Canyon Creek FS looking for suggestions for money

[Chicken]

Go to KGMI Radio bellingham. There is a add that the forrest service is looking for suggestions on a place to spend $300,000. Atleast half of the money has to go to fixing a existing road or watershed. Sounds like a perfect fit for Canyon Creek rd. If we don't get this road fixed there is a good chance we could loose the grooming money for this area. We know once you loose something now there is a good chance you wont get it back with all the cut backs that are happening.The more people that send in the request the better. Put the word out even for people who don't sled, this area is a great place for camping, hiking,fishing and hunting.

Conrad

 

[Steamboy]

http://kgmi.com/Committee-Accepting-Proposals-To-Improve-Nat-Fores/13940351

This is the link from KGMI page that should work. Anyone else on here that is looking and had not heard of our fight to get this road repaired should respond. This is something that everyone should be fighting for. We have been told for 2years that the money is not available to repair this road and now they are looking to spend the money elsewhere? or ideas? really!
The road closure is keeping all user groups away from this great area and is now obvious that local authorities are trying to keep it closed punishing those that pushed them hard to repair it. (snowmobilers) Why are we surprised? We even offered a year ago to make temporary repairs at our expense. You know where that went. They just escalated the costs and kept coming up with every excuse to man why it could not be done. Please help to fill out and send in. I hope this link works and if not I ask anyone that can make the link work do so and tell everyone you know to help us out with this.

 

[Steamboy]

I cannot find any links for any kind of application from the USFS web site that this link refers to.
If there is an application that needs to be sent in for this than it bears further review that is not immediately obvious. At least everyone should e-mail or call Jon Vanderheyden (the supervisor that is listed in this link) at the Forest Service and express our concerns and that Canyon Creek Road should be on the top of the list for repairs. I have a draft e-maill to him already started.

 

[kosovojoe]

Thanks for the link Conrad!
I am going to push everyone I know to fill one of these out or call.
I think there is a conspiracy between the Forest Service and Border Patrol/DEA to keep this area closed. Closed=Longer haul with the duffel bags=not worth it.

Lately, I have actually been drafting a letter to my congressman as well. It is nearly complete.
This is a safety issue too.
If the North side blows the resulting Lahar will give the town of Gaycier no high ground to head for, no chance to get out of the way of it in time. This is unacceptable in my opinion.

I will post the response I get.

 

[White Rad]

I don't see an actual application form on the FS web page but here is a link to the "Project Proposal" web page.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5383119

As stated above not only does the closure keep us from some of the best riding in the North Cascades it makes west church, canyon ridge, whistler creek, and bear paw inaccessible during the summer time. No kayaking canyon creek, no fishing, no camping in these multi-use areas is a shame.

Make sure to emphasize safety....FS#31 is the official lahar evacuation route for glacier, its unsafe to carry those heavy hockey bags so far from the border, and if we cant ride up there this winter it will be unsafe for my mental health.....
They like hearing things about watershed restoration, so maybe suggest drainage improvements along the road to decrease stormwater runoff and prevent sedimentation in the creek and save salmon....

If we don't get it opened soon we may lose this area for good. They have already changed the closure to say "closed to motorized vehicles" but not to bikes and pedestrians. Also the hidden cameras and extra rock barricade show how serious they are about enforcing it....

 

[paulharris]

i can't believe they are running an ad for suggestions on where to spend the money....WTF??? it does make you think that they want to keep it closed. Not Acceptable!! Bearpaw is an awesome area to ride and we can't afford to lose access to it. that second link has the contact info for Vanderheyden. i will be calling this guy tommorow

 

[kosovojoe]

i can't believe they are running an ad for suggestions on where to spend the money....WTF??? it does make you think that they want to keep it closed. Not Acceptable!! Bearpaw is an awesome area to ride and we can't afford to lose access to it. that second link has the contact info for Vanderheyden. i will be calling this guy tommorow

Believe it. They don't want us there.
I will be calling him as well...

