Crystal Mountain FEIS and Record of Decision

I have been contacted by Chris Hansen-Murray regarding my appeal. Evidently he is seeking to set up a meeting to address the appeals.<br><br>Is there a possibility we could build some consensus regarding the open boundary issue?<br><br>Aside from the bad precedent and putting the control of access to public lands in the hands of a private entity, I can see this issue being sliced up in the following way:<br><br>1) Sand Flats, Morris Creek, Pickhandle and Crystal Lakes Basin access.<br><br>2) 410 access<br><br>3) Norse Peak Wilderness.<br><br>I'd suggest that we give them the Norse Peak ban as long as it doesn't affect access to any of the areas specified in 1).<br><br>I'd also suggest that 410 access be allowed, even if it has to be regulated per the "pristine wilderness" guidelines. Personally, I think it's a bogus classification of that area, but that's not a battle we'd be likely to win.<br><br>Allow unrestricted access to the areas specified in 1).

Giving them any ban will set precedence for future decisions. I would say don't give them anything that could set precedent for any future decisions regarding access to public land.<br><br>I would give into monitoring 410 access at the most. I don't think you would ever see 108 people skiing this area per day. Ask yourself, " would you ski down to 410 if the powder is cut up?" Why ski crud, to a bushwhack followed by a 3-5 mile skate/walk/push then hitch hike back to the area. I would say you could see 30-40 people per powder day get "good" shots to the road. Your tolerance to abuse will vary.

I mean to say that if I am going to negotiate and find compromise, the NPW restriction is the one I'd be most willing to give in on.

It seems strange that the NPS has no problem with us hiking all around the Rainier Park skiing, snowboarding in the spring but to do so from Crystal is forbidden. What is the difference?<br><br>I've been hiking around Cayuse and Chinook in the May-Aug months for years with never a problem....except for "hey, get that dog out of hear".... I hope to do the Crystal to 410 drop in the future...sounds like a blast.

noticed that appeals are to be sent to:<br><br>Appeal Deciding Officer<br>ATTN: 1570 Appeals<br>333 SE First Avenue, PO Box 3623<br>Portland, OR 97208-3623<br><br>With a copy to:<br><br><br> John Phipps <br> Forest Supervisor <br> Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest <br> 21905 64th Avenue West <br> Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043<br>

Unfortunately-I think the deadline for appeals has come and gone.<br><br>I agree with Silas that WE should not even THINK of bargaining our rights away. <br>Remember-they are taking away something that we <br>citizen owners of public land have rights to access. The NPS and FS are the ones that need to feel awkward for breaking their own rules and about yanking away a right from tax paying citizens without due processes!<br><br>

It seems strange that the NPS has no problem with us hiking all around the Rainier Park skiing, snowboarding in the spring but to do so from Crystal is forbidden. What is the difference?<br><br>I've been hiking around Cayuse and Chinook in the May-Aug months for years with never a problem

<br><br>The difference is that the NPS and FS see skiing across boundaries as "Commercial extensions" of the ski area into the Park or Forest. We need to convince them that it is not a Commercial Extension, but enjoying our Parks and Forests. It is no more intrusive than bringing up loads of visitors on a busses to Paradise.<br>Furthermore-I have been confronted by Park Rangers asking about my skiing access to areas in Chinook Pass and Sunrise. In the later case I was threatened that they could close the area (Sunrise) to skiers and boarders if there is more evidence of abuse....As he is speaking to me, behind his back there are 4 visitors (non-skiers) with cameras standing on the meadows taking pictures of each other on MRNP land they are asked to not trample!? Where can they find their most obvious violators?<br><br>JDB