Attending: June Helbig, Barry Donahue, Dan Wood, Howard Briggs, Dave Hurwitz, Gus Bekker, Dick Rieman, Liz Tanke, Lee Carlson, Rick Acosta
Saundie McPhee could not attend but prepared information and sent this info to subgroup members prior to the meeting. The group reviewed and considered Saundie’s input during the course of the meeting.
The group spent the day refining management themes and desired conditions. The group has generally arrived at a finished product for desired conditions.
The group had much discussion regarding the need to further define the management themes that had been developed to date. The result of this discussion is that the group believes that the titles of the management themes along with the associated desired conditions adequately define each management theme.
The following Agreements were also made by the group.
The subgroup would like to review its work on Management Theme #5 (formerly #6) “Winter Recreation Forest-Wide since discussion on this theme occurred at the end of the day and the effort may have been “rushed”. There are also bin items from the previous April sub group meeting related to this management theme to discuss as well.
The format of these meeting notes related to desired conditions is generally arranged in the following way.
·
The original attempt by the Recreation Subgroup to
develop desired conditions is presented first for each desired condition in
black.
·
Wording
in italicized green are the comments made by PAC members at the
·
Any changes and the final desired condition
statement proposed by the Recreation Subgroup are then presented lastly for
each desired condition in red.
There are also situations in which the
recreation subgroup did/did not make changes to desired conditions. The sub group actively considered all
comments made by the entire PAC group on 5/3.
General, Forest-Wide Desired Conditions
1.
Provide a well-balanced array of recreation
opportunities across the breadth of the recreation opportunity spectrum in
accordance with resource capability, public demands, and expectations for
outdoor recreation. (From: 1990 Forest
Plan Decision, Page 7 Summary, Wenatchee N.F.)
2.
Recreationists have mutual respect due to ongoing
education, partnerships, appropriate signing, and law enforcement. (Two green
dots: Add respect for the land [maybe
combine #2 and #5], natural resources, littering, etc. You need some way to explain this to the
users. You could use signing to explain
why things are happening they way they are [relate natural sciences to the
recreation going on]). Knowledgeable users
are aware of the varying recreation opportunities and capacities
available. Conflicts between
recreationists are minimized as a result of ongoing education, partnerships,
appropriate signing, and law enforcement.
3.
Local managers take appropriate measures to protect
resources and to resolve/mitigate user conflicts during change of seasons (fall
to winter; winter to spring). The following statement is added here: Recreation capacities are identified and
observed across the
4.
Opportunities for Native Americans to practice
traditional/cultural uses are not limited.
(One green dot: What does “are not
limited” mean? I’d change that to say “rights of Native Americans are not
limited.” An acknowledgement of rights needs
to be added; the wording needs to be improved.
Native Americans’ treaty rights are
not obstructed. Traditional and cultural
activities do not conflict with recreational opportunities throughout the
National Forest.
5.
To the extent possible, recreation use is compatible
with all natural resources of the national forest. (One green
dot: Combine with #2). Statement deleted
because it’s now handled above.
6.
Facilities and trails will be designed to minimize
impacts to natural resources. Facilities, roads, and trails are designed to minimize
impacts to natural resources.
7.
National recreation activities stimulate local rural
economies and local communities recognize the importance of recreation
opportunities on the national forest. (Two green
dots: Emphasize this, this is an
important component. It should say
National Forest recreation. Importance of economic effects may need to be
stated to reflect this. Emphasize
“economic” effects.) National forest recreation opportunities contribute to local
rural economies and local communities support recreation opportunities and
capacities on the national forest.
8.
Affordable recreation opportunities are available to
everyone. (Two green dots: The committee wants affordable access to what
the forest offers [trails, camping, etc.].
There is concern that user fees are making it difficult for lower income
individuals to be able to recreate in the national forests; the forests should
not be available to just those who can afford to recreate there. Everyone should be able to afford to recreate
in the National Forests.) A range of recreation opportunities across the
national forest is available to everyone.
This includes opportunities ranging from no-fee activities to fee-based
developed sites in appropriate locations.
9.
Creative sources of funding are available for
recreation maintenance and construction of recreation facilities. Reliable
sources of funding are available for maintenance of current recreation
opportunities and construction of new resource appropriate recreation
facilities, including roads and trails.
The Forest Service actively works with user groups and agencies to seek
additional sources of funding. (Keep
this one separate from #15 below.)
10. Nature trail
opportunities are available close to roads.
11. Hiking trail
(non-motorized) opportunities are available at all elevation zones (due to snow
depth/barriers in spring, etc.) Non-motorized trail opportunities are available at all
elevation zones (due to snow depth/barriers in spring, etc.)
