Forest Service (FS) Bulletins

So I've signed up to receive any/all forest service bulletins to share w/ the club. Not sure how useful this will be, but at least we can be in the loop for regional FS info;

DECISION LEGAL NOTICE

1702 SYSTEM FLOOD REPAIR PROJECT

NACHES RANGER DISTRICT

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST



The Responsible Official, Irene Davidson, Naches District Ranger signed a Decision Memorandum on July 19, 2013 approving the 1702 System Flood Repair project. The decision was made to repair and reopen Forest System Road (FSR) 1702 at mile post 1.0 and decommission the crossing at FSR 1702-550 mile post 0.2. The damaged site on FSR 1702 is located in Township 16N, Range 15E, Section 8/9. The damaged site on FSR 1702-550 is located in Township 16N, Range 15E, Section 4.



Questions regarding this project and additional information or a copy of the Decision Memorandum can be obtained by contacting Michelle King, NEPA Planner, Naches Ranger District, 10237 Highway 12, Naches, WA 98937 (509) 653-1420; email mdking02@fs.fed.us.



This decision is subject to appeal pursuant to 36 CFR 215. Any written notice of appeal of the decision must be fully consistent with 36 CFR 215.14, "Appeal Content.” The notice of appeal must be filed hard copy with the Appeal Deciding Officer, ATTN: 1570 APPEALS, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801faxed to (509) 662-9280, sent electronically to

appeals-pacificnorthwest-okanogan-wenatchee@fs.fed.us, or hand delivered to the above address between 7:45AM and 4:30PM, Monday through Friday except legal holidays. The appeal must be postmarked or delivered within 45 days of the date the legal notice for this decision appears in The Wenatchee World. The publication date of the legal notice in The Wenatchee World is the exclusive means for calculating the time to file an appeal and those wishing to appeal should not rely on dates or timeframes provided by any other source. It is the responsibility of all individuals and organizations to ensure their appeals are received in a timely manner. For electronically mailed appeals, the sender should normally receive an automated electronic acknowledgement from the agency as confirmation of receipt. If the sender does not receive an automated acknowledgement of the receipt of the appeal, it is the sender’s responsibility to ensure timely receipt by other means.



Electronic appeals must be submitted as part of the actual e-mail message, or as an attachment in Microsoft Word, rich text format or portable document format only. E-mails submitted to e-mail addresses other than the one listed above or in other formats than those listed or containing viruses will be rejected. Only individuals or organizations who submitted comments during the comment period may appeal. This project may be implemented 45 days, plus 5 business days after this legal notice if no appeal is received. If an appeal is received the project may not be implemented for 15 business days after the appeal decision.

No comprendo?   Please help me understand..........

I suppose if a 'bulletin' does affect us on the west side it's not important, but if one visits the east side it might be good to know?

This bulletin is similar to the 'public notice' boards that are setup prior to a building project. Apparetnly there are some rds that are closed & needing repair & some locals might be impacted, if they have a concern thay need to address it w/in a certain day

Is there value in posting these 'bulletins'?

yes I would keep all the info coming...also I read somewhere that the manastash rd will be repaired aug-sept.

That makes sence. Info is good.....keep it coming!! Thanks Zip for clarifying!! 

Maybe i missed the news but hwy 410 is open now were they had the slide. We did a ride over there and was surprised 410 was open.

MadMark wrote:Maybe i missed the news but hwy 410 is open now were they had the slide. We did a ride over there and was surprised 410 was open.

I hadn't heard anything about the slide neither, good to know though cause that's the way I'm heading to Rimrock Friday AM

I think were heading over Thursday evening.

MadMark wrote:I think were heading over Thursday evening.

I'll be loading up & getting things together Thrusday after work, probably will get a good nights sleep & head out early. Hopefully we'll meet on the other side of the airport, last year after turning off of the pavement we took the 1st left & went down past the restrooms to the lake bed. Checking the http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/yakima/yaktea.html water level, Rimrock Lake is at 98%. So. I don't think we'll be on the lake bed this time, there should be some nice camping spots down in there though.

As a back up plan, go up to Bakeoven Flats, if that happens to be full, then upper Bakeoven which is the next left up the road. Hopefully again we can be down by the lake?

also i will call on campfires today...

good to go for campfires

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U.S. FOREST SERVICE FIRE UPDATE
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
215 Melody Lane
Wenatchee, WA 98801

For immediate release:
August 12, 2013—7:45 a.m.
Contact:
Public Information Officer Michelle King, 509-653-1420
Naches Ranger District Front Office, 509-653-1401

