Date: 01/16/2009 BLUERIBBON COALITION LAND USE UPDATE
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Land Use Update for the Sawtooth National Forest & National Recreation Area
A couple of emails have come across my desk in the last few days regarding projects on the Sawtooth National Forest and Sawtooth National Recreation Area (NRA). The projects involve Forest Service land located in central and south-central Idaho.
I have pasted a copy of the information below. Please take a couple of minutes to read it over and pass it along.
JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!
Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 104
Sawtooth National Forest Seeks Public Comment On Grant Proposals To Be Submitted To The State Of Idaho Department Of Parks And Recreation
The Sawtooth National Forest is seeking public comment on seven proposed projects for which the Forest is seeking grants from the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Each year the State of Idaho provides funding for public land agencies through a grant application process. These State funds are raised through the sale of a variety of boating, recreation, and off-road vehicle stickers. Agencies applying for IDPR grants are required to provide matching funds or in-kind contributions. The Forest Service would appreciate your comments or feedback on the grant proposals listed below. To be most helpful, comments should be submitted by January 23, 2009. Please contact the individuals listed below to comment on specific projects; the seven proposed projects are listed below by location:
LOCATION: Fairfield Ranger District
PROJECT: The District is submitting a grant for ORMV & Motorbike funds to construct a trail less than 50" which will form a loop trail which includes the Iron Mountain Trail 050, Blue Ridge Connector Trail 048, Virginia Gulch Trail 037 and the West Fork Kelley Creek Trail 038.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Ann Frost at 208-764-3216, via e-mail at afrost@fs.fed.usor by mail to Fairfield Ranger District, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, ID 83327.
LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District
PROJECT: Warfield Eve's Gulch & Red Warrior Trail Reconstruction. The district is considering applying for a motorized grant from IDPR, from the Motorcycle fund, to support reconstructing 7 miles of tread on four trails that were impacted during the Castle Rock fire. Reconstruction will take place on Warfield Trail, Eve's Gulch Trail and both forks of upper Red Warrior Trail. Trails will be reconstructed to a 11% or less grade and will be designed as challenging routes for intermediate to advanced motorcyclists, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Renee Catherin at 208-622-0096, via e-mail at rcatherine@fs.fed.usor by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340.
LOCATION: Minidoka Ranger District
PROJECTS: 1) Porcupine Springs Campground Reconstruction. The District will complete the remaining phases of the Porcupine Springs Campground Reconstruction and Expansion Project. This phase of the project will involve constructing new equestrian campsites that are better suited to horse-users who frequently utilize the campground. There is a clear need for separate horse-camping units with room for horse trailers and corrals that will allow equestrians to camp near their animals and that will simultaneously reduce the potential conflicts of horse-camping with other types of recreationists.
2) FS Flats Designated Dispersed RV Campsites. Located up Rock Creek Canyon approximately 3 miles south of Magic Mountain Ski Resort, this project is to improve and define dispersed RV campsites around the FS Flats area. Sites will be moved back along the edge of the tree cover for better shading and more privacy for family groups; the large open sagebrush flat will be rehabilitated to reduce the dust, noise, and impacts of concentrated ORV use. The project will be implemented in phases, allowing managers to adapt the sites to best suit visitor needs.
3) Howell Canyon Potable Water Station. This project will replace two old defunct water systems that pose a health hazard to the visiting public. A newly drilled well and a new hand pump will proved safe potable water to recreationists in the area, including three high use campgrounds nearby.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Roger Anderson at 208-678-8303, via e-mail at rogeranderson@fs.fed.usor by mail to Minidoka Ranger District, 3650 S. Overland Avenue, Burley, ID 83318.
LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area
PROJECTS: 1) West Fork Big Smoky Trail Reconstruction Project in Smiley Creek (Motorbike Recreation Account). This trail is open to all single-track trail uses. The District will complete reconstruction of a trail on new alignment to bypass excessively steep and eroded sections of trail, boggy spring crossings, and private land. Two bridges will be installed over tributary streams and culverts and turnpike over springs/ wet areas.
