OWNF Draft Forest Plan Revision and Editorial

Sierra Club and Mountaineers also have announcements about the meeting and BBQ. Sierra Club below.

BBQ and Public Meeting for Okanogan-Wenatchee NF


The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is one of Washington State's greatest treasures. The Forest Service is revising its plan for how to manage Okanogan-Wenatchee NF -- and there's only one meeting in Western Washington to get public input. This is your best chance to speak up for the forest

This event will begin as a public meeting where the Forest Service will address questions from the community and explain their plans to manage the forest. Directly following the event we will celebrate this opportunity with a free outdoor barbecue. There will be music, a climbing wall, beer and food.

Here are the event details

WHO: The Sierra Club, U.S. Forest Service, other conservation groups -- and you!
WHAT: BBQ & Public Gathering for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
WHEN: Saturday, August 13th, 10:00AM-1:00PM.
WHERE: 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle (Click here for directions!)
QUESTIONS: Please contact Graham Taylor at graham.taylor@sierraclub.org

Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

From the Mountaineers-

Forest plan revision, open house & cookout
August 13; Mountaineers Program Center
The Forest Service is revising Forest Plans for the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests. The plans guide the agency's management of important natural and recreational resources for the next 10-15 years. Learn more.

If you care about Eastern Washington's national forests, attend the only scheduled public meeting west of the Cascade crest and join the recreation and conservation community for a cookout following the open house.

Open House & Cookout: Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Mountaineers Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle.

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Plan Revision: Forest Service representatives will briefly present the proposed action and the public comment process, followed by a short question-and-answer session. Tables will be set up in an open house format to provide an individual opportunity to learn more about specific topics of public interest, and to have one-on-one conversations with Forest Service representatives. Details.
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Community Cookout: Continue the conversation about the proposed actions for the forest plan revisions during a free community cookout after the open house. Representatives from the recreation and conservation community will be on hand to share perspectives and discuss important aspects of the forest plans. This event is sponsored by Conservation Northwest, The Mountaineers, Sierra Club, Washington Trails Association and Washington Wilderness Coalition.

For questions about the cookout, contact Sarah Krueger, Conservation Manager, The Mountaineers, 206-521-6012, or sarahk@ mountaineers.org.

Please see the postings above about the meeting in Seattle Saturday. It is an opportunity to learn, and ask questions about the OWNF Draft Forest Plan Revision.

Of the three meetings already held east of the divide, in Yakima and Cle Elum motorized advocates were there in force, and nothing else was able to be asked except their often aggressive and difficult to understand statements. The posts on Snowest state that it was a success- aggro talk, not asking pertinent questions, lots of emotion and negativity thrown at the very professional USFS folks.

So please, skiers, attend and learn, ask questions, and formulate your comments.

Of the three meetings already held east of the divide, in Yakima and Cle Elum motorized advocates were there in force, and nothing else was able to be asked except their often aggressive and difficult to understand statements. The posts on Snowest state that it was a success- aggro talk, not asking pertinent questions, lots of emotion and negativity thrown at the very professional USFS folks.

Wow.  That's an interesting take on the meetings....

Regarding the initial post in this thread about winter usage, I'll have to respectfully disagree.  I would dare to say that I spend more time in the Teanaway, particularly the alpine in the winter, than anyone.  The usage is overwhelmingly dominated by snowmobiles until late spring when the road begins to melt out.  That's evidenced by the vehicles in the snowpark, the trip reports on TAY, and observations on the hill.  I simply can't believe that you're actually claiming that snowmobiles are not the majority winter user in that area.    Okanogan County, I'll buy that non-motorized use is a higher percentage; and that's exactly what the USFS data shows.

I continue to believe that there are two options that would serve skiers much better than additional Wilderness in the Teanaway:  1) Move the snowpark up near the Beverly Creek campground, or 2) close the North Fork Teanaway to snowmobiles when the road begins to melt out and skier use increases. 