Type III Incident Team Assumes Management of Conrad Complex
Naches WA-- On August 10th a lightning storm started multiple fires on the Naches Ranger District, including the Conrad Complex.
The Conrad Complex is located North of Conrad Meadows, west of the South Fork Tieton River, and approximately 8 miles south of Rimrock Lake. As of Sunday evening, the fire is estimated to be approximately 300 acres.
Forest Service fire crews have been battling the fire since ignition, however, steep terrain and dry fuel conditions have made suppression efforts difficult. Fire behavior was aggressive on Sunday, despite favorable weather conditions.
To relieve local fire management staff, an Interagency Type III Incident Management Team has been assigned to manage the Conrad Complex. Participating agencies include US Forest Service, WA State Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Yakima County.
Due to the potential for large fire growth, the public is asked to comply with local area closures. Concerned for public safety, fire managers request the public to avoid using Forest System Road (FSR) 1000, south of its junction with FSR 1040 around Minnie Meadows, and FSR 1070 between its junction with FSR 1000 to its junction with FSR 1070-595.
Fire managers understand this is a popular recreation area and ask for Forest-user cooperation at this time. Firefighters are working diligently to minimize acres burned and limit the impact to recreation. In addition, all agencies are in agreement to mitigate firefighter exposure and ensure crews’ safety.
Fire restrictions remain in place on the Naches Ranger District. Only gas fires or stoves are permitted. Campfires or other ignition sources are not permitted. For more information, contact the Naches Ranger District Front Office at 509-653-1401.

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Dear National Forest User:

The United States Forest Service, Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest, Naches Ranger District has a proposal to rebuild existing powerlines along Clear Creek (between Clear Lake Road and White Pass). The existing powerline equipment has aged and is in need of replacement. Benton Rural Electric Association’s (REA) proposal will replace and upgrade poles and powerline. Vegetation in the right-of-way corridor will be cut to allow access to the poles and to protect the new powerline. The right-of-way route will not be altered.

The Purpose and Need for this project is to replace and upgrade the powerline and poles, improve the overgrown right-of-way that provides reliable service to White Pass, and eliminate the need for emergency and costly powerline repairs. The powerline right-of-way is within and crosses the floodplain of Clear Creek. Currently, and on several occasions in the past, Clear Creek has inundated and washed away parts of the service road for the powerline. This project plans to adjust pole locations so that no power poles will be in the section of right-of-way that has in the past or is currently inundated by Clear Creek. Map attached.

The purpose of this letter is to both to inform you of our proposed action and to gather any additional information, ideas or concerns you may have that would help me finalize my decision for this project. Any input you may have will assist my interdisciplinary team and I as we move forward with this project. This project is currently categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement and will be documented in a Decision Memo under the category of 36 CFR 220.6(e)(1) for “Additional construction or reconstruction of existing telephone or utility lines in a designated corridor”.

Due to the recent judicial ruling of March 19, 2012, Sequoia ForestKeeper v. Tidwell by the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Case Civ. No. CV F 11-679 LJO DLB, this project is now subject to notice, comment and appeal procedures under 36 CFR 215.6(a). The official comment period will be posted in the newspaper of record, The Wenatchee World, and will be circulated with a Draft Decision Memo for this project. If you would like to be notified of the future official comment period, please contact Karen Lindhorst at the Naches Ranger District.

How to Submit Scoping Comments

To stay updated or to provide feedback on this project, contact Karen Lindhorst at (509) 653-1435, klindhorst@fs.fed.us, or mail your comment to:

Karen Lindhorst

Naches Ranger Station

10237 U.S. Highway 12

Naches, WA 98937

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U.S. FOREST SERVICE FIRE UPDATE

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

215 Melody Lane

Wenatchee, WA 98801



For immediate release:

August 12, 2013—6:15 p.m.

Contact:

Public Information Officer Michelle King, 509-653-1420

Naches Ranger District Front Office, 509-653-1401



Lightning Continues to Cause Fires on Naches Ranger District

Naches WA-- Continuous lightning storms on the Naches Ranger District have caused multiple fire starts over the past few days. Crews have kept the majority of the fires under one acre and will continue to monitor the areas throughout the week.

The Conrad Lake Fire, previously called the Conrad Complex, was also caused by lightning strikes on August 9th, 2013. This fire is currently within the Goat Rocks Wilderness and is estimated at 400 acres. During the afternoon, smoke from this fire may be visible from Yakima, WA. The Conrad Lake Fire is currently being managed by a Type III Incident Management Team due to the difficult terrain and aggressive fire behavior.

Recreationalist in the Rimrock Lake area may see cattle in the forest or on the roadway as they are moving north away from the Conrad Lake Fire area. These livestock are part of the Tieton cattle allotment. Forest range managers ask the public to drive slowly in this area to avoid livestock.

Another lightning strike ignited a fire in the Oak Creek Wildlife Area on August 9th. Hand crews, engines, and helicopter water drops have halted the fire at 22 acres with no change in acreage since August 11th. Crews will continue to monitor this area until the fire can be confidently called out.

Multiple lighting starts in the William O. Douglass Wilderness have been staffed by rappellers and monitored by additional air resources. Timely initial attack and modern firefighting techniques have allowed fire managers to control many of these smaller fires.

