[pct-l] Another "Bikes on the PCT" poll
Jim Marco
jdm27 at cornell.edu
Wed Nov 27 13:34:51 CST 2013
Hi all,
Philip Werner has been doing a poll on the bike/no bike ruling on the PCT. His address is at Sectionhiker.com and anyone can comment here: http://sectionhiker.com/reader-poll-should-mountain-bikes-be-allowed-on-the-pct/
My thoughts only . . .
jdm
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of aslive at charter.net
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 12:10 AM
To: Nick Thelen
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] USFS response to bicycle prohibition on the PCT - 11.25.13
YEA!!!
On Tue, Nov 26, 2013 at 5:12 PM, Nick Thelen wrote:
> Below is the official response form Region 5 Forester Randy Moore in
> regards to the PCTRI's request for MTB access
> on the PCT (outside of designated Wilderness)
> ______________________________________________________
> Date:
> November 25, 2013
>
> Mr. [Name Withheld]
>
> Pacific Crest Reassessment Initiative
>
> [Address Withheld]
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. [Name Withheld]:
> This letter is in response to your February 28 and April 27, 2013,
> letters and our meeting on April 17, 2013. I appreciate the interest
> and the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the concerns
> regarding the bicycle prohibition on the Pacific Crest National Scenic
> Trail (PCT).
>
> Nation-wide, the Forest Service provides more trails for mountain
> bicycling than any other land-management agency. Over 98 percent
> of the Forest Service’s non-wilderness trail miles are open to bicycle
> use (125,962 miles). We value this important recreation activity and
> agree there is much to be gained by selecting focal areas to work with
> communities and non-profits to improve opportunities for bicyclists.
>
> The primary uses for the PCT were determined by the PCT Comprehensive
> Management Plan (CMP) and are also found in 36 C.F.R. § 212.21,
> which states that the PCT is to be used “primarily as a footpath and
> horseback riding trail.” Since your initial inquiry, a complete
> review of the
> National Trails System Act legislation, legislative history,
> regulations and policies, PCT CMP, PCT Advisory Council Minutes, and
> agency correspondence
> records has occurred. Our research documents a legislative and
> administrative intent that only hiking and equestrian use were to be
> permitted on the PCT.
> There is no evidence that bicycle use has ever been allowed on the
> PCT.
>
> Your February 28, 2013, letter references bicycle use on the
> Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The National Trails System
> Act allows for bicycle
> use in some circumstances. There is a spectrum of opportunities for
> bicycle use on the national scenic trails. The Continental Divide
> National Scenic Trail
> (CDNST) CMP and directives may allow for bicycle use if the use is
> “consistent with the applicable land and resource management plan and
> will not
> substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the CDNST.”
> The Arizona and Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trails are
> currently developing
> Advisory Councils and CMPs and in the interim allow bicycle use
> outside of designated wilderness. However, the Appalachian National
> Scenic Trail,
> designated at the same time as the PCT, prohibits bicycle use. The
> opportunities permitted on the national scenic trails allow for a full
> range of long-distance uses --
> from the primitive, wilderness oriented experiences of the Appalachian
> and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails to the shared-use
> opportunities of the Arizona and
> Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trails. The PCT Advisory Council was
> required by the National Trails System Act to assist the agency with
> the location and
> administration of the PCT. The Council contained members from
> California, Oregon, and Washington at the recommendation of the
> governors, representatives
> from each federal, state, or local agency whose land the trail passes
> through and members appointed to represent private organizations,
> including corporate and
> individual landowners and recreational users of the trail. Bicycle
> use was considered by the PCT Advisory Council in June 1972, November
> 1982, September 1983,
> November 1987 and in September 1988. Correspondance between Zane G.
> Smith, Regional Forester and Gary L. Rosenberg (1984) and the November
> 1982
> PCT Advisory Council minutes document that there was consensus among
> the Council that bicycles should be prohibited on the PCT.
>
> The continuation of Regional Order 88-4, which prohibits using or
> possessing bicycles on the PCT, is consistent with legislation,
> regulations, directives, the
> recommendations of the PCT Advisory Council, and the PCT Comprehensive
> Management Plan. These authorities demonstrate that the Pacific Crest
> National
> Scenic Trail was intended to be administered as a footpath and
> horseback riding trail. The PCT was not planned or designed for
> bicycle use, which has been
> prohibited since 1971 (National Parks) and 1988 (BLM and U.S. Forest
> Service). The Forest Service has concerns about the safety of hikers
> and equestrians
> if the prohibition were rescinded. The increased rate of speed at
> which bicycles travel would require, at a minimum, an upgrade to the
> standards for sight distance;
> the widening of many sections of the trail or creating passing space
> and/or trail “pinch points”; and establishing trail anchors to slow
> speeds of travel. These design
> features would be necessary before the trail could accommodate bicycle
> traffic to maintain a safe trail by addressing travel speed, response
> time and maneuverability,
> traction, adequate passing opportunities, and awareness of other
> users. In order to continue to protect the trail as a resource and to
> provide a safe and unique recreation
> experience for the primary users – hikers and equestrians – the
> continuance of Regional Order 88-4 is needed. Regional Order 88-4 is
> not in conflict with other issued
> orders or current regulations under 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
>
> I am concerned about the contention that has developed between trail
> users regarding the PCT and other national scenic trails. I support
> continuing a dialogue with trail
> users in the hiker, equestrian, and mountain bicycling communities to
> identify a balanced solution on our vast national trail system. We
> will work with stakeholders interested
> in this issue to organize a professionally facilitated discussion in
> the coming year, with the goal of finding common ground for resolving
> disagreements. If you have suggestions
> regarding potential participants or facilitators to ensure that this
> is a productive conversation, please contact Kathy Mick, Regional
> Trails Program Manager at kmick at fs.fed.us or
> (707) 562-8859 or Beth Boyst, Pacific Crest Trail Program Manager at
> bboyst at fs.fed.us or (707) 562-8881.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> /s/ Randy Moore
>
> RANDY MOORE
>
> Regional Forester
>
> ___________________________________________________
>
> Happy Thanksgiving y'all - hope you all have a great holiday!
> Love,
> Nick
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