Kapka Butte Scoping Letter

[Peppermint Patti]

Deschutes County 4-Wheelers have been working with the local snowmobile clubs to save an important area to motorized recreation. Currently the Forest Service has a scoping letter posted regarding the construction of a new sno-park at Kapka Butte. There is a group of back county, environmentalist cross country skiers who want to have Dutchman Sno-Park closed (it was built by the snomobilers) and the remaining half of Tumalo Mountain closed to motorized recreation, leaving the snomobilers with much less area and closing off a crucial connection to the upcountry and Elk Lake. It is imperative that we write comments to save areas for motorized recreation and help our fellow users.

Here is the response info and talking points for Kapka Sno-Park. Please feel free to expand on these points when you write your letters or emails or phone in. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO RESPOND!!!


Kapka Sno-Park Scoping Letter Talking Points

Mail to: Shane Jeffries, District Ranger
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District
1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A-262
Bend, Oregon 97701

Email to: comments-pacificnorthwest-deschutes-...rock@fs.fed.us
Please put “Kapka Scoping Comments” in the subject line. Comments must be submitted as part of the actual e-mail message, or as an attachment in Word, rich text format .(rtf) or portable document format (.pdf) only.

Phone to: (541) 383-4000
Comments can be phoned in 8 am-4:30 pm Monday – Friday

• Anti-access groups are using “conflict” as a means of eliminating motorized use. They are defining “conflict” as being able to see a motorized user, hear a motorized user, or see any evidence that a motorized user had been there at any time. As an OHV user, I call this “shared use.”
• This EIS should not be allowed to become a mechanism to expand non-motorized use areas.
• Dutchman Sno-Park must remain open to motorized recreation parking year round as it is a hub for all types of motorized users both in winter and non-winter.
• One of the alternatives considered needs to be “Kapka Development with No Elimination of Trailer Parking at Dutchman.”
• Another of the alternatives considered needs to be “Dutchman Expansion” with a minimum of 70 motorized trail parking slots.
• Continued parking at Dutchman is necessary to the viability of Elk Lake Resort.
• The snowmobile trails should be designated as Class II OHV trails in the non-winter season.
• A snowmobile trail/Class II trail is needed from Kwohl Butte to Elk Lake.
• Motorized trails are an acceptable use within Inventoried Roadless Areas per Appeal No. 07-05-10-0005.