correct me if i'm wrong, but isnt some of the land associated with stampeede pass included in this resotration?
also, half of the gold creek (hyak side) is also included. essentially everything west of the raido tower toward kecheelus.
http://a123.g.akamai.net/7/123/1155...ai.com/11558/www/nepa/56822_FSPLT2_055392.pdf
page 23 outlines the boundary of the yakima watershed, and proposed action. so it appears as though at some pont gold creek could be affected with new changes ??
page 12 has "red" dots that show "proposed" restoration sites. 13 sites are apart of the riding area at gold creek (hyak side). dozens more are on the stampeede side.
it looks like this initial phase has to do with cabin creek, but it also outlines some changes to gold creek - where theyre going to be chaning some things where the snow shoers park, but they will at some point be replacing that bridge (page 20).
page 23 shows a map, but you cant make out the legend for porposed new snow routes.
page 24 has the most important impact on US...
Existing winter trails will be restored to: 1) require woody debris/vegetation on all winter trails, 2) include proper drainage to meet ACS requirements, and 3) to prevent invasive plants and restore native plant communities adjacent on trails, slopes and parking areas. To reduce road densities and management costs, many roads in the watershed are proposed for decommissioning. Many of these roads are proposed as winter routes (Figure 8). These roads cannot be converted to winter trails unless the impacts on the watershed, wildlife, and risk of invasive plants can be minimized. The following is necessary mitigation for all new and existing winter trails:
Scattering woody debris up to 12" diameter across the surface of the trail,
o Grooming width will be limited to the road, no ditchlines will be groomed,
o Coarse wood debris will be kept on the trail at all times.
No vehicles may use the route, except an occasional back-hoe needed to clear culverts,
o Recreation assumes all responsibility to maintain the route (clean culverts, construct and repair trail bridges, invasive plants, etc.).
o Recreation will provide a yearly monitoring report of maintenance activities.
o If maintenance and monitoring reporting requirements are not met, the winter route will be decommissioned.
based off this, it appears to me they're putting the responsiblity of trail maintenance, watershed maintenance on US the sledders! (if thats what they mean by "recreation"; not sure if thats "parks and recreation" either) if we dont clean the culverts and what not, the way i read it, they WILL close winter routes.
hopefully im wrong, but thats the way im reading this. someone chime in!
