OWNF Draft Forest Plan Revision and Editorial

The OWNF DFPR defines our non-motorized use of the Forest in winter as a small use, while stating snowmobile riding is a larger use and will grow significantly. We are certain that this is very skewed data. We are certain from our own observations as skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobile riders using Sno Parks and the Forest in winter. There is also established data to support our view. Aside from data driving management, we are asking for reasonable management in more of a balance for winter travel and winter recreation. This is true especially for the Wenatchee Forest, where there is not previous significant management of winter non-motorized v motorized use as has been done on the Okanogen. Please send comments soon about your winter non-motorized use of the Forest, what and where, and about the need for accessible areas for winter recreation without snowmobile traffic.

From the Editorial page of the Wenatchee World-

www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2011/aug/05/...ot-just-snowmobiles/

Please, not just snowmobiles
By Robert Mullins and Gus Bekker

Friday, August 5, 2011

Will it be Snowmobile National Forest, or expanded wilderness? What is the reasonable middle ground? The short answer is, please, U.S. Forest Service, manage the winter forest for multiple recreational uses, in some reasonable balance, in consideration of the impacts to nature, and for all of the public owners of the forest.

We are asking that the local Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest managers designate significant areas for non-motorized winter recreation — an activity of the majority of off-highway winter forest users. We ask also for reasonable management of the single dominant use — snowmobiles, by a relative few in the general public. The accessible areas set aside currently for winter non-motorized use are pitifully small. Most wilderness is inaccessible in winter to most people, although snowmobile riding allows access in some examples.

Skiers, snowshoers, winter campers, dog sledders, skijorers, climbers, runners, even snowmobile-assisted ski tourers, seek pristine, safe, snow-covered areas for quiet recreation. The challenge is to find quiet and pristine accessible areas away from the current typical situation of rutted, offroad, snowmobile speedways. USFS Wenatchee Forest management dates back to the days when snowmobiles were ridden almost entirely on roads.

The recent advancements of snowmobile technology and horsepower have allowed for the exponential expansion of offroad snowmobile riding in the winter forest. Areas normally ridden now include to the high summits of 5,000-plus feet to 7,000-foot peaks of the Wenatchee Mountains crest, from Mission Ridge to Ingalls Lake, and also across the wilderness boundary deep into the Alpine Lakes. To contrast, in summer, we all expect that when hiking a forest trail we will not see or hear loud, intrusive, motorized vehicles riding all over the offroad areas of the forest, and close to us as we hike (exception are trails legal for motorcycles or ATVs). Why, we ask, has USFS allowed the current snowmobile free-for-all to evolve on the winter forest?

Snowmobile riding is great recreation. However, that activity must be managed as are other uses. Cars, trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, mountain bikes, motor boats, horses, and even camping and hiking — all are managed in regard to where and how they are used on the forest. There has been little or no USFS consideration, planning, NEPA process, EIS, request for public input, not even a formal designation for snowmobile recreation for these currently used extensive areas of the pristine, unroaded Wenatchee Mountains. While snowmobile riding is a reasonable and legitimate activity, it is an activity on the forest that excludes the safe or reasonable quiet pedestrian use of the same terrain.

We ask for public input to Forest Service. We ask that winter non-motorized forest users describe how and where they recreate, and also share their thoughts about this issue and this need with the Forest Supervisor and the Forest Plan Revision Team. Contact Forest Supervisor Rebecca Heath and the Forest Plan Revision Team: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Headquarters, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801 r6_ewzplanrevision@fs.fed.us

Robert Mullins, Leavenworth, and Gus Bekker, Wenatchee, represent the Wenatchee Mountains Coalition.

Well, since we've all seen the same text about a dozen times, I suppose it looks a bit stale, but it doesn't come across as whiny to me.  What I do find interesting is the change in strategy since the inside game didn't play.  That, and it's the first time I've seen WMCs' name(s) in print.

Sled traffic in the public and natural space needs management.  The form that takes should include science and the greater common interests - thank god it's not currently up to congress.

In any event, high marks for perseverance and adaptability.  Content and style tend to be matters of objective and taste.

Edit: Well, there was a comment above mine when I hit 'post'. Don't know why that's gone, but it doesn't change the nature of my reply too much, so I'll just leave it...

Forest Service Meetings on the OWNF Draft Forest Plan-

Yakima, WA Wednesday, August 10,
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Yakima Convention Center, 10 North 8th St, Yakima WA 98901-2515

Cle Elum, WA Thursday, August 11
5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m., Cle Elum Centennial Center, 719 E. 3rd Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922

Seattle, WA Saturday, August 13,
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Magnuson Park, Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115

From Washington Wilderness Coalition


...
Winter Recreation Management - Both forests must use land allocations or some other mechanism to manage the balance between winter motorized and non motorized recreation. It would be unacceptable to ignore this growing management issue based on the higher impact technology of snowmobiles and increasing incidences of wilderness trespass for the life of this forest plan which will be 15-20 years.

...

I wouldn't want to show up at this event due to the fact that it is held at the mountaineers and has a BBQ hosted my WMC. Seems WAY to much like a one-sided public meeting!!!... Am I wrong??



"You're Invited to the Eastern Washington Forest Public Meeting and BBQ!

Western Washingtonians, this Saturday, August 13th is your only chance to ask for a wild future for our forests in Eastern Washington. WWC invites you to join us to ask for stronger protections of our wild lands and rivers and the unmatched recreation opportunities these provide. Afterwards, WWC is co-hosting a FREE cookout with conservation and recreation groups where you can get dogs, brews and more information about the forest plan.

When: 10 am with a BBQ directly following!
Where: The Mountaineers
Why: This is first time in Washington State history where the Forest Plans will recommend wilderness, and we want to be sure they recommend the right places and quantities to adequately protect our treasured wildlands.

The US Forest Service is holding a Public Meeting on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville Forest Plan, which will determine how these national forests will be managed for the next 15 years or longer. This public meeting will have presentations by the Forest Service about their plans and the public comment process and then open the floor to questions, where you can make your concerns heard."

WMC wrote "WWC is Washingtom Wilderness Coalition. WMC, Wenatchee Mountains Coalition will not be at the Seattle meeting. Get over it, are you so bitter that you blame WMC when we will be 100 miles away? TobyT would have liked the meeting last night.  The meeting last night in Cle Elum was dominated by the local throttle-pushing gentry toting their oversized Monster drinks. The discussion resembled an argument with 5th Grade boys being told they were grounded. But they maintained enough control to refrain from profanity, much like 5th Grade boys in danger of more extended grounding. Perhaps their nonsense-emotional strident opposition made them feel a little better, but none of it made any sense. Apparently they wanted to throw fits."


Get over what?! Sorry I took WWC for WMC! Whoops! I think the meetings should be held at places of neutrality (like a public grange or gym). And I think this meeting location encourages one sided participation. I can't speak for other peoples actions and what they choose to drink, but you are right, I would have liked to be at the meeting.