USFS Military Wall Project

Post by **captain static** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:34 pm

In response to a thread of comments in the online guide I want to give an update on the Military Wall project. As I am posting this in the suck forum you can probably already guess that it is not goods news. This project was progressing earlier this year. The Forest Service had a surveyor produce a detailed topographic map of the area w/the assistance of RRO. A preliminary landscape plan was the prepared by a Landscape Architect working for the Forest Service. Then the project got derailed when the FS employee that was preparing the Environmental Assessment for the project transfered to another position in the FS Regional Office in Atlanta. The Daniel Boone National Forest is experiencing serious staffing problems and they are not able to fill this and other empty positions. The short of it is that the Military Wall project has been taken off the table for 2008. They hope to take the project back up when they have sufficient resources.

In the comments thread the innuendo was made that due to the focus on the PMRP purchase, the RRGCC was not "doing anything with the Forest Service." Most on this bbs know that nothing could be farther from the truth. The RRGCC is very active in the ongoing LAC process with myself, Shannon, Dwight, and Jim attending most meetings. In addition to LAC we intermittently engage with the FS through phone calls and meetings on specific issues. The issue with Military is not money, at least our money. If the Forest Service could get this project through their system I'm sure that we could come up with an Access Fund grant and any additional money for materials and could provide the labor to make it happen.

Post by **charlie** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:51 pm

Admittedly not one of my most diplomatic moments.....

Post by **bcombs** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:57 pm

Thanks much for the update. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

charlie wrote:Admittedly not one of my most diplomatic moments.....

...If you don't have any temper, you don't have any passion...
- Michael Bloomburg

Post by **Wolf** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:24 pm

Hey Bill, how is the LAC project going? I hear a rumor that your proposal was the front-runner. Any truth to that?

Post by **the lurkist** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:35 pm

too bad that the closure of the skull / revival area is keeping everyone off of those routes. too bad....

Post by **512OW** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:09 am

the lurkist wrote:too bad that the closure of the skull / revival area is keeping everyone off of those routes. too bad....

Word to that. I've been so tempted to poach....

But for some retarded reason I've chosen to follow rules these days.

Post by **Meadows** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:04 am

Bill: Thanks for giving us info on this. I often have to convince people not to act on their bright idea of jumping the fence by letting them know that plans are in place to re-open. I'm bummed to hear that it will be awhile.

Charlie, Please don't bring out Non-diplomatic Chuckie! You have to be patient with ignorance, my man.

Post by **captain static** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:23 am

Wolf wrote:Hey Bill, how is the LAC project going? I hear a rumor that your proposal was the front-runner. Any truth to that?

There are three alternatives: Alt. 1 - Maximize Resource Protection, Alt. 2 -Balance Resource Protection and Recreation, & Alt. 3 - Maximize Recreation (http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/lac/workshops/step6.shtml). I basically drew both the Alternative 1 & 2 maps. Alt. 3 was developed by the locals. I defiinitely put a lot of effort into the Alt 2 map and this is the map that the group seems to be gravitating towards. After the last meeting I have been working with the FS to revise the map to incorporate group comments. There will be two LAC Worksops in August, one on 8/13 and one on 8/28 (http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/lac/08_01 ... work.shtml).

Yes, we need to be patient on this. Jumping the fence might not only piss off the FS but also the Tribes with potentially dire consequences. I would suggest channelling your anger and frustration into writing letters to Congress. Tell them how much you enjoy climbing and other recreational activities in Red River Gorge and that you are unhappy that the Forest Service has inadequate resources for maintaining the area.

Post by KD » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:32 am

are any of the "Tribes" members of the Fuggahwee Tribe?

Post by **tomdarch** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:26 pm

Mon Capitan,

Regarding the LAC process, I'd like to ask a blunt question and 'cut to the quick'. How does the current state of the LAC process lead to (or not to) new routes being approved/cleaned/bolted on FS land?