Posts Tagged ‘national forest’

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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Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Travel Plan Decision Postponed Until Late Summer (Oregon)

Written by Jayson Jacoby

The thousands of people anxious to find out where motor vehicles will be able to travel on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will have to wait a while longer than forest officials recently estimated.

Last week Wallowa-Whitman officials said Supervisor Steve Ellis probably would announce his decision on the forest?s long-awaited Travel Management Plan in late spring.

But on Wednesday Ellis said late summer is now the more likely time frame.

Read more at Travel plan decision postponed until late summer

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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Donkey Creek Road Closure (Washington)

Olympic National Forest
1835 Black Lake Blvd.
Olympia, WA 98512-5623

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 11, 2009
Public Affairs Office: (360) 956-2274 FAX (360) 956-2330

Olympia, WA – Officials at Olympic National Forest anticipate a closure on the Donkey Creek Road (Forest Service Road 22) at mile post 3.7, beginning as early as January 15, 2010. The purpose of this closure will be to begin construction of the O’Brien Creek Bridge, an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project. The project will to restore aquatic species passage and construct a new bridge.

A detour for high clearance cars and trucks will be available on Forest Service Road 2220 (also known as the Newbury Creek Road), and Forest Service Road 2204, as weather permits. The detour is mostly on a single lane gravel road with a 20 mph
speed limit.
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Ashton/Island Park Ranger District Travel Regulations (Idaho)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patty Kraayenbrink 208-524-7639

Idaho Falls, ID – Caribou-Targhee National Forest winter travel regulations for Ashton/Island Park Ranger District go into effect Thanksgiving Day. The official Travel Map for the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District describes winter travel opportunities for both winter cross-country use and winter designated routes. This map along with the snowmobile map produced by the Island Park Chamber of Commerce shows winter recreationists groomed snowmobile trails; groomed cross-country ski trails, areas with seasonal closures and areas closed to protect wildlife winter ranges or designated Wilderness. Maps may be obtained through the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District or the Island Park Chamber of Commerce.

Light snow conditions may still allow passenger vehicle traffic on National Forest roads open to summer motorized travel. Vehicle travel will be allowed until snow depth prevents cars and trucks from using the roadways or Fremont County begins snowmobile trail grooming. Roads maintained by Fremont County are not open to snowmobile use.

Most of the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District is open to winter cross-country motorized use. However, there are a few areas displayed on the map in purple hues that are closed to winter cross-country motorized use. The area known as Big Bend Ridge is closed to winter cross-country use until January 1st for the security of the elk and deer migrating to their winter range west of the Forest. Another large area closed to over-snow motorized vehicles is an area from the south side of the Island Park Reservoir east to Henrys Fork River, south to Highway 20 and Green Canyon Road. This area is the Thurmon Ridge area and Harriman State Park. Winegar Hole Wilderness and Jedediah Smith Wilderness are closed to snowmobile use.

People recreating on snow machines are asked to be respectful of private property. District Ranger, Adrienne Keller, has received complaints from area property owners about people on snow machines who ride their machines wherever they please and don?t pay attention to private property boundaries. “I’ve received complaints about people riding their snow machines around private cabins, running over trees in yards and leaving trash when they’ve stopped for a break on a deck of an unoccupied residence.” The groomed snowmobile trails in Fremont County depend on the approval of private land owners to allow the trail to cross their property to connect the trails to the National Forest. Keller adds, “If private property owners near the trails are affected by this rude behavior of some people on snow machines, we could lose their support for the trail going across their property, affecting the connectivity of the trail system in the Ashton and Island Park areas in Fremont County.”

For more information on winter recreation opportunities on the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, contact either the Ashton Ranger Station at (208) 652-7442 or Island Park Ranger Station at (208) 558-7301. Safe riding!!

USDA Forest Service
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
1405 Hollipark Drive
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401

http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/caribou-targhee/news/2009/09-61%20ashton-islandpark_winter_travel_regs.doc

Winter Driving on Forest Service Roads (Oregon)

Media Contact: Jennifer O’Leary (503) 854-4210; Cell (503) 298-8190

Springfield, OR – Visitors to the Willamette National Forest will encounter a wide range of driving conditions over the next few months. An important reminder at this time of year is that Forest Service roads are not maintained for winter travel. Many roads, especially those in higher elevations, become impassable due to ice and snow.

The following tips can help you prepare for a safe visit:

• Plan for the unexpected
• Check the latest road and weather conditions
• Let someone know where you’re going
• Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle

“Winter is a wonderful time to explore the forest, especially if you like to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe. We want to ensure that visitors are aware of the important safety tips that will help them enjoy their visit,” says Stacey Forson, Assistant Recreation Staff Officer for the Willamette National Forest.

Weather can change quickly, particularly in high elevations. Good snow tires, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and chains are advised when driving in winter conditions. Don’t forget to fuel up at the beginning of the trip.

Travelers should be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car. Blankets or sleeping bags, warm clothes, a snow shovel, water, food and other necessities are recommended as part of a complete vehicle emergency kit.

Many Forest Service roads are single-lane, winding, gravel roads with limited visibility. These and popular double-lane, paved roads such as Forest Road 19, Forest Road 21, and Forest Road 46 are not plowed for winter travel. Even a few inches of snow can obscure ice and soft shoulders; always adjust your speed to the current conditions. As a general rule, drive at speeds that allow you to stop in half the visible road distance ahead of you.

Although GPS systems are useful tools for navigating forest roads, they cannot always be relied on to provide the safest routes based on current conditions. Keep in mind that cell phones and GPS systems may not work in remote areas.

Visit or call your local Ranger District office for the latest updates regarding weather, including snow levels, and road conditions. Current conditions are also provided on the Willamette National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/general/conditions/index.html.

For regular updates regarding road and weather conditions on state highways that serve as mountain passes visit Tripcheck, offered by Oregon Department of Transportation, at www.tripcheck.com.

For more information please contact the closest Ranger District office.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/newsandevents/news/2009newsarchives/091120winter-driving.html

Landslide Closes Forest Road 25/Wakepish Sno-Park Closed for Season (Washington)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

CONTACT: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005

Vancouver, WA – An ongoing landslide has closed Forest Road 25 at Benham Creek 5 miles north of the Forest Road 99 junction to Windy Ridge. A large landslide closed the road last winter, and a temporary bridge was installed in June to provide access on this major north and south Forest access route. Recent heavy rains are dislodging additional material at the Benham Creek site causing Forest officials to call for a complete closure to protect public safety.

Wakepish Sno-Park which is located at the junction of Forest Road 25 and Forest Road 99 will be closed for the season due to the bridge closure. Three other Sno-Parks (Johnson Creek, Skate Creek, and Orr Creek) on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District should be accessible this winter. Visitors should contact the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at (360) 497-1100, or visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf for additional information.

As snow levels drop below 3,000 feet in elevation, Forest visitors are cautioned to check ahead on road conditions with local Forest Service offices or the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/gpnf. All Forest visitors should prepare for winter weather driving conditions. Snow plowing on Gifford Pinchot National Forest roads occurs only to Sno-parks through the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission as funding allows. The majority of Forest roads are not plowed for snow, and Forest visitors are cautioned to plan their visit to the Forest based on increasing snow levels and the possibility of getting stranded if they drive Forest roads at higher elevation. Currently, about 2 feet of snow blankets elevations above 4,000 feet.

The Forest has started work with Federal Highways on design and replacement of the bridge over Benham Creek. Completion of the permanent bridge is scheduled for 2011.

For current Forest road information, please contact Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices. The Forest Headquarters in Vancouver can be reached at 360-891-5000; Cowlitz Valley Ranger District in Randle can be reached at 360-497-1100; Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters in Amboy can be reached at 360-449-7800, and; Mount Adams Ranger District in Trout Lake can be reached at 509-395-3400.

For more information on current road conditions, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/currentconditions/roads.shtml or call any of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/news/2009/documents/final-20091120a-ForestRoad25-Wakepish.pdf