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Author:	0311_DoC [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:	IDAHO
Local Off-Road Group Instrumental In Convincing Forest Service To Reopen Public Comment On Travel Plan ___________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2008 CONTACT: Joe Dowd Panhandle Trail Riders' Association (509) 994-9952 North Idaho Off-Road group applauds extension of public comment period for Clearwater National Forest Travel Plan (February 4, 2008) The Panhandle Trail Riders' Association (PANTRA), a North Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) club, today claimed their collaborative work with other outdoor enthusiasts was a factor in convincing the Forest Service to re-open public comment regarding future restrictions on motorized and mountain bike use proposed by the Clearwater National Forest. On Monday February 4, the Clearwater National Forest announced a new public comment period on a draft forest-wide Travel Plan that would close many currently popular motorized trails, mountain bike trails and snowmobile areas. The new comment period ends February 29, 2008. PANTRA believes an avalanche of user comments convinced the Forest Service that soliciting additional comment was prudent. Joe Dowd, PANTRA's Clearwater Task Force Chairman said; "we think the Forest Service was surprised by the volume and passion of user comments asking that recreation friendly options to be considered." Lori Jordan, PANTRA'S President said; "We hope the additional comment period will help land managers consider other management options. Our group understands and appreciates the need to protect the fragile resources on our National Forests, but management by closure does not serve the public. The agency needs to strike a balance." The group indicated that OHV and mountain bike riders were concerned about policies developed at the Regional Office in Missoula, Montana that could be interpreted as forcing local District Rangers to eliminate virtually all OHV, mountain bike and snowmobile use on vast areas of the Forest. PANTRA believes the Regional Headquarters is out of step with the recreating public. Given the popularity of trail based recreation, the last thing the agency should be doing is closing existing, legal, classified, trails. Background information: http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PL/PANTRA/ ### The Panhandle Trail Riders' Association (PANTRA) is a non-profit, family-oriented, off-road motorcycle club dedicated to promoting the joys and excitement of off-road motorcycle riding in Washington and Idaho. Our goal is to preserve, protect and enhance current and future riding opportunities through user education and involvement with local Land Managers. pantratrails@hotmail.comwww.pantra.org

