S.r.s.c.
- Thread starter jokerman
- Start date
IM INTERESTED WATS UP WITH THE CLUB & WHAT DO YOU DO ? WHAT DOES IT TAKE & DO YOU HOLD ANY EVENTS DO YOU RIDE TOGETHER? DO 
Hey Renegade, thanks for the interest, go to www.srscwy.com check it out
Thanks for the info!!
Josh Zieske
Josh Zieske
Wish my work schedule would change so I could make some of the meetings.
Ok. I spent the $25 to support the area that I enjoy! Now what can I do in Iowa to help SRSC's voice be heard? The BCA seems to be pushing their agenda pretty aggressively & that worries me (& a lot of others). I want to make sure I can still take my kids to the Snowies & ride the back country in 10+ years.
Tell your friends
Tell them what? A lot of people know about the issue, we just need to be heard by the people making the decisions. Petition? Letters? Emails? What coordinated effort can we put forth? Is there any point in doing letters or petitions when it is not an open comment period? Are SRSC & WSSA going to request a meeting with USFS to clarify our needs?
I'm not suggesting that any of these will be good solutions, but getting fellow snowmobilers informed (& annoyed) is the easy part. While it's fresh in our minds, what do we do to have an impact on the situation?
Is there a possibility of having our opinions heard before the USFS starts their planning this summer? I think that would be a great opportunity to make sure the USFS understands there are more than 80 people in favor of a parking lot above Greenrock. (If memory serves, there were less than 1000 comments received & supposedly only 8% were in favor of it according to BCA.)
Is there someone within SRSC or WSSA who can tell us how & when to focus our efforts? I don't think waiting 9 months for a comment period that comes AFTER the USFS comes up with their plan is the best way to help them understand our needs. This got quite long and may appear to be an angry rant, but it's not at all. I'm just seeking direction from people that know the best ways to be heard by the USFS. Thanks. --Matt
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Matt,
I agree with you totally!
As a member of SRSC What do you want to see happen? I personally think we need a parking lot somewhere in that area of the Mountain. That does not include Albany or Hwy 230. I think as a club we need to hear the voices of fellow members and try to formulate a resolution to the problem and let it be know in large numbers that is what we want. We obviously have a large number of sledders that visit on any given weekend. We need everyone's help to get our proposal through.
What is our proposal? Well were still working on that and I am sure it will be a discussion point at this weeks meeting. So if you have ideas, or your friends have ideas, pass them on. That goes for anyone that rides the area, or wants to see change... Let's hear it!!! You can PM us or Email me at wyormk AT gmail.com
Dan
I agree with you totally!
As a member of SRSC What do you want to see happen? I personally think we need a parking lot somewhere in that area of the Mountain. That does not include Albany or Hwy 230. I think as a club we need to hear the voices of fellow members and try to formulate a resolution to the problem and let it be know in large numbers that is what we want. We obviously have a large number of sledders that visit on any given weekend. We need everyone's help to get our proposal through.
What is our proposal? Well were still working on that and I am sure it will be a discussion point at this weeks meeting. So if you have ideas, or your friends have ideas, pass them on. That goes for anyone that rides the area, or wants to see change... Let's hear it!!! You can PM us or Email me at wyormk AT gmail.com
Dan
I think everyone that currently uses the Green Rock parking area wants to see the lot put in that area. Adding 52 miles to the day's ride just to get to hwy 130 from Albany & then go north to the back side is not what anyone parking at Green Rock wants to experience. Riding from Albany, many would need to refuel at snowy mountain lodge to reach the northern points that we can normally ride to from Green Rock and as you well know, they are closed. Moving the lot to Albany would effectively cut off access to the north side of the range for many snowmobilers.
I'm happy to hear you are working on a proposal. I'm open to other ideas, but I think it should be simple so everyone can get behind it. The parking lot (or area) needs to be at or above the current Green Rock parking area location. Any other location (Albany-too far, Barber Lake Road - loses snow fast) would limit access to many of the most scenic & frequented locations on the North side of the range.
If there is some way to modify the "along highway" parking so it is wider, I'm fine with that too. This would sometimes present the problem of getting the snowmobiles up onto the snow along the road to ride up to the actual turn around area where the trail starts, but wider roadside parking may still be better than trying to control drifting snow that could impede vehicle travel on 130 between the Green Rock turn around area & the proposed 10 acre lot above the S-curves.
