|
TRAVEL AND RECREATION INFORMATION February
2, 2012
Clearwater
Forest Issues Travel Plan Decision
Orofino, ID – With public comments analyzed and analysis completed,
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell has decided how
motorized uses will be managed on roads and trails within the boundaries of
the 1.8-million-acre Clearwater National Forest.
Brazell selected Alternative C Modified, an alternative based on
Alternative C that was described as “Motorcycle Loop Trails and Wildlife
Habitat” in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement released in July 2009.
While the modified alternative is similar to the original Alternative C,
Brazell said it responds to issues and concerns about opportunities for
motorcycle loop trips to a greater degree than Alternative C. It also
implements seasonal trail closures to protect key fisheries and wildlife
habitat. The decision: ·
Permits motorized uses on designated routes, except for snow machines
in winter. This change is consistent with national direction, and is a
fundamental change from the current situation where travel is permitted
except where specifically restricted. ·
Restricts motorized travel (particularly over snow) and bicycle travel
in areas recommended as Wilderness by the 1987 Forest Plan. An
exception is summer motorized travel on Fish Lake Trail 419. ·
Implements seasonal closures on some trails in Management Areas C1
(big-game summer range emphasis), C6 (fisheries habitat emphasis) and C8S
(big-game summer range / timber management emphasis). This reduces
opportunities primarily for backcountry motorcycle users.
“This was not an easy decision to make,” Brazell stated. “While many
commenters sought increased motorized opportunities, others passionately
argued for the elimination of motorized uses in many areas of the Forest.”
Brazell said he used four key considerations in making the decision:
(1) the degree to which each alternative would provide well-distributed
opportunities for motorized recreational uses and quiet, non-motorized uses
of the trail system outside of Wilderness; (2) the degree to which each
alternative would provide well-distributed opportunities for both
snowmobiling and quiet, non-motorized winter recreation; (3) the degree to
which each alternative would achieve desired conditions for other resources,
particularly wildlife and recommended Wilderness; and (4) the degree to which
each alternative was consistent with goals and objectives in the 1987 Forest
Plan.
“I sincerely believe the selected alternative provides the best mix of
motorized uses while protecting wildlife and fisheries habitat,” he
explained.
Brazell said individuals who drive full-size vehicles or off-road vehicles
would not notice much change from the current situation.
Those who will experience the most change will be motorcyclists who use the
North Fork Ranger District. While there will more loop opportunities
than originally presented, there will be shorter seasons for the use.
Individuals who ride bicycles and snowmobiles in recommended Wilderness will
also be affected by the decision. The 1987 Clearwater Forest Plan
recommended 198,200 acres for Wilderness designation in the Mallard-Larkins,
Hoodoo (Great Burn), and Selway-Bitterroot areas.
Upon issuing the decision, the Forest will focus efforts on creating a Motor
Vehicle Use Map that will display the travel management decision for Forest
users. That will hopefully be completed prior to the summer travel season.
The Clearwater National Forest initiated the travel planning process in
response to national agency direction to designate roads, trails and areas
where motorized travel will be permitted and to display them on a Motor
Vehicle Use Map.
The Travel Planning Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of
Decision represent the culmination of more than four years work and
incorporation of thousands of public comments. All project documents
are posted on the website. http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=17992.
Comments are welcome and can be directed to Lois Hill, NEPA Coordinator and
ID Team Leader, at (208)935-4258. Forest Service extends comment period
for the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor
for the Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests, has extended the comment
period for Upper Lochsa Land Exchange Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact
Statement an additional 30 days. The Supplemental Draft
Environmental Impact Statement was released November 10, 2011. The 60 day comment
period was scheduled to conclude January 17, however, with the extension the
comment period should end on or about February 16, 2012. The official comment deadline is
determined by the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register which is the exclusive means for calculating the
comment period for a proposed action documented in an Environmental Impact Statement.
