On September 3, 2008, IPA held its regular monthly meeting at Hoots in White Bird Idaho.   Ralph Rau, Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Nez Perce National Forest, and Mike Cook, Staff Officer, Engineering, were present to report on the Meadow Creek closure in the Red River/Elk City Idaho area.

In recent weeks, the Wilderness Society and the Idaho Conservation League served the USFS a Notice of Intent (NOI) to sue for damages observed in the Meadow Creek area by motorized vehicles, and resulted in an immediate closure of 30,000 acres in the general vicinity.  The closure went into effect in order that the USFS could respond to the NOI to deflect and manage further complications that may result in a lawsuit.

First and foremost, we must point out here that there has been severe abuse of these managed areas by lawless and flagrant citizens who are irresponsibly jeopardizing the freedoms of recreational enjoyment in these beautiful forest lands for the rest of us.  Whoever it was – who destroyed the area of Meadow Creek area that has led to this closure – are pathetic creatures who deserve to be identified and dealt with in a court of law.  We do not wish to permeate a society that serves lawless punishment to those who are responsible for committing this abuse.  Certainly a large FINE for damages done would be just punishment.  But what to do about the fact that 30,000 acres have been closed to the rest of us who do follow the rules of society and of the National Forest and Wilderness Areas?

There is certainly a hint of cynicism that while its more likely these abuses described and photographed were committed by a lawless bunch who cares nothing about the earth and the resources that are protected, some believe it is POSSIBLE that the members of the Wilderness Society and the Idaho Conservation League are capable of staging the abuse and photographing it themselves and casting blame on innocent recreational bystanders.  Could this be?   Certainly  environmentalists are capable of vicious acts that have in the past  cast more than just suspicion their way.

If you read the Idaho Conservation League’s blog, you’ll find articles that are constantly chipping away at the desperate state of affairs concerning budgetary cuts on the National Forest.  In one posting here: http://wildidaho.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/roads-in-our-forests/  Jonathan Oppenheimer, Senior Conservation Associate says the following (everything in red):

“Now, according to new information obtained from the Forest Service, Idaho’s National Forests actually have 59,345 miles of road, A 75% INCREASE!

As a result of all these roads, the Forest Service is in a real bind. National estimates of a $10 billion maintenance backlog have been reported, with a $650 million backlog in Idaho alone.

According to an unpublished Forest Service report, obtained by the Idaho Conservation League, funding to maintain existing roads would have to immediately increase by $300 million to maintain current access levels. Under the “most likely scenario” roads open to passenger cars would decrease by 83%.

So what’s the answer (this is what the Idaho Conservation League is working towards as posted on their blog above in red and – everything bulleted below):

• The Forest Service should stop building new roads,

• Congress needs to provide sufficient funds to decommission unneeded roads,

• Idahoans, and Americans, need to engage in travel planning to identify which roads and trails are really needed. “

Folks, wake up.  We need your voice!  The conservationists are focused on the issues of severe budget cuts to the National Forest service to fulfill the destiny of their very purpose.  ROAD CLOSURES!

While we do believe we can all find common ground to maintain our constitutional rights to enjoy this great country and its wilderness areas along side of the  sensitive fish, wildlife and plant species, and to protect the earth and climate from human destruction, there are some serious issues that need to be of great concern to those of us who are law abiding “Off Road Motorized Vehicle” (OMV) users.

Ralph Rau and Mike Cook are sensitive to the interests and the voice of our Idaho Pathfinder community.  ( Our membership has grown from 225 at the end of 2007 to 385 Members strong as of the writing of this article.).  They are aware of the high profile groups such as hikers, snow mobilers, horse trail riders, motorbikes and other groups who enjoy recreational opportunities as much as IPA members.  Mike Cook stated several times in our meeting that “this is not only [an issue] near and dear to your group, but the issue is also near and dear to the other side – the folks who are concerned with the environment”.

Bob Mangold said  “I don’t know if I”m speaking for the rest of the club but I think I am – that we are appalled at the damage [in the Meadow Creek area] and appreciate the efforts of the National Forest to address this issue.  But why so many acres?”.

Ralph Rau shows his support of the Idaho Pathfinders and our efforts to deal with the rapidly changing conditions that directly impact our membership and stated “I think you’re helping us and your efforts are making a difference” when dealing with issues of trail and road closures.

The bottom line on this Meadow Creek closure will be based upon the issues raised by and the voices heard on behalf of the upcoming Travel Management Plan (a draft of which should be released publicly sometime in late September).  Because the NOI was served and the USFS realized that they didn’t have any plan in place to fight the NOI with specific concern to Threatened Endangered Species, the immediate decision to enforce a closure of the Meadow Creek area was crucial to avoiding further impacts from the notice of intent to sue.   Brodie Robinette asked in the meeting “why, if the damage was confined to an area of maybe 500 acres at most, how  do we end up with 30,000 acres of closure?”   Ralph Rau responded that in an effort to respond to the NOI, they needed a way to identify to the public where the boundaries of the closure were, a way to patrol and enforce the closure.  “We put the closure where we could enforce it.  If we don’t get some cooperation there is going to be a problem, and thats the only way we can solve it”.

As a responsible club whose mission is to educate the public about issues, rules and regulations concerning trail riding, IPA is keeping a close eye on the upcoming release of the USFS Travel Management Plan so that we might help to raise concerns about the alternatives described before they enter the history books as a part of our state legislation.  Help IPA to make our voice louder than ever before.  Your support of membership fees may seem small, but collectively, as our membership continues to grow, our voice can make the difference in the enjoyment of our beautiful trail system and the lands we enjoy!

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