Date submitted (UTC): 1/30/2015 3:38:56 PM
First name: Byron
Last name: Stuck
Organization: WOHVA
Title: President
Official Representative/Member Indicator: Official Representative
Address1: 7260 86th Ave SE
Address2:
City: Mercer Island
State: WA
Province/Region:
Zip/Postal Code: 98040
Country: United States
Email:
nmatrust@hotmail.com
Phone:
Comments:
LONGER COMMENT PERIOD - I appreciate the longer comment period although another 10 days is relatively
short given the size of the forest. I want to make sure comments are received regarding all OHV types as well
as the image of motorized off road recreation.
OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLISTS REPRESENTED - I've seen a fair number of off road motorcyclist comments
and that's great because there are many single track trail opportunities included in the proposed plan and many
more highlighted in the comments and detailed review provided as attachments.
4X4 USERS REPRESENTED - I've also read many comments by 4x4 users and believe that their comments
are at least present, if not thorough. There are many non-licensed 4x4 users and the forest has some areas for
their use but there could be more.
ATV AND UTV USERS NOT WELL REPRESENTED - I've NOT seen many ATV and now UTV users
comments and that's a concern, because they ARE out there. I believe the Rangers and staff know they are a
diverse and less organized group although the Wenatchee and Methow areas have strong organizations. I've
seen these users though scattered through farming and urban recreationalists, hunters who do not belong to
any clubs, and the like. Comparatively, motorcycle and 4x4 users have more coverage with clubs and
organizations across the state. And this forest WILL see more demands from these groups.
OVERLAPPING RD WITH RIDING AREAS - While the Ranger District lines typically cross over riding areas, I
believe the rangers and staff understand that the recreationalists look at riding areas and not RD's when they
comment. The "Mad River" area for example as shown on your own OHV map for that area covers I believe 3
different RDs.
VOLUNTEER ENERGY/CONTRIBUTION - The Cle Elum RD has done the best job of organizing motorized
volunteers but for sure they exist in all areas of the forest. It's difficult to see the narrow-minded anti-motorized
comments not reflecting this huge resource provided at no cost every year.
TRAIL IMPACT OVERSTATED - Also the "harm" created by OHV users is vastly overstated by many anticomments
as evidenced by the fact that many of these trails would be "reclaimed" by the natural surroundings
if they were not cut out with chainsaws and maintained each year with volunteer work from the motorized
recreationalists. The biggest issue I've experienced in terms of adverse impact by motorized users comes from
the location/design of the trail itself and not the abuse by users. Certainly, switchbacks have been dug out but
reinforcing blocks have solved many of those issues. And the noise concerns are real but should be enforced
by education and enforcement. I've experienced excessive and legal noise levels coming from the same
motorcycles for example and the difference is simply the choice of silencer of the maintenance and repacking
of it. We have expert consultation on sound should the FS like more information about this.
Thanks for the opportunity to submit these additional comments, and also for posting those made earlier online
so we can comment on them. We look forward to working with the Forest Service to complete this review
process and continue to provide outstanding motorized recreation opportunities.