Those wishing to comment should
not rely on dates or timeframe information provided by any other source. The Forest Service anticipates the comment
extension will be published in the Federal Register on Friday January 13,
2012. Information regarding the exchange
is available on the web at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=26227. For
additional information, contact Project Leader Teresa Trulock at
(208)935-4256. CLEARWATER AREA #18 GROOMER WEEKLY REPORT Provided by Linda Applington of the Ridgerunners Snowmobile
Club The
grooming schedule for this week will be French Mountain, Hemlock, Beaver Dam
and Rocky Ridge area. A route around Pierce will be done late in the week to
prepare for the Pierce Winter Festival on February 4. This will open about 100 more miles of
trail system and should provide some good loops for all riders leaving from
the Pierce area. We
would like to remind everyone that there will be an Avalanche Awareness Class
hosted by Idaho Park and Recreation on February 4 at the Pierce Community
Center. For more information, or to
register for this FREE class, call (208) 769-1511 or (208) 215-9550. For
those who still need to register their snowmobiles, Gene and Linda Applington
will have a book in Pierce at the Pierce Winter Festival. It will then be at their home in
Weippe. Please remember to designate
Area #18 on your registration form.
For information concerning the grooming schedule or route call Gene
Applington, Chairman at 435-4821 for an update. Traveling in
Idaho? Be sure to call “511”, the Idaho Transportation
Department’s Travel Information
Hotline for updates on closures and road conditions. You can also visit the
ITD’s website at http://511.idaho.gov/. ROADS
TRAILS A gentle reminder; Utility Terrain Vehicles
(UTVs), also known as Side-By-Side Vehicles or RUVs, such as Yamaha
Rhinos, the Kawasaki Teryx and the Polaris RZR S, are NOT PERMITTED to
travel on Clearwater National Forest trails. UTVs are regarded in the
same way as full-size passenger cars and are required to stay on forest roads.
The
Clearwater
National Forest Travel Guide will provide you with information on roads,
trails and areas where travel may be restricted for resource protection. View
it online by following the link, above.
VISITOR
CENTERS Travelers can
stop by these National Forest Visitor Centers for
up-to-date road and trail information, and to purchase national forest and
Wilderness Area maps. Be sure to check out the fantastic selection of
books, travelogues, hiking guides, plush animals, DVDs, tee shirts, note
cards and other collectibles.
Remember
– staying in the same campground or
“identified” site (partially-
developed, no-fee sites) is limited to a total of 14 days during any 45-day period. Camps must relocate at least
five miles away from the original site to qualify for a new 14-day period. Camping
at all dispersed sites
(undeveloped) is limited to a total of 18
days during any 45-day period. Camps must relocate at least five miles
away from the original site to qualify for a new 18-day period. These
restrictions are in effect from May 1
to October 5, annually. Any camp set up or occupied during the restricted
period is subject to the 18-day
limit as describe above. For example, a camp set up on October 5 is required
to move within 18 days. Length of camping stay is not
limited from October 6 through April 30. During the busy
summer recreation season, most campsites are available on a first-come,
first-served basis; eager campers should refrain from “reserving” campsites
by leaving unoccupied RVs or tents, camping equipment or personal property
(such as lawn chairs or coolers) at a pre-selected site ahead of your actual
arrival time. In addition, it is not permissible to “reserve” a campsite for
future use by pre-paying for the site via the campground’s fee envelope /
honor box system. If you wish to
reserve a campsite or group camping area for the 2012 recreation season,
there are reservable sites at the Powell, Wilderness Gateway and Elk Creek
campgrounds. Contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at
1-877-444-6777 for more information and a list of available campsites.
CABIN AND LOOKOUT
RENTALS If
you’re interested in renting a Forest Service cabin or lookout for a summer
getaway, you can contact the National Recreation Reservation Service at
1-877-444-6777 for a list of facilities, to check available dates or to make
reservations. You can also log on to www.recreation.gov
to plan your unique visit to a recreational cabin or lookout. Please note
that most Clearwater National Forest cabins and lookouts are not accessible
or available for rent until July 15 annually,
with the exception of the Kelly Forks Cabin, which can be rented one month
earlier, on June 15. Reservations can be made
up to 180 days in advance. The
Forest’s 2012 cabin and lookout rental season is just around the corner! For
a list of available recreational cabins and lookouts, contact the Clearwater
National Forest Information Desk at (208)476-8267. RENTAL CABINS AND LOOKOUTS
|