Basically, I want them to take the Albany site off the table for now. We need parking at Green Rock 1st. If they want to build more parking at Albany later, that's fine with me, but the additional parking needs to be in the Greenrock area 1st so they don't force us to use Albany as an access point.
I hope we can come up with something simple that everyone can put their voice behind. Can it be as simple as, "We support additional vehicle parking for snowmobile enthusiasts at the current Green Rock parking area or in the proposed parking lot above the S-curves if a plan is in place to keep the proposed lot accessible to vehicle traffic. A parking area 26 miles south near Albany does not meet the needs of enthusiasts now using the Green Rock parking area. The Albany location restricts access to many areas North of Green Rock that are currently frequented by patrons of the Medicine Bow National Forest in the winter due to the additional 50+ miles that need to be traveled to enjoy these areas."
Wording is a little poor, but I'm hurrying & now off to work!
What other parking options are there?
I'm happy to hear you are working on a proposal. I'm open to other ideas, but I think it should be simple so everyone can get behind it. The parking lot (or area) needs to be at or above the current Green Rock parking area location. Any other location (Albany-too far, Barber Lake Road - loses snow fast) would limit access to many of the most scenic & frequented locations on the North side of the range.
If there is some way to modify the "along highway" parking so it is wider, I'm fine with that too. This would sometimes present the problem of getting the snowmobiles up onto the snow along the road to ride up to the actual turn around area where the trail starts, but wider roadside parking may still be better than trying to control drifting snow that could impede vehicle travel on 130 between the Green Rock turn around area & the proposed 10 acre lot above the S-curves.
Basically, I want them to take the Albany site off the table for now. We need parking at Green Rock 1st. If they want to build more parking at Albany later, that's fine with me, but the additional parking needs to be in the Greenrock area 1st so they don't force us to use Albany as an access point.
I hope we can come up with something simple that everyone can put their voice behind. Can it be as simple as, "We support additional vehicle parking for snowmobile enthusiasts at the current Green Rock parking area or in the proposed parking lot above the S-curves if a plan is in place to keep the proposed lot accessible to vehicle traffic. A parking area 26 miles south near Albany does not meet the needs of enthusiasts now using the Green Rock parking area. The Albany location restricts access to many areas North of Green Rock that are currently frequented by patrons of the Medicine Bow National Forest in the winter due to the additional 50+ miles that need to be traveled to enjoy these areas."
Wording is a little poor, but I'm hurrying & now off to work!
What other parking options are there?
Recently a member of the SRSC attended a meeting with the Albany County Commisioners who scheduled a meeting with the Forest Service and an Environmental group based here in Laramie. Neither the County nor the Forest Service saw fit to notify SRSC that there was a meeting to "facilitate" communications regarding the proposed parking lot near Green Rocks. The snowmobiling community was definately under represented at that meeting. There is definate resistance from the BCA to have any type of additional parking in that area, in fact, if the tone of that meeting is any indicator they would prefer to remove all snowmobiling from the area. However, they were not able to provide any empirical data to substatiate their claims that additional parking would do irreprable harm to the environment.
SRSC has a meeting scheduled, in Cheyenne, Wed. 2/03/10 at 4PM at Maverik Mototsports with, Dominic, a representative of the State Trails Dept. Any member of the SRSC is welcome to attend this meeting. SRSC is trying to establish a line of communication with both the Forest Service and State Trails Department to ascertain the best way to approach this issue. The SRSC is also attempting to gather information on what other proposals might be on the table to resolve this issue.
SRSC has been in contact with W.S.S.A. president Jeff Moberg in relation to the parking issue and is hoping to coordinate efforts with them in order to consolidate the snowmobiling communities position. We all are aware that there has been and that there still is heavy resistance to any proposed parking area regardless of its' location. A united effort is needed in order to ensure that not only can we park but our ability to use the Snowy Range is safeguarded.
