Forest Roads: The Future (MBSNF meetings)

This was posted on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest's news page a couple of days ago. I have a bad, bad, BAD feeling about this:

Forest Roads: The Future

Basically, thanks to the 2005 Travel Management Rule, all NFs must identify a road network that is "sustainable" and within their maintenance budget by 2015. the MBSNF claims to only have the ability to maintain 25% of their current road infrastructure so you do the math.

Grim times are definitely ahead. This is your opportunity to voice your concerns.

Thanks for the heads-up. The following meeting schedule was included in the MBSNF post:

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MEETING SCHEDULE
RSVP to sustainableroads@gmail.com, capacity is limited and attendance is on a first-come basis.

June 29, 10 a.m.-12:30 noon
Seattle, REI downtown

July 9, 10 a.m.-12:30 noon
Sedro-Woolley, Mt. Baker District office

July 23, 5:30-8 p.m.
Issaquah Main Fire Station office

Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Enumclaw Public Library

Aug. 21, 4:30-7 p.m.
Darrington Public Library

Sept. 10, 5:30-8 p.m.
Bellingham Public Library

Sept. 24, 1-3:30 p.m.
Monroe Public Library

Oct. 9, 5:30-8 p.m.
Everett Public Library downtown
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This was pretty much all news to me so I spent some time last night trying to get acquainted with the rule that's referenced in the FS release. I found this link helpful but keep in mind that it is an advocacy group with emphasis of eliminating "unneeded" roads.

Perhaps this is included in the information above, but I can’t find it. Do we know what the process is for “unroading” do they simply stop maintaining roads or do they gate them? Tear them up? Plant trees on them?

they appropriate money to decommission them - yes, they tear them up..

not to fan the flames, but the system that was used to keep access on public lands was called logging ~ you know, the resource management that's done somewhere else now (because most of you wanted it that way)..     recreation $'s don't get anywhere near that amount (although it does allow for a tripling of staffers at district front offices..).  if we could only get more skiers up Adams at those in-season rates.

kind of makes you wonder how MORA will handle Rainier climbs when they move to a four month park opening

yeah, i'm in a foul mood, but really, you didn't see this coming?? 

edit to clarify:  my comments not aimed at prior, or any, poster.

Thanks for the info, scole.

No need to start posting potshots at each other over this, eh? Have a discussion of land use policy and what's led to the current state over beers, but the fact of the matter is that this is happening and if a big chunk of roads are going to be closed, best to have some input into the selection process.