Wow.  That's an interesting take on the meetings....

Regarding the initial post in this thread about winter usage, I'll have to respectfully disagree.  I would dare to say that I spend more time in the Teanaway, particularly the alpine in the winter, than anyone.  The usage is overwhelmingly dominated by snowmobiles until late spring when the road begins to melt out.  That's evidenced by the vehicles in the snowpark, the trip reports on TAY, and observations on the hill.  I simply can't believe that you're actually claiming that snowmobiles are not the majority winter user in that area.    Okanogan County, I'll buy that non-motorized use is a higher percentage; and that's exactly what the USFS data shows.

I continue to believe that there are two options that would serve skiers much better than additional Wilderness in the Teanaway:  1) Move the snowpark up near the Beverly Creek campground, or 2) close the North Fork Teanaway to snowmobiles when the road begins to melt out and skier use increases. 

Your Beverly Sno Park idea is a good one and I and WMC folks will help with it. We discussed it last year here, and thanks again for a great idea! And many thanks for all of your and Blindman etc folks' efforts at placing signs on the Wilderness Boundary, and for taking heat in advocating against snomos in Wilderness- very commendable! I will report to you when I go up to that area and see no snomos or tracks in Wilderness and then will thank you again!

So if someone spends money on a snowmobile and etc then they should be in charge of Forest Policy? So if someone acts all loud and aggressive and disrespectful of USFS Officials charged by Law and Policy to manage the Forest, then you think that you win? Please keep up that strategy, it is fun to watch. And in anticipation of some of your comebacks, please note that we have always advocated to include snowmobile use, and advocated that USFS please manage the Forest in some balance for all of the public.

It is not difficult to understand that non-motorized Forest users are the clear majority of users for offhighway winter recreation. Snowmobile riding belongs on the Forest as well. Separation is needed, some balance of uses as well. By the way, skiers will avoid areas of high snowmobile useage.

USFS has not denied that there has been no planning or consideration, designation or NEPA process for offroad snowmobile riding in the areas or our advocacy. It has occurred while USFS has ignored it and the proper issues surrounding offroad riding. Even some grooming programs are in question on that basis. Please study NEPA and tell me if it says undesignated offroad snowmobile riding is allowable especially without the Lawfully required process. Please let us know what you think the chances are that all of the offroad riding in pristine high-altitude areas will stand under the proper process including input from all of the public, not just from some loud and aggressive snowmobile riders who believe that their use supersedes everyone else.

When the proper evaluation of this offroad riding is examined per the NEPA 1969, perhaps you and other riders will then understand. You are fighting the wrong fight, collaboration with other Forest users to find solutions would have been your best strategy. Your snomo guys against the world strategy is fun to watch, so we shall see in this day and age if public policy in the end yields to that or follows Policy and Law in the greater public interest. We- the 'sides'- should be at the table talking instead of at meetings trying to dominate.

Wow.  That's an interesting take on the meetings....

Understand that when you disagree with Rob/WMC you're being "aggressive and difficult." I find his my way or you're aggressive and difficult approach counterproductive. More wilderness designated because your're upset about some wilderness poaching? Good luck with that. A Sno-Park at Beverly Creek? I'll have whatever you're having(no money plus the issues of plowing a gravelled/dirt road way beyond the hardtop. Is there a Sno-Park like that anywhere?).

I've lived and skied in Kittitas County for 30+ years now, often encountering my snowmobiling brothers and sisters. There are protocols. On their routes, prudence dictates when you hear them coming you get to the side to smile and wave. Catch them in a closed area or, God forbid, wilderness, politely educate or give 'em hell.

We have saying down South about getting more flies with honey than vinegar. Maybe try getting together with that community to resolve issues. The WMC approach just pisses people off. Every time I get the stink-eye from a snowmobiler I think of you, Rob. And please, don't ever call me at work or home again. Thanks.