URGENT: Please stop the Forest Service from shutting down hunting in Cascades

[Boss .300 winmag]

They plan on implamenting it in 7-2013. This is our last year to fish those great lakes.   

[JimmyHoffa]

I am missing the link between how decommissioned roads will "also completely prevent hunting for grouse, deer and bear."

Please clarify.

It doesn't if you hunt on foot.  But if you can't get away from the vehicle you lose your hunting ability.  Just moves the road hunters to a different area--making it even more crowded (for them).

Just blocking the road would be better than what they are doing, it would let bicycles and hikers access the many lakes at the end of road.

Agree.  They have done this in a few areas I hunt.  One left the culverts and bikes/horses are easily capable of still using.  The other area the walk is fine on remaining road....it's the culvert removal and dirt mounds they left that make it a pain.  They left quite a few 'dangerous' crossings.  It's not like crossing a creek--it is climbing down an eroding side into a wannabe creek that hasn't figured itself out yet.

[Elkaholic daWg]

They plan on implamenting it in 7-2013. This is our last year to fish those great lakes.   

 That was going to be my next question. Thanks!

 It will make these  (Wolf Lovers,leaf lickers) types happy, just like DOW..... soliciting donations at the end of the year......



Dear Jim,


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[huntrights]

I don't know if it would help, but it might be worth a try to get our state and national representatives involved.  People that actually use the road to go up to those lakes to fish, or hunt, hike, or camp in the area destined  to be closed would need to spearhead any further efforts to save the road.  In my opinion, I would say don't give up.  If the decommissioning of the 16+ miles of road will result in a significant loss to our community as a whole then we should pursue legislative support to stop the action.  It’s not a done deal until the Forest Service actually destroys the road to a condition that cannot be repaired.  Is there enough support in the Hunting-Washington community to pursue this further?

[Skyvalhunter]

I say it is worth it to formulate a letter to send off to our state reps telling them what a waste of money it is to decommission these roads instead of just blocking the road. Millions of dollars saved in this time of budget short commings.

[huntrights]

Access to this unique area can still be saved if enough people take action.  This is another opportunity to stand up for what you believe in.  If enough people file valid appeals, the Forest Service may reconsider their decision.  Those that are familiar with the area and would like to keep the road open should definitely file an appeal before the deadline.  In order to save something you believe in, you must put forth some effort.

This is the Notice of Decision that describes the appeal opportunity:
http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/61747_FSPLT2_069935.pdf


 “An appeal must be filed with the Appeal Deciding Officer, Forest Supervisor, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Attn: 1570 Appeals, 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 3A, Everett, Washington, 98201. Appeals may be faxed to (425) 783-0214, sent electronically to appeals-pacificnorthwest-mtbaker-snoqualmie@fs.fed.us, or hand delivered to the above address 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri except holidays. Appeals, including attachments, must be postmarked or delivered within 45 days after the publication date of this notice.”  The Notice of Decision was published on December 27, 2011, so you must submit your appeal within the 45 day limit.

Jon Vanderheyden, the District Ranger, sent me the following message that should help guide your appeals to keep the road open:

“Appeal process can be nothing more than a letter to the address indicated in the decision notice (Which sounds like you have) stating your reasons why you think the decision should be changed.  It's a good idea to have read the environmental assessment and decision notice carefully and base your appeal on what is contained therein - Where did the analysis go wrong for example.

Full copy of the Appeal regulations can be found at:  http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/applit/36cfr215.htm”

Main link to the Illabot Road decommissioning project:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=29892

Link to the Environmental Assessment for the Illabot road Project:
http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai.com/11558/www/nepa/61747_FSPLT2_069984.pdf

[huntrights]

Good news!  The Forest Service not closing Illabot Road: decision withdrawn.

Beware though; it appears the reversal of their decision may be more of a temporary reprieve.  However, now there is time for those that want this road to remain open to work with the Forest Service to find out how the public and affected Tribes can help to keep it open.  I am very serious when I say this.  It looks like five individuals and one tribe appealed.  It would be helpful if those people and the Tribe formed a coalition of sorts to ensure the road will remain open.  There are obviously needs for road and drainage upgrades, and repairs.  It can be a worthy project if this type of coalition can be formed; the influence of a coalition can grow when people believe in what they are doing.  The Forest Service is planning on revising the analysis and documentation and will issue a new decision next year.  Take advantage of this opportunity of time and work together with the Forest Service to ensure closure is not threatened again.  Find out what you can do.


http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5361686

"Forest Service not closing Illabot Road: decision withdrawn

Release Date: Apr 2, 2012   

US Forest Service
 
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
 
Contact:
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 
Forest Service not closing Illabot Road
Decision withdrawn
 
Everett, Wash., April 2, 2012—Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest won’t be closing the Illabot Road anytime soon. A decision to dismantle the road and remove culverts and bridges was withdrawn March 27 in response to public appeals. Illabot Road is two miles south of Rockport, Wash., off of State Route 530.
 
Mt. Baker District Ranger Jon Vanderheyden proposed last December to close about 14.5 miles of the crumbling road to reduce road maintenance costs and save fish habitat. The Illabot is an old timber access road built in the 1960s at slope breaks with an aging road drainage system. “Slop failures, erosion and sediment are reducing water quality, affecting spawning gravels and fish habitat for endangered Puget Sound Chinook, Steelhead and bull trout,” Vanderheyden said. He also hoped to reduce the ecological impact from concentrated recreation use going to high mountain lakes in designated Wilderness.
 
