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May 14, 2006
Randall Shepard, District Ranger, RE: Little Naches Recreation Management Plan – Environmental Assessment (EA) Dear Mr. Shepard, In my capacity as Washington State Director, of the Pacific Northwest Four Wheel Drive Association, I would like to thank you for providing me, and the 2000 members, the opportunity to comment on the EA for the Little Naches Recreation Management Plan. We feel this action is timely and appropriate due to the recreation taking place on the Naches District; overall, the district should be commended for its work on this Plan. As recreational use of our public lands increase, so does the pressure on the land managers for these lands, and studies do show a rapid growth of ORV use. We support the majority of Alternative 2 – preferred alternative, but we are requesting modifications in some areas. The comments and concerns which follow in specific areas, we feel need to be revisited and additional consideration be given in those sections. The type of recreation in general; mode of travel and perceived camping experiences have changed as the public continue to enjoy the outdoors. More and more of the general public are turning to public lands for their recreational experiences, which creates another whole new level of trail management. I offer the following comments and concerns for review and consideration: C.) ATV Trail System Management – There is a definite need for established ATV trail opportunities. We commend the district for taking an early pro-active direction and addressing this issue – especially since cross-country travel is at the forefront on a national level. There is a need to encourage responsible trail practices and land use behavior through the education process – with enforcement to follow if necessary. There needs to be communication with trail stakeholders when designing trail systems – there is a need to partner with users to create and collaborate on projects so their respective interests and shared vision is achieved. E.) Learner Loop – A positive direction for novice ATV users; this will discourage campground and parking area riding. Signage is very important; stating slow speed area; addressing legal riding hours would help; for their safety, supervision is needed for the very young (maybe an age sited). F.) Unauthorized Trails, System Trails, and Cross Country Use The maps that were incorporated into the EA were very hard to read and interpretation is unclear as to what type of unauthorized/ system trails are to be closed. Are they nonmotorized, multiple use – four wheel drive, single tract - and/or ATV? We would like to encourage the district to review and reconsider closure of any unauthorized trail system. For those areas you deemed unsuitable to remain open - we ask the district to undertake a study on what improvements to or corrective measures can be made to these systems and bring them into compliance and suited for authorized multiple use trail designation. The Raven’s Roost powerline corridor is a safety concern to us. The portion that is creating our concern is the mudding area and cable exposure. We concur this section needs to be rehabilitated –signed “closed and off limits”. It is felt however, a section of the corridor could be re-addressed by re-routing a portion of the trail so it would be acceptable to four wheel drive use – as it had been in the past. The growing popularity of off road recreation warrants continued access to forest lands – closures will only create overuse in other areas on the forest. To elevate costs for maintaining additional systems – funding is available through state and federal grants; Nonhighway and Off Road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) and National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP), along with various user group volunteer support. F. IV) Seasonal Motorized Trail System Closure – We feel all motorized trail systems should remain open unless notified/posted closed. Using June 1 as the opening date, the district is bypassing a three day weekend that is popular for family recreation. Although this may be out of the EA scoping process – economic impact to local businesses would be felt – they do look forward to the recreation revenue, and Memorial Day weekend has been the beginning of outdoor activities in the past. Thank you for considering these comments and concerns, we look forward to the districts final determination. Sincerely, Arlene Brooks, WA. State Director |
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