Good news from the last meeting. Thanks to all that attended and gave comments!
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Panel: Keep dunes routes open
By Rachel Finney, Staff Writer | Posted: Monday, June 7, 2010 11:00 am | (1) Comments
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Local dunes enthusiasts can breathe a little easier after the latest meeting on off-highway vehicle routes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
A public working group, meeting to advise the U.S. Forest Service on the issue, said Saturday it won't propose closures in the area south of Spinreel Campground.
"We didn't close any currently open designated routes," said Ross Holloway, the working group facilitator.
That conclusion came amid a day marked by testimony from local dune riders. About 20 people turned out for Saturday's two public comment sessions. No hikers, birders or other nonmotorized recreationists attended.
Melvin Lesher said he just wants Siuslaw National Forest officials to consider the economic impact of the dunes.
"That is a multimillion-dollar industry," he said.
Craig Hawkins agreed.
"We've got to be fostering, at every level across the country, economic growth," Hawkins said. "We need to be thinking bigger picture than whatever our desires are."
Supporters of dune riding proposed opening a corridor north to Winchester Bay. The area in question used to be open for OHV use, but in recent years it has been designated for hiking and other "quiet" recreation.
"The area north of Tenmile, for every one person who walks that area, we probably have 100 people with OHVs," said Rod Roberts from the Coos County sheriff's office, who both polices the dunes and rides there for recreation.
"This is not my official opinion," he said. "This is my personal opinion."
Opening that area to ATVs could have "a potential huge impact economically," Hawkins said.
Some speakers praised the working group's handling of the situation.
"You guys are really doing a nice job," said Fritz Gross, a KOA campground owner. "I realize that the Forest Service doesn't have to take your recommendations ... but I feel that our dunes are in good hands."
Apart from the public comments, Saturday's meeting focused on the details of route proposals. The working group's overall goal is to designate route proposals to satisfy the 1994 ODNRA Management Plan.
The group looked at connecting the Bull Run staging area and Bark Road route, because OHV users currently must ride miles to reach beach access. The inconvenience angers and frustrates many out-of-town visitors.
Another tough issue concerned Beale Lake. The north end of the lake is currently closed to ATV access because of a wildlife protection designation, but nobody at Saturday's meeting seemed to know what the management plan was trying to protect.
Hawkins, who uses wheelchair, said he can't enjoy the lake without vehicle access.
"Beale Lake and Snag Lake were closed for really no reason," he said.
Arrow Coyote, a working group member representing the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, suggested a compromise.
"I'm just wondering if they could make an exception for somebody who's handicapped?" she asked.
Many questions remain concerning the management plan, including the Forest Service's previous reasons for opening or closing various areas. Holloway hopes for answers at the next meeting, when Mike Harvey of the Siuslaw National Forest attends. He was on the original committee that created the management plan.
"We have to make sure people understand that this is a work in progress," Holloway said.
Outdoors Writer Rachel Finney can be reached at 541-269-1222, ext. 237, or at
rfinney@theworldlink.com.
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