Re: Forest Service punches hikers below the belt
Posted: April 15th, 2019, 7:48 am
maybe that's a partial explanation for Forest Service's attitude to restrict use when it gets crowded
Oregon's Forum for Hikers
https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/
https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=28124
And that is part of my point, at what point did the FS decide to abdicate their actual job responsibilities to external parties? Is this just a government SOP? You stop doing the work you need to and some outside org sees the detriment and picks up someone else's work. You think those orgs will take positions that are in conflict with FS policy? They have to keep that relationship smooth. The FS can make a policy with negative ramifications for people, but will WTA bring their power to confront the FS on it/advocate against?justpeachy wrote: ↑April 15th, 2019, 6:55 amIf these organizations went away or stopped doing what they're doing, what evidence is there at the Forest Service has the resources to pick up that slack?Water wrote: ↑April 11th, 2019, 10:22 amimo WTA, TKO, and Mazamas to some extent (they have less of a relationship with FS and have at times brought their resources to advocate for preventing additional restrictions) have carried water for the FS for years, being a 'partner' as the FS offloads more and more responsibilities.
I'd suggest this was the turning point...
Nothing's been the same, since.Ronald Reagan wrote:The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
When they had to make cuts. The Forest Service budget is not what it once was, and now they have to spend a huge chunk on fighting fires besides. Recreation funding has taken a hit as a result, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
anyone with any affiliation with TKO, WTA, able to answer this? As an advocate for hikers why wouldn't TKO have submitted objections for the clearly onerous Central Cascades Access change? It would seem TKO tacitly endorses that plan if they represent Oregon Hikers. That may be fine but TKO should state their position on issues that directly affect access. It's not really a big ask.The FS can make a policy with negative ramifications for people, but will WTA bring their power to confront the FS on it/advocate against?
Now isn't that an interesting thing, if today's system is less than half of what existed a few decades ago, and we're pointing left and right to increased usage, and the solution is to further restrict usage? Really? I mean I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas.Oregon’s trail legacy is in trouble. For decades, our trail system has been underfunded and disrupted by logging and road-building. Today’s system is less than half of what existed only a few decades ago, while the hiking population has exploded, leaving many trails crowded and showing the effects of overuse.
I was on the TKO Board when the Central Cascades permitting issue appeared on a meeting agenda (I have since stepped down). There was little discussion because other Board members were not prepped, and I was the one who ended up summarizing the proposal even though I had not initially put it on the agenda. Thus, no position was taken since the item was given about 10 minutes, tops. However, I have to say that TKO has no relationship at all with the Willamette and Deschutes N.F., so they probably wouldn't even know who we are. The irony is that the better and closer the relationship we have (with the USFS, that happens at the ranger district level), the more effective we can be at advocacy. No relationship, no impact.
Ten minutes on an agenda item that will impact the nominal area of interest, and the stakeholders this organization exists for, for generations to come? Seriously? And not another Board member cared to even be somewhat familiar with it coming in? How embarrassing for TKO!bobcat wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 7:32 amI was on the TKO Board when the Central Cascades permitting issue appeared on a meeting agenda (I have since stepped down). There was little discussion because other Board members were not prepped, and I was the one who ended up summarizing the proposal even though I had not initially put it on the agenda. Thus, no position was taken since the item was given about 10 minutes, tops. However, I have to say that TKO has no relationship at all with the Willamette and Deschutes N.F., so they probably wouldn't even know who we are. The irony is that the better and closer the relationship we have (with the USFS, that happens at the ranger district level), the more effective we can be at advocacy. No relationship, no impact.
Thanks for everything that you do bobcat I know that you have the best interests of hikers at heart.bobcat wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 7:32 am
As for "trail legacy," it took ten years for the Old Vista Ridge Trail to be officially declared open again (after TKO's initial guerrilla incursions), numbered, and put on the USFS lists. That's the sort of timeline you're looking at. And we had to sign a contract to say we'd maintain it in perpetuity. And who knows what internal red tape the Hood River rangers had to go through to make it a reality. Much appreciation to them for pushing it through, though.