Jackson State Forest Plan doesn't include OHV [Archive]

Crowdog

10-02-2001, 04:40 PM

Just recieved this update on the Jackson State Forest near Fort Bragg area up in Northern California. The management of this forest is turning green and eliminating OHV use. This is another targeted core area for the Wildlands
Project ( www.wild-earth.org/ (http://www.wild-earth.org/) ) <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> . Use the address below to write a quick letter to tell CDF what a bad idea this is.

Crowdog

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Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) is in the process of writing a management plan, which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acres. OHV use is not mentioned in the plan, except in the terms that it is basically illegal. Please write a letter of concern to CDF Sacramento Headquarters regarding your belief that OHV's should be encompassed in the recreation plan for JDSF.

It would be great if more OHV enthusiasts could provide written comments to the address below. People have been dirtbiking JDSF for many years.

Considering the political arena we find ourselves in today, it is unlikely
that this will change any time soon. However, the militant environmentalists have been voicing their opinion very loudly that logging should no longer continue at JDSF and that it should be a park for hikers and horseback riders (another wilderness!).

So lets write another letter and let CDF hear our voices!

Send letters to
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Attention: Chris Rowney, Deputy Chief
PO BOX 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Sample letter:
------------------------------------
Mr. Rowney:

I have been reviewing information available about the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) management plan which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acre forest. I am dismayed by what I am reading. From all indication, it will be a 50,000 acre park for physically fit hikers only.

Given the population of the State of California is growing in size and age, this is a very short sighted approach to accomplish the goals of the state to provide for the welfare of its citizens as the
vast majority of the citizens will be excluded from the enjoyment of this forest.

Pictures of the area indicate the existence of a vast network of roads. These are perfect venues for access to remote areas of the forest for equestrian and motor vehicles. There are also many areas
where hiker only trails are established. Multiple use of the state forest can and should occur for the benefit of all state citizens; young or old; physically fit or physically impaired.

From my readings, multiple use recreation is not a consideration for the forest. It is targeted as a single use (hiker only) area. This is a chance for the state to be a leader in developing recreation opportunities for all citizens rather than an elite special interest group.

Please include multiple use recreation in the Jackson Demonstration Forest Plan.
---------------------------------------------

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Crowdog ]

Ed A. Stevens

10-04-2001, 06:25 PM

Has the CDF set up a website for the plan revision process yet?

I reworked the letter some (feel free to cut and paste):

October 4, 2001

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Attention: Chris Rowney, Deputy Chief
PO BOX 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Mr. Rowney:

I understand the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) management plan, which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acre forest, is under review and revision. I have heard the proposed plan revision for the 50,000-acre park will be managed for physically fit hikers only, and the plan excludes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation.

Given that the population of the State of California is growing in size and age, this is a very shortsighted approach to accomplish the goals of the state to provide multiple use recreation opportunities for the welfare of its citizens. I fear the vast majority of the citizens will be excluded from the enjoyment of this forest, unless motorized recreation is incorporated into the plan, I urge you to refocus the plan to include responsible OHV recreation.

Photos and old topographical maps of the area indicate the presence of a vast network of existing roads. These are perfect venues for access to remote areas of the forest for dispersed recreation opportunity: camping, remote trailheads, equestrian staging areas, and motor vehicle trails. Multiple use of the State forest can and should benefit of all state citizens; young or old; physically fit or physically impaired, and restoration of selected roads accomplishes this service to the public.

This is a chance for the state to be a leader in developing recreation opportunities for all citizens rather than an elite special interest group. State Green Sticker Grant opportunities to fund support of OHV recreation should also be considered as a benefit in the management of the forest.

Please include OHV recreation and multiple use recreation in the Jackson Demonstration Forest Plan. Please forward this letter to the planning officer in charge of the plan revision process, and place my name and address on the mailing list for information and public participation in the plan revision process.


