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BLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!
Help Protect Snowmobiling in Idaho's Fairfield Ranger District
Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber in Idaho,
Last week I sent you an Action Alert regarding potential changes to the Fairfield Ranger District's Winter Travel Plan. Sandra Mitchell from the Idaho State Snowmobile Association (ISSA) wanted us to forward some comment suggestions on the project.
We know Idaho's snowmobilers and OHVers are experienced at commenting, but we decided to do one of our INSANELY EASY 3-Step Action Items so that you won't have to take unnecessary time from work and family.
Thanks!
Ric Foster
Public Lands Department Manager
BlueRibbon Coalition
208-237-1008 ext 107
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BRC'S THREE-STEP ACTION ITEM
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS:
NOTE: Please be polite and, if possible, make your comment letter as personal as you can.
STEP 1: Open your email program and start a draft email. Address the email to:
comments-intermtn-sawtooth-fairfield@fs.fed.us
Put "Winter Travel Plan Revisions" in the Subject Line.
STEP 2: Use the comments below as a guideline for comments in your email.
Cut and paste is okay, but try to make your comment letter as personal as possible.
STEP 3: Take just a minute to add a bit about where you live, where you like to ride
and how much trail-based recreation means to you. Be certain to include your
name and address. A return email address is NOT sufficient! ("anonymous" emails
are often discarded).
It's good to begin with a bit of personal info such as how long you have been riding in the area and/or how important the area is to you. If you have not ridden in the area before you can still say it is important because the Fairfield Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest provides many opportunities for winter recreation.
COMMENT SUGGESTIONS:
Mike Dettori, District Ranger
Fairfield Ranger District
Attn: Winter Travel Plan Revisions
PO Box 189
Fairfield, ID 83327
RE: Winter Travel Plan Revisions
Dear Ranger Dettori,
I would like to offer the following comments on your Winter Travel Plan Revisions for the Fairfield Ranger District.
I strongly support option 3 of your scoping notice, opening a motorized corridor through what is currently a wildlife closure area from Couch Summit to Fleck Summit.
As the wildlife has moved, the open corridor will have little or no impact to elk and it would provide a valuable recreation opportunity for the visiting public. Also, opening a travel corridor is an equitable option between the general public and private land owners.
I support opening the corridor all the way to Featherville. This would open up thousands of acres for snowmobiling and access to many rural communities that are in dire need of additional visitors in the winter months.
Any closures or other measures needed to protect other species such as wolverine, mountain goat and lynx should be based on sound biology and science rather than speculation. You should be able to demonstrate that any closures are truly necessary for the animal's well being and survival.
I support mitigation instead of closure where significant impacts to wildlife can be substantiated. For example, instead of closing those high elevation areas with potential for natal denning, why not develop an Alternative that considers mitigating potential impacts with education or other methods. The Forest Service should consider snowmobilers to be part of the solution rather than assuming we are the problem.
I support the opening of areas where past closures have been found unnecessary and hope other units will consider similar actions. Snowmobiling is a low impact activity enjoyed by thousands of Americans from across the nation. The national forests are indeed public lands and we/I believe that to the extent possible they should be open to public access. We find this action by the Fairfield District both refreshing and historic.
Thank you for considering my comments. We wish to be involved throughout the travel plan modification process.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
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