If you ride in the Cle Elum area you may want to consider attending the meeting described below. From the looks of things, the Forest Service could use some input from the motorcycle side of things.
Tod
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MANAGED TRAVELWAY MEETING - JANUARY 15thMANAGED TRAVELWAY MEETING - JANUARY
15th
CLE ELUM RANGER STATION - 803 WEST SECOND STREET - TOM CRAVEN CONFERENCE
ROOM - 7:00 PM
Motorized recreation is on the rise, and over the past few years the Cle
Elum Ranger District has seen the effects of this. Although a majority of
summer users are riding and driving responsibly on established roads and
trails, we are still seeing an increase in damage to the land due to
cross-country riding and driving. The time has come to require motorized
users (except snowmobiles) to stay on established roads and trails. We will
implement a program called "Managed Travelways" beginning in the spring
2004.
This program consists of two phases: Phase I consists of two orders, one
that prohibits motorized cross-country travel (travel off of established
roads and trails, excluding snowmobiles) and the other order legalizes ATV
use on designated roads. Phase II will involve an extensive planning effort
to decide: 1) what should be done with unofficial (user-created) trails
(i.e. which trails should be improved and added to the official system, and
which trails should be closed to protect forest resources), and 2) an
in-depth look at ATV use on the Cle Elum Ranger District (should use be
allowed on roads, or existing trails, and can the land available accommodate
that use)? The end product, as we envision it, will be a firm system of
official and managed motorized routes that motorcycles, ATV's and 4x4's must
stay on (along with established roads if the vehicle is street legal).
At his time, we'd like to get your thoughts on how we should proceed with
"Phase II."
Can you help us identify the location of user-created trails, along
with their condition and how important hey are to you?
Do you think some or all of these should be added to the official trail
system?
Do you think ATV's should be allowed to ride on some old logging roads?
Should we convert some single-track trails into ATV trails?
We envision this process taking some time (probably a few years) and there
will be numerous opportunities for public input and discussion as we go
along, but any thoughts you have at his time will be helpful. I want to make
it clear that we are not, at this time, considering non-motorized use,
snowmobiles, or changes to existing system (official) trails.
We are planning a public meeting January 15 at 7:00PM at the Cle Elum Ranger
station in the Tom L. Craven Conference Room to discuss this program. We
invite you to write us, e-mail us, and/or attend this meeting if you'd like
to get more information and share your thoughts on Phase II. This process
may result in significant changes to the way off-road vehicles are managed
on the Cle Elum Ranger District. I urge you to become involved if this issue
is important to you. Questions and comments can be addressed to Public
Affairs, Attn: Kim Larned 803 W Second St., Cle Elum WA, 98922 or
klarned@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
Catherine Stephenson
District Ranger
Tod
++++++++
MANAGED TRAVELWAY MEETING - JANUARY 15thMANAGED TRAVELWAY MEETING - JANUARY
15th
CLE ELUM RANGER STATION - 803 WEST SECOND STREET - TOM CRAVEN CONFERENCE
ROOM - 7:00 PM
Motorized recreation is on the rise, and over the past few years the Cle
Elum Ranger District has seen the effects of this. Although a majority of
summer users are riding and driving responsibly on established roads and
trails, we are still seeing an increase in damage to the land due to
cross-country riding and driving. The time has come to require motorized
users (except snowmobiles) to stay on established roads and trails. We will
implement a program called "Managed Travelways" beginning in the spring
2004.
This program consists of two phases: Phase I consists of two orders, one
that prohibits motorized cross-country travel (travel off of established
roads and trails, excluding snowmobiles) and the other order legalizes ATV
use on designated roads. Phase II will involve an extensive planning effort
to decide: 1) what should be done with unofficial (user-created) trails
(i.e. which trails should be improved and added to the official system, and
which trails should be closed to protect forest resources), and 2) an
in-depth look at ATV use on the Cle Elum Ranger District (should use be
allowed on roads, or existing trails, and can the land available accommodate
that use)? The end product, as we envision it, will be a firm system of
official and managed motorized routes that motorcycles, ATV's and 4x4's must
stay on (along with established roads if the vehicle is street legal).
At his time, we'd like to get your thoughts on how we should proceed with
"Phase II."
Can you help us identify the location of user-created trails, along
with their condition and how important hey are to you?
Do you think some or all of these should be added to the official trail
system?
Do you think ATV's should be allowed to ride on some old logging roads?
Should we convert some single-track trails into ATV trails?
We envision this process taking some time (probably a few years) and there
will be numerous opportunities for public input and discussion as we go
along, but any thoughts you have at his time will be helpful. I want to make
it clear that we are not, at this time, considering non-motorized use,
snowmobiles, or changes to existing system (official) trails.
We are planning a public meeting January 15 at 7:00PM at the Cle Elum Ranger
station in the Tom L. Craven Conference Room to discuss this program. We
invite you to write us, e-mail us, and/or attend this meeting if you'd like
to get more information and share your thoughts on Phase II. This process
may result in significant changes to the way off-road vehicles are managed
on the Cle Elum Ranger District. I urge you to become involved if this issue
is important to you. Questions and comments can be addressed to Public
Affairs, Attn: Kim Larned 803 W Second St., Cle Elum WA, 98922 or
klarned@fs.fed.us.
Sincerely,
Catherine Stephenson
District Ranger