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Prescott National Forest to Hold Recreation Strategy Community WorkshopsMarch 5th, 2010

BLUERIBBON COALITION PARTNER ACTION ALERT!

Prescott National Forest to Hold Recreation Strategy Community Workshops

Dear BRC members, supporters and action alert subscribers,

Sanford Cohen, from the Prescott Open Trails Association (POTA), just sent us a heads up about some "Recreation Strategy Community Workshops" Co-Sponsored by the Prescott National Forest and the Community Forest Stewardship Forum in partnership with: City of Prescott, Town of Prescott Valley, Town of Chino Valley and Yavapai County.

Recreational users are invited to share interests, concerns and ideas for recreational projects and "help create a Sustainable Recreation future" for the region.

Sanford suspects the "Sustainable Recreation" initiative will result in closing the remaining roads and trails on the Prescott National Forest. (Many hundreds of miles of roads and trails have been closed over the decades and few motorized trails remain.)

If you live in or near Prescott, please read Sanford's info below and take action. Also, please pass this information on to your friends and family, and please ask them take action as well.

Thanks in advance for your involvement,
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107


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From Sanford Cohen, Prescott Open Trails Association

Read this attachment and if YOU DON'T SHOW UP to at least one of these meetings, you will have only yourself to blame for the loss of our trails. The anti-motorized group is trying to get empowered and a small turnout from us will insure our defeat.

This comes from the "save the Verde" people. They are launching an all out assault on motorized trails. Our Forest Supervisor is out of town on assignment and the local head of the Wilderness Coalition is in charge of OUR trails program.

We MUST ALL SHOW UP and we MUST BE PREPARED with the following talking points:

1) The Prescott is managed as a multiple use forest. Motorized Trails and Roads are also open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The miles of roads and trails are being mis-represented as for MOTORIZED ONLY.

2) The average Motorized Hiker covers much longer distances on average, so in terms of time spent on the trail, they need to have longer distances to keep even with the non-motorized trail user.

3) With food, fuel and lodging and connections between communities, motorized hikers contribute more to the financial picture of Cities and Towns and provide more monetary help to Prescott National Forest for all types of trail construction and maintenance than any other activity.

4) Wilderness areas containing trails where motorized vehicles are off-limits number in the millions of acres. The areas where hikers on foot are not allowed on the trail forest-wide is ZERO. We do not need to add more wilderness.

5) Off highway vehicle use has grown 357% since 1996. You do not respond to a greater demand for an activity by providing less of it.

When you do go to one of the sessions, make sure you identify yourself as a member of Prescott Open Trails Association. There is strength in numbers, but only if you show up and be heard.

Thanks!

Sanford Cohen
POTA

Attachment (http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/Trailspolicy-2.pdf)


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Upcoming Recreation Strategy Community Workshops (Zone 2)
You're invited!!!
To share your interests, concerns and ideas for recreational projects
And to help create a Sustainable Recreation future for our region

Western/Northern Prescott National Forest and surrounding communities, including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden and Drake (see attached map) http://www.sharetrails.org/uploads/PNF_ ... es_Map.pdf

*Community Workshops*
Chino Valley
March 10th 6:00-8:30 PM
Activity Center (1527 N. Road 1 East)

Prescott
March 11th 12:00-2:30 PM
Yavapai Community College (Bldg 19, Rm 147)

Prescott Valley
March 10th 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Prescott Valley Library Chrystal Room
March 11th 6:00-8:30 PM
Stone Ridge Golf Course (1601 N. Bluff Top Drive)

We want to hear from everyone!
- Refreshments will be provided -

Co-Sponsored by:
Prescott National Forest and the
Community Forest Stewardship Forum
In Partnership With: City of Prescott
Town of Prescott Valley
Town of Chino Valley
Yavapai County

For more information, please contact:
Linda Jackson, Prescott National Forest
(928) 777-2230 or lljackson@fs.fed.us

Kelly Schwartz, Backcountry Horsemen
(928) 533-2213 or kelly@jksfinancial.biz

Melissa Jackson, City of Prescott
(928) 777-1588 or melissa.jackson@prescott-az.gov