2) Purchase of Replacement Pack and Saddle Stock (Recreation Trails Program). The District will purchase replacements for aging horses and mules used for trail maintenance and reconstruction projects. Stock will be used on all types of trails (motorbike, non-motorized, and wilderness) to carry tools, equipment, camp gear, lumber, culverts, turnpike material, and other trail work supplies.
CONTACT: submit comments to Jay Dorr at 208-727-5011, via e-mail at jdorr@fs.fed.us, or by mail to Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340.
Sawtooth NRA Seeks Comments on Trail Project in Smiley Creek
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is seeking input on a proposal to reconstruct a portion of the motorized West Fork Trail in the Smiley Creek drainage. The project area is located approximately 6.5 miles up Smiley Creek, which is located 35 miles north of Ketchum, and 25 miles south of Stanley.
This proposal includes construction of a new trailhead and approximately 2 miles of new trail on the West Fork Trail #224, which is located near the head of Smiley Creek. The existing trailhead and several sections of the trail are located on private land and, due to steepness and poor location, much of the trail is badly eroded and gullied.
This project would construct a new trailhead approximately 1/4 mile down stream from the existing trailhead and off private land. The proposed trailhead location would eliminate one stream ford and would be in an existing clearing with room for 4 passenger vehicles and one truck and trailer, and would consist of a barriered parking area and bulletin board.
The new trail section would begin at the trailhead and proceed uphill to near the existing trail's junction with Emma Creek Trail #063. Final trail tread width would be 24" and the trail would be designed with moderate grades and drainage adequate to require minimum maintenance.
Prior to making any decisions regarding this proposal, the Forest Service will complete an analysis of the project area. To ensure that no issues important to the public are overlooked, it is important for the public to provide their thoughts on this project.
Additional information including maps showing the project area may be obtained by contacting Ed Cannady at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID, 83340, at (208) 727-5000.
Comments on this proposal should be sent to Sawtooth National Recreation Area: Attn: West Fork Project, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340; phone (208) 727-5000; FAX (208) 727-5029; or mailed electronically to: ecannady@fs.fed.us. Comments will be most helpful if received before January 26, 2009.
Link
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,
Land Use Update for the Sawtooth National Forest & National Recreation Area
A couple of emails have come across my desk in the last few days regarding projects on the Sawtooth National Forest and Sawtooth National Recreation Area (NRA). The projects involve Forest Service land located in central and south-central Idaho.
I have pasted a copy of the information below. Please take a couple of minutes to read it over and pass it along.
JUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!
Thanks in advance for your support,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 104
Sawtooth National Forest Seeks Public Comment On Grant Proposals To Be Submitted To The State Of Idaho Department Of Parks And Recreation
The Sawtooth National Forest is seeking public comment on seven proposed projects for which the Forest is seeking grants from the State of Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). Each year the State of Idaho provides funding for public land agencies through a grant application process. These State funds are raised through the sale of a variety of boating, recreation, and off-road vehicle stickers. Agencies applying for IDPR grants are required to provide matching funds or in-kind contributions. The Forest Service would appreciate your comments or feedback on the grant proposals listed below. To be most helpful, comments should be submitted by January 23, 2009. Please contact the individuals listed below to comment on specific projects; the seven proposed projects are listed below by location:
LOCATION: Fairfield Ranger District
PROJECT: The District is submitting a grant for ORMV & Motorbike funds to construct a trail less than 50" which will form a loop trail which includes the Iron Mountain Trail 050, Blue Ridge Connector Trail 048, Virginia Gulch Trail 037 and the West Fork Kelley Creek Trail 038.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Ann Frost at 208-764-3216, via e-mail at afrost@fs.fed.usor by mail to Fairfield Ranger District, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, ID 83327.
LOCATION: Ketchum Ranger District
PROJECT: Warfield Eve's Gulch & Red Warrior Trail Reconstruction. The district is considering applying for a motorized grant from IDPR, from the Motorcycle fund, to support reconstructing 7 miles of tread on four trails that were impacted during the Castle Rock fire. Reconstruction will take place on Warfield Trail, Eve's Gulch Trail and both forks of upper Red Warrior Trail. Trails will be reconstructed to a 11% or less grade and will be designed as challenging routes for intermediate to advanced motorcyclists, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Renee Catherin at 208-622-0096, via e-mail at rcatherine@fs.fed.usor by mail to Ketchum Ranger District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340.