12. Opportunities
to view healthy wildlife ecosystems and water systems (lakes, streams) are
available to recreationists. (One green
dot: Is specific viewing of wildlife an
objective of all motorized and non-motorized users? Wildlife is addressed in #1. We all like to see wildlife; this is not
limited to motorized or non-motorized user groups. Does wildlife want to see
you? This statement does not imply that
roads be built for wildlife viewing purposes, etc. There need to be areas that are relatively
pristine. Maybe retool the wording in
this theme). Opportunities exist throughout the national forest to view a
diverse variety of visually appealing scenery, including healthy plants, water
systems, wildlife, forest management activities, and transitional
landscapes.
13. Roads and
trails are maintained. (One green dot:
This needs to be emphasized…the problem is the lack of funding to maintain
trails, resulting in fewer maintained trails and forcing recreationists to over
use just a few maintained trails.) Roads, trails,
and trail heads are maintained. (This is
plain English and can’t be said any clearer or more emphasized.)
14. Additional
trails are constructed in order to reduce impacts, encourage use in different
parts of the forest, access scenic viewpoints/features, and accommodate
increased need and demand. (One green dot: Maintenance issues and developing an idea to
address those issues. The resource
impact issue is “Does wildlife want to see you?” Develop an idea about maintenance, balance of
existing with new; also address the wildlife issue. This was addressed in themes #5 and #6. The red flag I see is the use of the word
“additional,” it could be re-worded maybe say “adequate.”) New
trails, roads, and trail heads are constructed, and sections of existing trails
are relocated or closed in order to reduce impacts, encourage use in different
parts of the forest, access scenic view points/features, and accommodate
increased need and demand.
15. The
16.
Need
for dispersed camping available across the forest, not just motorized and
non-motorized. See themes #2 and #11. Additional
opportunities for dispersed camp sites (accessible via vehicle) and developed
campgrounds in non-sensitive areas are provided to offset those closed in
sensitive areas, and to provide for additional capacity and demand.
17. Promotes consistency between other
landowners (Federal, State, private, etc.).
This ties in with #15. Promotes consistency within the Forest Service and other
government land management agencies.
18. Additional
opportunities for dispersed camp sites (accessible via vehicle) and developed
camp grounds in non-sensitive areas are provided to offset those closed in
sensitive areas and to provide for additional capacity and demand.
19. Additional
opportunities for dispersed camp sites (accessible via vehicle) and developed
camp grounds in non-sensitive areas are provided to offset those closed in
sensitive areas and to provide for additional capacity and demand.
1.
Management Theme: Back Country Non-Motorized Travel
(One green dot under the Management
Theme: I’m not sure where backcountry
and front country start and end. Define
this better/have a common understanding of what this is).
1.
Want to see Wildlife. (Three green dots:
This statement needs to include wildlife views/vistas.) Opportunities
are available to view wildlife and scenic views/vistas.
2.
No Developed Campsites. (Three green dots:
Opportunities to have more dispersed campsites, not developed
campgrounds. Better combine or define
#2, #6 and #9; have some kind of a working idea about the level of dispersal of
sites and development. There should be
developed campsites, but we need a better common understanding of what a
developed campsite is. There is room for
compromise depending upon the definition of “developed campsites.” Define/clarify “developed campsites,” what do
these look like?) Facilities in this management theme follow Development Scale
1 and Scale 2 protocols (see glossary).
This includes livestock camps with available grazing. A few Development Scale 2 and Scale 2
protocol facilities exist across this management theme that will accommodate
larger groups.
3.
See fewer people sites, and sounds. (Three green dots:
If people want to get away they need to go to Wilderness which is
already 40% of the
4.
Limit number of people and outfitters. (Four green dots: See #3.)
Drop this statement.
5.
See the forest in its natural state. (Two green dots:
This depends upon the definition of “natural”. This needs to be described better. Start at the point of understanding that this
is a backcountry experience or a more “natural” experience.) Within
this management theme, there is a feeling that the forest is not being actively
managed. Disturbed areas appear to be in
a state of transition.
6.
Primitive facilities that accommodate larger groups
are present. (One green dot: This implies that there is a large recreation
structure in place. We were referring to
“primitive” keeping in mind group size limitations in Wilderness. We weren’t talking about buildings, maybe an
outhouse at most. Primitive needs to be
better defined.) Delete this statement since it’s now handled by #2
above.
7.
Provide opportunities that minimize conflict between
users (4 wheel, 2 wheel, horse, quads, hikers). (One green dot: This point, “to provide opportunities that
minimize conflict between users” needs to be a forest-wide theme. The sub-group needs to figure out where they
want items #6 through #10 to be located.)
Done, now a forest wide desired
condition.
8.
Trails are managed to accommodate a variety of uses in
accordance with resource capability. Now a forest wide desired condition.
9.
Established/dispersed stock camps and other
non-motorized type camps are available. (One green dot: No comments.)
Now addressed in #2 above.
