06GrnRubi
09-04-2007, 03:15 PM
This is the jest of an email I received from The Center for Biological Diversity. (They certainly must use a different definition of "diversity" than me.)
I submit this so everyone will have the opportunity to send his or her own letter to counter this attack on OHV use of the forest.
**************************************************
Keep Off-road Vehicles off the Coconino National Forest!
Dear David,
The Coconino released a draft plan for reining in off-road vehicle use as required by the agency's 2005 Travel Management Rule. Although the plan prohibits cross-country motor vehicle travel, it fails to curb and reverse a century of damage from unmanaged use that has damaged crucial wildlife habitat and watersheds and disrupted the solitude that many people seek in a national forest.
The Coconino is a rich, biologically diverse forest and grassland and refuge for imperiled and important species such as the Mexican spotted owl, northern goshawk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, Gunnison's prairie dog, tassel-eared squirrel, mountain lion and black bear.But populations of owl, goshawk and deer are on the decline. The East Clear Creek watershed, above the Mogollon Rim, offers requisite forest and stream habitat for these species, as well as the threatened Little Colorado River spinedace, a native minnow.
Damaging off-road vehicle use in Arizona was specifically cited as a reason for the new nationwide travel rule. The spread of noxious weeds, erosion, wildlife disturbance, noise and conflicts between off-roaders and other visitors is among the worst in the nation. The forest should offer Americans a place to connect with nature and enjoy a welcome relief from the sights and sounds of motorized activity. Only by reducing the current spiderweb of motorized routes (over 5,000 miles) can the forest provide safe places and passages for imperiled wildlife as well as tranquility for the human spirit.
This is an opportunity to speak up and be heard.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Nora Rasure, Forest Supervisor, Attn: TMR
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: ATTN: TMR
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the travel management planning proposed action (PA). The PA does not go far enough to minimize impacts to wildlife and crucial habitat. It needs to offer more protection to our dwindling habitat and open space.
Recreational Opportunities:
Please reduce unnecessary and destructive routes to improve quiet opportunities consistent with the preferences of the majority of Forest visitors.
Dispersed Camping:
I support the proposal to designate camps and I support the Coconino's intention to develop recreational site limits consistent with protecting natural and cultural values.
Too Many Roads Hurt Wildlife:
The PA leaves open nearly 4,000 miles of routes - more than necessary to provide public and administrative motorized access.
These roads cause adverse impacts without providing significant access values. Reduce the average forest-wide road density to no more than one mile per square mile, a standard supported by a number of important scientists to conserve wildlife habitat.
The PA keeps open a number of unnecessary roads that directly impact sensitive headwater regions like East and West Clear Creeks and Walnut Canyon. Close or decommission these and other routes that are 1) identified in previous NEPA decisions, 2) redundant, 3) user-created, 4) in washes and riparian areas, 5) in close proximity to a Mexican spotted owl PAC or a Northern goshawk PFA or nest, 6) through core habitat for pronghorn antelope, mule deer, Gunnison's prairie dog, mountain lion or black bear. I oppose the addition of 40 miles of user-created routes to the official system.
Seasonal route closures in Rattlesnake Canyon, Mogollon Rim, and Anderson Mesa (including Marshall-Fisher and Fry-Horse Lake wetlands) should become year-round closures. The Deadwood Pack Trail between Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness and the Walker Mountain roadless area should remain non-motorized.
Maintenance Cost:
Please protect natural and cultural values by authorizing a road system that the Forest Service can afford to maintain and enforce.
Quiet Places:
As a local forest user, I avoid areas frequented by off-roaders. Non-motorized areas like Wilderness and Roadless Areas are sources of clean drinking water and offer wonderful backcountry recreation. We need more of these sanctuaries for wildlife and human visitors as well.
Game Retrieval:
I strongly support the Coconino's recommendation to ban cross-country travel for big game retrieval. It is consistent with the policy of all forests outside Arizona and it greatly reduces potential for damage and harassment of wildlife.
Please accept these personal recommendations and my support of the specific recommendations submitted by the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council and the Center for Biological Diversity. I urge you to release a DEIS that incorporates these recommendations and closes portions of the road system that are contributing to degradation. Please prioritize the protection of the above values over the call for more unnecessary access.
