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Comments needed on Forest Service Travel Plan

Keep ORV's out of Meadow Creek Roadless Area, FOC File Photo

Maps were just released for the proposed Nez Perce National Forest Travel Plan. Alternative 5 is the agency’s preferred alternative. It seeks to permit off-road vehicles (ORV’s) in fragile roadless areas like Meadow Creek, Rackliff-Gedney, Cove-Mallard, areas buffering the Gospel-Hump Wilderness, as well as a route called Painter Mine in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness!

Send an email or mail a comment to:
Supervisor Cheryl Probert
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Kamiah, Idaho 83536

Talking points to consider:

1- Motorized recreation should not be allowed anywhere in the Meadow Creek, Rackcliff-Gedney, Cove-Mallard roadless areas, including those adjacent to the Gospel-Hump Wilderness. They are of immense value for anadromous (chinook & steelhead) and resident (bull trout, cutthroat trout) fisheries and wildlife.

2- It is illegal to allow motorized recreation in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness (Painter Bar).

3- With the exception of opening the Painter Bar route, Alternative 6 is the best option. Ask that Alternative 6 be adopted and that the Painter Bar trail must remain closed.

4- Meadow Creek is a cold-water tributary to the Selway River. Much of it has been proposed for wilderness in the past and the current Nez Perce National Forest Plan states that “opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation are outstanding.”

5- Cove Mallard was closed to ORVs two decades ago to protect this crucial wildlife corridor. The area should remain closed.