Proposed Revised Forest Plan
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captain static
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Be a little patient here LW while I give my flux capacitor a chance to recharge.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
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captain static
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This, as a final installment, is selected text from the "Appendix - Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Proposed Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Daniel Boone National Forest" :
Appendix C - ROADLESS AREA EVALUATION
WOLFPEN ROADLESS AREA
OVERVIEW
Current Uses
“The area is primarily used for dispersed recreation activities such as hiking, rock climbing and dispersed camping. The ridges from State Road 77 to Wolfpen Creek have numerous rock climbing routes located on the clifflines that bound these ridges.”
Key Attractions
“ The scenic quality of the RRGGA’s rugged, undeveloped character and its clifflines, which are known internationally for their rock climbing qualities, make this a very popular area for dispersed recreation activities such as hiking and rock climbing. These recreational activities are somewhat less in the Wolfpen area due to a lack of access to the interior, however there are still opportunities for these activities.”
WILDERNESS CAPABILITY
Opportunity to Experience Wilderness Characteristics
“Once away from the noise of roads to the south and west, visitors to the Wolfpen area can find a fairly remote, undeveloped natural experience because the ruggedness of the area helps to minimize outside influences and because the same ruggedness has kept many potential human activities and developments from affecting the area. Outdoor skills would be required to traverse the area. Map and compass orienteering skills and in some cases rock climbing (using non-fixed anchors) or rappelling skills could be employed to access certain challenging areas. Certainly, the rugged terrain and lack of developed trails would provide a challenging outdoor experience requiring a high degree of self reliance for a variety of dispersed recreational activities.”
SPECIAL FEATURES
“The natural features have produced world class rock climbing opportunities and special habitats that contain species such as the White-haired goldenrod, found no where else in the world.”
WILDERNESS AVAILABILITY
Recreation and Tourism
“As previously described, besides established fixed anchor rock climbing routes, the only recreation development in the area is a portion of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in the southeast part of the area. Rock climbing, backpacking and some dispersed camping are the primary recreation activities in the area. If the area were designated as Wilderness the main impact would be the exclusion of new rock climbing routes with fixed anchors.
Appendix C - ROADLESS AREA EVALUATION
WOLFPEN ROADLESS AREA
OVERVIEW
Current Uses
“The area is primarily used for dispersed recreation activities such as hiking, rock climbing and dispersed camping. The ridges from State Road 77 to Wolfpen Creek have numerous rock climbing routes located on the clifflines that bound these ridges.”
Key Attractions
“ The scenic quality of the RRGGA’s rugged, undeveloped character and its clifflines, which are known internationally for their rock climbing qualities, make this a very popular area for dispersed recreation activities such as hiking and rock climbing. These recreational activities are somewhat less in the Wolfpen area due to a lack of access to the interior, however there are still opportunities for these activities.”
WILDERNESS CAPABILITY
Opportunity to Experience Wilderness Characteristics
“Once away from the noise of roads to the south and west, visitors to the Wolfpen area can find a fairly remote, undeveloped natural experience because the ruggedness of the area helps to minimize outside influences and because the same ruggedness has kept many potential human activities and developments from affecting the area. Outdoor skills would be required to traverse the area. Map and compass orienteering skills and in some cases rock climbing (using non-fixed anchors) or rappelling skills could be employed to access certain challenging areas. Certainly, the rugged terrain and lack of developed trails would provide a challenging outdoor experience requiring a high degree of self reliance for a variety of dispersed recreational activities.”
SPECIAL FEATURES
“The natural features have produced world class rock climbing opportunities and special habitats that contain species such as the White-haired goldenrod, found no where else in the world.”
