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Members Needed at Shawnee Forest Trails Planning Meetings!
and Update on Progress by Barbara McKasson ~10-21-01
The October Trails Planning meeting led by Dale Brown, a professional facilitator, was 100% better than previous meetings led by Forest Service (FS) personnel. Differences were smoothed over, everyone was respectful, and we actually had some intelligent discussion on issues. The blame for allowing degradation of the resource (erosion, decimation of native plants, etc.) was correctly placed on the doorstep of the FS for a change, instead of being deflected to horse riders or environmentalists - how refreshing! There was also general agreement that we should concentrate on pursuing the three goals that the whole group agreed on previously -
more funding for trails and recreation improvement of the trails, and education on stewardship issues.
I also see us working towards designation of more trails, with the twin goal of phasing out and obliterating unnecessary user made trails.
The group is functioning on a consensus basis rather than majority rules. Still, we need more Sierra Club members to attend these meetings in order to have a greater influence on decisions! Please volunteer to come strengthen our voice in these decisions! The group decided to hold meetings on the third Tuesday of every month (we advocated every other month, but were outnumbered). The next meeting is scheduled for November 20th at 6:30 PM, with a backup date of November 13th. For updates, go to the FS Shawnee Forest Website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/shawnee/ . We will again meet at the old Montgomery Ward parking lot at 5:45 on Nov. 20th. We may meet at a Carbondale restaurant for dinner before the meeting. Call Barb at 529-4824 for details, updates, or if you plan to carpool with us.
Extra! Extra! News and Updates on Trails!
by Barb McKasson ~ 10-21-01
Accomplishments by the Trails Planning Group were celebrated at the Forest Service (FS) October Trails Planning meeting: Thirty miles of trails in Wilderness were improved, more miles of trails were marked, two "stewardship" brochures were written, and a number of "Leave No Trace" workshops were given. Thanks to the Sierra Club volunteers who have spent many hours in helping achieve these accomplishments (Bob Tyson, Bob Pauls, Ellen Marie Tripp, Anton Kvernes, Don Sims, and others). The possibility of workshops given by the FS on the FS budget process, and on the NEPA process was put forward.
Horse riders are pushing for more trails to be designated. Environmentalists pointed out that an Environmental Analysis (EA) needs to be done before designating new "official" trails to make sure they are sited in the most appropriate places and constructed to minimize environmental damage. Steve Hupe, a forest planner, suggested "categorical exclusions" would be appropriate. Environmentalists pointed out that the use of categorical exclusions (a loophole for bypassing EAs) is still being debated. There is a formal FS comment period on categorical exclusions that ends November 19, 2001.
There was agreement between horse riders and environmentalists that "hill gravel", which is naturally combined with clay, is a preferable material to use for trail surfacing. We need to get this idea adopted by the FS. Horse riders complained that many sections of the River to River Trail are degraded, and that riders no longer want to use the trail. This could be a cause for many of the "user made" trails (which could also erode and become unusable unless maintained).
Bruce Slover, the new Assistant Shawnee Forest Supervisor, announced that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed designated trails through seven Natural Areas would be out for comment soon - probably in November. We will notify you of further developments on this.
As you can see, there is a lot going on, and we could use more minds, hearts and hands to help on all facets of trails planning, maintenance, marking, funding and stewardship education. Please contact Barb 529-4824 for more details.
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