SRSC has a meeting scheduled, in Cheyenne, Wed. 2/03/10 at 4PM at Maverik Mototsports with, Dominic, a representative of the State Trails Dept. Any member of the SRSC is welcome to attend this meeting. SRSC is trying to establish a line of communication with both the Forest Service and State Trails Department to ascertain the best way to approach this issue. The SRSC is also attempting to gather information on what other proposals might be on the table to resolve this issue.
SRSC has been in contact with W.S.S.A. president Jeff Moberg in relation to the parking issue and is hoping to coordinate efforts with them in order to consolidate the snowmobiling communities position. We all are aware that there has been and that there still is heavy resistance to any proposed parking area regardless of its' location. A united effort is needed in order to ensure that not only can we park but our ability to use the Snowy Range is safeguarded.
Matt, I got your E-mail the other day. Thanks. I am working on a letter that I will share when it is done. Hopefully we can get our voices heard. Craig, are you going to make it to the meeting on Wed? I talked with Jason and told him I would be out of town. Wish I could've been there. Please keep us informed.
Lee
Lee
Feb 4th Meeting
Lots was discussed at tonight's meeting, the main points are as follows.
1. Parking lot and how we can help the the process out.
2. Possibility of letter campaigns to the Forest service and other party's to help influence our voice.
3. S.R.S.C. has setup a email newsletter on our website. We was people that ride here to sign up for it even if they don't want to be a member. Why you ask? Well it will work as a mechanism to get news out year round! We need everyone that has an interest in the area to sign up so we can keep you informed when events are taking place. And yes, we may bug you about joining the club, but you can't ignore the cause.
Sign up now http://www.srscwy.com
4. I am sure i am missing something...
Lots was discussed at tonight's meeting, the main points are as follows.
1. Parking lot and how we can help the the process out.
2. Possibility of letter campaigns to the Forest service and other party's to help influence our voice.
3. S.R.S.C. has setup a email newsletter on our website. We was people that ride here to sign up for it even if they don't want to be a member. Why you ask? Well it will work as a mechanism to get news out year round! We need everyone that has an interest in the area to sign up so we can keep you informed when events are taking place. And yes, we may bug you about joining the club, but you can't ignore the cause.
Sign up now http://www.srscwy.com
4. I am sure i am missing something...
URGENT: anti-snowmobile email from BCA
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
Albany County Commissioners Need Your Input
Snowy Range Snowmobile Parking Lot [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
HELP PROTECT
Families * Fun * Freedom
and the
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Send your letters to:
Albany County Commissioners Office
525 Grand Ave., Suite 202
Laramie, WY 82070
In recent years, out-of-control snowmobiling has driven skiers, snowshoers, and other non-motorized tourists off the Snowies at a great loss to the local economy, family recreation opportunities, and to the peace and quiet enjoyed--for decades--by Albany County citizens and tourists alike.
- Safe, peaceful and healthy winter recreation in our beautiful Snowies
- Skiers, snowshoers and others who enjoy tranquil recreation and generate Wyoming tourism dollar$
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to oppose:
- A 10-acre (Wal-Mart sized) snowmobile parking lot on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
- Chaos, noise pollution and private property vandalism
- Unsafe recreation conditions and more destruction of wildlife habitat
Key Points [/FONT]to Remember:
- 92% of public comment received by the Forest Service opposed the Green Rock picnic area parking lot.
- Wyoming Game & Fish warned the Forest Service about the negative impacts the parking lot and increased snowmobile use would pose to wildlife.
- Wildlife is sensitive to the noise, commotion, exhausts, and the lingering impacts of snowmobile activities.
- Snowmobile exhausts pollute air and leave a thin film of oily residue along the Scenic Byway. This residue can pollute landscapes, lakes, and even poison trout populations during the spring thaw.
- Large-scale snow compaction can close important undersnow passages leaving small mammals, important to the alpine food chain, to starve or freeze to death.
- Snowmobiles can crush fragile alpine vegetation that can take decades to regenerate.
- Out-of-control snowmobile recreation destroys already limited white-tailed ptarmigan habitat.
Also, please send letters to:
Albany County Tourism Board
Convention and Visitor Bureau
210 Custer
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-745-4195
http://www.visitlaramie.org/contact.html
Wyoming Travel & Tourism
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
307-777-7777
info@visitwyo.gov
Contact me, Duane Short, if you have questions or comments.
Thank you for using your Voice for the Wild!
