New FS Rule Green Lights Road Ripping

HQ is extremely concerned about the new proposed Forest Service rule that would allow categorical exclusions (Cat Ex) for the aggressive decommissioning (e.g. road ripping) of public routes.

Article on Proposed Rule to Rip Roads
http://politicalnews.me/?id=14873&keys=ENVIRONMENTAL-REVIEWS-RESTORATION-FOREST

BRC Media Release on Proposed Rule (good read and lots of info)

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2012/06/13/blueribbon-coalition-criticizes-us-forest-service-proposed-rule

According to one notorious anti-access champion as cited in an E &E article…”The new categorical exclusions appear less controversial than earlier proposals that sought to exempt certain tree removal projects from NEPA reviews, said Andy Stahl, executive director for the Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics.”  Hey Andy, how about cutting OHV some slack when it comes to designating historic "non-system" routes that have been used for decades and some even signed and maintained by the FS?

While some of the proposed cat ex’s for restoration work could be used to address OHV trail maintenance issues, HQ believes this new rule - with the usual lack of oversight from either the FS’s Washington Office or Regional Offices – basically gives the “green light” to Forests that are hell bent on the aggressive decommissioning of routes to go forth and rip.

One example of this is where the BRC et al filed a lawsuit which challenged the Smith River NRA’s road ripping (e.g. ground disturbing activities during the rainy season in the watershed of a wild and scenic river) without any NEPA process. 

BRC Lawsuit Challenging Road Ripping

http://www.sharetrails.org/news/2010/05/18/county-and-recreation-groups-challenge-illegal-road-decommissioning-northern-califor

Link to lawsuit

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Turcke_Six_Rivers_Lawsuit_Orig_Filed_May2010.pdf

Another example of an overzealous unit when it comes to decommissioning of route is on the Gunnison NF in Colorado.

HQ blog with info on that Unit (letters, etc.)

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2011/09/road-ripping-hits-colorado-nf.html

HQ history of Road Ripping (letters and strategy of eco-groups)

http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/road-ripping-is-coming-to-forest-near.html

The most recent example of a unit that focuses on road decommissioning is highlighted in BRC’s June 5 scoping comments on a proposed action that combines TMR with a large road ripping project.

BRC’s June 5, 2012 Scoping Comments on the Six Rivers NF/Smith River NRA Proposed Action

http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Tyrone_EIS_scoping_comments_6-5-12.pdf
 
 Stay tuned on this latest version of the road ripping saga...

Road Ripping Hits Colorado NF

Road Ripping in Six Rivers (without NEPA) that Prompted Lawsuit/Stipulation

Over the last few years, HQ has been concerned the Travel Management Rule was (and apparently continues to be) being used by some units of the Forest Service to illegally “authorize” ground-disturbing project-level activities associated with road and trail decommissioning.

The BRC, Del Norte County, CAL4WD, and several other groups challenged such actions in 2010 and the federal government agreed to a public process before using ground-disturbing activities to decommission routes.

Six Rivers NF Lawsuit with Stipulation
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/12/ohv-legal-effort-takes-forward-step.html

2011 Letter from Six Rivers NF Forest Supervisor Agreeing to Public Notice
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Smith_River_NRA_Kelley_ltr_RE_comments_5-25-11.pdf

HQ wanted to alert riders in Colorado that the same type of illicit road/trail decommissioning appears to be occurring in their state. Our good friends at the Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance recently sent a letter to the Gunnison National Forest challenging ground-disturbing activities associated with road and trail decommissioning. It looks like the agency skipped the public process as required by NEPA.


September 2, 2011 COTPA Letter to the Gunnison NF with photos
http://coloradotpa.org/news/news/letter-to-the-gnf-nf-supervisor-for-action-being-taking-by-the-gnf-district-ranger.html

The 2005 TMR was never supposed to be used to effect landscape level route closures or be used as the authorizing process to obliterate existing roads and trails. Unfortuntely on some units, TMR is being misused.

The TMR saga continues…

Thank You and Site Specific NEPA

The Recreation HQ wants to thank all the riders who donated to the Six Rivers Lawsuit yesterday. It is clear that you understand the importance of this case as it relates to the misuse of TMR to obliterate perfectly good access roads without a public process.

Several of you asked for an example of where a Forest does public scoping before it rips a road or does some other “ground disturbing” activity. Well, one such example is provided below where the Stanislaus NF sent out a public notice about an OHV Restoration Project.

