MORE
November 23rd, 2008, 10:02 PM
Thanks to MORE Members Mike Capraro and Susan Musante for bringing this to our attention. If you believe that MTBers should be allowed to recreate in the National Forest on their bikes, I encourage you read this and respond accordingly. I will be doing so.
Scott Scudamore
Past President MORE
Active MTBer in the National Forest
Revision of the George Washington National Forest Management Plan.
If you enjoy riding your mountain bike in the GW, and want to continue to do so, please become informed and involved - read below. For details on the FS plan revision, go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/forestplan/revision/index.shtml
The important points:
1. The FS is currently accepting input from the public to develop a draft plan. They have been holding public input meetings and receiving comments from people by mail and email. The next two meetings will be:
TOPIC - VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (Wildlife habitat improvement, timber harvest, prescribed fire): Wednesday, December 3, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Rockbridge Co. High School , Lexington , VA
TOPIC - FOREST PLAN COMPONENTS (Fitting the workshops & other information together toward a Draft Plan): Thursday, January 29, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Rockbridge Co. High School , Lexington , VA
2. The areas that have already been identified as “Potential Wilderness,” meaning they meet the definition/eligibility test for the definition of Wilderness, include the Massanutten East ridge (Buzzard Rocks through Duncan Hollow) and the Big Schloss area in the Lee Ranger District, as well as many other areas in other districts of the GW.
3. Please know that:
• The finalized Forest Plan will recommend to Congress those areas that the Forest Services feels are eligible for a further, detailed study on an area's suitability for designation as wilderness. Congress then determines whether it wishes the agency to further study an area.
• The finalized Forest Plan will list generally suitable uses and guidelines for areas recommended for wilderness study so the areas are administered for retention of their existing wilderness characteristics.
• The finalized Forest Plan will not create or designate lands as Wilderness, only the Congress of the United States can do that.
4. Please mail a letter, typed or written in your own words (not a "canned" letter or form letter), to let the Forest Service know whether you enjoy riding the trails in the GW and whether would like to continue doing so, provide suggestions on areas suitable or not for Wilderness, etc. The list below is arranged in order of priority, that is, if you only send one letter please send to Supervisor Hyzer, if two, send to Hyzer then Goodlatte, etc. Do what you can - any help is appreciated and the FS wants to hear from you!
NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT:
Maureen T. Hyzer, Forest Supervisor
George Washington Plan Revision
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019-3050
CONGRESSMEN:
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
2 South Main Street Suite A, First Floor
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Rep. Frank Wolf
110 N. Cameron St.
Winchester, VA 22601
Rep. Eric Cantor
763 Madison Rd #207
Culpeper, VA 22701
LOCAL BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS:
Each board of has 5 or so members. We know that mailing 20+ letters is alot to ask, you can email these people as an alternative. When you ride in the National Forest, do you end up spending money in their counties for gas, food, bike parts, groceries etc? They might want to know about that.
http://www.rockinghamcountyva.gov/showpage.aspx?PageID=95
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/supervisors/members.php
http://www.warrencountyva.net/board_of_supervisors.asp
http://pagecounty.virginia.gov/files/agendas-minutes/board%20of%20supervisors.pdf
Scott Scudamore
Past President MORE
Active MTBer in the National Forest
Revision of the George Washington National Forest Management Plan.
If you enjoy riding your mountain bike in the GW, and want to continue to do so, please become informed and involved - read below. For details on the FS plan revision, go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/forestplan/revision/index.shtml
The important points:
1. The FS is currently accepting input from the public to develop a draft plan. They have been holding public input meetings and receiving comments from people by mail and email. The next two meetings will be:
TOPIC - VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (Wildlife habitat improvement, timber harvest, prescribed fire): Wednesday, December 3, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Rockbridge Co. High School , Lexington , VA
TOPIC - FOREST PLAN COMPONENTS (Fitting the workshops & other information together toward a Draft Plan): Thursday, January 29, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Rockbridge Co. High School , Lexington , VA
2. The areas that have already been identified as “Potential Wilderness,” meaning they meet the definition/eligibility test for the definition of Wilderness, include the Massanutten East ridge (Buzzard Rocks through Duncan Hollow) and the Big Schloss area in the Lee Ranger District, as well as many other areas in other districts of the GW.
3. Please know that:
• The finalized Forest Plan will recommend to Congress those areas that the Forest Services feels are eligible for a further, detailed study on an area's suitability for designation as wilderness. Congress then determines whether it wishes the agency to further study an area.
• The finalized Forest Plan will list generally suitable uses and guidelines for areas recommended for wilderness study so the areas are administered for retention of their existing wilderness characteristics.
• The finalized Forest Plan will not create or designate lands as Wilderness, only the Congress of the United States can do that.
4. Please mail a letter, typed or written in your own words (not a "canned" letter or form letter), to let the Forest Service know whether you enjoy riding the trails in the GW and whether would like to continue doing so, provide suggestions on areas suitable or not for Wilderness, etc. The list below is arranged in order of priority, that is, if you only send one letter please send to Supervisor Hyzer, if two, send to Hyzer then Goodlatte, etc. Do what you can - any help is appreciated and the FS wants to hear from you!
NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT:
Maureen T. Hyzer, Forest Supervisor
George Washington Plan Revision
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019-3050
CONGRESSMEN:
Rep. Bob Goodlatte
2 South Main Street Suite A, First Floor
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Rep. Frank Wolf
110 N. Cameron St.
Winchester, VA 22601
Rep. Eric Cantor
763 Madison Rd #207
Culpeper, VA 22701
LOCAL BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS:
Each board of has 5 or so members. We know that mailing 20+ letters is alot to ask, you can email these people as an alternative. When you ride in the National Forest, do you end up spending money in their counties for gas, food, bike parts, groceries etc? They might want to know about that.
http://www.rockinghamcountyva.gov/showpage.aspx?PageID=95
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/supervisors/members.php
http://www.warrencountyva.net/board_of_supervisors.asp
http://pagecounty.virginia.gov/files/agendas-minutes/board%20of%20supervisors.pdf