Post by ReBeL on Jan 24, 2005 1:39:53 GMT -5
this was posted to my other group OBH today thought I would share it here senc how most of us like the beach
I don't know if any of you ride or drive on the dunes, but this new rule
system they have sucks if you camp on the sand. Take a look at the new dune
rules for camping and see how much you like them.. I will tell you that I
will be pushing as much as I can to get these rules changed. Probably won't
do much good but they suck that bad. Here is a link to the Siuslaw national
forest web site in the questions and answer section and some excerpts for
those who don't want to go elsewhere...
www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/nepa/ohvsandcampingproject/index.sh
tml
Why are you designating sand campsites?
The presence of large camps has changed the semi-primitive motorized
recreation experience to one more resembling an urban setting. Large camps
create unsafe working conditions for agency personnel and law enforcement
officers. Concentrated campsites, and camps placed in designated OHV routes,
create unsafe conditions for campers and riders. It difficult to enforce
visitor accountability for leaving trash, or damaging natural resources in
their camping area under the current sand camping permit system.
The Forest is implementing the Forest Plan as amended by the Oregon Dunes
Plan, which directs us to "Allow dispersed camping by permit in designated
sites only."
Where will you be designating sand camping sites?
Sand camping sites will be designated in all three OHV riding areas of the
Oregon Dunes NRA.
Are you limiting riding opportunities the sand?
Not at all, in fact the program changes may even enhance the riding
opportunities by organizing the camps into designated sites, thereby
maintaining designated riding routes.
How did you arrive at the number and layout of sites?
Based on sand camping permits issued in 2002, the Oregon Dunes issued
between 700 and 900 sand camping permits to primary vehicles during summer
high use weekends. Public comments gathered during that time indicated most
camps were 5 primary vehicles and 20 people per campsite. Given those
figures we see an opportunity to designate between 130 to 180 campsites
located throughout the Dunes OHV areas. Consideration such as wildlife
habitat, wetland protection, visitor safety, employee safety and historic
visitor-use patterns must be taken into account when designating sites, but
some latitude does exist.
Will designating sites mean the Forest Service will provide additional
facilities?
No, campsites will be marked with a numbered post, but there will not be
improvements like picnic tables or fire rings at the sites. Dumpsters will
be available at nearby staging areas.
This project also addresses increasing capacities at Horsfall and Hauser
Staging Areas. It proposes to build a new Horsfall Staging Area north of the
Horsfall Road, in the area currently accessed by the Bark Sand Road,
incorporate the existing Horsfall Staging Area into the Horsfall campground
as a group or overflow site, and building a new Hauser Staging Area
comparable in size and capacity to the new Horsfall Staging Area.
Will my Oregon Coast Passport or NW Forest Pass still be valid for Sand
Camping?
No. beginning January 2005 Sand Campers will need to pay a camping fee for
overnight camping.
What is the Sand Camping fee?
That is unknown at this time. The fee is yet to be determined.
What do I receive for the camping fee?
A clean, safe campsite and an appropriate recreation experience. This will
also help to protect visitor safety, employee safety, and natural resources,
which will help to insure continued off-highway vehicle recreation
opportunities on the Oregon Dunes.
Will I be able to make reservations during the summer?
Yes, Reservations will be made through the National Recreation Reservation
System in the future during the peak summer season. NRRS charges a fee of
$9.00 per reservation.
Do I always need a reservation?
People can reserve sites or use them on a first-come/first-served basis.
However, it is highly recommended that people reserve sites on summer
weekends and especially holidays. Those with reservations will always have
preference at a site over those who occupy the site on a
first-come/first-served basis.
How do I know where my site is?
Maps will be provided. Each site will be numbered on the ground with a
fiberglass post and reflective markers.
How many people or vehicles can I have in my site?
At this time, we project each site will be limited to no more than 5 primary
vehicles and 20 people.
How big will the sites be?
The sites will be "scattered" across areas suitable for camping. General
site size will probably be an area with at least a 100 ft diameter.
How many sites can I reserve?
Each call to the National Recreation Reservation Service can reserve up to 2
sites, and is charged the reservation fee for each site.
How do I comment?
The environmental assessment process provides for public comments. Written
comments are accepted during the scoping process. Letters will be sent to
those people and organizations that have shown prior interest. Public
notices will be published at the beginning of the scoping period for others
to provide comments.
When do you expect to implement this program?