10. Livestock
recreation opportunities with grazing are available. (One green dot: No comments).
Now addressed in #2 above.
2.
Management Theme: Back Country Motorized
Travel
1.
Want good views.
Opportunities are available to view
wildlife and scenic views/vistas.
2.
Want to be able to see wildlife. Delete
this statement since it’s now combined with #1 above.
3.
Motorized trails need to be challenging. (One green
dot: A variety of experiences, including
challenging.) A variety of motorized trails are available across this
management theme, including trails that offer challenges.
4.
Fewer vehicles in this category (jeeps and high
clearance vehicles). (One green dot: No comments.) This
statement is now incorporated in #5 below.
5.
Prefer loop trails. The
motorized trail system is designed to disperse users, minimize resource
impacts, and maximize loop opportunities.
6.
Don’t want to hear other forest users near by. (One green dot: No comments.)
Opportunities exist to experience a
sense of “aloneness”.
7.
Access to trails ensured, especially in winter. (Two green dots: No comments.)
Delete this statement because it’s
addressed in Management Theme #5, Winter Recreation Forest Wide.
8.
Need for scenic views. Delete this statement since it is now covered in statement #1
above.
9.
Challenges. (One green
dot: No comments.) Delete
this statement since it’s now covered in statement #3 above.
Let the sub-group deal with items 10 & 11.
10. Trails and
camp sites are linked via
11. Additional
opportunities for dispersed camp sites (accessible via vehicle) and developed
camp grounds in non-sensitive areas are provided to offset those closed in
sensitive areas and to provide for additional capacity and demand. This
statement now moved to forest wide desired conditions.
Additional
desired condition for this management theme is:
Within this management theme, there is a feeling that the forest is not
being actively managed. Disturbed areas
appear to be in a state of transition.
3.
Management Theme: Roaded Country (modified theme which is a combination
of Management Theme #3 Back Country Roaded and Management Theme #4, Front
Country)
PAC members did not discuss points listed on the following pages
as sub-group members did not have enough time to thoroughly develop the
material.
3. Management Theme: Back Country Roaded Delete
all of this since it’s now dealt with in the “new” Management Theme #3 Roaded
Country above or Management Theme #5 Winter Recreation #5 below.
1.
Maintained roads
2.
Dispersed camping
3.
Some facilities
4.
View points
5.
Firewood gathering
6.
Outfitter facilities
7.
Separate cross country ski areas
8.
Snowmobile trails
4.
Management Theme: Front Country Delete all of this since it’s now dealt with in the “new”
Management Theme #3 Roaded Country above or Management Theme #5 Winter
Recreation #5 below.
1.
Maintained roads
2.
Developed campgrounds
3.
Ski areas
4.
Open for snowmobiles
(Common
to Management Themes #1-#4)
5.
Established/dispersed stock camps and other
non-motorized type camps are available. This
statement is now covered in Management Theme #1Back Country Non-Motorized
Travel.
6.
Livestock recreation opportunities with grazing are
available.
(Common to Management Themes #2-#4)
7.
Trails and camp sites are linked via
8.
Additional opportunities for dispersed camp sites
(accessible via vehicle) and developed camp grounds in non-sensitive areas are
provided to offset those closed in sensitive areas and to provide for
additional capacity and demand. This
statement is moved to Forest Wide desired conditions.
4. Management
Theme:
This management this is NOT a county
park or state park. It is located on
national forest in “one’s backyard”. In
its most primitive form, it could simply be a well marked boundary with access roads that are gated and
signed. In its well developed form, it
would have a picnic area, paved parking lot, paved trail for special needs
hikers, crisscrossed with hiking trails, mountain bike trails, horse trails,
etc.
All of the following desired condition statements were
validated by the subgroup. Exceptions
and changes are noted.
1.
Need to be close (within 5-10 miles) to the community
areas. One of these areas per District
would be present.
2.
Accessible to families (kids, grandparents, etc.)
3.
Non-motorized year round
4.
Accessible to bikes, horses, etc.
5.
Approximately 10 square
miles in size (smaller scale areas) and may or may not
be roaded.
6.
No camping allowed
7.
Sense of place is quiet
8.
No camp fires
9.
Day use only/interpretive leader and outdoor education
provided
10.
Active forest management allowed (thinning, prescribed
burning, etc.)
11.
Access for people with special needs
12. Primitive
facilities that accommodate larger groups are present.
13. Provide
opportunities that minimize conflict between users (4 wheel, 2 wheel, horse,
quads, hikers) Delete this statement.
14. Trails are
managed to accommodate a variety of uses in accordance with resource
capability.
5. Management
Theme: Winter Recreation Forest-Wide
Implementing this management theme would occur by serving as
a kind of GIS overlay related to the presence of snow that allows winter
recreation to occur.
Sub Category withi