URGENT: Another threat needs our attention - Suiattle River Road !!!!!!

[Dave Workman]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=84994.msg1231106#msg1231106


I stuck this note at the bottom of the Illabot Creek thread, but this needs our muscle, too.

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 asking for OUR help, 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...

Are WE going to let "the extremists" close a road, without a fight?  It's time to take back management from "the extremists" and this looks like a pretty good place to start.   


Find out more by clicking these threads:

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


MORE:
Dear Friend of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest:

Due to providing timely comments on the Environmental Assessment, included in this message is a link to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website, where you can find electronic copies of the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN-FONSI) for the Suiattle Access and Travel Management (ATM) Plan. It is my decision to implement a modification of Alternative B - Proposed Action. This alternative, hereafter called the Selected Alternative, will be the same as Alternative B – Proposed Action, except that it will initially treat Road 2703 from Milepost 1.7 to 6.8 to minimize impacts to aquatic resources and retain in maintenance level 1.  While the road is maintained in maintenance level 1, funding will be sought by the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and other entities to upgrade and re-open the road. If no funding is secured, the Forest Service will decommission the road.

In addition, the Selected Alternative includes another modification to the Proposed Action. The modification returns the Bachelor Creek trail to the designated trail system. A site-specific analysis in compliance with the NEPA and other relevant laws will be completed prior any maintenance or upgrade of the trail.

The Selected Alternative will have one of the following outcomes depending on whether Road 2703 is decommissioned past MP 1.7 or retained on the road system:

If Road 2703 is decommissioned after this decision, then this decision has the same primary elements as Alternative B - Proposed Action:
·         Decommission approximately 51 miles of National Forest System road no longer needed for forest management.
·         Close approximately 23 miles of National Forest System road to public access.
·         Retain approximately 26 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 2.
·         Retain approximately 30 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 3.
·         Retain approximately 10 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 4.

If Road 2703 is upgraded and opened after this decision, then this decision has the same primary elements as Alternative B - Option 1:
·         Decommission approximately 46 miles of National Forest System road no longer needed for forest management.
·         Close approximately 23 miles of National Forest System road to public access.
·         Retain approximately 26 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 2.
·         Retain approximately 30 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 3.
·         Retain approximately 10 miles of road open in Maintenance Level 4.

The DN-FONSI provides more specific information on my decision.

This concludes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process to analyze the environmental consequences of the Suiattle ATM Project. This process began with a scoping period that started on March 14, 2008 and reinitiated in a Darrington Ranger District 2010 scoping letter on Miscellaneous Project on March 28, 2010. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was then prepared in consideration of public comments received during scoping. The EA was posted on the Forest website, and copies were mailed to interested parties. A legal notice inviting comments on the EA was published in the Everett Herald on December 30, 2010. Public comments were accepted during the 30-day pre-decisional comment period. Many individuals, organizations, and Tribes expressed interest in this project. A report summarizing the comment process, the comments received, and the Forest Service response to comments is included as Appendix D in the Decision Notice.

To conserve paper, electronic copies of this letter, DN-FONSI, as well as the EA are available online at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/projects. However, if you prefer to have additional paper copies of these documents, please contact us.

This decision is subject to administrative appeal pursuant to 36 CFR Part 215. Only those who provided comments or otherwise expressed interest during the 30-day comment period on the EA have standing appeal. The appeal must meet the requirements of 36 CFR 215.14.

Detailed information on how to appeal and by when appeals need to be submitted is available in the Decision Notice.

For additional information, contact Jesse Plumage, Forest Wildlife Biologist, at the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Supervisor’s Office, 2930 Wetmore Ave, Suite 3A, Everett, Washington 98204, by e-mail at jplumage@fs.fed.us, or by phone at (425) 783-6031.

I appreciate your interest in this project.

Sincerely,



/s/ Peter Forbes
Peter Forbes
District Ranger



*Sent on behalf of Peter Forbes, by Tasha Lo Porto - Environmental Coordinator, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest*

[RB]

Tagging this to see where it may go used to go up there a lot in fact I shot my first Deer along the Suiattle long ago, but when they quit logging up there the Deer numbers plummeted and then hound hunting was banned and bears and cougars took over. Beautiful country up there though

[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!

[Skyvalhunter]

I sent out my e-mail last week in support of the opening of this road. This is a road that provides excellent access to many trail, lakes, GPW, etc. It does make a difference to send in an e-mail. Writing in does make a difference after talking to the Forest service people. We can't let people like the Wilderness Watch and Lider cut off all access to these areas. They are the ones that challenged to original road work on this project. Just takes a couple minutes.

[huntrights]

Suiattle River Road Project
WA FS ERFO 071-2023
Environmental Assessment

March 2012

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5358548.pdf

Learn about the project, then start writing your emails/letters.

It would probably be worthwhile trying to team up with the Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Council.  Working together with as many people and organizations as possible can increase the chances of saving the road.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Thanks jshunt!!!!!!!

[huntrights]

Those of you that are familiar with the area and wish access to be maintained must send your comments in by April 20, 2012. 

Don’t think others will march in to save these roads; it is up to each and every one of you that has a vested interest in the outcome.  Each individual comment makes a huge difference.  I can guarantee that NOT sending a comment will do absolutely nothing to save access to the area.  If you want to keep it, YOU must take a stand and let your voice be heard.

Department of Transportation website that has detailed information on the project:
http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/wa/suiattle/

Additional information and link to the Environmental Assessment:
http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/wa/suiattle/ea.htm

http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/wa/suiattle/documents/suiattle-ea-2012.pdf


Forest Service website:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprdb5298297

http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/mbs/landmanagement/projects



Excerpt from DOT website:

"How You Can Get Involved

• Attend the public meeting at the Everett Firefighters Association March 29th, 2012 from 6:00pm to 8:30p.m.

• Review and comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA). Send comments by April 20, 2012 to: Email: wfl.suiattleriverroad@dot.gov or to the mailing address: Western Federal Lands Highway Division, Attn: Denise Steele, 610 E Fifth Street, Vancouver, WA 98661.

• EA copies can be requested from the contacts above or downloaded from the FHWA and Forest Service website. Hard copies will be available to read at the Darrington, and Everett Libraries. Hard copies for distribution are available at the Darrington Forest Service office.

Comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses if provided, will become part of the Project Record and available for public review."

These things happen fast.  If you care about what’s happening, take action NOW.  Write those emails, or send those letters.

[Skyvalhunter]

Please go in and fill out this webpage so access into the GPW via the Suiattle can happen. Thanks due date is tomorrow.
https://secure.wilderness.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2446

[RB]

Done

[saylean]

done as well.

[50CalJim]

Just sent my E Mail. I encourage everybody to do there part to get this Rd opened up. Were missing out on some great access to Hunting, Fishing, Hiking Etc...

[Echomules]

Sent mine in earlier this week. I actually spent a hard day working on that trail earlier in the year of the original damage. We spent a day rerouting the trail around a giant old growth (+10 foot diameter) tree that fell across the trail. That portion of the trail used to be one of the few places around that was considered handicapped acessible into a wilderness area. The opposite of what some select groups would like it to be, not accessible to anyone.
We need that access restored!