naches seasonal closure

[colemancooler]

i just received this info from the Naches ranger dist, i copied and pasted this info because they sent it to me in a pdf and I am not sure how to share the pdf attachment from my e mail

[quote]Seasonal weather patterns are indicative of how much precipitation falls along the eastern slopes of the Cascades. During the months of March, April, May, and June- spring rains combine with melting snow and contribute to the maximum saturation
capability of the soil. This time of year also brings forest users out of the house to begin hiking, mountain bilking, horseback riding, motor biking, and off-road riding. Heavy use on saturated dirt trails can lead to rutting, erosion, and other damage. Spring damage also can add to the backlog of annual trail maintenance.
Users brought this continuing issue to the attention of the Naches Ranger District recreation staff managers, resource specialists, and District Ranger. In response, Naches sought out a way to both prevent resource damage and more effectively manage and maintain the trail systems. The result of these conversations was a Forest Order closure (Okanogan-Wenatchee No. 733, 2011) on early season motorized use on Naches Ranger District motorized trails.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Rangers, trails managers, local law enforcement, volunteers, and other members of the public saw positive affects of the early season trail closure. The closure also became an education opportunity for users to understand proper trail use and the environmental impacts of erosion. The success of the closure was attributed to the volunteer groups who both assisted in spreading the word while also completing miles of trail maintenance.
Instead of relying on an annual Forest Order, the Naches Ranger District is proposing to complete an environmental analysis of a Categorical Exclusion (CE). This proposal would close all the motorized trails (Jeep, ATV, and Single-tread Motorcycle) to all uses every spring season. This CE will result in an environmental and social analysis and will evaluate trail conditions, seasonal
variations, trail reports, and federal guidelines.
The Naches Ranger District is asking the public to review the proposed action and provide constructive feedback. We hope to have a dialogue on how we can all best manage our trails with the resources we have.
Project Objectives Minimize spring trail damage on motorized trails to maintain trail and soil quality. Maintain motorized trail system with limited maintenance capabilities. Provide a quality riding experience on open motorized trails. Continue to monitor recreational use and impacts on motorized trails and develop necessary mitigation measures. Educate public users on trail maintenance, trail misuse, and impacts of soil erosion. Continue positive relationship with volunteer and recreational user groups through clear communication and ongoing partnerships

Proposed Action Seasonal Spring Closure on all Naches Ranger District Motorized Trails: date of closure and opening would be tentatively April 1-June 1 annually. Determination of closing and opening: dates would be flexible depending on weather and trail conditions. Enforcement: for proper enforcement there is a need to maintain an interactive public website, update district trails information, have both OPEN and CLOSED trail signage, actively use email and mailing lists for current news, and provide extra signage and mapping at multiple locations on the district. Allow for volunteers to perform maintenance before official trail opening Continue to research and explore the impacts of all types of recreational use and how to better manage trail systems. Monitoring and adaptive management to make necessary adjustments to closure.

The objectives of the proposed Spring Trail Closure are consistent with recommendations present in relevant national and regional direction. The project will follow direction for land and habitat management areas as per the Wenatchee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (1990) as amended by the
Northwest Forest Plant Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of the Northern spotted-owl (1994). This project will
decrease the chance of trail erosion and will meet the objectives of the Aquatic Conservation Strategy.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the project is classified as a Categorical Exclusion (CE) 36 CFR 220.6(d)(1) reading “Prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to
protect public health and safetyâ€

[OldGreen]

Thanks Kris.

As enjoyable as spring wheeling is on the cheese. . .the number of idiots that just destroy everything and make it into a circus has just gotten out of hand. I don't think that we have seen an appreciable increase in pressure on our preferred alternative wheelin' grounds on this side of the state so the nutjobs must just be staying home.

Thoughts?

I also got forwarded the Whiskey Dick Closure today as well. . .

[colemancooler]

stolen from cegs website http://easternwashingtonadventures.com/Public_Land/Naches_Ranger_District/2012_Spring_Trail_Closure.pdf

[Danny]

Think I'll sell my jeep NOW while there's still someone out there that might still buy it. They are just chipping away at us, and soon there's not going to be a trail worth using before long!

[OldGreen]

In all the time I've been wheelin' here in WA, I don't recall having any trails that we frequent permanently closed. We have always had to deal with seasonal closures for snowmobiles, wildlife and such. After seeing first hand what "treading heavily" can do in the springtime, I'm not mad at this. Naches isn't clear of snow until mid June to early July depending on the year, so . . . We'll go snow wheelin' in April/May/June where we always go and then hit the cheese in June - November. . .
Exception: Little Rattlesnake. . .but they finally reopened it. . .

[colemancooler]

this had been coming for some time, and i agree with O.G. it is for the best, i do not like that we will mostly only be allowed up during dust season, but the few have ruined the spring wheeling for the rest of us, at least in the Naches area

[benw]

I disagree with this plan, I think seasonal closure decisions should be made on a year to year basis. Public land should default to being open. The decision to make a seasonal closure should be carefully considered based on the conditions of any given year and should only be put in to effect under extreme circumstances.

[OldGreen]

I disagree with this plan, I think seasonal closure decisions should be made on a year to year basis. Public land should default to being open. The decision to make a seasonal closure should be carefully considered based on the conditions of any given year and should only be put in to effect under extreme circumstances.

I do agree with what you are saying. It is almost like they are just trying to save themselves from justifying the closure every year.

[benw]

Exactly. I don't disagree with seasonal closures when and where they are justified. I disagree with this plan that puts in to place a blanket, permanent seasonal closure.

[colemancooler]

it saves $ on maintenance as has been proven over the last few years, and it is easier to implement a floating seasonal closure, because the ranger has to get authority higher up to implement it, on a yearly basis. i have a foot in both camps on this one

[Danny]

Sorry guys, I just couldn't resist. I completely understand the reasoning behind the seasonal closures, and yes, it's just a few that have made it bad on the rest of us. I hope that they take each winter into consideration and make the plan a floating plan that will allow earlier wheeling when the spring runoff allows an earlier opening.

Now, if I may play devil's advocate here for just a minute.....I still think that this could turn into part of a creeping plan to get us all band from the forest eventually.

[Grumpy]

I do feel there is an agenda that's not really going to do us any good if we don't stay on their asses and all the various factions on our side keep bickering about what rig type should be allowed where. We are too fractious at this point, and don't seem to be able to figure out how to present a united front.