Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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retired jerry
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by retired jerry » November 16th, 2018, 3:25 pm

Probably good not to use lynch mob as a joke

I agree we should have access to this public land, this proposed fee is a bad idea,...

I just don't think the FS people are evil, although maybe this deed is. I'm sure they're well intentioned, just confused.

I called my congressmen. Got through immediately. "I am a constituent". If they get a lot of calls they will likely talk to the FS about it. Phone call indicates I'm a real person.

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cunningkeith
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by cunningkeith » November 17th, 2018, 9:31 am

Cross-posted with the other thread on this topic:

Let's brainstorm for a minute:

What advocacy groups would theoretically have the interest and resources to fund a legal challenge to this? Here's my list, but please add any suggestions, even if they might be longshots:

Bend Chamber of Commerce
Bark
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Sierra Club

Who else?

A trails club of some sort?

Another environmental group?

Somebody who represents climbers?

Some group that represents hunters? (they also get a raw deal here--they're subject to all the quotas except a 1-week exemption in September)


Please suggest other possibilities.

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romann
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by romann » November 23rd, 2018, 8:58 pm

Hmm.. Toll roads, toll trails, what's next?

[video]https://vimeo.com/1665301[/video]
and workaround (for hiking, that workaround would be bushwhacking or scrambling)

Just don't say "phew" if permits will be just $5 or $10 a day. It's a slippery slope, and seems to be accelerating. What U$F$ did by expanding fees to all trailheads there, they created a shortage of recreational opportunities - and once there's shortage, people are willing to pay more. Can see permits for Labor Day being bought up by some online program, and then offered for much higher prices, like popular concert tickets.

I don't know if they'll read objections from us in WA, even though many of us work and pay taxes in Oregon ;) .

New limit of 13 groups at Obsidian just shows this plan is a joke. I hiked there a couple times under old limit (years ago), we went on nice summer weekends - and only seen 2 or 3 groups the entire day. Only 8 overnight quotas and 30 day-use limit for Whitewater TH? I think there's about 30 designated campsites in Jeff Park. Good luck getting a permit.. It's probably the 1st time ever when I'm grateful to have ski resorts on Mt Hood - they make such a plan nearly impossible to implement there.

When they say quotas for trailheads, did they mean quotas apply for trails as well? For adjacent area? I.e. if one hikes from 10 miles away to a lake near another trailhead, could one legally camp there? Does new plan cancel Obsidian and Pameila Limited Entry zones (i.e. could one camp at Obsidian, after hiking in from somewhere else)?

johnspeth
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by johnspeth » November 24th, 2018, 6:48 am

I assert that enforcement is not practical nor cost effective (yet). The document posted even acknowledges the FS's enforcement capacity limits. Surprisingly, they state they'll use the fees to fund enforcement. That means enforcement will gravitate to nil or the fees will get indefensibly too high. In my 25 years of hiking around OR/WA 25 visits per year, I've been asked for a permit a total of two times and I've encountered an identifiable FS ranger maybe five times.

I know this doesn't solve the root problem but my plan is to ignore the permits and quotas and proceed as if America's public lands are indeed public. It's expected crowding that dictates if I go to a location or not. That's my regulator.

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cunningkeith
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by cunningkeith » November 25th, 2018, 10:02 am

The Forest Service is seeking applicants to a committee that will help set fees for outdoor use. This committee should be reviewing fees for hiking in the Central Cascades. Members of the committee are volunteers, but their travel expenses are reimbursed.

As much as I oppose the Central Cascades plan, it would be helpful to have concerned hikers on this committee. Applications are due Nov. 30.

http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/Local_ ... ee-members

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jessbee
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by jessbee » November 28th, 2018, 7:29 am

I am heartened by reading through the comments sent to the Forest Service during the initial comment period (you can read them all here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/n ... 302318.pdf)

Please remember that if you made a comment then you have standing to either object or appeal the decision. If you send in an *appeal* this will move the decision up a level. If you simply submit an objection, from what I understand, nothing new will happen. I've got loads more information on the process and how to intelligently craft your appeal. If you want more information please message me. I hosted a meeting last night in Bend and a lot of great stuff came out of it.

If you did NOT comment in the initial comment period, here's what you can do!

1. Encourage your friends who did comment to submit an appeal.
2. Call your local Congressmen and representatives to let them know this issue is important to you.
3. Write a letter to the editor for your local newspaper.
Will break trail for beer.

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retired jerry
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by retired jerry » November 28th, 2018, 12:04 pm

https://pamplinmedia.com/ttt/89-news/41 ... n-tualatin

Wyden is having town hall
"10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 30,
in the auditorium of Tualatin High School,
22300 S.W. Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin."

That would be an opportunity to let Wyden know about this issue

Bug
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by Bug » December 30th, 2018, 5:56 pm

Screw the quota. I'll hike and bike when and where I want, and I'll be damned if I'm going to pay "extra" for the privilege. Let the rangers and forest "dis-service" try and prosecute me. I can afford a good lawyer.

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Water
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Re: Central Cascades Quota Announced--Send Objections to FS NOW!

Post by Water » December 30th, 2018, 6:14 pm

The last day to object to this is tomorrow (Monday the 31st) I believe. To re-iterate if you did not make a comment on the initial plan in the spring you are screwed and wasting your time to do this, basically. You are better served to contact your elected representatives about this.

Preferred place to enter objection to plan, along with instructions:
https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/P ... ject=50578

Draft Decision Notice:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/n ... 483291.pdf

Final Environmental Assessment:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/n ... 483294.pdf

All Consolidated Comments
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/n ... 302318.pdf
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