LOCATION: Minidoka Ranger District
PROJECTS: 1) Porcupine Springs Campground Reconstruction. The District will complete the remaining phases of the Porcupine Springs Campground Reconstruction and Expansion Project. This phase of the project will involve constructing new equestrian campsites that are better suited to horse-users who frequently utilize the campground. There is a clear need for separate horse-camping units with room for horse trailers and corrals that will allow equestrians to camp near their animals and that will simultaneously reduce the potential conflicts of horse-camping with other types of recreationists.
2) FS Flats Designated Dispersed RV Campsites. Located up Rock Creek Canyon approximately 3 miles south of Magic Mountain Ski Resort, this project is to improve and define dispersed RV campsites around the FS Flats area. Sites will be moved back along the edge of the tree cover for better shading and more privacy for family groups; the large open sagebrush flat will be rehabilitated to reduce the dust, noise, and impacts of concentrated ORV use. The project will be implemented in phases, allowing managers to adapt the sites to best suit visitor needs.
3) Howell Canyon Potable Water Station. This project will replace two old defunct water systems that pose a health hazard to the visiting public. A newly drilled well and a new hand pump will proved safe potable water to recreationists in the area, including three high use campgrounds nearby.
CONTACT: Submit comments to Roger Anderson at 208-678-8303, via e-mail at rogeranderson@fs.fed.usor by mail to Minidoka Ranger District, 3650 S. Overland Avenue, Burley, ID 83318.
LOCATION: Sawtooth National Recreation Area
PROJECTS: 1) West Fork Big Smoky Trail Reconstruction Project in Smiley Creek (Motorbike Recreation Account). This trail is open to all single-track trail uses. The District will complete reconstruction of a trail on new alignment to bypass excessively steep and eroded sections of trail, boggy spring crossings, and private land. Two bridges will be installed over tributary streams and culverts and turnpike over springs/ wet areas.
2) Purchase of Replacement Pack and Saddle Stock (Recreation Trails Program). The District will purchase replacements for aging horses and mules used for trail maintenance and reconstruction projects. Stock will be used on all types of trails (motorbike, non-motorized, and wilderness) to carry tools, equipment, camp gear, lumber, culverts, turnpike material, and other trail work supplies.
CONTACT: submit comments to Jay Dorr at 208-727-5011, via e-mail at jdorr@fs.fed.us, or by mail to Sawtooth National Recreation Area, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340.
Sawtooth NRA Seeks Comments on Trail Project in Smiley Creek
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is seeking input on a proposal to reconstruct a portion of the motorized West Fork Trail in the Smiley Creek drainage. The project area is located approximately 6.5 miles up Smiley Creek, which is located 35 miles north of Ketchum, and 25 miles south of Stanley.
This proposal includes construction of a new trailhead and approximately 2 miles of new trail on the West Fork Trail #224, which is located near the head of Smiley Creek. The existing trailhead and several sections of the trail are located on private land and, due to steepness and poor location, much of the trail is badly eroded and gullied.
This project would construct a new trailhead approximately 1/4 mile down stream from the existing trailhead and off private land. The proposed trailhead location would eliminate one stream ford and would be in an existing clearing with room for 4 passenger vehicles and one truck and trailer, and would consist of a barriered parking area and bulletin board.
The new trail section would begin at the trailhead and proceed uphill to near the existing trail's junction with Emma Creek Trail #063. Final trail tread width would be 24" and the trail would be designed with moderate grades and drainage adequate to require minimum maintenance.
Prior to making any decisions regarding this proposal, the Forest Service will complete an analysis of the project area. To ensure that no issues important to the public are overlooked, it is important for the public to provide their thoughts on this project.
Additional information including maps showing the project area may be obtained by contacting Ed Cannady at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID, 83340, at (208) 727-5000.
Comments on this proposal should be sent to Sawtooth National Recreation Area: Attn: West Fork Project, 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340; phone (208) 727-5000; FAX (208) 727-5029; or mailed electronically to: ecannady@fs.fed.us. Comments will be most helpful if received before January 26, 2009.
Link