Teanaway Wilderness Additions and Trespass

[newtrout]

If you're reading this, hopefully you're aware of the situation that we're in. We're in the middle of the development of a new USFS Forest Plan for the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forests. The USFS has put out their first proposed plan, which includes adding a bunch of new Wilderness in the Teanaway/Salmon La Sac area. This is prime alpine sledding terrain we're losing; not outlying, unrideable terrain. They won't really come out and give a solid reason. It's partially to appease the non-motorized community, partially to make the boundaries more 'logical' (a joke), and partially because of Wilderness trespass by snowmobiles.

Yes, this is a bit of a slap in the face. We've been working pretty hard the past few years to keep sleds out of Wilderness, and the problem isn't anywhere near what it was 5 or 10 years ago. It makes it tempting to say, 'screw it' and ride where you want. I'm asking you and your friends to please stay out of Wilderness. Please, do your best to educate every sledder you know that we have a lot to lose here. Give me one more season. Give the USFS a chance to show us that they recognize and respect our ability to police ourselves.

If, after another season of little to no Wilderness trespass, the USFS continues forward with their plan to take riding area from us, you'll never hear another word from me. The USFS will lose the only real enforcement and prevention tool that works: snowmobilers. This isn't intended as a threat to the USFS, it's just a fact. None of us are going to bother helping their enforcement problems if they are going to punish us either way. The only reason I'm trying to keep snowmobiles out of Wilderness is because I don't want to lose riding areas.

I know we're all frustrated. Clearly decisions are being made for our recreation areas that ignore the majority users (US!). But let's take the high road and give them a chance to do the right thing.

 

[xpspenziv]

The pics of vehicles last year and where the tracks led didn't help. That incident got a lot of publicity. Trout is this the area they are trying to close down to motorized vehicles? Try to police are own and get punished for it. Chitty deal.

 

[newtrout]

The pics of vehicles last year and where the tracks led didn't help. That incident got a lot of publicity. Trout is this the area they are trying to close down to motorized vehicles? Try to police are own and get punished for it. Chitty deal.

Actually, it helped a lot. We got kudos from the USFS for taking this seriously and policing ourselves. The publicity it received was positive for the sport to those who matter. It was just a few classy folks on the other side (cough, cough, WMC, cough) that tried to use it against us. Pretty comical to read their attempts to paint it as negative. The FS thought so, too.

It's in the vicinity of some of the proposed Wilderness. Not the exact area.

Speaking of WMC, he is eager for some real evidence to help keep the proposed Wilderness in the new Forest Plan. For you potential Wilderness trespassers: they may be putting a few cameras up there this year; game cameras at strategic locations, etc.

 

[mtnsldr]

Not to mention individuals with camera/video equipment to take photo documintation of their violations.

 

[Bagger]

I have never ridden up there, but would offer this for consideration, anyone can make tracks into a wilderness area and then take pictures of the tracks, especially someone with an agenda . . . be observant.


Bag

 

[newtrout]

I have never ridden up there, but would offer this for consideration, anyone can make tracks into a wilderness area and then take pictures of the tracks, especially someone with an agenda . . . be observant.


Bag

You're exactly right. That's part of why we are doing our own documentation. So we have the ability to refute 'questionable' reports...

 

[Snodawg]

I have never ridden up there, but would offer this for consideration, anyone can make tracks into a wilderness area and then take pictures of the tracks, especially someone with an agenda . . . be observant.


Bag

Doesn't WMC own a snowmobile? So he can ride up there to get closer to his clicker trails.

 

[xpspenziv]

Need documentation of WMC violating the area he wants all to him self.

 

[mtnsldr]

I'm just saying we with long lenses and tripods will be looking to get photo documentation of whoever is in wilderness on a sled, WMC or any otherwise. Photos of them riding, them loading their sleds, their trucks and photos of them without helmets.

 

[Cat Bandit]

I've done a lot of riding in the scatter creek area, but never have I ventured into the wilderness. I think its bs that there are peeps so irresponsible to go in there, and ruin it for the rest of us. I know several repeat offenders, and I chew them out every time they brag about goin in there. It really bothers me!

 

[mc2stroke]

Newtrout- This is sad to hear. I know you and other have put in a lot of hard work trying to keep these areas open. I'm sorry to hear that officials did not listen to the majority of the users of these areas. It is sad day.

I hope you are right and if we keep educating peeps and policing our own that we will eventually keep our remaining and maybe some day regain some old riding areas.

Thanks for all that you have done!
MC