Proposed Revised Forest Plan
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Bruisebrother
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:27 pm
Logging in the Gorge.
I've been told that Heartwood as ruffled F.S. feathers with a pair of lawsuits. Seems, no more commercial sales of timber are allowed, this could be the reason Habitat cutting is a large topic. They will be paying sub-contrcters to do the work! Someone check it out and report back! Captain, you've missed an important Objective! 3.E-Objective 4.A., whereby the Red River Gorge be moninated as an Archeological District!Now there is a Real threat to Climbing! Check this one out also, thankyou. p.s. Also in the Impact Statement-Red River Gorge Geological Area nominated again as an Archeological District! (page F-69). Climb Safe***
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Guest
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Kwas
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captain static
- Posts: 2438
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 6:05 pm
This, in a nutshell, is what the "Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Proposed Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Daniel Boone National Forest" has to say about climbing:
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CHAPTER 1 – PURPOSE AND NEED
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
ISSUE 11 – RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
“Rock climbing is another type of “trail” use that has grown tremendously since the 1985 Plan went into effect. The Red River Gorge is a favorite of rock climbers. As demand for places to climb continues to increase, there is much interest in how this recreational activity is managed. And with growing demand comes increased potential for damage to Forest resources as well as user conflicts.”
CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT / ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
RESOURCE PROGRAMS – RECREATION
Affected Environment – Introduction – Recreation Supply
“Trail use, rock climbing, lake and river boating, hunting and fishing in undeveloped forest settings comprise most of the dispersed-use opportunities.”
Affected Environment – Introduction – Dispersed Recreation
“A few other types of dispersed recreation have also caused impacts on a localized basis. Rock climbing, which has not been addressed on a Forestwide basis, requires attention.”
“Clifflines in the RRGGA are also known internationally for their superior rock climbing experiences. The growing popularity of this activity nationwide has been reflected in a rapid increase of rock climbing in the Gorge. Over the past five years, rock climbing has moved from an incidental recreational use to a major activity. In 1985 there were an estimated 25 climbing routes; today there are over 1,500. This increased use has required much closer management to protect sensitive heritage and biological resources as well as quality rock climbing experiences.”
Affected Environment – Environmental Effects
Alternative A - Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The recreational use in the RRGGA by rock climbers and campers would continue to be managed, primarily through site closures, to protect heritage and biological resources. However little progress would be made in providing the management required to make more sites available for these increasingly popular activities.”
Alternative B-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Recreation in General: “Designation of the Wolfpen Inventoried Roadless Area as a Wilderness Study Area would have little effect upon recreation within Wolfpen itself since most activity there is already Non-motorized Dispersed recreation. It would, however, preclude new rock climbing routes that use fixed anchors since anchors are not allowed in a Wilderness area. Most existing fixed anchor routes would remain.”
Dispersed Recreation: “Restrictions would be placed on additions to the trail system.”
“This alternative would have little impact on dispersed activities in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area.”
Alternative C – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, except for restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas.”
Alternative C-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative C, with the exception of some addition of trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
Alternative D – Direct and Indirect Effects
“The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, with the exception of some additions to the trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. … Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
Alternative E-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, with the exception of some additions to the trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. … Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS (DESIGNATED AND PROPOSED)
Affected Environment – Outstanding Remarkable Values
Recreational Value: “The RRGGA is internationally known as having some of the world’s premier rock climbing areas, some of which are within the river corridor. There has been a steady increase in recreational visitation to the RRGGA because of the quality of its rock climbing routes, numerous trails, white water, and unique scenic qualities. However, limited access to the river has kept use here fairly low with no major changes in the past five years.
WILDERNESS (DESIGNATED AND PROPOSED)
Affected Environment
“The major uses in DBNF Wilderness areas are day hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and in Clifty, rock climbing.”
“Management of these two Wilderness areas has recently focused on surveying and protecting archeological sites at the base of cliflines. There are no major problems in Beaver Creek, but heavy recreation use in Clifty has led to some damage of heritage resources. To address such problems in Clifty, camping and fire building within 100 feet of the base of the cliffline has been prohinited and some popular rock climbing areas have been closed. Follow-up is needed to enforce these closures.”
