COW Forest Plan proposes 238,800 acres for additional Wilderness

DOO DAWG said:

Washington Wilderness coalition alert today........


You're Invited to the Eastern Washington Forest Public Meeting and BBQ!


Western Washingtonians, this Saturday, August 13th is your only chance to ask for a wild future for our forests in Eastern Washington. WWC invites you to join us to ask for stronger protections of our wild lands and rivers and the unmatched recreation opportunities these provide. Afterwards, WWC is co-hosting a FREE cookout with conservation and recreation groups where you can get dogs, brews and more information about the forest plan.

When: 10 am with a BBQ directly following!
Where: The Mountaineers
Why: This is first time in Washington State history where the Forest Plans will recommend wilderness, and we want to be sure they recommend the right places and quantities to adequately protect our treasured wildlands.

The US Forest Service is holding a Public Meeting on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville Forest Plan, which will determine how these national forests will be managed for the next 15 years or longer. This public meeting will have presentations by the Forest Service about their plans and the public comment process and then open the floor to questions, where you can make your concerns heard.

Can’t Make it? You can still make your voice heard. They are holding public meetings around the state, so look to find one that you can attend HERE. Or submit a comment HERE.

Learn More about the Plan

- KEEP THE WILD IN WASHINGTON -​

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Join Today​

Since 1979, Washington Wilderness Coalition has helped protect over 2 million acres of wilderness and roadless forests in Washington through grassroots action, advocacy and public education. Members provide the resources and political clout we need to protect and restore our wild forests and rivers, leaving a rich wilderness legacy for future generatio​

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ruffryder said:

Someone should have warned poor CO 2.0...

Should of added,

******note, "all mine" is referenced to land currently available to snowmobiles and does not included non snowmobile areas, voluntary non-motorized areas, and massive amounts of wilderness and other non-motorized areas.

lol, WMC, you choose your words so interestingly.

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WMC said:

Hey we are still waiting on Mr Hurwitz' 1/3 Wilderness,1/3 Snowmobiles, 1/3 Winter Non-Motorized Plan. We would get behind that! Right now is more like 34% Wilderness, 60% Snowmobiles, 6% CFR and Voluntary (constantly violated) Non-Motorized Areas.

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snowmobiler said:

we do wonder what made captain selfish so selfish.so our kids dont grow up like that.

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ruffryder said:

or captain double talk so double talkie... lol

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WMC said:

There is also the amount of fuel from two stroke engines that goes to the ground- estimated in articles I have read as high as 40%. And it is clearly a myth about four stroke engines used on snowmobles- not to be seen much in use from a practical standpoint at least thus far. That fuel dump problem will come under increased scrutiny in the future.

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WMC said:

Hey we are still waiting on Mr Hurwitz' 1/3 Wilderness,1/3 Snowmobiles, 1/3 Winter Non-Motorized Plan. We would get behind that! Right now is more like 34% Wilderness, 60% Snowmobiles, 6% CFR and Voluntary (constantly violated) Non-Motorized Areas.

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The national population is growing; the amount of people recreating in the outdoors is increasing with the growing population; the diversity of ethnic groups is growing and more women are participating in outdoor recreation; the average age of people recreating is getting older; although the most popular recreation activities have held steady (camping and hiking), and are still the most popular activities, there are new ones that are growing significantly in demand. Because of our fast-paced society and career minded parents with children, people use the National Forests for shorter durations—they want more weekend experiences rather than multi-week ventures.

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Trail use on all thre5e Forests has remained stable. However, the type of use on trails is changing; and with changing uses (increase in Mt. bikes and motorized equipment), there have been challenges in offering opportunities for the newer uses in combination with the traditional uses (hikers and horse-riders). There are fewer over-night hiking trips and more day-hike trips and this includes wilderness hikes as well. Winter trails have become more important, and there are grooming agreements associated with many of them.

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Demand for designated OHV routes is increasing. According to the Washington State Department of Licensing, in the counties where the National Forests reside (Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Yakima, Okanogan, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Stevens), OHV registration have gone up an average of 26% in Colville NF counties, 31% in Okanogan County, and 19% in Wenatchee NF Counties just in the past two years (these figures do not include motorcycles). Snowmobile registration in those same counties went up 14% in Colville NF Counties, they went down 3% in Okanogan County, and down 13% in Wenatchee NF Counties. There are other counties that influence these Forests as well (Spokane, Pierce, and King) which all have increased OHV registration, but gone down in snowmobile registration from 2002 to 2004. (Washington State Department of Licensing Vehicle Fee Distribution Report, www.dol.wa.gov/

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Although Backpacking, Hiking, and Walking are still the most popular forms of travel on trails, Mt.Biking, and OHV riding are increasing in popularity and demand.

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However, there appears to be a growing demand for OHV routes that is predicted to continue to increase, and supply may not be meeting demand in some of the areas of the Forests. The OHV use seems to cross all income levels and age levels as well, and all surveys are fairly consistent with this prediction of increase.

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Budget has been declining for the past decade, and is predicted to decline further or stabilize at the level it is at now. Fostering mutually beneficial volunteer agreements will continue to be important to continue trail and trailhead maintenance and improvements, on trails that are important to some user groups, but may be falling out of the maintenance schedule.

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Driving for pleasure has a high participation rate across all age classes, income levels, and ethnic groups. Studies show it is on the increase. Trend data shows that viewing and photographing scenery has the highest percentage of participation than any other outdoor activity nation-wide, followed by visiting nature centers as second, and driving for pleasure as third. (Hall, 2005)

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Since people are taking shorter trips into the wilderness, the campsites within the interior of the wildernesses are shrinking, but the campsites that are easier to get to with larger group sizes are remaining the same size as they have been for many years. There are some identified areas within some of the wildernesses that are at capacity. Although some campsites are larger due to traditional use patterns, the Wilderness Areas in general are on an upward trend in revegetation and naturalization.

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Backpacking – Colville: Limited opportunities due to layout of Forest and small amount of wilderness. Okanogan-Wenatchee: High use rate on the Wenatchee, primarily in wilderness, which is accessible and can accommodate future use.
Snowmobiling – Use expected to increase by 350 percent by 2050. Some PWAs have popular marked routes and play areas. For all three forests, all but two miles of groomed trail are outside PWAs. Climate change will alter winter use. High use on the Wenatchee and Colville, where projected increase could have impacts. A relative low use activity on Okanogan.
Backcountry Skiing – A low use for all three Forests. Many of the popular or important areas are in PWA’s. Groomed Nordic trails are mostly outside PWAs and many are associated with ski areas.
Hunting – National trend is for major decrease, but will remain a local significant use. Some PWAs have low OHV use related to hunting season. Colville and Wenatchee have relative high use and Okanogan low use. Wilderness and PWAs provides wildlife habitat.

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DOO DAWG said:

"

11worth eh?

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ruffryder said:

from turns all year...

Quote:
Originally Posted by WMC
There is also the amount of fuel from two stroke engines that goes to the ground- estimated in articles I have read as high as 40%. And it is clearly a myth about four stroke engines used on snowmobles- not to be seen much in use from a practical standpoint at least thus far. That fuel dump problem will come under increased scrutiny in the future.


I am just glad you are snowmobiler...

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WMC said:

What of it? Why would you post that?

Thanks for real conversation, anyway.

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DOO DAWG said:

Was just wondering if I am conversing with Mr Mullins,or Mr Bekker. Other than that, it just made sense. If you were to draw a N-S line on the pacific crest you would find that no city or town east of that line has more in common with the liberal greenie tyrants of Pugetropolis than 11worth.

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