Final Decision on Motorized Vehicle Use (Oregon)

Contacts:
Steve Johnson, Interdiciplinary Team Leader, (541) 552-2900
Paul Galloway, Acting Public Affairs Officer, (541) 618-2113

MEDFORD, OR – January 20, 2010 – The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has recently completed a Travel Management Plan that shows roads, trails and areas open to motorized vehicles. This week the Forest released a Record of Decision for Motorized Vehicle Use on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Record of Decision designates Alternative 5 of the Final Environmental Impact Statement as the final decision on motorized vehicle use.

“This new strategy meets the purpose and need for the project, providing for a balanced, managed system of motorized use while addressing the environmental and social issues the agency heard from the public during the travel management process,” said Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Supervisor Scott Conroy.

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Recreation Coalition Files Brief in Ongoing Roadless Lawsuit

Contacts
Brian Hawthorne, BRC Public Lands Policy Director
Phone: 208-237-1008 (x102) | Fax: 208-237-9424
Email: brbrian@sharetrails.org | Webpage: http://www.sharetrails.org/staff/#BrianH

Pocatello, ID (January 5) – A coalition of recreation advocacy groups filed an Amicus Curiae brief in the 10th District Court of Appeals related to the 2001 Roadless Rule this week, marking over a decade of involvement in the controversial issue. The recreation groups include the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (“CA4WDC”), United Four Wheel Drive Associations (UFWDA) and the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA).

Environmental activists are appealing a 2008 decision by U.S. District Court of Wyoming Judge Clarence Brimmer declaring the Clinton era Roadless Rule illegal. That ruling came in a case brought by the State of Wyoming in 2007, which paralleled an earlier complaint filed by Wyoming in 2001. Brimmer’s 2008 decision minced few words, concluding the 2001 Rule “was driven by political haste and evidenced pro forma compliance with” environmental laws, using descriptors such as “flagrant” and “cavalier” in characterizing the “unequivocal” violations.

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Icy Roads Make for Hazardous Travel on Many Roads in the Palouse Ranger District (Idaho)

NEWS RELEASE
Clearwater National Forest, 12730 Highway 12, Orofino, ID 83544
Contact: Elayne Murphy (208)476-8200

Potlatch, ID – The combination of various weather conditions and events has made travel hazardous on many Forest Service roads throughout the Palouse Ranger District. Light to moderate snow that fell across the region, followed by extremely cold temperatures and clear weather, has created an extremely slick and dangerous layer of ice in many spots.

“To varying degrees, situations such as this occur every year on the district”, said Dave Brady, Engineer on the Palouse Ranger District. “However, with the weather we have had recently, conditions seem to be worse than normal. Right now, I’d urge anyone who is thinking of venturing out on our road system to think twice – and if they decide to head out, bring all the proper winter survival gear with them.” While the condition of all District roads is not known, the icy conditions seem to be affecting roads at lower elevations to a larger degree.

The likelihood of road conditions improving is not good for the foreseeable future. The forecast for the next couple of days calls for the possibility of light amounts of snow, followed by a period of relatively cold temperatures.

For updates regarding district road conditions, contact the Palouse Ranger District at (208) 875-1131.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/News/Assets/091221_palouse_roads.pdf

Chelan Snowmobiling Trails Open (Washington)

USDA Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Contact: Joe Kastenholz, Chelan Ranger District Resource Assistant, 509-682-4900
Susan C Peterson, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF Central Zone Public Affairs, 509-548-2558
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/okawennf

Chelan, WA- The Chelan Ranger District announced that all snowmobile trails in the Chelan area are officially open Friday, December 18th, 2009, which is good news for snowmobilers and other winter recreation enthusiasts.

Roads now closed to four-wheel vehicles and open to snowmobiles are:

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Echo Ridge Nordic Area Opens (Washington)

News Release – USDA Forest Service – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Contact: Joe Kastenholz, Chelan Ranger District Resource Assistant, 509-682-4900
Ken Dull, Chelan Ranger District Winter Recreation Manager, 509-548-4962
Website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee
Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/okawennf

Chelan, WA- This week’s winter storms have brought deep powder snow to the Chelan area, allowing the winter season’s beginning of cross country skiing. The Chelan Ranger District is happy to announce that Echo Ridge Nordic Area is officially open for cross country skiing with most of the system trails already flat packed with a corduroy surface. Fantastic scenery may be seen from many of the trails that will have tracks set as snow conditions allow. Almost all trails are open. “Zoom” and the “Inner and Outer Rim Trails” are scheduled to be open before Christmas.

Ski passes are required and available on-site at Echo Ridge Trailheads. Fees for Day Passes are $10.00 per adult, with no charge for skiers and snowshoers age 17 and under. Season passes are $70.00 and are available at the Chelan Ranger Station located at 428 W. Woodin Avenue. The Chelan Ranger Station is open Monday – Friday from 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM.

For current winter trail information, please contact the Chelan Ranger Station at 509-682-4900.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/news/2009/12/04/index.shtml

Lolo Pass Visitor Center Opens for Winter Season (Idaho)

United States – Department of Agriculture – Forest Service
Clearwater National Forest
Contact: Molly Puchlerz
(208) 942-3113

Powell, ID- The Lolo Pass Visitor Center, located on the Idaho-Montana state line along U.S. Highway 12, is open for the winter season. Winter hours of operation are Thursday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time.

Snowmobile trail grooming will begin on Tuesday, December 15, and cross-country ski trail grooming will begin on Saturday, December 19. There is approximately two feet of snow at the pass. Dogs are not allowed on the groomed trails. For updates on current snow conditions at Lolo Pass and trail grooming, call the visitor information line at (208) 942-1234 or visit http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/ and http://www.snowtana.com/.
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Experience Winter Adventures on Snowshoes (Washington)

Contacts:
Snoqualmie Pass Kim Larned, 509-852-1062 klarned@fs.fed.us
Stevens Pass Nan Lammers, 360-677-2414 nlammers@fs.fed.us

Children race through the snow, kicking up clouds of snow and playing on their snowshoes. Sometimes they get to meet Smokey the Bear. Guides lead walkers through winding forest trails, teaching safety and winter ecology, while advanced snowshoers muscle through the backcountry, navigating the Commonwealth Basin. In the snow covered Cascades, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy their favorite trails on snowshoes.

Starting the first week of January, the Forest Service offers classes through March at Snoqualmie Pass off I-90 and Stevens Pass on US 2. “Nearly anyone can slap snowshoes on and start walking in the forest,” said Kim Larned, snowshoe guide on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
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