Hey everyone,
I got to thinking about the Anderson Creek OHV trail system and started making some inquires. I have some updated information as to what is happening there that I wanted to share. It's important that we track what the USFS is doing so we know when we can comment on their plans.
The trails are on temporary closure while the USFS decides what they want to do there. They have a proposed action and it was described in a scoping letter by the Ranger (http://www.andersoncreek.org/anderson_creek_obliteration_2005.pdf)
They are basically proposing to close the whole thing down (which we knew) and to "rehabilitiate" the area. However, they are still in the process of writing up what the "impact" of their action will be. They are working on an Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be sent out as a draft for public comment in September. Comments will then be addressed and the EA will be finalized. It is anticipated that the EA will conclude that there is a "Finding of No Significant Impact" or FONZI and they will proceed with permanent closure and their other plans.
Here's where we can try to do something. I am on the list to receive the EA when it comes out. If the club wants, I can comment on the EA and provide a letter that can be sent by members or by the club as a whole. It's hard to say right now if we have a snoball's chance in hell of stopping their action, but it's at least worth tracking.
On a side note, I did look into the Rich Mountain closure too and that's too far gone. There was already an appeal of the decision and the appeal was denyied.
I'll keep my ears open on these, and if you have any information that could help me, let me know!
I got to thinking about the Anderson Creek OHV trail system and started making some inquires. I have some updated information as to what is happening there that I wanted to share. It's important that we track what the USFS is doing so we know when we can comment on their plans.
The trails are on temporary closure while the USFS decides what they want to do there. They have a proposed action and it was described in a scoping letter by the Ranger (http://www.andersoncreek.org/anderson_creek_obliteration_2005.pdf)
They are basically proposing to close the whole thing down (which we knew) and to "rehabilitiate" the area. However, they are still in the process of writing up what the "impact" of their action will be. They are working on an Environmental Assessment (EA) which will be sent out as a draft for public comment in September. Comments will then be addressed and the EA will be finalized. It is anticipated that the EA will conclude that there is a "Finding of No Significant Impact" or FONZI and they will proceed with permanent closure and their other plans.
Here's where we can try to do something. I am on the list to receive the EA when it comes out. If the club wants, I can comment on the EA and provide a letter that can be sent by members or by the club as a whole. It's hard to say right now if we have a snoball's chance in hell of stopping their action, but it's at least worth tracking.
On a side note, I did look into the Rich Mountain closure too and that's too far gone. There was already an appeal of the decision and the appeal was denyied.
I'll keep my ears open on these, and if you have any information that could help me, let me know!
