USFS trying to buy Margaret/High Lakes area

[fireweed]

The USFS is applying for a Land & Water conservation funds to purchase a portion of the "High Lakes" bordering the Mt. St. Helens Monument.   These funds come from a special tax on oil drilling specifically to benefit/acquire public lands.   They also applied last year.  If successful, the land would become regular multi-use Forest Service land (not Monument).  This is a long process, and this proposal needs to "move up the ladder"  to be successful.
The area has a handful of trout-fishing lakes, great elk hunting for lucky Margaret tag holders, and the historic access to the Mount Margaret backcountry.  All this was recently blocked when Weyerhaeuser sold the land that had been historically used and (partially owned) by the public for nearly 100 years. 

How to help?  If you have a sportsmen's or outdoor recreation club that would write a letter of support for the acquisition PM me.

[sirmissalot]

Seems to me this is right up RMEF's alley, I think one of my buddies has a contact there I will check with him. Sounds like great news though!

[Huntbear]

The USFS is applying for a Land & Water conservation funds to purchase a portion of the "High Lakes" bordering the Mt. St. Helens Monument.   These funds come from a special tax on oil drilling specifically to benefit/acquire public lands.   They also applied last year.  If successful, the land would become regular multi-use Forest Service land (not Monument).  This is a long process, and this proposal needs to "move up the ladder"  to be successful.
The area has a handful of trout-fishing lakes, great elk hunting for lucky Margaret tag holders, and the historic access to the Mount Margaret backcountry.  All this was recently blocked when Weyerhaeuser sold the land that had been historically used and (partially owned) by the public for nearly 100 years. 

How to help?  If you have a sportsmen's or outdoor recreation club that would write a letter of support for the acquisition PM me.

This would be an awesome thing for WFW to spearhead.... this is critical elk habitat and public access to some wonderful country.... 

This needs EVERYONES support....  Those High Lakes are about as pristine as you can get.. 

[Ghost Hunter]

Sure would like to get in there this year since I'm holding  the Margaret tag.  I hope it works out for all future public land users.

[fireweed]

Both RMEF and WDFW are aware and support effort.  Unfortunately, Margaret tag holders, it won't happen this year.  And hunting support is critical if it is to EVER happen.

[Huntbear]

Both RMEF and WDFW are aware and support effort.  Unfortunately, Margaret tag holders, it won't happen this year.  And hunting support is critical if it is to EVER happen.

Unfortunately the RMEF was aware of the PRIVATE land sale up there as well, and did absolutely NOTHING...  that is when they lost me as a member...

I wrote them a long email, blasting them and told them to shove their membership... 

Not going to hold my breath about the RMEF helping on this...  if it is going to get done, it will be hunters and the USFS..  RMEF will only help if it gets them BIG HEADLINES, and PRIVATE ACCESS to their members...

[finnman]

  I know a guy that bought a couple thousand acres up there, one day I will ask him for permission to hunt deer up there. My cousin has already camped and fished up there on his property! Awesome place!

[Ghost Hunter]

If ya got it....flaunt it