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Support Road Removal in the Medicine Lake Highlands
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Modoc National Forest accepting comments until February 15.
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The hydrological, wildlife and
botanical values of the Medicine Lake
Highlands are world-class. California's largest spring complex
flows from the Highlands into the Pit River and eventually into the
Sacramento Watershed. A number of Forest Service designated sensitive
plant species are found near the roads, and late-successional
terrestrial species (such as the Northern spotted owl and the wolverine) have
habitat that is currently fragmented by the existing roads.
It is very important that the Modoc National Forest receive letters of support. Your letters can be personal, or they could be as simple as copying the sample letter below. Either way, please make sure you voice of support for this proposal is heard. Comments are due by February 15th.
The draft EA can be viewed at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/modoc/projects/index.shtml
Sample Letter:
Laurence Crabtree
Doublehead Ranger District
PO Box 368
Tulelake, CA 96134
Email: comments-pacificsouthwest-modoc-doublehead@fs.fed.us
Dear Ranger Crabtree,
Thank you for proposing to close 34.6 miles of un-needed and
ecologically-harmful logging roads in the Medicine Lake Highlands.
As stated in your Draft Environmental Assessment, "Motor vehicle
use is occurring on roads closed to the public," hence I
encourage you to decommission excess roads and routes in such a
way as to prevent use by renegade ORV enthusiasts.
I deeply appreciate that the Forest Service has recognized the
adverse impacts of the existing network of logging roads on the
recreational, cultural, and wildlife values that make the Medicine
Lake Highlands such a unique and wonderful place. I strongly
agree with your findings that closing these excess roads will benefit
at-risk wildlife as well as my recreational experience in the
Highlands.
Paynes Spring, Blanche Lake, Medicine and Little Medicine Lakes,
Alcohol Crater, Arnica Sink and the Glass Mountain Flow Area belong to
all Americans, and future generations will thank you for protecting
the values of these special places.
I believe that the proposed road closure order properly balances
the public's desire for motorized access with the need for quite
recreational experiences and the health of the ecosystem and
watersheds of the Medicine Lake area.
I fully support your proposal to close 34.6 miles of harmful
logging roads in the Highlands while retaining 45.4 miles of open
roads for motorized use.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS