BRC Alert: Okanogan & Wenatchee NF Travel Plan Update

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"BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Greetings Washington State Recreationists!

I wanted to send you Ric Foster's update on the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' travel planning process. As you know, the FS will be developing a travel plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. Ric works for BRC as public lands assistant and part of his job is to keep track the FS travel plans. You can check all of Ric's updates on BRC's Public Lands Webpage See: ( http://www.sharetrails.org/public_lands )

During the past summer the Okanogan and Wenatchee began the process by conducting several public meetings throughout the area. As a result of these meeting, they received comments from over 500 individuals and groups. The agency will now use those comments and suggestions in an analysis process on each Ranger District. The analysis process will begin this month and take approximately six months to complete. The forest has published the following timeline for completion of the Plan (see below).

The NEPA analysis will take 12-18 months, so a final decision could be made in early to mid 2009, with implementation through the publication on the Motor Vehicle Use Map in late 2009. Even though the public meetings are over, the agency will still accept input on specific roads, trails and areas that should be open for motorized vehicles. If you haven't sent the FS your ideas, please take the time to contact them soon (see below for phone numbers and email address)

We'll continue to keep you updated on the process and we'll let you know when the dates of the next round of meetings are set.

Thanks to all BRC members and supporters who commented on this important planning effort. If you have any questions or comments please call.

Brian Hawthorne
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102

Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests' Travel Plan Timeline:

Mid 2007 - Complete travel route analysis on each Ranger District and make those results available on maps and the website.

Late Summer/Fall 2007 - Hold a second series of public meetings to share the analysis results and see if your comments and suggestions are reflected on the maps. Gather additional input on Travel Management Planning.

Late 2007 - Begin the formal environmental analysis, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by publishing a Proposed Action built upon your input and route analysis from earlier in the year.

Information is posted on the website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/oka/recreati...-new-rec.shtml. Also for additional information one of the individuals listed below.

Forest Contacts:
Marge Hutchinson South Zone Engineer and co-team leader (509) 653-1430

Mike Rowan Naches Ranger District (509) 653-1452

Tim Foss Cle Elum Ranger District (509) 852-1069

Lisa Therrell Wenatchee River Ranger District (509) 548-6977 ext 233

Randy McLandress Entiat Ranger District (509) 784-1511

Jennifer Zbyszewski Methow Valley Ranger District (509) 996-4021

Michael Alvarado Tonasket Ranger District (509) 486-5111

Joe Kastenholz Chelan Ranger District (509) 682-2576 ext 216

Comments may also be sent to: comments-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-wenatchee@fs.fed.us "