Author:	0311_DoC [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 3:10 pm ]
Post subject:
BRC IDAHO ACTION ALERT ALERT STATUS: HIGH IMPORTANCE ACTION ITEM INCLUDED Forest Service Releases Draft Rule Based on State of Idaho's Proposal for Future Management of Roadless Areas in Idaho; Public Invited to Comment Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of adopting the State of Idaho's Petition for the management of Idaho's Roadless Areas. The FS has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) based on the Idaho petition submitted to the Forest Service one year ago, first tendered by then-Governor James Risch and endorsed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. The DEIS reflects the petition that then-Governor Risch submitted to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee (RACNAC) on November 29, 2006. As you know, BRC's Adena Cook is a member of the RACNAC. The Committee reviewed the State of Idaho's petition and recommended that the U.S. Department of Agriculture proceed with a proposed rule for public comment. Governor Otter has continued the state's support of the petition and been involved in crafting the proposed rule and DEIS. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2008. A 90-day comment period on the proposed rule will end on April 7, 2008. The Forest Service has scheduled public meetings to present the proposed rule and its effects and accept public comments. IMPORTANT: This is not an "open house" format that we usually see from the agencies. This is one of those rare "Public Hearing" type format where the public will have opportunity to give oral, recorded comments. This places a dual responsibility on Idaho's recreationists. We will have to show up at the meetings with colors flying as well as send written (email) comments to the agency. BRC has developed a few comment suggestions below, but the number one most important information to provide is specific information about mountain bike, snowmobile and rubber-tired trails and areas within each Roadless Area. Please read the info below and put those email and phone trees in full gear. We need maximum participation on this important issue. As always, if you have any questions or need additional info please call. Brian Hawthorne and Ric Foster Public Lands Department BlueRibbon Coalition 208-237-1008 ext 107 BRC IDAHO ROADLESS ACTION ALERT SITUATION: The U.S. Forest Service is currently in the process of adopting the State of Idaho's Petition for the management of Idaho's Roadless Areas. The FS has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) based on the Idaho petition submitted to the Forest Service one year ago. A 90-day comment period on the proposed rule will end on April 7, 2008. The Forest Service will schedule public meetings to present the proposed rule and its effects and accept public comments. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: Attend a public meeting and send written comments. BRC has developed a few comment suggestions below, but the number one most important information to provide is specific information about mountain bike, snowmobile and rubber-tired trails and areas within each Roadless Area. IMPORTANT NOTE: The agency is saying that the Idaho Petition will not affect recreation. That's one of those agency things that is absolutely true and absolutely false at the same time. Comments on recreation ARE needed! For more information contact: David Hensley - State of Idaho (208) 334-2100; Brad Gilbert - USFS (208) 765-7438; Andy Brunelle - USFS (208) 334-1700 Information on the proposed rule and draft EIS is available at http://roadless.fs.fed.us/idaho.shtml. IDAHO ROADLESS MEETING SCHEDULE: Mackay Thursday, February 14, 2007 7:00 PM Mackay City Hall 203 S. Main Street Mackay, ID 83251 Idaho Falls Wednesday, February 20, 2007 6:00 PM Shilo Inn, Grand Teton Room 780 Lindsey Blvd Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Pocatello Thursday, February 21, 2007 6:00 PM Holiday Inn 399 Bench Road Pocatello, ID 83201 Cascade Monday, February 25, 2007 7:00 PM Valley County Courthouse 219 N. Main Street Cascade, ID 83611 Council Tuesday, February 26, 2007 7:00 PM Adams County Courthouse 201 Industrial Ave Council, ID 83612 Twin Falls Wednesday, February 27, 2007 7:00 PM Twin Falls City Council Chambers 305 3rd Avenue East Twin Falls, ID 83301 Boise Thursday, February 28, 2007 7:00 PM Boise City Hall 150 N Capitol Blvd Boise, ID 83702 WRITTEN COMMENTS: Comments due April 7, 2008 Send to: IDcomments@fsroadless.org Roadless Area Conservation-Idaho P.O. Box 162909 Sacramento, CA 95816-2909; Fax: 916-456-6724 Talking points for the Draft Idaho Roadless Rule and EIS 1. Support the Rule process and commit to participating in the process. 2. An Idaho Rule will achieve: Certainty for the management of our roadless lands; they can no longer be subjected to a top down one size fits all fiat It establishes the size and boundaries of roadless lands in a federal rule. These can't be changed unless by another rule. "Roadless" definitions can't be changed. It protects the backcountry and primitive character of roadless areas that we all enjoy, yet acknowledges that motorized recreation can and does occur throughout, stating, "Neither the 2001 Roadless Rule nor the Idaho Roadless Rule provides direction on where and when OHV use would be permissible in roadless areas, therefore, there would be no effect on current OHV use in Idaho Roadless Areas." 3. It is a draft, and could be improved. The DEIS and draft rule fail to state the types of recreation that could occur in the various theme areas as was specified in the Petition. The Petition stated for Wildlands Recreation, "preserves currently existing routes and class of vehicle, further limitations subject to NF travel planning." and for Primitive, "a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities exist. Campsites may be visible at popular destinations and major trail heads or junctions. Recreation sites accommodate moderate use. Restricted to snowmobiles and motorized vehicles less than 50 inches, change in class of vehicle and designation of new routes is permissible subject to NF travel planning." Description for these themes in the DEIS give the impression that Wildlands Recreation and Primitive themes favor non-motorized management. Motorized recreation occurs in these themes. In the Primitive theme, use is quite extensive, occurring in 43% of the areas. Here is a list: Danskins Wilson Peak Cuddy Mountain House Mountain Deadwood Rapid River Rainbow Peace Rock Hells Canyon Sheep Creek Red Mountain Patrick Butte Lime Creek Bear Wallow East Meadow Creek Steel Mountain Snowbank North Lochsa Slope Ten Mile Needles Meade Peak Smoky Mountains Council Mountain Inclusion of this information in the DEIS and rule will give clarifying direction to land managers as they exercise their discretionary authority. Comments due April 7, 2008 Send to: IDcomments@fsroadless.org Roadless Area Conservation-Idaho P.O. Box 162909 Sacramento, CA 95816-2909; Fax: 916-456-6724

Author:	0311_DoC [ Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:00 pm ]
Post subject:
BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT! Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, Public Meetings Continue for BLM's New Resource Management Plan The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Boise District is beginning a new Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Four Rivers Planning Area. The RMP will address management of over 783,000 acres of public lands located in nine west-central and southwestern counties. The counties include Adams, Valley, Washington, Payette, Gem, Boise, Canyon, Ada and Elmore. The public is invited to provide the BLM with the issues they believe need to be addressed in the new RMP at an informational meeting being held on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the US Forest Service/Council Ranger District Office, 2092 Hwy 95, Council, Idaho, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The RMP is the basic document used to guide land use decisions and management actions on public lands for 20 years or more. The first step in this process is to work with interest groups and the public in identification of management issues. To achieve this, the BLM encourages the public's participation in scoping meetings. If you would like more information about this process, contact Jon Beck at (208) 384-3305 or e-mail him at jonathan_m_beck@blm.gov. Additional information can be found on the Idaho State Office web site at http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/four_riv ... rce.htmlor by emailing Four_Rivers_RMP@blm.gov. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC. Thanks in advance for your support, Ric Foster Public Lands Department Manager BlueRibbon Coalition 208-237-1008 ext 107

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