Forest service roads please participate if you can!

[blackdog]

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20131111/BLOG49/131109829

[blackdog]

These travel plans are critical to hunting access. We need hunters to participate. 

[Special T]

Are there any proposed plans as to what the forest service plans to maintain? I would think that they could leave roads open until there is a washout or some other major repair.

[huntrights]

This topic is extremely important; stay tuned and definitely get involved.

Here is some preliminary information for all you:

Forest Service website regarding the subject:
EXPLORING SUSTAINABLE ROADS ACCESS IN THE MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/home/?cid=stelprdb5423889

Public Meetings:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/workingtogether/?cid=stelprdb5424231

Date / TimeContact       Location                                   
Nov. 13, 5:30-8 p.m.        Everett Community College, Jackson Conference Center

http://www.everettcc.edu/administration/college-services/conference-services/index.cfm?id=9350


Sustainable Roads website:
http://mbssustainableroads.com/

Online comment period extended to November 30:
http://mbssustainableroads.com/2013/11/08/update-online-questionnaire-open-until-nov-30/
 
"Since the Everett community meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 13th, we are leaving the online questionnaire open until November 30th. If you have not taken the survey yet — there’s still time!"

Questionnaire: Select "Click here to go to the questionnaire!":
http://mbssustainableroads.com/questionnaire/


Take advantage of every opportunity to have your voices heard.  Road closures are a very serious issue for hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts.


 
                                           

[Hunter4Life]

One of the way the Forest Service closes roads without closing them is the stop maintaining the roads and they become in such a state of disrepair that they are not accessible.   Add to this the roads they are intentionally closing, and access is disappearing at an alarming rate.  This is a meeting that hunters must attend.  The wacko environmentalists movement (not true environmentalists) wants to limit access at all costs and push hard for this kind of stuff.  The anti-hunting community are using two main tactics to eliminate hunting: 1) the proliferation and uncontrolled growth of large predators, and 2) closing access to lands.

Speaking of this, a new Sportsmen's act has been introduced:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/06/3346386/hagan-introduces-sportsmens-bill.html

I am not endorsing this bill, but what is one of the key provisions?  Opening access to federal lands.  Our voices need to be heard.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I went to the meeting in Mt Vernon ....They are going to set up a website So everyone can see what roads will be accessible and which ones will not ...not sure when this is going to happen though ...I GAVE THEM MY  ...One was leaving the gates open during daylight hours and locking them at night ...Second was there should be access to DNR lands no matter if a timber company has land behind it or not ....most of the time DNR owns the road and the gates but since timber companies have land there too they lock it up ...Timber companies have  their own gates behind DNR gates......so no need to lock up DNR lands during daylight hours ...

[Skyvalhunter]

Will be going to the one in Everett tomorrow. People make sure you go to the website and fill out the survey. If your favorite road closes you have no one to blame but yourself.

[BOWHUNTER45]

sounds like the survey closed on Oct 31st 

[Skyvalhunter]

It didn't close if you tried this link
http://mbssustainableroads.com/questionnaire/
 Just remember one survey per computer

[huntrights]

sounds like the survey closed on Oct 31st 

It's extended until November 30th.


Online comment period extended to November 30:
http://mbssustainableroads.com/2013/11/08/update-online-questionnaire-open-until-nov-30/
 
"Since the Everett community meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 13th, we are leaving the online questionnaire open until November 30th. If you have not taken the survey yet — there’s still time!"

Questionnaire: Select "Click here to go to the questionnaire!":
http://mbssustainableroads.com/questionnaire/

[Hunter4Life]

I was at the meeting in Mt Vernon also.  Both DNR and WDFW got beat up by groups from every walk of life to keep roads open.  We are seeing less access at the federal, state, and even local levels.

[huntrights]

Take the survey.  There is a good opportunity at the end to write your very honest comments and suggestions.  Even if you are not a current frequent user of the Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest, you might be in the future.  What happens in this National Forest may happen in other National Forests.  Make sure your voice is heard.

Some comments you may want to reinforce when you take the survey:

Support alternative actions like:
   
Road maintenance rotation.
   
“Forest roads to trails” and related forest access efforts by one of our Congressional Representatives and others to keep our forests healthy, safe, and accessible.

• Avoid road decommissioning and protect road beds for future use by converting roads slated for closure into trails.

• Close, stabilize and seed road beds; avoid decommissioning

• Ensure public safety by stabilizing and maintaining road beds that can be re-opened for rescues, firefighting, and emergency evacuation routes when necessary.

• Focus on creating and maintaining road loops to ensure ingress and egress for public safety.

• Reduce cost by enhancing partnerships with [Stewardship] groups that can assist with road and trail maintenance.

• Consider converting high maintenance level roads that are not major thoroughfares to lower maintenance levels.

• Ensure access under the Americans with Disabilities Act by designating roads and trails for off-road vehicle access.

Pursue/explore possible funding opportunities for road maintenance:

• Timber sales, Stewardship dollars, Federal road tax


Access into our National Forests for many different recreational activities (i.e. hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, etc.) and commercial activities (i.e. harvesting of timber) has positive economic impacts on our local communities.  Closing and decommissioning National Forest roads will negatively impact our already struggling economy.

Closing or decommissioning National Forest roads denies access to all.  Even ungulates (i.e. elk, deer) don't like to walk on decommissioned roads; they will walk on the smooth areas next to the old road paths.  Decommissioning procedures like digging up the road bed and creating extremely uneven surfaces, covering the road bed with huge boulders, or crisscrossing tree trunks and branches along the road path create hazardous conditions to traverse for humans and large animals.


Make sure your voice is heard.

Questionnaire: Select "Click here to go to the questionnaire!":
http://mbssustainableroads.com/questionnaire/

[washelkhunter]

Gave them my  worth!   

[Windwalker]

 Done- Thanks for posting this! 

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Done...

[Skyvalhunter]

Bump to keep it going. Attended the meeting last night best to speak up if you don't want any of your fav roads closed.

[huntrights]

There's an interesting road conversation taking place in this thread:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,135347.100.html