stumpy
06-17-2003, 11:34 AM
IMBA sent this out to its members. I hope everyone takes a minute or two to read this and maybe even take action. THanks a bunch!!
IMBA ACTION ALERT: WRITE NOW TO PROTECT RIDING IN SOUTHEASTERN NATIONAL
FORESTS
The U.S. Forest Service has released draft management plans for five national forests in the southeastern United States and the outcomes for bicycling are mixed. In Kentucky and Virginia, the agencies remainpositive toward mountain bicycling. But in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, the Forest Service has proposed to severely restrict bicycling by adopting a "closed unless opened" policy for all trails. Further, in the same forest, Wilderness proponents are working to close an important bike trail north of Atlanta.
Every American has a right to comment on these public lands. IMBA encourages you to write to the Forest Service by July 3, 2003,regardless of where you live.
IF YOU WRITE ONE LETTER
Please help protect access to southeastern trails by writing the
Chattahoochee National Forest. Your letter should ask the agency to reverse its proposed policy on bicycling and to reaffirm its support for making the Mountaintown Creek roadless area (north of Elijay, Georgia) a "Remote Backcountry Recreation Area" rather than designating it a Wilderness area. This will protect the land but allow continued mountain bike access, which Wilderness prohibits.
The proposed policy states, "Trails are closed to bicycle use unless
otherwise designated." This language would close many routes now open to bicycling. It would require the Forest Service to spend time and money to identify suitable bicycling trails. Since the agency is under severe financial restraints, it's unlikely that the proper research and studies would proceed in the foreseeable future.
IMBA believes that national forest trails should be open to bicycling, unless there are specific, solid reasons to close them. IMBA believes that closing trails due to user conflict should be the last course of action, after an agency takes proactive measures such as user education, incorporating mountain bike patrols, or asking trail users to alternate days. Closures for reasons of wildlife, vegetation and trail damage are not legitimate because bicycling and hiking cause roughly equal impacts and should be treated the same.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO:
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
Content Analysis Team
PO Box 221150
Salt Lake City, UT 84122*
fax: (801) 517-1015
email: chattahoochee-oconee@fs.fed.us
*(All public comments regarding National Forests are directed to the U.S. Forest Service's Utah offices.)
IF YOU CAN HELP MORE
If you can write a second letter, please contact one of the other four
forests, listed below, with positive comments supportive of their
pro-mountain bicycling policies.
*Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150,
Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: cherokee@fs.fed.us
* Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150,
Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: jefferson@fs.fed.us
* Sumter National Forest, South Carolina, Content Analysis Team, PO Box
221150, Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015, same address and fax;
email: sumter@fs.fed.us
* National Forests in Alabama, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150, Salt
Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: alabama@fs.fed.us
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THESE WEBSITES
* Chattahoochee NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Chattahoochee/welcome.htm
* Cherokee NF: http://www.r8web.com/cherokee/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Cherokee/welcome.htm
* Jefferson NF: http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/default.htm; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/forestplan/default.htm
Sumter NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Sumter/welcome.htm
* Alabama NF: http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Alabama/welcome.htm
IMBA ACTION ALERT: WRITE NOW TO PROTECT RIDING IN SOUTHEASTERN NATIONAL
FORESTS
The U.S. Forest Service has released draft management plans for five national forests in the southeastern United States and the outcomes for bicycling are mixed. In Kentucky and Virginia, the agencies remainpositive toward mountain bicycling. But in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, the Forest Service has proposed to severely restrict bicycling by adopting a "closed unless opened" policy for all trails. Further, in the same forest, Wilderness proponents are working to close an important bike trail north of Atlanta.
Every American has a right to comment on these public lands. IMBA encourages you to write to the Forest Service by July 3, 2003,regardless of where you live.
IF YOU WRITE ONE LETTER
Please help protect access to southeastern trails by writing the
Chattahoochee National Forest. Your letter should ask the agency to reverse its proposed policy on bicycling and to reaffirm its support for making the Mountaintown Creek roadless area (north of Elijay, Georgia) a "Remote Backcountry Recreation Area" rather than designating it a Wilderness area. This will protect the land but allow continued mountain bike access, which Wilderness prohibits.
The proposed policy states, "Trails are closed to bicycle use unless
otherwise designated." This language would close many routes now open to bicycling. It would require the Forest Service to spend time and money to identify suitable bicycling trails. Since the agency is under severe financial restraints, it's unlikely that the proper research and studies would proceed in the foreseeable future.
IMBA believes that national forest trails should be open to bicycling, unless there are specific, solid reasons to close them. IMBA believes that closing trails due to user conflict should be the last course of action, after an agency takes proactive measures such as user education, incorporating mountain bike patrols, or asking trail users to alternate days. Closures for reasons of wildlife, vegetation and trail damage are not legitimate because bicycling and hiking cause roughly equal impacts and should be treated the same.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO:
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
Content Analysis Team
PO Box 221150
Salt Lake City, UT 84122*
fax: (801) 517-1015
email: chattahoochee-oconee@fs.fed.us
*(All public comments regarding National Forests are directed to the U.S. Forest Service's Utah offices.)
IF YOU CAN HELP MORE
If you can write a second letter, please contact one of the other four
forests, listed below, with positive comments supportive of their
pro-mountain bicycling policies.
*Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150,
Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: cherokee@fs.fed.us
* Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150,
Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: jefferson@fs.fed.us
* Sumter National Forest, South Carolina, Content Analysis Team, PO Box
221150, Salt Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015, same address and fax;
email: sumter@fs.fed.us
* National Forests in Alabama, Content Analysis Team, PO Box 221150, Salt
Lake City, UT 84122, fax: (801) 517-1015; email: alabama@fs.fed.us
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THESE WEBSITES
* Chattahoochee NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Chattahoochee/welcome.htm
* Cherokee NF: http://www.r8web.com/cherokee/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Cherokee/welcome.htm
* Jefferson NF: http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/default.htm; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/gwj/forestplan/default.htm
Sumter NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Sumter/welcome.htm
* Alabama NF: http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/alabama/; plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/planning/sa_plans/Alabama/welcome.htm