Stanislaus NF Scoping Letter for OHV Restoration Project
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Stanislaus_Scoping_for_Decommissioning-2010.pdf


The issue in the Six Rivers Lawsuit is not about decommissioning unneeded roads or the restoration of routes that have serious environmental impacts. For years, BRC and other OHV groups have supported restoration projects that have been vetted and approved via a public process. In fact, the CA OHV program requires that NEPA be complete before any restoration (or in fact any FS project including building a staging area, etc.) project is grant funded.

I know the access community in the Smith River area would also support the decommissioning of unneeded roads if the Forest had vetted them with site specific NEPA.

Stay tuned as this legal issue works its way through the courts.

Thanks for your donations and support!!!
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Historic Lawsuit Filed in Northern California to Challenge Illegal Road Ripping

The Recreation HQ wanted to let his readers know that a very historic and important proactive OHV access lawsuit was filed on May 13 in federal district court in SF to challenge illegal road ripping (i.e. decommissioning) and the publication of Motor Vehicle Use Maps without a public process.
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PHOTO: New "Culvert Canyon" created during rainy season

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The General believes this is the first time in CA where a county has joined access interests to challenge illegal road closures by the federal government. The importance of this case cannot be overstated since aggressive road ripping appears to be a key tenet of the preservationist groups as it relates to TMR.

It appears that some or all of this case will be heard in Eureka by Judge Nandor Vadas.

BRC News Release with Photo of “Culvert Canyon”
http://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?story=697&filter=media

Copy of Complaint
http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Turcke_Six_Rivers_Lawsuit_Orig_Filed_May2010.pdf

Idaho State Journal Article
http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_ff8d7d98-6359-11df-ba8b-001cc4c03286.html

Blog with info/links to Enviro Road Decommissioning Strategy
http://thegeneralsrecreationden.blogspot.com/2010/05/road-ripping-is-coming-to-forest-near.html

With thousands of miles to roads and trails being “identified” in TMR for closure, it is important that OHV makes sure the FS does the site-specific NEPA required for ground-disturbing activities and not use MVUMs as a closure tool to pre-ordain which roads and trails will be permanently removed from future public use.

If you are one of those riders who said they were waiting to donate to a “pro-active” lawsuit to protect access… well here is that case and your chance to pony up. The OHV community at large cannot expect small local clubs to foot the bill on this historic and potentially groundbreaking case.

To Donate Go to:
https://www.sharetrails.org/secure/join_or_contribute/?c=1

and type in amount and in the special instructions space type… “Six Rivers Lawsuit”

Feel free to comment on this blog or send The General a private message

at: damador@cwo.com

Thanks for your support and service!

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Historic OHV Lawsuit To Be Filed in CA

The Recreation HQ wanted to let all riders, FS, BLM, law enforcement, retired military, politicians, enviros, and other folks who read this blog know that a very historic and important proactive OHV access lawsuit will be filed very soon to protest illegal road-ripping (i.e. decommissioning) and the publication of Motor Vehicle Use Maps without a public process.

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PHOTO: The General on The High Dome Trail in the Smith River NRA

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See May 7 Triplicate Article About this Suit
http://www.triplicate.com/20100507108938/News/Local-News/County-joins-suit-vs-Forest-Service

It is only when all sides of the land use equation get treated in a fair manner that good decisions can be made. Thanks for your service!

Feel free to send The General a PM or post a note on this blog.

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SEND LETTER TODAY - On Forest Planning Rule

Having just got back to the Recreation HQ at o-dark thirty, The General is issuing a Broken Arrow (all hands on deck and man your battle stations) call for riders to send
a letter TODAY regarding future forest planning.

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PHOTO: What new forest planning rule means for public access

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Historically, federal land use planning was guided by a multiple-use concept that had a recreation tenet. The new planning regulations appear to focus on global warming and “restoration” (an enviro code word for ripping roads/trails) with motorized recreation potentially being tossed in the land-use basement. I know this is a late notice and the comment period ends today, but please take time to send in a letter now.

Send this alert to your email network!

Link to BRC Alert
http://www.sharetrails.org/letters/letter.php?id=49

The CA Society of Foresters also has a good article from a forest management viewpoint:
http://m.redding.com/news/2010/feb/14/nicholas-dennis-put-national-forests-to-work-for/

Thanks for your service!