WILDERNESS AVAILABILITY
Recreation and Tourism
“As previously described, besides established fixed anchor rock climbing routes, the only recreation development in the area is a portion of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in the southeast part of the area. Rock climbing, backpacking and some dispersed camping are the primary recreation activities in the area. If the area were designated as Wilderness the main impact would be the exclusion of new rock climbing routes with fixed anchors.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
Last edited by TexasK on Wed Oct 22, 2003 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
" ...... every day I'm more and more dismayed by the sheer numbers of idiots in this country. I dream of running off into what remains of our wild spaces and .......... "
- Sandy
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captain static
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I agree with you TK. I have some very specific views on Wilderness & climbing. I will try to post these next week. I have my commentary ready on the overall DBNF Plan in relation to climbing but will wait til Mon. to post so that it doesn't get lost over the weekend.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
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captain static
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- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 6:05 pm
The following reflects my personal views and not the views of any climbing advocacy organization with which I might be affiliated:
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Now that selected excerpts from the DBNF Draft Forest Management Plan have been posted, here is the promised analysis. There is much for climbers to be encouraged about in the Plan. First, rock climbing as a distinct recreational opportunity is well acknowledged in the USFS’s preferred alternative, Altenative C-1. The Plan acknowledges rock climbing opportunities within DBNF to be unique and world class. The Plan even goes so far as to identify rock climbing as a recreational opportunity to be maintained and enhanced in the Red River Gorge Geological Area and along the Red River National and Wild Scenic River. The significance of this in the big picture of the Plan can be realized from considering that recreational opportunities is only one of fourteen issues used in developing the various alternatives. This is the pay-off, so far, from the efforts of climbers in providing public comment and from the efforts of the RRGCC in lobbying the USFS.
IS THERE ROOM FOR COMMENT & IMPROVEMENT?
In short, yes. In commenting on the Plan, resign yourself to the fact that you are not going to change the USFS’s approach to protecting things such as heritage resources, PETS, etc. or in requiring review for the establishment of new climbing routes. These are things that they are doing to make sure they are in compliance with the law. Constructive comments that might make a difference on the final Plan could link the goals of climbers with other issues. For example acquisition of private land where climbing currently exists could help reduce forest fragmentation. Efforts of climbers to upgrade user defined trails to FS standards could help maintain water quality through minimizing erosion.
The OHV and equestrian people have actually gotten specific goal language for their activities written into Chapter 2 of the Plan, “Goal 7.3 Provide additional equestrian and OHV trail riding opportunities.” In my opinion, we need to lobby to get our own goal written into this section of the Plan. Such a goal could be written as such:
Goal 7.5 Maintain and expand rock climbing opportunities.
Objective 7.5.A. Where user defined trails to existing rock climbing areas exist, upgrade one trail per year to Forest Service Standards until all rock climbing area access trails are brought into compliance with required Standards.
Objective 7.5.B. At sites where here conflicts between rock climbing activities and heritage resources have been identified, conduct one Phase II archeological investigation per year and mitigate one site per year, where possible, until all such conflicts are addressed.
Objective 7.5.C. Identify and develop one new rock climbing area within the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Objective 7.5.D. Identify and develop one new rock climbing area outside of the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Objective 7.5.E.Identify and evaluate existing rock climbing areas on private property within the DBNF proclamation area for potential acquisition.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Now that selected excerpts from the DBNF Draft Forest Management Plan have been posted, here is the promised analysis. There is much for climbers to be encouraged about in the Plan. First, rock climbing as a distinct recreational opportunity is well acknowledged in the USFS’s preferred alternative, Altenative C-1. The Plan acknowledges rock climbing opportunities within DBNF to be unique and world class. The Plan even goes so far as to identify rock climbing as a recreational opportunity to be maintained and enhanced in the Red River Gorge Geological Area and along the Red River National and Wild Scenic River. The significance of this in the big picture of the Plan can be realized from considering that recreational opportunities is only one of fourteen issues used in developing the various alternatives. This is the pay-off, so far, from the efforts of climbers in providing public comment and from the efforts of the RRGCC in lobbying the USFS.
IS THERE ROOM FOR COMMENT & IMPROVEMENT?
In short, yes. In commenting on the Plan, resign yourself to the fact that you are not going to change the USFS’s approach to protecting things such as heritage resources, PETS, etc. or in requiring review for the establishment of new climbing routes. These are things that they are doing to make sure they are in compliance with the law. Constructive comments that might make a difference on the final Plan could link the goals of climbers with other issues. For example acquisition of private land where climbing currently exists could help reduce forest fragmentation. Efforts of climbers to upgrade user defined trails to FS standards could help maintain water quality through minimizing erosion.
The OHV and equestrian people have actually gotten specific goal language for their activities written into Chapter 2 of the Plan, “Goal 7.3 Provide additional equestrian and OHV trail riding opportunities.” In my opinion, we need to lobby to get our own goal written into this section of the Plan. Such a goal could be written as such:
Goal 7.5 Maintain and expand rock climbing opportunities.
Objective 7.5.A. Where user defined trails to existing rock climbing areas exist, upgrade one trail per year to Forest Service Standards until all rock climbing area access trails are brought into compliance with required Standards.
