Okanogan & Wenatchee NF Travel Plan Update

JThompson · 02-01-2007, 12:57 AM

From - http://sharetrails.org/
Greetings Washington State Recreationists!
I wanted to send you Ric Foster's update on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' travel planning process. As you know, the FS will be developing a travel plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. Ric works for BRC as public lands assistant and part of his job is to keep track the FS travel plans. You can check all of Ric's updates on BRC's Public Lands Webpage See: ( http://www.sharetrails.org/public_lands )
During the past summer the Okanogan and Wenatchee began the process by conducting several public meetings throughout the area. As a result of these meeting, they received comments from over 500 individuals and groups. The agency will now use those comments and suggestions in an analysis process on each Ranger District. The analysis process will begin this month and take approximately six months to complete. The forest has published the following timeline for completion of the Plan (see below).
The NEPA analysis will take 12-18 months, so a final decision could be made in early to mid 2009, with implementation through the publication on the Motor Vehicle Use Map in late 2009. Even though the public meetings are over, the agency will still accept input on specific roads, trails and areas that should be open for motorized vehicles. If you haven't sent the FS your ideas, please take the time to contact them soon (see below for phone numbers and email address)
We'll continue to keep you updated on the process and we'll let you know when the dates of the next round of meetings are set.
Thanks to all BRC members and supporters who commented on this important planning effort. If you have any questions or comments please call.
Brian Hawthorne
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102
Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' Travel Plan Timeline:
Mid 2007 - Complete travel route analysis on each Ranger District and make those results available on maps and the website.
Late Summer/Fall 2007 - Hold a second series of public meetings to share the analysis results and see if your comments and suggestions are reflected on the maps. Gather additional input on Travel Management Planning.
Late 2007 - Begin the formal environmental analysis, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by publishing a Proposed Action built upon your input and route analysis from earlier in the year.
Information is posted on the website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/recreation/ohv-2006/ohv-rule-new-rec.shtml. Also for additional information one of the individuals listed below.
Forest Contacts:
Marge Hutchinson South Zone Engineer and co-team leader (509) 653-1430
Mike Rowan Naches Ranger District (509) 653-1452
Tim Foss Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1069
Lisa Therrell Wenatchee River Ranger District (509) 548-6977 ext 233
Randy McLandress Entiat Ranger District (509) 784-1511
Jennifer Zbyszewski Methow Valley Ranger District (509) 996-4021
Michael Alvarado Tonasket Ranger District (509) 486-5111
Joe Kastenholz Chelan Ranger District (509) 682-2576 ext 216
Comments may also be sent to:comments-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-wenatchee@fs.fed.us

02-01-2007, 12:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 4,819	Okanogan & Wenatchee NF Travel Plan Update From - http://sharetrails.org/ Greetings Washington State Recreationists! I wanted to send you Ric Foster's update on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' travel planning process. As you know, the FS will be developing a travel plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. Ric works for BRC as public lands assistant and part of his job is to keep track the FS travel plans. You can check all of Ric's updates on BRC's Public Lands Webpage See: ( http://www.sharetrails.org/public_lands ) During the past summer the Okanogan and Wenatchee began the process by conducting several public meetings throughout the area. As a result of these meeting, they received comments from over 500 individuals and groups. The agency will now use those comments and suggestions in an analysis process on each Ranger District. The analysis process will begin this month and take approximately six months to complete. The forest has published the following timeline for completion of the Plan (see below). The NEPA analysis will take 12-18 months, so a final decision could be made in early to mid 2009, with implementation through the publication on the Motor Vehicle Use Map in late 2009. Even though the public meetings are over, the agency will still accept input on specific roads, trails and areas that should be open for motorized vehicles. If you haven't sent the FS your ideas, please take the time to contact them soon (see below for phone numbers and email address) We'll continue to keep you updated on the process and we'll let you know when the dates of the next round of meetings are set. Thanks to all BRC members and supporters who commented on this important planning effort. If you have any questions or comments please call. Brian Hawthorne BlueRibbon Coalition 208-237-1008 ext 102 Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' Travel Plan Timeline: Mid 2007 - Complete travel route analysis on each Ranger District and make those results available on maps and the website. Late Summer/Fall 2007 - Hold a second series of public meetings to share the analysis results and see if your comments and suggestions are reflected on the maps. Gather additional input on Travel Management Planning. Late 2007 - Begin the formal environmental analysis, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by publishing a Proposed Action built upon your input and route analysis from earlier in the year. Information is posted on the website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/recreation/ohv-2006/ohv-rule-new-rec.shtml. Also for additional information one of the individuals listed below. Forest Contacts: Marge Hutchinson South Zone Engineer and co-team leader (509) 653-1430 Mike Rowan Naches Ranger District (509) 653-1452 Tim Foss Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1069 Lisa Therrell Wenatchee River Ranger District (509) 548-6977 ext 233 Randy McLandress Entiat Ranger District (509) 784-1511 Jennifer Zbyszewski Methow Valley Ranger District (509) 996-4021 Michael Alvarado Tonasket Ranger District (509) 486-5111 Joe Kastenholz Chelan Ranger District (509) 682-2576 ext 216 Comments may also be sent to:comments-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-wenatchee@fs.fed.us __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

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