Sincerely,
**************************************************
A letter will be sent, but not the one they want.
I submit this so everyone will have the opportunity to send his or her own letter to counter this attack on OHV use of the forest.
**************************************************
Keep Off-road Vehicles off the Coconino National Forest!
Dear David,
The Coconino released a draft plan for reining in off-road vehicle use as required by the agency's 2005 Travel Management Rule. Although the plan prohibits cross-country motor vehicle travel, it fails to curb and reverse a century of damage from unmanaged use that has damaged crucial wildlife habitat and watersheds and disrupted the solitude that many people seek in a national forest.
The Coconino is a rich, biologically diverse forest and grassland and refuge for imperiled and important species such as the Mexican spotted owl, northern goshawk, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, Gunnison's prairie dog, tassel-eared squirrel, mountain lion and black bear.But populations of owl, goshawk and deer are on the decline. The East Clear Creek watershed, above the Mogollon Rim, offers requisite forest and stream habitat for these species, as well as the threatened Little Colorado River spinedace, a native minnow.
Damaging off-road vehicle use in Arizona was specifically cited as a reason for the new nationwide travel rule. The spread of noxious weeds, erosion, wildlife disturbance, noise and conflicts between off-roaders and other visitors is among the worst in the nation. The forest should offer Americans a place to connect with nature and enjoy a welcome relief from the sights and sounds of motorized activity. Only by reducing the current spiderweb of motorized routes (over 5,000 miles) can the forest provide safe places and passages for imperiled wildlife as well as tranquility for the human spirit.
This is an opportunity to speak up and be heard.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Nora Rasure, Forest Supervisor, Attn: TMR
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: ATTN: TMR
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the travel management planning proposed action (PA). The PA does not go far enough to minimize impacts to wildlife and crucial habitat. It needs to offer more protection to our dwindling habitat and open space.
Recreational Opportunities:
Please reduce unnecessary and destructive routes to improve quiet opportunities consistent with the preferences of the majority of Forest visitors.
Dispersed Camping:
I support the proposal to designate camps and I support the Coconino's intention to develop recreational site limits consistent with protecting natural and cultural values.
Too Many Roads Hurt Wildlife:
The PA leaves open nearly 4,000 miles of routes - more than necessary to provide public and administrative motorized access.
These roads cause adverse impacts without providing significant access values. Reduce the average forest-wide road density to no more than one mile per square mile, a standard supported by a number of important scientists to conserve wildlife habitat.
The PA keeps open a number of unnecessary roads that directly impact sensitive headwater regions like East and West Clear Creeks and Walnut Canyon. Close or decommission these and other routes that are 1) identified in previous NEPA decisions, 2) redundant, 3) user-created, 4) in washes and riparian areas, 5) in close proximity to a Mexican spotted owl PAC or a Northern goshawk PFA or nest, 6) through core habitat for pronghorn antelope, mule deer, Gunnison's prairie dog, mountain lion or black bear. I oppose the addition of 40 miles of user-created routes to the official system.
Seasonal route closures in Rattlesnake Canyon, Mogollon Rim, and Anderson Mesa (including Marshall-Fisher and Fry-Horse Lake wetlands) should become year-round closures. The Deadwood Pack Trail between Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness and the Walker Mountain roadless area should remain non-motorized.
Maintenance Cost:
Please protect natural and cultural values by authorizing a road system that the Forest Service can afford to maintain and enforce.
Quiet Places:
As a local forest user, I avoid areas frequented by off-roaders. Non-motorized areas like Wilderness and Roadless Areas are sources of clean drinking water and offer wonderful backcountry recreation. We need more of these sanctuaries for wildlife and human visitors as well.
Game Retrieval:
I strongly support the Coconino's recommendation to ban cross-country travel for big game retrieval. It is consistent with the policy of all forests outside Arizona and it greatly reduces potential for damage and harassment of wildlife.
Please accept these personal recommendations and my support of the specific recommendations submitted by the Grand Canyon Wildlands Council and the Center for Biological Diversity. I urge you to release a DEIS that incorporates these recommendations and closes portions of the road system that are contributing to degradation. Please prioritize the protection of the above values over the call for more unnecessary access.
Sincerely,
**************************************************
A letter will be sent, but not the one they want.