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The upcoming (and long-time coming) Forest Plan is probably the key to all the land use issues we've been discussing lately. Dave (SAWS) can probably provide more accurate info about this. I can tell you that now is a critical time. The draft Forest Plan has not yet been issued. Once it's been issued in draft form, we'll be fighting an uphill battle.
Take some time to look here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/index.shtml
The maps give you some idea on what will likely be proposed. If you go to the interactive map, you can view it in Google Earth. There is a TON of proposed 'Inventoried Roadless Area' and proposed 'Recommended Wilderness Area'.
You can browse the document section here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/info-resources/index.shtml
There is lots of interesting info in these documents. Particularly this one, which clearly recognizes the increase in motorized use on Forest Land: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/documents/docs/briefing-trends-in-demand-and-use.doc
As well as the new motorized recreation rule here: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/OHVrule.pdf
A common theme in the Forest Plan and the new Motorized Rule is public comment/public involvement. They are required to seek comment, but they aren't going to come to us asking for it. We need to bring it to their doorstep.
Comments to the forest plan can be made here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/contact/index.shtml Take 5 minutes and state your opinion on motorized and/or snowmobile use on USFS land. THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO!!!!
You can view some of the existing comments on motorized use here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/public/documents/web-written-comments/motorized-use.doc
Can one of the mods put a sticky to the link for the comment page of the Forest Plan?
Take some time to look here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/index.shtml
The maps give you some idea on what will likely be proposed. If you go to the interactive map, you can view it in Google Earth. There is a TON of proposed 'Inventoried Roadless Area' and proposed 'Recommended Wilderness Area'.
You can browse the document section here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/info-resources/index.shtml
There is lots of interesting info in these documents. Particularly this one, which clearly recognizes the increase in motorized use on Forest Land: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/documents/docs/briefing-trends-in-demand-and-use.doc
As well as the new motorized recreation rule here: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/OHVrule.pdf
A common theme in the Forest Plan and the new Motorized Rule is public comment/public involvement. They are required to seek comment, but they aren't going to come to us asking for it. We need to bring it to their doorstep.
Comments to the forest plan can be made here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/contact/index.shtml Take 5 minutes and state your opinion on motorized and/or snowmobile use on USFS land. THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO!!!!
You can view some of the existing comments on motorized use here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan/public/documents/web-written-comments/motorized-use.doc
Can one of the mods put a sticky to the link for the comment page of the Forest Plan?