July 2009 Nez Perce National Forest Travel Plan Update

July_2009_Nez_Perce_National_Forest_Travel_Plan

All the recently released updates on the Nez Perce National Forest Travel Plan.   Click above to download this document!

Clark Mountain Club Ride

Clark Mountain is near the North Fork of the Clearwater River, accessed via Hwy 250 (to Superior MT) from Hwy 11 right outside of Pierce Idaho. 

Some IPA club members camped next to the North Fork Clearwater River which was a beautiful site.  Others drove in on Saturday morning for the 9:30am start at Clark Mountain Trail head.  We had approximately 14 machines on the ride, some with double occupants. 

Highlights of the trail ride included the Clark Mountain lookout, the absolutely wonderful condition of the trail itself (which we learned later from Heather Leech of P.L.A.Y. (orofino atv club) that members of P.L.A.Y. were partially responsible for the miles of trail that they have adopted and keep clean.  One other highlight was the beautiful fair weather that kept bugs and the dust at a lower “irritation” factor.   This was a really great ride and everyone enjoyed the comaraderie and the beautiful scenery.

Take a look at some of our photos:

Craig Mountain – early June 2009

Marsing Idaho IPA Club Ride – late May 2009

2009 Annual Family Fun Night

Our annual Family Fun Night was another success even though attendance was down due to a struggling economy.  This years 2009 Yamaha 550 ATV winner was PJ Walker, an IPA member from Lewiston Idaho.

Trail Ranger Program Winners

Rifle – Charles Magnum
Stihl Saw – Bob Mangold (was re-donated for auction and monies donated back to club)
ATV Ramps – Donna Perrine

All other IPA members who helped clean trails on the Trail Ranger Program received Trail Ranger Program T-Shirts and a Gas Card.

PHOTOS

Pittsburg Landing – Idaho Pathfinders Club Ride – February 2009

Meadow Creek Area Closure – What does it mean to IPA?

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!

If you’re not a member of IPA and would like to become a member, click here for our printer friendly membership application or on the right side of this page in the section titled Membership Docs

ATV / Motorbike Registration and Equipment Requirements for Idaho

Idaho has some of the best off-highway motorbike and ATV riding opportunities in the nation. Over 95% of these opportunities are on National Forest and Public Land.

If we’re going to enjoy recreation,  we must work together to sustain the privilege to access and enjoy our public lands. 

Download the informational piece below to learn more about guidelines when using ATV’s and /  or Motorbikes on public lands:  

ATV MOTORBIKE REGISTRATION AND

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR IDAHO

 

 http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/assets/content/docs/motorbikeregs.pdf

7-10-08:  the above registration and equipment requirements have been updated in a new booklet
called Idaho Off-Highway Vehicle Program, printed and distributed
by Idaho Parks and Recreation.  New rules and regulations will be posted soon.

IdahoPathfinders.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Family Fun Night & 10th Anniversary Celebration for IPA

Idaho Pathfinders Association Annual Family Fun Night will go down in history as one of the most successful fundraiser events in the 10 years since the club was founded in 1998. 

The event was held on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at Hoots Cafe in White Bird, Idaho and attracted a fabulous crowd of fun-loving members and public supporters of the club – all who were eager to land a chance at winning one of the great prize giveaways.   The crowd also was very generous in their bids on items that were auctioned including a beautiful log home bird house, several Harley picnic cooler bags, desserts galore and all kinds of great tools and household items for both guys and gals.  There were also plenty of small door prize giveaways throughout the evening.   

Family Fun Nights’ Big Door Prize Winner of a 2008 Yamaha Sport Model ATV went to Kim Nuxoll of Grangeville (photo on right), and Grand Prize Raffle drawing of a 2008 Polaris EFI 500 ATV went to Virgina James of Pollock, ID (above photo).  

Thanks to Killgore Adventures for the Hells Canyon Jet Boat Trip donated for the event, as well as Bud’s Saw Shop in Cottonwood for the donation of a Stihl Chain Saw.  

This year marked the 10 year anniversary of the Idaho Pathfinders Association, founded in 1998 by Dean Heckman and Brodie Robinette, both of White Bird.  They and their have devoted 10 years to the cause of keeping trails open, and have tirelessly worked on trails, attended meetings, and generally did what they had to do to keep the club alive and expanding through the years, and performing the deeds that are enjoyed by the rest of us.  As a gift of appreciation to Dean and Brodie, IPA rewarded them with  nice jackets sporting the IPA logo and personalized with their names, during the Family Fun Night.  Without their sheer determination and drive, the IPA would not be where it is today, over 300 members strong.  Thanks Dean, Brodie, Brenda and Kelly, for all you’ve done over the years!