PBB We Need Your Help...Future Of the DBNF

[wilburburns]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

About a month ago, I was able to attend an open house where the topic of discussion was the future of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Every 10 or so years, the division of Forestry revises it's Land and Resource Management plan.

At the Open house, I hade the opportunity to talk with several Forest Service personnel to discuss the proposed plan and their opinions about what could be done to improve Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) locations throughout the Forest. Currently, the plan does not open any new areas for OHV use, however, it doesn't necessarily close any initially. However, there will be even stricter guidelines set forth, based upon water quality in certain areas. And we all know that many of our trails cross creeks and streams. Therefore, we must all be aware and cautious as we do these acts.

So, what can we do. Well, first, we must comment on the proposed plan. We need to make sure that our voice is heard. We cannot sit back and expect others to speak for us. You can believe that those against our sport and hobby are going to be heard and will submit many, many comments. WE MUST MAKE SURE WE ARE HEARD.

Now, as we make our comments, I must make a few suggestions. First off, we must be courteous and give constructive criticism or praise. I can assure you, comments that do not have suggestions or constructive input, will be ignored.

A few suggestions for topics:
I will be suggesting active management of OHV Use in the Forest. By this I mean an "Adopt a Trail or Trail system program". This type of system has been effective in keeping highways clean in certain areas. If we can have clubs, organizations, or just groups of friends agree to "adopt" or maintain a trail or trail system, that group would work closely with the District to ensure that the trail is kept clean, erosion is kept to a minimum and ground water quality in the area is not endangered.

Another option I will be suggesting as a last resort is a Fee based system for using the trails. Currently, as an Avid Boater, I am required to purchase a pass to use Forestry owned Boat ramps on Certain Lakes. This pass costs $30 per year, which is not unreasonable in my view. Keep in mind that I hate to pay even more to use Public lands, but I can assure you that since the Fee based system for Boating and Parking in the Gorge area was started, the areas have improved. These fees have paid for dumpsters at boat ramps, better parking at the Gorge, and an overall nicer facility.

So, how could a fee based system help OHV use. Well some small examples could be to help control erosion and water quality. If certain areas are suffering from poor water quality due to erosion from trail use, then these moneys could be used to build bridges, help control erosion and keep the trail open. The fees could also be used to increase parking at the trail heads, so that we have more room to park tow rigs.

And finally, I will discuss the following in my comments.
As trails and trail systems are closed, this forces OHV users to go to a different location. This forces more users into smaller areas and causes more damage to the environment. This is not the solution. We must maintain all current trail systems and even open more areas. This will allow for a much smaller environmental impact on the places we love. As much as I hate to say this, the Livingston Ky area is prime example of what I am talking about. The area is overused due to so few available riding areas. If more good areas were open or known in the Daniel Boone National Forest, users would be much more diverse and not overuse the areas.

All comments are due by August 14, 2003.
More Info at about the Proposed Forest Management Plan:
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/...ng/default.htm

Mailto:
Daniel Boone National Forest
Content Analysis Team
PO Box 221150
Salt Lake City, UT 84122

Fax To:
(801) 517-1015

E-mail To:
danielboone@fs.fed.us

So, I urge everyone to get involved. Send in your comments. And don't forget to mention the Trailkeepers Organization and your local club. We must all work to keep our loved Trails.

Cliff Planck
Trailkeepers Member www.trailkeepers.org
Kentucky Krawlers member www.kentuckykrawlers.org
ERoCC Volunteer www.erocc.com

[YellowSub1962]

can you cross post this in L/U if you haven't already, so it won't get buried so quickly

[CWToyota]

BTT for you

[GPERX4]

From what I have heard they have closed all , but the main trail at Livingston. I had to drive 5 hours to get there looks like urban wheeling will be the only thing left.

[Adam F]

I'm going to email and write a letter to the addresses posted. Thanks for the info!


There was some other information I found on the internet, about Rockcastle River damage and how the DBNF was closed to motor vehicles except for designated OHV areas, and that Livingston, aka "Cromer Ridge" was not a legal place to ride.

Now when I click the link, it will not load. Seems the site is down. Whats up with that? Here's the link:

http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/boone/cromer.html


Here's what it said when it was working:

NOTICE

The USDA Forest Service and Cromer Ridge landowners are requesting the cooperation of Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) users in the effort to control unacceptable impacts on public and private land.

Illegal motor vehicle use in this area has caused severe soil erosion problems within the Rockcastle River drainage, resulting in adverse effects on plant and animal ecosystems, water quality, cemeteries, timber resources, and land value.

Please note that National Forest lands are closed to motor vehicles except on open public roads and trails designated for OHV use. See maps posted at the fuel stations on exit 49 of I-75 and at the Daniel Boone Motocross Park for the location of open public roads. There is no designated public OHV recreation area in the vicinity of Cromer Ridge (KY 909 exit on I-75).

Off Highway Vehicle use on private land is illegal without permission from the private landowners. If you are riding motor vehicles where you do not have landowner permission, you are in violation of Kentucky state law.

Motorized use of open public roads is limited to motor vehicles and operators in full compliance with Kentucky Department of Transportation regulations, having street legal motor vehicles that are properly equipped, licensed, and insured and operated by a holder of a current and valid state driver's license.

The Daniel Boone National Forest has marked National Forest land boundaries and will enforce motor vehicle laws and regulations in this area. Private landowners have requested local government support and law enforcement in their efforts to provide responsible land stewardship.

Please contact your local Forest Service office for guides to legal OHV riding opportunities.

Daniel Boone National Forest

London Ranger District
761 S. Laurel Road
London, KY 40744
606-864-4163

[Adam F]

They have now put up barricades at the entrance to Livingston. And police are enforcing it. A few of my friends have stopped by on 2 separate occasions to find the trails closed. This is sad.


Does anyone have any information on other trails nearby, like Slade/Natural Bridge?

[Adam F]

OK, after doing some researching and reading, I think I might know why there are barracades.

First, read this website and view the map in PDF

http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/boone/cromer.html

Now, KY-909, which is the open public road that is what we call "Livingston" or "Cromer Ridge" is a open public road, which any capable, licensed, street legal motor vehicle can ride on. There are a bunch of trails in the map that show the open public roads. Only one of the roads is actually closed to motor vehicles. It's the side trails that branch from the main trails that we are not allowed to ride on.

Now, with these rules in mind, I did not understand why and how they would barricade the opening to an open public road. What I'm thinking is, with all the rain and flash floods this area has had in the last few days/weeks, there is some flooding down by the Rockcastle River. I know it can get dangerous when the water level is high down there, and the rangers probably closed the whole area off temporarily to ensure the safety of others. Hopefully this is just a temporary closure, and it will be reopened by the time we go down there. I will call the London Park Ranger on Monday to see if I can get some more information. Hopefully this is the reason.

[SR5Dave]

ttt