Mt. Hood on the chopping block!!!

[HummBebe]

BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

Mt. Hood National Forest Seeks Comments on Motorized Travel Plan

The Mt. Hood National Forest is formulating a new travel plan that will limit ALL vehicle use to designated roads, trails and areas. The Forest Service (FS) will be hosting two open houses during the month of September, to present and answer questions about the proposed action. (See schedule below)

The FS published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register on August 27, 2007. This notice of intent is the first step in the formal scoping process that will steer the development of the draft EIS. The Proposed Action focuses on travel management within six proposed OHV areas and motorized access to dispersed (undeveloped) camping. Within each area, specific OHV routes are proposed by motor vehicle class, and new trails are proposed for construction where they would create trail loop opportunities.

Detailed maps showing the proposed designated roads and trails, including dispersed camping areas are available on the Forest's website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/projects/.

Since there will be no formal presentations at the open houses, please feel free to come at any time during the meetings. The meetings are scheduled as follows.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 6:00PM to 7:30PM
University Place Hotel and Conference Center
Willamette Falls Room
310 SW Lincoln Street
Portland, OR 97201
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 6:00PM to 7:30PM
Best Western Hood River Inn
Riverview Room
1108 East Marina Way
Hood River, OR 97031
It is important that you submit comments to make sure that there is a public record of support for maintaining motorized and mechanized access. Comments are most useful if they are specific.

Involvement from OHV enthusiasts in the scoping process for this TMP is critical. If you want to protect your favorite trails and routes in the Mt. Hood National Forest be sure to attend one of the open houses and make your voice heard. Comments concerning the scope of this analysis must be received no later than October 1, 2007 to ensure they are fully incorporated into the Draft EIS.

Submit written comments to:
Jennie O'Connor
Off-Highway Vehicle Travel Management Plan Leader
Mt. Hood National Forest
6780 Highway 35
Parkdale, Oregon 97041
Electronic comments can be submitted to comments-pacificnorthswest-mthood@fs.fed.us.

For further information about the proposed action contact Jennie O'Connor, Natural Resource Planner, by calling (541) 352-6002 ext 634 or by e-mailing jmoconnor@fs.fed.us.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact BRC.

Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Brian Hawthorne
Public Lands Policy Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 102