Five individuals appealed the decision, saying they wanted the road open so they could get to trails leading to a series of high lakes in northern Glacier Peak Wilderness. One tribe appealed, saying the closure would block access to areas important for the exercise of their treaty rights.
 
The decision was withdrawn based on the recommendations of a Forest Service appeal review team that studied the appeals, environmental analysis and project record.
 
Vanderheyden said the forest will revise the analysis and documentation and issue a new decision next year if funds can be obtained to complete the work. "Road maintenance funds fall far short of maintaining or current road system. Without cuts in the road network, environmental damage is inevitable," he said."
 
 

[Dave Workman]

What about this?

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7997118&highlight=suiattle+road+repair

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7997354

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7997059

This is all about the USFS plan for the Suiattle River Road...and the nutball push to close it

Here's a note I got from a friend on the Northwest Hiker's forum and it's serious:

Seriously thanks. That road is recognized as high use but the extremists have it targeted for closure. All kinds of recreational users use it including hikers, backpackers, climbers, kayakers, family's looking to car camp, hunters, and I could go on and on...

[pianoman9701]

The road has not yet been removed. I cannot imagine hunting organizations supporting its removal, DBHawthorne, can you please elaborate? If there is a benefit to hunters, I cannot imagine it.

The Backcountry Hunters and Fisherman, for one would probably support the decommissioning. I sent an email opposing it.

[teanawayslayer]

Unfortunetly that's just the way the forest circus works.  probably not going to be able to do anything about it.  They have closed road after road in kittitas county. 

[huntrights]

Those that don't want these roads to close must take a stand to oppose the closures and get many others to oppose the closures as well.  The task isn't easy; it takes some research, dedication, and time.  Remember, many hands make light work; if you can get enough people and organizations working toward a worthy cause, you might be able to change the outcome to what you desire.  Those that are not willing to stand up for what they believe in, are destined to have others dictate how they will live their lives. 

Stand up for what you believe in!

[Elkaholic daWg]

 as for the Olympics.... Note the "willing seller" part.... sell to park and hunting becomes what?




Dear Washington Wild Supporter,
 
We are writing to share with you the latest update on the Wild Olympics Campaign. As a member of the Wild Olympics Campaign, Washington Wild has been working for the past 3 years building support among the general public and local stakeholders for long term protections for the Peninsula’s watersheds while preserving recreational access.
 
As you may know, Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Patty Murray introduced a draft proposal back in November to establish new Wilderness, Wild and Scenic River designations on Olympic National Forest (ONF) and willing-seller National Preserve additions to the Olympic National Park (ONP).


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Last week, Congressman Dicks and Senator Murray announced that they are dropping the willing-seller National Preserve additions to Olympic National Park from the proposal.
 
The Preserve proposal  was developed to be consistent with the National Park Service’s own General Management Plan (2008) that would create an option for  these lands, if and when they come up for sale, to be bid on by the park and managed for fish and wildlife habitat. When we reached out to the timber landowners, we were able to have substantive conversations and worked in good faith together to try and resolve our differences over the draft proposal. We made many revisions to try and get to an agreement.
 
Unfortunately, despite significant good faith efforts on both sides to try and find common ground, the politics and the policy differences around the park proposal proved to be challenging.  Senator Murray and Congressman Dicks opted for a pathway forward that did not include the potential additions to the Park.

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Although disappointed in the decision to drop the willing seller proposal, we remain 100% supportive of the Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections that remain in Congressman Dicks’ and Senator Murray's current proposal and are grateful for their leadership. Their plan provides durable and permanent safeguards for the Peninsula's most priceless natural treasures: our towering ancient forests, free-flowing rivers, critical fish and wildlife habitat and our clean water.
 
However, other important parts of this proposal are still intact including:

    Wilderness Designations – The proposal would still protect the first new Wilderness designations on the Olympic Peninsula in three decades within the Olympic National Forest. Approximately 130,000 acres of new Wilderness designations would permanently protect intact upper watersheds and low elevation wildlife habitat.
    River Protections – The proposal will still include new Wild and Scenic river designations for 19 rivers including selected tributaries. Unbelievably, the Olympic Peninsula currently has no rivers designated as wild and scenic and this proposal would help permanently protect vital river systems that provide clean water, fish habitat and many  benefits for humans and wildlife.
    Continued Support for Wild Olympics - The Wild Olympics proposal has garnered diverse local support from more than 200 local elected officials, Peninsula businesses and farms and conservation and recreation groups. That support continues to grow. After the announcement that the willing-seller additions proposal was dropped, Merrill & Ring Inc. Vice President, Norm Schaaf, announced his support for the Wild Olympic proposal and expressed his appreciation for the inclusive process initiated by the Coalition. Click here, to see a list of organizations that support the proposal.

 
We still have much work to do and will continue to work with our coalition to move the Wild Olympics proposal forward. If you have not done so already, click here to sign the petition in support of the Wild Olympics proposal.
 
We thank you for your continued support to help bring about permanent protections to the wild lands and waters of the Olympic Peninsula.
 
Regards,
 
Nancy Osborn-Nicholas
Interim Executive Director
Washington Wild