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]With appreciation for all your help!
<img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.19" alt="Duane's Signature" width="200" border="0" height="62">
Duane Short
Wild Species Program Director[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
This is their latest attack... we must counter with our support letters.
Albany County Commissioners Need Your Input
Snowy Range Snowmobile Parking Lot
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]
HELP PROTECT
Families * Fun * Freedom
and the
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
Send your letters to:
Albany County Commissioners Office
525 Grand Ave., Suite 202
Laramie, WY 82070
In recent years, out-of-control snowmobiling has driven skiers, snowshoers, and other non-motorized tourists off the Snowies at a great loss to the local economy, family recreation opportunities, and to the peace and quiet enjoyed--for decades--by Albany County citizens and tourists alike.
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to support:
- Safe, peaceful and healthy winter recreation in our beautiful Snowies
- Skiers, snowshoers and others who enjoy tranquil recreation and generate Wyoming tourism dollar$
Tell your Albany County Commissioners to oppose:
- A 10-acre (Wal-Mart sized) snowmobile parking lot on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
- Chaos, noise pollution and private property vandalism
- Unsafe recreation conditions and more destruction of wildlife habitat
Key Points [/FONT]to Remember:
- 92% of public comment received by the Forest Service opposed the Green Rock picnic area parking lot.
- Wyoming Game & Fish warned the Forest Service about the negative impacts the parking lot and increased snowmobile use would pose to wildlife.
- Wildlife is sensitive to the noise, commotion, exhausts, and the lingering impacts of snowmobile activities.
- Snowmobile exhausts pollute air and leave a thin film of oily residue along the Scenic Byway. This residue can pollute landscapes, lakes, and even poison trout populations during the spring thaw.
- Large-scale snow compaction can close important undersnow passages leaving small mammals, important to the alpine food chain, to starve or freeze to death.
- Snowmobiles can crush fragile alpine vegetation that can take decades to regenerate.
- Out-of-control snowmobile recreation destroys already limited white-tailed ptarmigan habitat.
- The proposed Green Rock snowmobile parking lot would encroach upon the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
- Snowmobile recreation would be more compatible with non-motorized recreation and less disruptive to alpine wildlife and plants if the snowmobile parking lot is located to the south along Highway 230, near Albany or Ryan Park on the west side of the Snowies, and outside of the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
- Snowmobile recreation would be more compatible with non-motorized recreation and less disruptive to alpine wildlife and plants if the snowmobile parking lot is located to the south along Highway 230, near Albany or Ryan Park on the west side of the Snowies, and outside of the Snowy Range Inventoried Roadless Area.
Also, please send letters to:
Albany County Tourism Board
Convention and Visitor Bureau
210 Custer
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
307-745-4195
http://www.visitlaramie.org/contact.html
Wyoming Travel & Tourism
1520 Etchepare Circle
Cheyenne, WY 82007
307-777-7777
info@visitwyo.gov
The Wyoming Department of Transportation
WYDOT Headquarters
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY
82009-3340
307-777-4375
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/ContactWYDOT/
WYDOT Headquarters
5300 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY
82009-3340
307-777-4375
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/ContactWYDOT/
Contact me, Duane Short, if you have questions or comments.
Thank you for using your Voice for the Wild!
Medicine Bow Sugarloaf photo by Duane Short
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]With appreciation for all your help!
<img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.19" alt="Duane's Signature" width="200" border="0" height="62">
Duane Short
Wild Species Program Director[/FONT]
I saw that this weekend on BCA's web site:
http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/alerts/a12Feb2010.html
There was some talk of a postcard campaign at the last SRSC meeting as I understand it. Has SRSC worked out the details? I'll be happy to start collecting signatures & sending postcards/letters as soon it is decided what our voices should say in unison. Anyone from SRSC have an update?
http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/alerts/a12Feb2010.html
There was some talk of a postcard campaign at the last SRSC meeting as I understand it. Has SRSC worked out the details? I'll be happy to start collecting signatures & sending postcards/letters as soon it is decided what our voices should say in unison. Anyone from SRSC have an update?
Does any one in the club have access to a web cam so people from out of town could log on to the meetings? Or could we check in on some type of conference call? I am out of town every week that the meetings are held and would really like to be more active.
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