Pirate4x4.Com > Land Use and Trails > Land Use Issues > Jackson State Forest Plan doesn't include OHV PDA : Jackson State Forest Plan doesn't include OHV Crowdog 10-02-2001, 04:40 PM Just recieved this update on the Jackson State Forest near Fort Bragg area up in Northern California. The management of this forest is turning green and eliminating OHV use. This is another targeted core area for the Wildlands Project ( www.wild-earth.org/ (http://www.wild-earth.org/) ) <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0"> . Use the address below to write a quick letter to tell CDF what a bad idea this is. Crowdog --------------------------------------------- Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) is in the process of writing a management plan, which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acres. OHV use is not mentioned in the plan, except in the terms that it is basically illegal. Please write a letter of concern to CDF Sacramento Headquarters regarding your belief that OHV's should be encompassed in the recreation plan for JDSF. It would be great if more OHV enthusiasts could provide written comments to the address below. People have been dirtbiking JDSF for many years. Considering the political arena we find ourselves in today, it is unlikely that this will change any time soon. However, the militant environmentalists have been voicing their opinion very loudly that logging should no longer continue at JDSF and that it should be a park for hikers and horseback riders (another wilderness!). So lets write another letter and let CDF hear our voices! Send letters to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Chris Rowney, Deputy Chief PO BOX 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460 Sample letter: ------------------------------------ Mr. Rowney: I have been reviewing information available about the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) management plan which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acre forest. I am dismayed by what I am reading. From all indication, it will be a 50,000 acre park for physically fit hikers only. Given the population of the State of California is growing in size and age, this is a very short sighted approach to accomplish the goals of the state to provide for the welfare of its citizens as the vast majority of the citizens will be excluded from the enjoyment of this forest. Pictures of the area indicate the existence of a vast network of roads. These are perfect venues for access to remote areas of the forest for equestrian and motor vehicles. There are also many areas where hiker only trails are established. Multiple use of the state forest can and should occur for the benefit of all state citizens; young or old; physically fit or physically impaired. From my readings, multiple use recreation is not a consideration for the forest. It is targeted as a single use (hiker only) area. This is a chance for the state to be a leader in developing recreation opportunities for all citizens rather than an elite special interest group. Please include multiple use recreation in the Jackson Demonstration Forest Plan. --------------------------------------------- [ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Crowdog ] Ed A. Stevens 10-04-2001, 06:25 PM Has the CDF set up a website for the plan revision process yet? I reworked the letter some (feel free to cut and paste): October 4, 2001 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Chris Rowney, Deputy Chief PO BOX 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244-2460 Mr. Rowney: I understand the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) management plan, which includes a recreation plan for the entire 50,000 acre forest, is under review and revision. I have heard the proposed plan revision for the 50,000-acre park will be managed for physically fit hikers only, and the plan excludes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation. Given that the population of the State of California is growing in size and age, this is a very shortsighted approach to accomplish the goals of the state to provide multiple use recreation opportunities for the welfare of its citizens. I fear the vast majority of the citizens will be excluded from the enjoyment of this forest, unless motorized recreation is incorporated into the plan, I urge you to refocus the plan to include responsible OHV recreation. Photos and old topographical maps of the area indicate the presence of a vast network of existing roads. These are perfect venues for access to remote areas of the forest for dispersed recreation opportunity: camping, remote trailheads, equestrian staging areas, and motor vehicle trails. Multiple use of the State forest can and should benefit of all state citizens; young or old; physically fit or physically impaired, and restoration of selected roads accomplishes this service to the public. This is a chance for the state to be a leader in developing recreation opportunities for all citizens rather than an elite special interest group. State Green Sticker Grant opportunities to fund support of OHV recreation should also be considered as a benefit in the management of the forest. Please include OHV recreation and multiple use recreation in the Jackson Demonstration Forest Plan. Please forward this letter to the planning officer in charge of the plan revision process, and place my name and address on the mailing list for information and public participation in the plan revision process.