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The Coconino National Forest Needs Our Help July 17 2007 |
Submitted by Sandee McCullen July 17, 2007
OHV Enthusiasts....
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS......
Coconino needs YOUR help in supporting the OHV Travel Management Plan. This BS of accusing OHV of a "century of damage from unmanaged motor vehicle use that has impacted crucial wildlife habitat and watersheds and disrupted the solitude that many
people seek in a national forest." and the statement referencing "ORV use in Arizona was specifically cited as a reason for the new rule." are misleading and totally untrue !
Those that are looking for "SOLITUDE" have thousands of acres of WILDERNESS lands within Arizona. National Forests are not specifically designated for "solitude",
they are for the recreational use for ALL people.
If WE do not get involved, the enviros WIN. It's that simple !!!
We have some wonderful trails within Coconino borders.....
stand up and DEMAND YOUR RIGHTS FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES !!!!
BTW: Grand Canyon Trust group are extreme radicals................. in match with Center for Biological Diversity. AND THEY HAVE MONEY!!
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:50:13 GMT
From: "GRAND CANYON TRUST" Email the Grand Canyon Trust Here
To: "Barry A Bertani" Email Barry Bertani Here
Subject: The Coconino National Forest Needs Your Help, Barry A
Dear Barry A Bertani,
Coconino Off-Road Vehicle Plan: Wildlife and Quiet Recreation
Still at Risk
Please Attend an Important Citizens' Open House To Learn About
and Comment on the
Proposed Coconino National Forest Travel Management Plan
The Coconino is releasing a draft plan for reigning in off-road
vehicle use as required by the agency's 2005 Travel Management
Rule. Although the plan prohibits cross-country motor vehicle
travel, it fails to curb and reverse a century of damage from
unmanaged motor vehicle use that has impacted crucial wildlife
habitat and watersheds and disrupted the solitude that many
people seek in a national forest.
The Coconino is an incredibly rich, biologically diverse forest
and grassland that is refuge for imperiled and biologically
important species such as the Mexican spotted owl, northern
goshawk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, Gunnison?s prairie dog,
tassel-eared squirrel, mountain lion and black bear. However,
populations of owl, goshawk and deer are on the decline. The
East Clear Creek watershed, above the Mogollon Rim, offers
requisite forest and stream habitat for these species, as well
as the threatened Little Colorado River spinedace.
Damaging ORV use in Arizona was specifically cited as a reason
for the new rule. The spread of noxious weeds, erosion, wildlife
disturbance, noise and conflicts between ORVers and other
visitors is among the worst in the nation. Irresponsible
behavior could be rewarded if 40 miles of illegally created
routes are sanctioned as legal trails, as proposed in the draft
plan. The Coconino needs to reduce routes on the forest - not
add more!
The forest should also provide people with a place to connect
with nature and enjoy a welcome relief from the sights and
sounds of motorized activities. Only by reducing the current
spider web of motorized routes (over 5,000 miles!) can the
forest provide safe places and passages for imperiled wildlife
as well as tranquility for the human spirit. Forest Service
studies reveal that motorized recreationists are a minority.
Only 11% of forest visitors participate in ORV activities, and
less than 3% responded that motorized recreation, including
driving for pleasure, was their primary reason for visiting the
forest. Hiking, viewing wildlife and natural features,
relaxation and escaping noise are far more important. Yet, the
impact of off-road vehicles is so pervasive that most visitors
are frustrated and find their experience is greatly diminished.
Some ORV users may enjoy the challenge of steep, rutted and
muddy routes, but unmaintained roads result in damage to
vegetation, and serious soil loss that chokes vital watersheds
and fisheries. The Coconino can only maintain 11% of its routes
to meet safety standards and control eroding soils.
What You Can Do:
ATTEND A CITIZENS' OPEN HOUSE: Receive information about the
decision process, what is good and BAD about the forest's
proposal, review maps of the proposed road system & where it
would encroach on crucial wildlife habitat & damage watersheds.
Then write effective comments to send to the Coconino.
Prescott: Wednesday, August 1, 6:00-7:30 pm
Prescott College, San Juan Building, Second Floor, 370 Garden
St. Prescott, AZ 86305
Refreshments Served
Flagstaff: Saturday, July 28, 11:00 am -12:30 pm
Flagstaff Federated Community Church, Rees Hall, 400 W. Aspen
Ave. Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn under the shade of beautiful
old trees.
There is no cost, but please register by contacting Liz Boussard
at eab8@nau.edu or 928-527-3809 (Flagstaff) or Sam Frank
928-717-6076 (Prescott). We can also provide directions or other
information.
ATTEND A FOREST SERVICE OPEN HOUSE: Voice your concerns for
conservation values.
Flagstaff: Tuesday, July 31, 5-8 pm, OR Saturday, August 4, 12-5
pm,
Sinagua High School, 3950 E. Butler.
Happy Jack: Wednesday, August 1, 5-8 pm, Happy Jack Lodge, Lake
Mary Road
Camp Verde: Thursday, August 2, 5-8 pm, Cliff Castle Casino
For more information go to: www.endangeredearth.org/orv