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CHAPTER 1 – PURPOSE AND NEED
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
ISSUE 11 – RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
“Rock climbing is another type of “trail” use that has grown tremendously since the 1985 Plan went into effect. The Red River Gorge is a favorite of rock climbers. As demand for places to climb continues to increase, there is much interest in how this recreational activity is managed. And with growing demand comes increased potential for damage to Forest resources as well as user conflicts.”
CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT / ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
RESOURCE PROGRAMS – RECREATION
Affected Environment – Introduction – Recreation Supply
“Trail use, rock climbing, lake and river boating, hunting and fishing in undeveloped forest settings comprise most of the dispersed-use opportunities.”
Affected Environment – Introduction – Dispersed Recreation
“A few other types of dispersed recreation have also caused impacts on a localized basis. Rock climbing, which has not been addressed on a Forestwide basis, requires attention.”
“Clifflines in the RRGGA are also known internationally for their superior rock climbing experiences. The growing popularity of this activity nationwide has been reflected in a rapid increase of rock climbing in the Gorge. Over the past five years, rock climbing has moved from an incidental recreational use to a major activity. In 1985 there were an estimated 25 climbing routes; today there are over 1,500. This increased use has required much closer management to protect sensitive heritage and biological resources as well as quality rock climbing experiences.”
Affected Environment – Environmental Effects
Alternative A - Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The recreational use in the RRGGA by rock climbers and campers would continue to be managed, primarily through site closures, to protect heritage and biological resources. However little progress would be made in providing the management required to make more sites available for these increasingly popular activities.”
Alternative B-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Recreation in General: “Designation of the Wolfpen Inventoried Roadless Area as a Wilderness Study Area would have little effect upon recreation within Wolfpen itself since most activity there is already Non-motorized Dispersed recreation. It would, however, preclude new rock climbing routes that use fixed anchors since anchors are not allowed in a Wilderness area. Most existing fixed anchor routes would remain.”
Dispersed Recreation: “Restrictions would be placed on additions to the trail system.”
“This alternative would have little impact on dispersed activities in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area.”
Alternative C – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, except for restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas.”
Alternative C-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative C, with the exception of some addition of trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
Alternative D – Direct and Indirect Effects
“The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, with the exception of some additions to the trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. … Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
Alternative E-1 – Direct and Indirect Effects
Dispersed Recreation: “The effects of this alternative would be similar to Alternative A, with the exception of some additions to the trail mileage and restrictions placed on some activities, e.g., overnight camping in ecologically sensitive locations such as the Riparian Corridor and Cliffline Community Prescription Areas. … Also, some rock shelters in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area (RRGGA) might be designated for camping, and additional efforts would be made to locate rock-climbing opportunities both inside and outside the RRGGA.”
WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS (DESIGNATED AND PROPOSED)
Affected Environment – Outstanding Remarkable Values
Recreational Value: “The RRGGA is internationally known as having some of the world’s premier rock climbing areas, some of which are within the river corridor. There has been a steady increase in recreational visitation to the RRGGA because of the quality of its rock climbing routes, numerous trails, white water, and unique scenic qualities. However, limited access to the river has kept use here fairly low with no major changes in the past five years.
WILDERNESS (DESIGNATED AND PROPOSED)
Affected Environment
“The major uses in DBNF Wilderness areas are day hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and in Clifty, rock climbing.”
“Management of these two Wilderness areas has recently focused on surveying and protecting archeological sites at the base of cliflines. There are no major problems in Beaver Creek, but heavy recreation use in Clifty has led to some damage of heritage resources. To address such problems in Clifty, camping and fire building within 100 feet of the base of the cliffline has been prohinited and some popular rock climbing areas have been closed. Follow-up is needed to enforce these closures.”
Last edited by captain static on Tue May 13, 2003 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"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
- Posts: 2438
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 6:05 pm
Hey Bro, all I am doing here is searching my pdf version of the document for the words rock climbing and posting selected excerpts. Next I will post on what is in the Appendix to the DEIS. There is a lot in the document about heritage resources. Some that is quite interesting. After I have finished posting the selected text, I will probably be doing some posting on what all this might mean 
"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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Lame Wade