Objective 7.5.B. At sites where here conflicts between rock climbing activities and heritage resources have been identified, conduct one Phase II archeological investigation per year and mitigate one site per year, where possible, until all such conflicts are addressed.
Objective 7.5.C. Identify and develop one new rock climbing area within the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Objective 7.5.D. Identify and develop one new rock climbing area outside of the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
Objective 7.5.E.Identify and evaluate existing rock climbing areas on private property within the DBNF proclamation area for potential acquisition.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
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Bruisebrother
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Nice comprehension Capt'n. Your idea about promoting specific goal language for rockclimbing to be written into Chapter 2 of the plan, along with other user groups should definatly be persued! Let's push for it! Now what's your take on Chapter 3, Red River Gorge Geological Area , Goals and Objectives? Specifically, 3.E-Objective 4.A Nominate the area for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as an Archeological District. Isn't this the same sort of approach that was used to shut down Hueco? Whereby any evidence of man be it 50 yrs. or 50,000 yrs. ago could result in closures. I'm sure you have noticed over the many years we've been wondering around the Gorge that there is evidence of humans under almost all overhanging walls and in most rock shelters! I see this as a real potential threat to climbing in the Geological Area! An Area that the Forest Service can move the boundary of at their whim!
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captain static
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Hey Bro, it was good seeing you at Derby Fest. Here is the full text of the aforementioned section of the Draft DBNF Plan:
"3.E-Goal 4. Preserve significant heritage resources in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer and interested federally recognized tribes.
3.E-Objective 4.A. Nominate the area for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as an Archeological District. Pursue nomination as a National Historic Landmark.
3.E-Objective 4.B. Complete a Heritage management Plan to identify appropriate uses and treatment for heritage resources."
On face value, this goal and accompanying objectives would not appear to be that onerus. Dome Rock in TX is a National Historic Landmark and is also a rock climbing area. The USFS may be pursuing this as a way to get money for archaeologic projects that it would not otherwise not have access to. This could be a positive for climbing in accelerating the process of evaluating arch sites that conflict with climbing areas.
There is, however, some potentially scary stuff that could be read into this. For example Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended in 1992 and Section 9(a) of the Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) provide the legal authority for restricting information about archeological properties.
The National Historic Landmark program is administered by the National Park Service. There is some good info to check out on the NPS website. Local authorities have control over National Landmarks, etc. and are supposed to consult with local organizations and business about management of such areas. In our case this would be the USFS. So if we continue to maintain a positive relationship with them, problems should be minimized.
"3.E-Goal 4. Preserve significant heritage resources in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer and interested federally recognized tribes.
3.E-Objective 4.A. Nominate the area for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as an Archeological District. Pursue nomination as a National Historic Landmark.
3.E-Objective 4.B. Complete a Heritage management Plan to identify appropriate uses and treatment for heritage resources."
On face value, this goal and accompanying objectives would not appear to be that onerus. Dome Rock in TX is a National Historic Landmark and is also a rock climbing area. The USFS may be pursuing this as a way to get money for archaeologic projects that it would not otherwise not have access to. This could be a positive for climbing in accelerating the process of evaluating arch sites that conflict with climbing areas.
There is, however, some potentially scary stuff that could be read into this. For example Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended in 1992 and Section 9(a) of the Archeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) provide the legal authority for restricting information about archeological properties.
The National Historic Landmark program is administered by the National Park Service. There is some good info to check out on the NPS website. Local authorities have control over National Landmarks, etc. and are supposed to consult with local organizations and business about management of such areas. In our case this would be the USFS. So if we continue to maintain a positive relationship with them, problems should be minimized.
"Be responsible for your actions and sensitive to the concerns of other visitors and land managers. ... Your reward is the opportunity to climb in one of the most beautiful areas in this part of the country." John H. Bronaugh
Is the RRGCC in a position to formally propose the above language ("Goal 7.5 Maintain and expand rock climbing opportunities"). I'm asking so that we can all write letters that read "I support the additional Goals proposed by the RRGCC, and here's why: (insert my reasons in my own words)". Or some such wording.
As an alternative, would it be productive to print out the Goal languge above and write, "I support the attached goals as written by a fellow climber and here's why..."?
As an alternative, would it be productive to print out the Goal languge above and write, "I support the attached goals as written by a fellow climber and here's why..."?