Letters and Comments for September 9, 2009

Gilbert

Comment on travel plan

To the Editor:

Over 50 percent of the national forest land in Union County is either already closed to motor vehicle travel or is severely limited (Starkey Experimental Station,

La Grande Watershed, Elk Initiative, etc.). This proposal is to close even more of the 50 percent remaining of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

The Travel Management Plan means no more vehicles will be able to travel outside the designated routes. You will not be able to take any motorized vehicle more than 300 feet off the road to camp, pick berries, retrieve game or any other use.

There are no exceptions for elderly or disabled people to access their public lands. Forest Supervisor Steve Ellis has stated that this is not discriminatory since everyone is treated the same. These road closures will mean you can’t shoot a deer or elk unless you can be sure you will be able to pack from where it dies to within 300 feet of a designated road to pick it up. You can’t camp, pick berries or anything else more than 300 feet from the main road unless you pack everything to and from where you are going.

Even if you sent comments in regarding the first version of the Travel Management Plan, you have no standing unless you send additional comments in prior to the Sept. 17 deadline. Please let Mr. Ellis know prior to Sept. 17 that the people of Union County care about being able to use our public lands even if all we do is drive through the forest and enjoy the scenery.

We pay for it, we use it and he should not block us out of it. This is not just for the enjoyment of Mr. Ellis so he can fly over it periodically like it is his private domain!

Letters should be sent to Steve Ellis, Forest Supervisor, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, 1550 Dewey Ave., Baker City 97814.

Irene Gilbert

La Grande