Mill Fire Salvage Sale Makes No Cents!

Is This the Future of OHV at Stonyford for the Next 2-3 Years?

 

As some of you already know, the Mendocino NF issued a public notice on Nov. 20 for comment on the Mill Fire Salvage and Hazard Tree Removal Project.  Public comments are due by Dec. 17.

 

Mill Fire Salvage Scoping Letter (with contact info)

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/ScopingLetter_MillFireSalvageHazardTreeRmvl.pdf

 

Mill Fire Salvage Project Info

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PreliminaryProjectInformation_MillFireSalvageHazardTreeRmvl.pdf

 

Mill Fire Salvage Project Map

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/ScopingMap_MillFireSalvageHazardTreeRmvl.pdf

While HQ historically supports responsible timber/salvage sales, this plan hardly mentions OHV recreation. In addition, the proposal functionally closes the area until late spring/early summer 2014 for both casual riding and permitted OHV events.  I also think this proposal seriously undermines the agency’s credibility with the OHV community and other stakeholders.

 

It appears many important connector roads and trails will be closed during logging/treatment.  Again, this could mean no enduros in 2013 and possibly 2014.  The proposal gives no estimate on when the trails could be re-opened for casual use.  Again, OHV recreation is hardly mentioned.  There is no mention of what this functional closure would have on the largest FS destination OHV area north of the Grapevine. There is no mitigation for repairing the trail system.  At 20K/mile (or more), it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix obliterated trails. 

Also, there is no mention of the sale’s impact on the current and ongoing post-fire trail restoration efforts. 

 

The proposal does not address what HQ feels is a critical matter and that is dealing with the knobcone pine infestation (and the beetles/bugs that are eating them) on Sullivan Ridge and the Potato Hill area. How would this closure of the area impact the potential for grants during the closure time? 

 

All of the affected trails listed below would be most likely converted from a system trail to a road and closed during the logging operation.   At a minimum, a project like this would have to have project level NEPA to analyze the conversion of 50 inch or wider system trails to roads.

 

Initial List of Impacted (e.g. closed/obliterated routes by salvage sale)

Trails 03, 11, 13, 14, 15, 20, 22, 33, 35, and 36.

4WD/OHV route/roads – 17N02, 17N14, 17N62B, 17N62C, 17N95, and 17N97 

 

Be assured that HQ and BRC will be sharing our concerns with the FS, users, and conservation groups about what appears to be an ill-advised plan.  This proposal as currently crafted is nothing more than an appeal and/or litigation magnate.  I expect the FS will get hit from both sides of the land-use spectrum unless this plan is withdrawn or rewritten.

This proposal does not make any cents!  (Yes, I mean cents as in wasted taxpayer and green sticker monies)

 

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Stonyford Fire Update - July 12 @ 11:00am

Photo (July 11 - afternoon): Looking at OHV Area from

Lodoga/Stonyford Rd.

Here is HQ’s July 12 am report based on intel from a 1900 briefing last night.   Fran Peace from Congressman Wally Herger’s Office was in attendance. 

 With luck they will keep the fire below Miner ridge, saving the Goat Mt. area.  Also, Little Stony is spared for now. That's the good news.  The bad news is that the fire will double in size.  They will start firing out along Stonyford/Lodoga Road today at 1100 (HQ will have its reporter on scene for that), bringing the fire on around the new cat-line to the Goat Mt. Road.  This will burn out all the front country fuels that are a threat to East Park Estates, Century Ranch and homes along the main road.

It appears their plan for the canyon is to use fire (probably a helitorch)  to light off as much as will burn along the rim of the main canyon, which would include all trails and side canyons up to Big Sullivan or Pine Ridge.  They cannot burn out from the road because of serpentine and spotty fuels, but want to remove as much vegetation as possible on the north side of L. Stony Road to prevent rekindling in the event of a wind or weather change which could send the fire possibly to the south side of Little Stony canyon (a bad thing) and on to Lovelady, Goat Mt. and Lake County.  

Everything up to Mill Valley, south to Crackerbox and on the north along the M10 corridor is slicked off. The fire is currently 16,800 acres, but it is estimated to be closer to 30K when finally contained if the plan is executed flawlessly. 

HQ believes the media has not covered what the fire's impact will have on special events such as motorcycle enduros and casual OHV use this fall and winter.  As many of you know, the Fouts Springs OHV Camping area often becomes the largest “city” in Colusa County during the Christmas/New Year Holiday Season with up to 2-4 thousand people camping and riding there.  The fire may have a serious impact on that activity this year.

HQ thanks local Stonyford resident and former FS OHV program manager, Jeff Applegate, on the Grindstone RD  for his excellent feedback on the progress of the fire.

# # #

Good News - RV Dump Station to Work at Stonyford for Jackhammer, WFO, and Bearfoot Enduros

The Recreation HQ has just been informed that the Mendocino National Forest will be operating the RV Dump Station at Fouts Springs for the following events. As many riders know, the Forest has secured a grant from OHMVR to drill a new well. However, due to many bureaucratic hurdles the agency was not able to complete the project in time for the 2010 Fall riding season.
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PHOTO: BRC Weekend Warrior at Fouts Dump Station

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FS staff from Water Tender 38 will be at the RV dump station with non-potable water at the following times and dates to allow for RVers to empty their black and gray water tanks. As before, you will be responsible to bring your own potable (drinking) water. Standard dump fees will be collected.


TIME - Noon to 4:30pm

10/17/10 – Jackhammer

11/14/10 - WFO

11/21/10 - Bearfoot


HQ appreciates the agency extending the hand of friendship to the OHV community by providing this interim service to address the RV dump needs during high use weekends.

The General wants to thank the new OHV program manager and Forest leadership for pulling this together. As some of you know, Sarah Ridenour is the new OHV program manager.

See blog with info on Sarah
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-ohv-program-manager-at-stonyford.html

Here is Sarah’s contact info should you have any questions.

Sarah Ridenour
OHV Manager
Grindstone Ranger District
Mendocino National Forest
5171 Stonyford-Elk Creek Road
Stonyford, CA 95979
Phone 530-963-1327
sridenour@fs.fed.us

HQ looks fwd to seeing many of you on the trail or at events this Fall.