Guess what?  The Klamath National Forest is in the process of establishing its Travel Management Plan.  Sounds fascinating, huh?  Well actually, it kind of is.  As part of this plan, the US Forest Service (USFS) will determine which areas of the Forest should be open to Off-Road Vehicles and which areas should be protected.  Today, along with leading sister organizations like KS Wild and The Wilderness Society, Oregon Wild is asking for your help to protect valuable Klamath habitat from the rabid road desires of a few.

Lucky for you (and the USFS), Klamath National Forest is collecting comments on your thoughts on keeping the forest clean, green, and road free.  This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity gives the public a chance to speak up for the watershed, salmon, botanical and non-motorized recreation values of this outstanding public resource, and truly make a difference.

The Klamath National Forest currently has well over 2,600 miles of open roads crossing the forests and watersheds of valuable public lands.  This is more than double the number of miles that the Forest Service can afford to safely and responsibly manage.  Poorly maintained logging roads are the primary source of sediment harming salmon and steelhead habitat in the Klamath Forest.  As stated by the Beaver Creek Ecosystem Analysis of Klamath National Forest (April 1996), “The existing road system has been identified as the primary source of sediment to stream channels within the watershed...  The high density of open roads in the watershed contributes to habitat fragmentation and disturbance to wildlife.”

Astoundingly, as part of its Travel Management Planning, the Forest Service is now proposing to add 92 miles of illegally created “user routes” to its already bloated road system. In other words, the Forest Service is responding to its inability to manage its existing road system by adding yet more roads to that system.  Mmmmm…

If you value wildlands, wildlife, and waters, for the sake of the Klamath, their salmon populations and other invaluable wildlife, take action today!

Please take a moment to write a note to the planners in the Klamath National Forest asking them to:

1) Identify roads located in stream-side riparian reserves and key salmon watersheds for decommissioning;

2) Strive to establish an economically sustainable road system by closing at least as many roads as they intend to add to the system;

3) Listen to all members of the public, not just the Off-Road Vehicle advocates, in developing the Forest Service’s Travel Management Plan.

Letters can be sent to:

Emelia Barnum

Klamath National Forest

1312 Fairlane Road

Yreka, CA 96097

Email: Comments-pacificsouthwest-klamath@fs.fed.us Please put "Route Designation" in the subject line.