The Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service have proposed a new Forest Planning Rule to guide land management plans for all units of the National Forest System. According to Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, "This proposed planning rule seeks to conserve our forests for the benefit of water, wildlife, recreation and the economic vitality of our rural communities."
While WWA has concerns about some aspects of the proposed rule – namely the amount of local discretion and the use of non-binding subjective terms such as “desired conditions,” “taking into account,” and “should consider,” that leave too much to interpretation and may lead to weakened protection for wildlife and resources – we are encouraged by the inclusion a Framework for Sustainable Recreation.
The proposed rule reads, “Through consideration of recreational values in a landscape context, NFS units would be expected to provide a mix of sustainable recreational opportunities that complement those of the surrounding area.” It further defines sustainable recreation as “…the set of recreational opportunities, uses and access that, individually and combined, are ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable, allowing the responsible official to offer recreation opportunities now and into the future.” The inclusion of the Framework for Sustainable Recreation is an
important acknowledgment that economically and socially important non-consumptive activities (including human-powered snowsports) need greater consideration in the Forest Planning process.
The proposed rule also includes consideration of climate change and includes requirements to “consider climate change in assessments, revising or amending plans, and in monitoring...” Considering the current 1982 Rule includes no consideration of climate change the inclusion of “adaptive framework” for climate change is a notable step forward.
Equally important is the proposed rule’s recognition of the important role national forest lands play in supplying America with clean water and the acknowledgement of the role Forest Plans play in protecting the quality and quantity of the nation’s water supply. According to the proposed rule “New or revised plans would consistently include
more direction for maintenance and restoration of watersheds composition, structure and function and protection for aquatic resources than existing plans.”
In regard to protecting wildlife, the proposed rule states, “NFS lands would be expected to consistently provide the ecological conditions necessary to maintain the diversity of plant and animal communities.” The proposed rule allows significant discretion within the Forest Service for managing wildlife compared to the existing planning regulations that require the Forest Service to maintain viable populations of all native and desired non-native species. WWA is
concerned that wildlife will receive less protection within the new plan.
WWA will voice our concerns in official comments and will at the same time commend the Forest Service and USDA on their good faith effort to promote sustainable recreation such as backcountry skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking. Winter Wildlands Alliance will continue advocate for a Forest Planning Rule that requires sound science and finds the correct balance between national standards and directives and local discretion. To learn m ore about the Rule and to comment directly go to http://fs.usda.gov/planningrule. Comment period closes May 16, 2011.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Hahns Peak and the Columbine Access Project Results in a "Give and Take" Resolution
The controversial Columbine Access Project, which establishes a groomed snowmobile trail through Columbine Meadows, a historic non-motorized backcountry ski area near Hahn’s Peak, is scheduled to move forward with the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest’s decision that the project will not have “a significant effect on the human environment” and will therefore not require an Environmental Impact Statement. The project also establishes a three-acre parking area away from private homes to alleviate conflict between private home owners and snowmobilers.
While Winter Wildlands Alliance along with Friends of the Routt Backcountry and Colorado Mountain Club opposed the proposed motorized route through Columbine Meadows, we are pleased with another outcome of the decision that establishes a voluntary motorized closure area on Hahns Peak. The plan is intended to allow motorized access leading to areas popular with snowmobilers while preserving a traditional skier use area. Snowmobilers will be instructed to stay on the trail while passing through Columbine Meadows. If snowmobilers do not stay on the trail the plan calls for the Forest Supervisor to consider a mandatory closure to snowmobiles, to move the trail and/or eliminate “groomed” access from the Columbine side of Hahns Peak. With the establishment and protection of a significant non-motorized area on Hans Peak, Winter Wildlands Alliance, Friends of the Routt Backcountry, and Colorado Mountain Club have decided not to challenge the decision to allow the motorized trail. However we are working with the Forest Service to resolve several other details including insuring access to Hahns Peak for non-motorized recreationists. Winter Wildlands Alliance, Friends of the Routt Backcountry and Colorado Mountain Club anticipate that this access issue will be easily resolved.
