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Stewards of Seqouia & Nat'l Monuments Review

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Giant Sequoia Monument Proclamation Review

It is almost unheard of to overturn a restrictive designation, or reopen trails to historic dirt bike use, or restore lands to multiple use recreation.

The Department of the Interior recently announced a much needed review of Presidential Monument Proclamations done under the Antiquities Act. Stewards of the Sequoia have long argued that the Antiquities Act has been abused to designate millions of acres of inappropriately restricted lands.

There are many reasons why the 327,769 acre Giant Sequoia Monument Proclamation was a bad idea-

  • It eliminated many forms of recreation such as motorized trail riding and snowmobiling
  • There was no public process or Congressional approval.
  • The 327,769 acre area is far larger than needed to protect the Giant Sequoia Groves.
  • It eliminated much need active management to reduce fuels and promote forest health thereby putting the Giant Sequoia Groves, the forest and local homeowners at risk of catastrophic fire..
  • Click here for more info about problems with Monument Proclamations.

In 2005 Stewards submitted a proposal to make a minor Monument Boundary adjustment in order to keep the Sunday Peak destination trail open to trail bikes. That could become a reality now if enough people urge the Department of the Interior to modify the Giant Sequoia Monument.

Here is your opportunity to help take back your trails and help reduce catastrophic wildfires at the same time. Click the following link and then click COMMENT NOW in the top right corner

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001

Don't wait......comments must be submitted before July 10, 2017

Just tell them what you want to see changed.

  • Do you want to see less restrictions in the Giant Sequoia Monument area?
  • Do you want to see the Giant Sequoia Monument area boundary adjusted or reduced?
  • Do you want the area to be reopened to all forms of recreation including historic motorized trail riding?
  • As one of the most scenic areas that was enjoyed by multiple use recreation the Giant Sequoia Monument needs to be reopened to those historic uses.

You can read more at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001

 

Kennedy Meadows Trail Clearing Rescheduled........again

Yesterday there was more snowfall at Black Rock Station. Temperatures have remained cool slowing the snow melt. The Forest Service has decided to move off the Kennedy Meadows trail clearing project one week.

The new dates are 6/17 and 6/18. 

Black Rock Station is open with running hot water for our crew to stay over the weekend. A great boon compared to some past years when water was out or the hot water did not work.

Want to help clear trail in Kennedy Meadows so the trails can be opened for the season? Until downed trees are cleared the trails will not be opened.. You can help. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Those who already signed up to help clear Kennedy Meadows Trails on 6/10-11 will be moved to the new 6/17-18 date. Please let us know if you cannot help on those dates.

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Here's my comment message if anyone would want to copy and paste. Only 5 more days to submit comments.

 

Dear Secretary Zinke,

Regarding the public lands designations up for review the closest to me is the Giant Sequoia Monument. There are many reasons why the 327,769 acre Giant Sequoia Monument Proclamation was a bad idea. A few examples of why I believe this to be;

-It eliminated many forms of recreation such as motorized trail riding and snowmobiling. Sugarloaf Village was a historic winter recreation area surrounded by snowmobile trails. Sugarloaf Village is entirely enclosed in the monument area. The designation immediately closed all the trails and deestroyed the property values of the houses in the village. There are no longer business open in the village. Only empty stores. 

There was no public process or Congressional approval. 

The 327,769 acre area is far larger than needed to protect the Giant Sequoia Groves. The Giant Sequoia should have and need to be protected. However, an area nearly half the size of Rhode Island does not.

It eliminated much needed active management to reduce fuels and promote forest health thereby putting the Giant Sequoia Groves, the forest, and local homeowners and business at risk of catastrophic fire. Historic wildfire management practices have left the western forests unhealthy and full of fuel. We now need to remove to manage the forest to prevent the small routine wildfires from descimating the entire forest, including the Giant Sequioas the monument designation was intended to protect.

Please consider these reasons for all or any of the areas up for review. Public lands should be open for the public to enjoy. 

Thank you for your consideration,
 

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Nicely done Pasta...:smile_anim:

  • Like 1

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