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View Full Version : GWNF + Environmental Impact Study = Closed Roads???


BeaterToyota
03-12-2010, 06:01 PM
Saw this on another board. Research it and write some letters as necessary. As lame as GWNF is, it would suck to lose any access to it...


March 11, 2010 – George Washington National Forest in Virginia and West Virginia has published a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and revised Resource Management Plan (RMP). Some of the major issues to be included in the RMP revision are access, roadless area and wilderness management. Proposed actions relating to these issues include: 1) identifying one new area and three additions to existing wilderness areas that comprise about 20,400 acres as recommended wilderness study areas; 2) expanding the current remote backcountry management area allocation to include more of the Inventoried Roadless Areas and update the management direction for these remote backcountry areas; 3) providing that areas in the potential wilderness area inventory that are actively managed and are not recommended for wilderness study, would remain in active management; & 4) revaluate road access needs.

Comments on the scope of the RMP revision will be accepted until May 7, 2010. It is important that ORV enthusiasts get involved in the designation process by contacting Forest staff. Comments may be submitted by email to: comments-southern-georgewashingtonjefferson @ fs.fed.us with “GW Plan Revision” in the subject line or by mail to:

George Washington Plan Revision
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019-3050

Additional information found online:

George Washington National Forest Plan Revision Website
www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/f...ndex.shtml

View Original Federal Register Notice
edocket.access.gpo.gov...0-4931.pdf
For further information, please contact Karen Overcash, Planning Team Leader, Ken Landgraf, Planning Staff Officer or JoBeth Brown, Public Affairs Officer, at 540-265-5100.

dsasteel
03-14-2010, 12:33 AM
Guess I'll start sending out some emails :) I didn't do all of those clean-ups for my health.


Thanks for the info!

toyotanuts
03-26-2010, 11:52 AM
They are having a couple of meetings to that i plan on making.

Fort Knox
08-07-2010, 12:35 PM
Any word on this? Obviously it would affect the Fall Colors Ride.

ccannon222
08-27-2010, 06:19 PM
Any word on this? Obviously it would affect the Fall Colors Ride.

I am thinking about heading out there this weekend. If is see anything unusual I'll post it.

Chris

ccannon222
08-29-2010, 10:16 PM
I am thinking about heading out there this weekend. If is see anything unusual I'll post it.

Chris

Didn't see any signs of trails getting closed. Came across several spots where the park service has allowed timber to be harvested and some other spots where they will start soon.

Chris

RedTrooper
05-30-2011, 07:14 PM
Just got back from GWNF. There are many changes.

The Rangers are handing out lots of tickets for leaving the fire roads. Many of the trails are closed and blocked by rocks or trees and marked off limits by little white signs. Getting caught often results in a fine equal to the cost of installing 3 boulders ($120 a shot).

The meadow is closed.

The bottom of Dictum's Ridge is closed making the obstacle and bypass both off limits. There is a tree on the trail coming up from Rt33 and a gate coming down from the top.

Many of the entrances to Dry River are blocked by stones put in by the Town of Harrisonburg to protect the water supply.

locknload
05-31-2011, 01:25 PM
Thanks for the update Mario.

YodaT-75
05-31-2011, 02:36 PM
Has anyone been to Powell Mountain Trail near Edinburg Va just wondering if its anygood. I passed it the other day while working and just wondered if anyone had any info. The signs say its part of the GWNF

GreenTaco4x4
06-01-2011, 10:16 AM
Beater/Cannon

Does this reflect what we saw during our fall colors trip or is this more shut down?

RedTrooper
06-01-2011, 10:38 AM
Beater/Cannon

Does this reflect what we saw during our fall colors trip or is this more shut down?
According to the Ranger, the NFS is closing many trails but doesn't have the funds to block all of the entrances yet. The put up signs but the signs are quickly torn down.

I didn't make the last couple of Fall Colors, but the usual camping spot was the meadow which is not closed. Also, the obstacle at Dictum's is now off limits and is blocked by a tree from the bottom (place there by the NFS) and a gate from the top. So I suspect that there are more trails now closed.

BeaterToyota
06-01-2011, 07:28 PM
It seems that the Flagpole Knob road is about the only legal one these days. Sucks. I guess it's worth contacting ranger stations before making any trips.