While Winter Wildlands Alliance along with Friends of the Routt Backcountry and Colorado Mountain Club opposed the proposed motorized route through Columbine Meadows, we are pleased with another outcome of the decision that establishes a voluntary motorized closure area on Hahns Peak. The plan is intended to allow motorized access leading to areas popular with snowmobilers while preserving a traditional skier use area. Snowmobilers will be instructed to stay on the trail while passing through Columbine Meadows. If snowmobilers do not stay on the trail the plan calls for the Forest Supervisor to consider a mandatory closure to snowmobiles, to move the trail and/or eliminate “groomed” access from the Columbine side of Hahns Peak. With the establishment and protection of a significant non-motorized area on Hans Peak, Winter Wildlands Alliance, Friends of the Routt Backcountry, and Colorado Mountain Club have decided not to challenge the decision to allow the motorized trail. However we are working with the Forest Service to resolve several other details including insuring access to Hahns Peak for non-motorized recreationists. Winter Wildlands Alliance, Friends of the Routt Backcountry and Colorado Mountain Club anticipate that this access issue will be easily resolved.
Backcountry Partner Spotlight: Alpine Ambitions and 1102 in 2011 = $750 for WWA
This past January, the Winter Wildlands Alliance staff had the opportunity to meet Donny Roth of Alpine Ambitions. In addition to being an all around nice guy, Donny is a professional skier, writer, guide and instructor who has led groups through Chile and Argentina and written articles for numerous blogs and magazines. Donny told us he’s a fan of our work and that he loves to spread the word about Winter Wildlands Alliance. To help do that he came up with a great promotion! For the coming year, Alpine Ambitions has created a social media promo on Facebook. If they get 1102 “likes” on Facebook in the year 2011 (that’s 2011 backwards – get it?) Donny will donate $750 to WWA. So show Donny some love and check out the Alpine Ambitions page on Facebook. We all win in the end!
Corporate Partner Spotlight: The North Face Explore Fund
With the goal of inspiring and enabling the next generation of explorers, The North Face Explore Fund supports organizations that encourage youth outdoor participation by creating connections of children to nature, increasing access to both front and backcountry recreation and providing education for both personal and environmental health. The Winter Wildlands Alliance SnowSchool is a proud recipient of this fund for the 2010 grant cycle. As a winter educational outreach program, SnowSchool promotes a strong connection between kids and the outdoors. As we lead students through our winter wonderland we hope to create future stewards by instilling a love of nature, winter and our natural landscapes.
We commend The North Face for supporting SnowSchool and other vital outdoor education programs. For more information on The Explore Fund, please visit www.explorefund.org.
CLIF Bar is Supporting WWA - With Your Help!
Long-time WWA partner CLIF Bar has launched a new campaign to harness the collective energy of shared Moments, which will inspire new experiences and adventures. The campaign, Meet the Moment, also highlights CLIF Bar’s commitment to Protecting the Places we Play, the places we have our Moments. WWA has been selected as one of the five beneficiary organizations, which will receive funds allocated by participant submissions.
How can you get involved? Log on to MeettheMoment.com to upload a photo and share your Moment of athletic adventure. When you create your first Moment, CLIF Bar will donate $5 on your behalf to one of the non-profit projects. Remember to select our Winter Wilderness Stewardship Project!
So go check out the website, browse other Moments, share one of your own and support WWA’s Winter Wilderness Stewardship project!
How can you get involved? Log on to MeettheMoment.com to upload a photo and share your Moment of athletic adventure. When you create your first Moment, CLIF Bar will donate $5 on your behalf to one of the non-profit projects. Remember to select our Winter Wilderness Stewardship Project!
So go check out the website, browse other Moments, share one of your own and support WWA’s Winter Wilderness Stewardship project!
Job Opening - Wyss Fellow with the Outdoor Alliance
The Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of human-powered recreation organizations, seeks a highly motivated individual to fill a two-year Grass-top Advocacy Fellow position. The Fellow will build coalitions of climbers, paddlers, hikers, backcountry skiers and mountain bikers to positively impact conservation policy at the state, regional and national level. The Fellow will be based in Boise, Idaho, but will spend time in Washington, DC on a regular and consistent basis. Candidate should have a passion for outdoor recreation, strong public policy/advocacy background, excellent communication skills and applicable B.S. or higher degree. Experience in community organizing is desirable. The Wyss Fellows Program is designed to provide experience and training for individuals just completing their education or new to the conservation field who have the potential to become future conservation leaders. See www.outdooralliance.net/news.php for more information and full job description. $40,000 yearly stipend plus benefits. Email resume and cover letter to mmenlove@winterwildlands.org or fax to 208-336-0648.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)