 

[SNOBI-WAN-KENOBI]

I talked to someone at the Mt.Baker Ranger Station a few days ago. The minimum amount of money they need is $150,000..but will probably be higher. I asked if they could cut into the side of the hill to widen the road...They said no. The only access to Bear Paw is on private land...but those have gates and the snow does not get down low enough for access. If I win the lotto THAT is going to be the first thing that gets taken care of.! 3 years without sledding at BP is ridiculous.

 

[catzr]

Canyon Creek

Replied, thx for posting to topic.
keep us updated

 

[BLIJAS]

email sent

I asked for the link for the form. Will see what I get...

 

[tar]

This is the email I used to send my thoughts and ask for an application.
Be nice guys and girls.
Remember,you have to speak there language.(trails,lakes,hiking,and sometimes snowmobiles)

jvanderheyden@fs.fed.us

 

[paulharris]

I called Jon today and left him a message. He called me back a few hours later and i talked to him for 5 or 10 minutes. He is a nice guy. I just told him that this is a very unique area for snowmobilers and that it is important that we get it repaired so we can access it again. Below are some of the things he told me with regard to getting the road open:

-He told me it is actually a fairly high priority repair because the FS has some sensors and equipment up there that they need to access.
-money is the only thing holding it up.
-there is a good chance that they can get money to fix canyon creek rd out of this program.
-he told me they have met with a snowmobile club (NW glacier cruisers??) regarding raising money to repair the road.
-he said they expected one of the clubs to submit an application to recieve this grant money for the project but if they didn't the FS would apply for the money to fix the road. (does anyone know if the club is putting something together for this??)
-he said that recieving some kind of matching or extra money from the snowmobile clubs would be a good thing and increase the chances of getting it repaired.
-he said if they do win money from this program that they would not get it until february 2013 so the repair would not happen until next summer.

I would highly recommend that sledders call him very soon (before aug 24) and let him know the importance of securing this money to make the repairs on canyon creek road. you have to assume that the more sledders he hears from the better. Be respectful, he is a nice guy and it seems he genuinely wants to get the road fixed too. His number is (360) 854 2601

 

[Steamboy]

I also got a letter via e-mail as a response from Jon. In it he also explained to me pretty much the same thing as paulharris posts in his above comments. I have relayed this information to our club president in whatcom county as well and we are all working on at the very least expressing our desires to get this road reopened. As state above, I believe that he is very sincere in his comments and they also want to help make this happen. He also said in his letter that the Government always looks for potential partnerships for other private money that can be used. He said that they are always more favorable to letting the grants and money go to the areas that show this type of interest.
We need to respect this guy with any comments as he seems to be totally on our side with this.

 

[SNOBI-WAN-KENOBI]

You know......IF 1000 sledders chipped in $150...they would be able to more than likely open and fix Canyon Creek Road! A few more sledders....Less!
Just Sayin'

 

[eddy]

Canyon Creek

Letter sent! Stated we would support he snowmobile club as well in this effort.

 

[tar]

Last year there was a FS meeting, the room full, we offered to get equipment, pay for fuel, pay to fix the road. It would have cost the FS zip.
All we got was NO. Now the FS is asking for our help?

I hope it's not to late.

Tar.

 

[paulharris]

Last year there was a FS meeting, the room full, we offered to get equipment, pay for fuel, pay to fix the road. It would have cost the FS zip.
All we got was NO. Now the FS is asking for our help?

I hope it's not to late.

Tar.

too much liability for the FS to let someone else do it. they have to follow all their own procedures, do their own engineering, red tape, etc. It would be cool if they just let someone else go fix it, but will never happen with a government agency

 

[Matte Murder]

Email sent. How would we raise and collect money to be spent on this project. I am willing to help out with funds.

 

[tar]

What if the Whatcom club would take pledges from people that can help.
If the project gets scraped no one is out any cash.

Tar

 

[MAC29]

What if the Whatcom club would take pledges from people that can help.
If the project gets scraped no one is out any cash.

Tar

Tar I like the idea. How about 100 people $1500.00. It could generate the money very quick if there serious about the $150,000 dollars.Iam in and I don't even live up there, but I love BearPaw.