We expect to have a decision on the Environmental Assessment in May 2004,
with on-the-ground implementation beginning in January 2005.
I don't know if any of you ride or drive on the dunes, but this new rule
system they have sucks if you camp on the sand. Take a look at the new dune
rules for camping and see how much you like them.. I will tell you that I
will be pushing as much as I can to get these rules changed. Probably won't
do much good but they suck that bad. Here is a link to the Siuslaw national
forest web site in the questions and answer section and some excerpts for
those who don't want to go elsewhere...
www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/projects/nepa/ohvsandcampingproject/index.sh
tml
Why are you designating sand campsites?
The presence of large camps has changed the semi-primitive motorized
recreation experience to one more resembling an urban setting. Large camps
create unsafe working conditions for agency personnel and law enforcement
officers. Concentrated campsites, and camps placed in designated OHV routes,
create unsafe conditions for campers and riders. It difficult to enforce
visitor accountability for leaving trash, or damaging natural resources in
their camping area under the current sand camping permit system.
The Forest is implementing the Forest Plan as amended by the Oregon Dunes
Plan, which directs us to "Allow dispersed camping by permit in designated
sites only."
Where will you be designating sand camping sites?
Sand camping sites will be designated in all three OHV riding areas of the
Oregon Dunes NRA.
Are you limiting riding opportunities the sand?
Not at all, in fact the program changes may even enhance the riding
opportunities by organizing the camps into designated sites, thereby
maintaining designated riding routes.
How did you arrive at the number and layout of sites?
Based on sand camping permits issued in 2002, the Oregon Dunes issued
between 700 and 900 sand camping permits to primary vehicles during summer
high use weekends. Public comments gathered during that time indicated most
camps were 5 primary vehicles and 20 people per campsite. Given those
figures we see an opportunity to designate between 130 to 180 campsites
located throughout the Dunes OHV areas. Consideration such as wildlife
habitat, wetland protection, visitor safety, employee safety and historic
visitor-use patterns must be taken into account when designating sites, but
some latitude does exist.
Will designating sites mean the Forest Service will provide additional
facilities?
No, campsites will be marked with a numbered post, but there will not be
improvements like picnic tables or fire rings at the sites. Dumpsters will
be available at nearby staging areas.
This project also addresses increasing capacities at Horsfall and Hauser
Staging Areas. It proposes to build a new Horsfall Staging Area north of the
Horsfall Road, in the area currently accessed by the Bark Sand Road,
incorporate the existing Horsfall Staging Area into the Horsfall campground
as a group or overflow site, and building a new Hauser Staging Area
comparable in size and capacity to the new Horsfall Staging Area.
Will my Oregon Coast Passport or NW Forest Pass still be valid for Sand
Camping?
No. beginning January 2005 Sand Campers will need to pay a camping fee for
overnight camping.
What is the Sand Camping fee?
That is unknown at this time. The fee is yet to be determined.
What do I receive for the camping fee?
A clean, safe campsite and an appropriate recreation experience. This will
also help to protect visitor safety, employee safety, and natural resources,
which will help to insure continued off-highway vehicle recreation
opportunities on the Oregon Dunes.
Will I be able to make reservations during the summer?
Yes, Reservations will be made through the National Recreation Reservation
System in the future during the peak summer season. NRRS charges a fee of
$9.00 per reservation.
Do I always need a reservation?
People can reserve sites or use them on a first-come/first-served basis.
However, it is highly recommended that people reserve sites on summer
weekends and especially holidays. Those with reservations will always have
preference at a site over those who occupy the site on a
first-come/first-served basis.
How do I know where my site is?
Maps will be provided. Each site will be numbered on the ground with a
fiberglass post and reflective markers.
How many people or vehicles can I have in my site?
At this time, we project each site will be limited to no more than 5 primary
vehicles and 20 people.
How big will the sites be?
The sites will be "scattered" across areas suitable for camping. General
site size will probably be an area with at least a 100 ft diameter.
How many sites can I reserve?
Each call to the National Recreation Reservation Service can reserve up to 2
sites, and is charged the reservation fee for each site.
How do I comment?
The environmental assessment process provides for public comments. Written
comments are accepted during the scoping process. Letters will be sent to
those people and organizations that have shown prior interest. Public
notices will be published at the beginning of the scoping period for others
to provide comments.
When do you expect to implement this program?
We expect to have a decision on the Environmental Assessment in May 2004,
with on-the-ground implementation beginning in January 2005.
