Nicolet NF access plan We are loosing 2500 miles of access!

We knew it was coming, and here it is:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/6302_CNNF_TMR_Environmental_Assessment_v06272008.pdf

The NFS is favoring a plan to close over 2500 miles of access to Highway Licensed Vehicles. Final comment period started July 14th 08, and will last 30 days.

Here is a link on how to comment http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/TMR_comment_guidance.pdf

I figured the MWC was a place to start this thread as this affects us most of all.

Ron

heard about that, sucks

Thanks for the heads up. Comments have been sent.

Northlanders listen-up! I work for the FS here in Northern MN. Its important you respond during the "comment period" and look for and attend any public "open house" sessions they may have. We are in the biz of creating places for ALL the Public and they will listen to your concerns. Travel Management Plans are a pain to accomodate everyone, but please let them know what you are thinking.

PS. the more voices (local, civil and sane) you get together the better. they cant hear us if we only bitch to our buddies.

Here's the funny thing about all this:

The NFS has had their public meetings. All of them were in Northern communities, none of them in Milwaukee or Madison. The Envornmental assesment repeatedly states that people want MORE access to the National Forest, not LESS, and dispite that, the NFS supports Alternate #2 which closes 2500 miles of roads in the Forest. That means reducing access to the forest by 1/2. This will affect more than 4WD users, and more then ATV operators, it will also affect hunters and all outdoorsman.

The public meetings are done, and this last comment period is the only time you will have to comment on what will be, the most radical change in the operation of the Nicolet National Forest in decades.

If you have ever visited the NIC/CHIC forest, please take the time to comment !

Thanks Ron

I meant to post this up here but I've been too busy to get to it. I did post it up on a couple of local out door site that I used to frequent.

I had a nice conversation with Joan Marburger, the person responsible for the public response to this project. I mentioned that it is a little confusing on where to send our opinions and she directed me to this link that spells it out.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/rec/tmr/CNNF_TMR_ Cover Letter_Readmefirst.pdf

Please read this first! Everyone in the MWC should make their comment. Weather you've ever wheeled the NS forest or not is irrelevant. This effects us all directly or indirectly...the next closure could be YOUR favorite public land.

Take the 10 minutes to do this and you'll feel like you have made a contribution!

Indeed, please read and submit to these public announcements. Perhaps with more voices and opinions we can prevent trends leading to closure of public lands. Maybe start a precedent for more public use and availability of federal lands. We just went through a new travel management plan on the Superior National Forest with the outcome still pending. We had alot of public involvement which may help stave off disaster for recreational wheelers. Both of these forests are in Region 9, from MInnesota to Maine. Might want to shoot this over to the NAC as well. Lets try to reverse this trend in the Region.