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The Smith River Watershed: A Haven For Salmon & Wildlands...
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...Or an OHV Playground? Let the Forest Service know which you prefer.
The Smith National Recreation Area is home to numerous plant species that exist nowhere else on earth, as well as unique serpentine geology and associated botanical features like the Jeffrey pine (pictured here).
The Smith River NRA is the heart of one of the largest wild and scenic river systems (315 miles) in the United States. The Smith River watershed exhibits a rich ecological diversity. Over 176 miles of anadromous fish habitat, over 300 species of wildlife, and 7 distinct plant communities contribute to the lush natural environment of the Smith River NRA.
The Smith River NRA is famous for its world-class salmon, steelhead and trout fishery, as well as its spectacular kayaking and white-water rafting opportunities. The Smith River NRA is also home to numerous plant species that grow nowhere else in the world and the rare Port-Orford cedar. Unfortunately, the watersheds of the Recreation Area have been significantly degraded by past logging, mining and road building activities.
Top photo - Undisturbed ephemeral wetland in Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area - 2003. Bottom photo - Same ephemeral wetland in Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area after being used as an OHV special event area - 2003. Photos by Barbara Ullian.
Currently the Forest Service does not have an adequate budget to maintain the bloated network of logging roads and mining routes that fragment wildlife habitat and harm water quality. So the agency is in the process of determining which roads to keep, and which roads to decommission.
While most Americans desire a forest road system that provides reasonable access while protecting the unique values of the Smith watershed, a few irresponsible off road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts are politically pressuring the Forest Service to allow ORV use in most sensitive and fragile portions of the Recreation Area. While the Forest Service intends to maintain over 265 miles of road for motorized use, and designate over 28 miles of back-country trails specifically for ORV enthusiasts, this evidently isn’t enough for some who believe that they should be able to ride wherever they want, regardless of the impacts on the watershed or on other forest users.
Please take a moment to write to the Smith River District Ranger to let her know that you value the few remaining roadless areas in the Recreation Area for their wild character, clean water and biological diversity.
A Letter to the Forest Service Can Make a Difference.
Please write a quick letter today on behalf of the botanical, recreational, ecological and fisheries resources in the Smith River NRA!
Click here to download a printable double-sided PDF to share with friends and family.
____________________________________________
SAMPLE LETTER
Mary Kay Vandiver
District Ranger
Smith River National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 228
Gasquet, CA 95543
Email: mvandiver@fs.fed.us
Dear Ms. Vandiver,
The Smith River National Recreation Area is a special place for me. The salmon and steelhead that depend on clean water, the amazing botanical diversity, and the few remaining backcountry roadless areas, are irreplaceable treasures that are the part of the heritage of all Americans.
I believe that there should be a place for both motorized and non-motorized recreational activities in the Smith River watershed. Please do not allow a few irresponsible ORV enthusiasts to dictate how all of our public lands are managed.
As you know, the Smith River Area Road Management and Route Designation Project calls for maintaining 265 miles of logging roads open for motorized use and designated another 28 miles exclusively for OHV use. This represents more than enough motorized access,
OHV group “creekin” in a Roadless Area stream on the Siskiyou
National Forest. Activity damages spawning habitat, destroys redds and is highly
likely to spread Port Orford cedar root disease.
Please do not open our few remaining roadless areas, watersheds and botanical areas to additional ORV use. There should be a place for everyone on these public lands, including the millions of Americans who believe that our National Forests should provide some wildlands that are free from Off-Road Vehicle use.
I urge you to please protect the botanical and wildland values of the few remaining Smith River wildlands by keeping these roadless areas free from off road vehicles.
Thank you for considering my input in this matter,
Regards,
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS