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Access Issues & Closures:
Williamson Rock Closure / Take Action NOW!:
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troymayr
May 14, 2007, 7:00 PM
Views: 11137
Registered: Dec 5, 2005
Posts: 13
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Friends of Williamson Rock,
Today we were informed by the USFS that letters may be postmarked before 5 PM, June 6th 2007, this Wednesday.
Previously we were told that letter must be received by the due date.
So this gives you a little more time to make your voice heard!
Please mail your letter to:
John F. Capell, District Ranger
Attn. Jonathan Schwartz
Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District
30800 Bouquet Canyon Road
Saugus, CA 91390
As an absolute last resort, if you are unable to drop a letter in the mail, then you can send your comments via e-mail to:
<jonathanschwartz@fs.fed.us>
jonathanschwartz@fs.fed.us
Again, a hard copy letter is much preferred over e-mail.
Some general writing points (put it into your own words):
-State why climbing at Williamson is important to you, the beauty of the area etc.
-Climbers (you) respect and care for the natural areas in which we climb and are committed to access and conservation.
-Climbers are good stewards of the area.
-Climbers are willing to work with the USFS and other agencies to mitigate the problem.
-Williamson is a very valuable resource to climbers (no alternative crag like it).
-Include your contact info (include name, address and email)
Thank you all for your attention, time and effort!
Troy Mayr
This post should be at the top of the list...
NOW is the time to make your voice heard!
The USFS scoping letter has been released.
Here's a link to view to the USFS main page, see the right column under ‘News’. You can download the scoping letter from this webpage also.
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/>
Here's a link to view to the USFS news release.
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/news/2007/news-2007-05-10-comments-on-williamson-rock-access.shtml>
You may also download the scoping letter (PDF) on the FoWR blog here.
<http://williamsonrock.org/blog/>
Positive comments from the climbing community are encouraged in the form of a written letter (preferred over e-mail).
Quantity is the key here, we need a lot of climbers to write in, so forward this to your climbing partners!
Some general writing points (keep it simple):
-The MYLF (Mountain Yellow Legged Frog) and climbing can co-exist.
-Climbers respect and care for the natural areas in which we climb.
-Climbers are willing to work with the USFS and other agencies to mitigate the problem (that’s why we organized FoWR).
-Climbers are good stewards of the area.
-Climbing is a valid and historical use of the area.
-Williamson is a very valuable resource to climbers (no alternative crag like it).
-Climbers support the “Proposed Action”.
Comments may be mailed to:
John F. Capell, District Ranger
Attn. Jonathan Schwartz
Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District
30800 Bouquet Canyon Road
Saugus, CA 91390
Letters are due no later than June 6, 2007
Thanks!
Troy Mayr
FoWR
Hi Friends of Williamson Rock,
I'm sure you're curious how our response was to the USFS Scoping Letter.
Here's a brief update.
The good news:
I spoke with our primary contact at the USFS and asked him how the climber response was going.
He said:
"I give up. There are 100's, they are pouring in like rain!"
So a huge thank you to all who took the time to write!!!
The other news:
The USFS did receive a letter that could have a negative affect for us (which we expected).
While the group who wrote doesn't appear to be against climbing in any way, they are adamant about
protecting endangered species above all else (recreation etc.).
In short they will push for a full E.I.S. as opposed to an E.A.
Here are the pertinent definitions.
EA: Environmental Assessment - Generally, an EA includes brief discussions of the following: the need for the proposal; alternatives (when there is an unresolved conflict concerning alternative uses of available resources); the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives; and a listing of agencies and persons consulted.
EIS: Environmental Impact Assessment (Study) - A National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) document. An EIS, should include discussions of the purpose of and need for the action, alternatives, the affected environment, the environmental consequences of the proposed action, lists of preparers, agencies, organizations and persons to whom the statement is sent, an index, and an appendix (if any).
Next step:
The USFS I.D. Team will review the letters received and make a decision as to how to proceed.
We are off to a great start but as I have said before the process is cumbersome and slow, so I ask you to continue be patient.
Our track record with the USFS is stellar and your response was awesome this will help tremendously as we move forward.
We will let you know and other details as they become available to us.
Thanks again for your effort and support!
Troy Mayr
(This post was edited by troymayr on Jun 7, 2007, 5:25 PM)
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Edit Log:
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Post edited by troymayr
() on May 15, 2007, 12:06 AM
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Post edited by troymayr
() on Jun 4, 2007, 11:27 PM
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Post edited by troymayr
() on Jun 7, 2007, 5:25 PM
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