Eastern Washington Off Road

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject: !Ok-Wen Closures!

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*READ THIS VERY CLOSE* (No clue on the smiley critters. Just showed up!)


The following (Order # 714) has been received by the Forest Supervisors office in Wenatchee - reasoning for closure of 4x4 areas is stated as : area closed for protection of public health and safety - please read and be prepared. ###

Arlene Brooks, WA State Director


Oredr # 714

TEMPORARY AREA MOTORIZED TRAVEL CLOSURE

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as described below and shown on the attached map.

To travel by motorized vehicle within any area closed for the protection of public health or safety. For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to operate a motorized vehicle on National Forest System lands, roads or trails within the boundary described below. [36 CFR 261.53 (e)]

AREA DESCRIPTION:

Beginning on the west bank of the South Fork Tieton River, and 100 feet north of Spruce Creek confluence with South Fork Tieton River (T13N, R13E, Sec. 2, then southwesterly along the west bank of the South Fork of the Tieton River to Forest Road 1050 bridge of the river (T12N, R12E, Sec. 1), then 100 feet westerly and southerly of FR 1050 to its junction with Four Wheel Driveway 642 (T12N, R13E, Sec 6), then southwesterly, 100 feet south of Four Wheel Driveway 642, to the junction of Four Wheel Driveway 642 and 615 on the Klickton/Divide Ridge (T12N, R13E, Sec ; then northeasterly and northerly, 100 feet west of Four Wheel Driveway 615, to Four Wheel Driveway 640/615 junction (T12N, R13E, Sec. ; then northerly, 100 feet west of Four Wheel Driveway 640, to Four Wheel Driveway 638 (T12N, R13E, Sec. 5), then northerly and easterly, 100 feet north of Four Wheel Driveway 638, to Four Wheel Driveway 615/638/621 junction (T12N, R13E, Sec. 4), then northerly, 100 feet west of Four Wheel Driveway 621, to junction with Four Wheel Driveway 636 (T12N, R13E, Sec. 4), then northwesterly, 100 feet east of Four Wheel Driveway 621, to Four Wheel Driveway crossing on the south branch of Spruce Creek (T13N, R13E, Sec 32), then northerly, 100 feet east of the south branch of Spruce Creek, to its confluence with Spruce Creek (T13N, R13E, Sec 2, then northwesterly, 100 feet east of Spruce Creek, to the South Fork Tieton River at the point of beginning.

Operating a motorized motor vehicle on a trail (Four Wheel Driveway). For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to operate a motorized vehicle on any system or non-system Four Wheel Driveway or trail within the boundary described above, including but not limited to the following system and non-system Four Wheel Driveways: [36 CFR 261.55(a)

Four Wheel Driveway #642 (Butcher Knife), from Four Wheel Driveway #640 (Memorial Meadow) to Four Wheel Driveway #615 (Divide Ridge West), approximately 3.7 miles
Four Wheel Driveway #640, from FR 1050-583 to junction with Four Wheel Driveway #638 (Rocky Slide), approximately 2.7 miles
Four Wheel Driveway #621 (Blue Slide), from Grey Creek Campground to junction with Four Wheel Driveway # 636 (Donnicker Pass), approximately 3.7 miles
Non-system Four Wheel Driveway starting from the 1000-639 road, ford of Spruce Creek, to Four Wheel Driveway #621 (approximately 1.0 mile)

Operating a motorized motor vehicle on a road. For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to operate a motorized vehicle upon any system or non-system road within the boundary described above, including but not limited to the following roads: [36 CFR 261.54(a)]

Forest Road 1050, southerly of the 1050-583 spur, and including all connecting spur roads (582, 583, and 589) on the National Forest within the closure area.

This temporary restriction is necessary to protect public health and safety and protect water quality and aquatic resources during system road decommissioning, four wheel driveway construction, and four wheel driveway relocation/decommissioning activities. This restriction is effective beginning the date signed below and will remain in effect until rescinded.

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Done at Wenatchee, Washington, this _9th_ day of July, 2010.




/s/ Clinton D. Kyhl___
REBECCA LOCKETT HEATH
Forest Supervisor
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest



Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both. (16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559 and 3571).
_________________

Lots of luck getting the "temporary Ban" ever removed. Like I said, "They are chipping away little by little. There will always be a reason to keep the ban.

Ok fine, this should apply to hikers, bikers, equestrians one and all. Keep it fair.

So, does this mean the trails listed are closed

This is probably in preparation for the new Travel Management Plan that's going into effect in the Naches and Cle Elum districts this September. Here's a link to the map with the proposed changes:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/okawen/travel-m ... _roads.pdf

I believe this closer is due to the Discovery fire last year. People are driving all over the fire break trails that were made causing erosion.

Here is the jest of it: Hello TWIG Member:

Hope your summer is going well.

This note is to let you know two recent happenings regarding the motorized trail systems on the Naches District:

1. The South Fork Tieton Watershed Restoration Temporary Closure Order is now signed. Staff will begin signing the closure area on the ground beginning Friday, July 16. This Order prohibits motorized travel on system roads and jeep trails within the closure area until project completion. The project will decommission approximately 1.0 mile of system road, relocate approximately 0.5 miles of system jeep trail, convert approximately 1.0 mile of system road to system jeep trail (and remove four barrier culverts on fish bearing streams), decommission approximately 0.3 miles of system jeep trail from Grey Creek trailhead, convert approximately 0.3 mile of user trail to system jeep trail, and construct approximately 0.1 mile of new system jeep trail. Plans are to have this project finished and the area reopened by the end of the season. The temporary restrictions have been made to protect public safety and resources during road decommissioning, culvert removal and trail conversion work. Please contact Gary Torretta at 509-653-1433 if you have questions.

The following four wheel drive trails and roads are affected: Four Wheel Driveway #642 (Butcher Knife), from Four Wheel Driveway #640 (Memorial Meadow) to Four Wheel Driveway #615 (Divide Ridge West), approximately 3.7 miles
Four Wheel Driveway #640, from FR 1050-583 to junction with Four Wheel Driveway #638 (Rocky Slide), approximately 2.7 miles
Four Wheel Driveway #621 (Blue Slide), from Grey Creek Campground to junction with Four Wheel Driveway # 636 (Donnicker Pass), approximately 3.7 miles
Non-system Four Wheel Driveway starting from the 1000-639 road, ford of Spruce Creek, to Four Wheel Driveway #621 (approximately 1.0 mile)
Forest Road 1050, southerly of the 1050-583 spur, and including all connecting spur roads (582, 583, and 589).


Courtesy of Merrick Graves

SO, if I was to go past the point of no return off Center Stock Driveway, and it is a downhill ONLY trail, come upon a "work" site. I would have to turn around and go UP, or get a fine?
It sure is convieneant that they waited until after the Jamboree isn't it.

Considering the jamboree has a permit that they apply for and buy months in advance I don't think its a coincidence and I also don't have a problem with it.

I'm just crabby. A little more forwarning for the rest of us would have been apprieciated.