Although the chance of additional lightning is low, warm and dry weather may cause existing lightning strikes to start burning and create fires that were not visible before. The Naches Ranger District has personnel monitoring the district on land and in the air to spot any new fires.

Fire managers thank the public for their cooperation during this time and ask them to continue to adhere to fire restrictions and to comply with any fire area closures. The Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. aims to limit the impact of the fires on recreation but continues to priority public and firefighter safety.









burnt2

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For immediate release:

August 13, 2013—10:00 a.m.

Contact:

Public Information Officer Michelle King, 509-653-1420

Naches Ranger District Front Office, 509-653-1401



Conrad Lake Fire Grows to over 600 Acres

Naches WA— Crews continue to battle the Conrad Lake Fire, eight miles south of Rimrock Lake on the Naches Ranger District. More than 150 personnel are now assigned to the fire including a Type I Hotshot handcrew, multiple Type II handcrews, engines, water tenders, dozers, and helicopters.

Recreationalist in the Rimrock Lake area can expect to see increased fire vehicle traffic traveling to Forest Road 1000 and accessing the peninsula and Tieton Air Strip on the east end of Rimrock Lake. Fire managers ask the public to be cautious and drive slow.

Aircraft in the Rimrock Lake area should be aware of NOTAMS, Notice to Airmen, as there are temporary flight restrictions due to firefighting efforts. There are flight restrictions above the Conrad Lake Fire from the center of the fire with a radius of seven miles and the Tieton Airstrip is temporarily closed to all aircraft, with exception to fire assigned aircraft.

The Type III management team continues to prioritize the protection of private land and resources in Conrad Meadows. The team merits local Naches Ranger District and WA Department of Natural Resources employees who have contributed their time and resources to the firefighting effort. This teamwork and communication will help ensure public and firefighter safety throughout the incident.

Due to the increasing complexity of this incident and potential for significant fire growth, the Conrad Lake Fire will be transitioning to a Type II Interagency Management Team. New teams members will be gathering information from the existing Type III team today and will most likely take over for the August 14th day shift. More information is available on InciWeb at: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3629/.

The public along with private landowners have been extremely cooperative throughout the incident. “Their cooperation was essential in securing the area and making it a safe working environment for the fire crews” said District Ranger Irene Davidson. Fire managers also remind Forest users that current fire restrictions are still in place on the district with no campfires allowed.



-End-









burnt2

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Bob Allbee
Incident Commander


Conrad Lake Fire


USFS logo

untitled

Thursday August 15, 2013

8:00 AM

http://inciweb.org/incident/3629/



Contact: Naches Ranger District (509) 653-1401


Naches Ranger District

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest





FIRE STATUS & RESOURCES

Acres: 900 +/-

Cause:  Lightning

Containment:  0%

Total Personnel: 300 +

Serious Injuries: None


Hand Crews:  12

Engines:  8

Dozers:  1

Water Tenders:  3

Helicopters:  2 type 1 heavy’s,  1 type 2 medium













Current Situation:  Fire growth yesterday was minimal at about 50 acres.  The fire is still mostly within the Goat Rocks Wilderness with a few acres outside the wilderness but still on the National Forest. Good work was accomplished yesterday clearing and brushing the 1000 road for use as a future control line; however fire managers are looking for opportunities to establish direct control line adjacent to the fire where feasible and safe to do so.  Cooler weather today and tomorrow should reduce fire activity.

Additional personnel have been ordered and are arriving.  Helicopters will be working the south flank of the fire with water and retardant drops today.  A priority has been placed on keeping the fire from advancing south onto private lands.  Base camp is at the Peninsula by Rimrock Lake.  The roads in the area of the fire and around the Peninsula are closed as well as some campgrounds accessed by roads that are now closed.  See below for details on those closures.  State highways 12 and 410 are open.

Background: This fire started by lightning on Friday August 9 and is burning eight miles south of Rimrock Lake and 35 miles southwest of Naches, WA.  There are flight restrictions within a seven mile radius of the fire and at the Tieton Airstrip which is at the east end of Rimrock Lake.  The Tieton airstrip is closed to general aviation.  No campfires are allowed on National Forest lands. A type 2 Washington Interagency Incident Management Team took over management of the fire yesterday to relieve local forces allowing them to return to normal duty.  The fire is located mostly in Sections 15 and 22 of Township 12 N, Range 12 E.

Weather:  Cooler today and tomorrow with chance of thundershowers.  Max temp on the fire 68 degrees, minimum humidity 45%.  Winds light 3-7 mph from the west.  A weak cold front will arrive Friday increasing winds to 10-15 mph.

Road Closures: National Forest roads 1000, 1204, 1205, 1200-725, and the 1070 between its junction with the 1000 to its junction with 1070-595.

Trail Closures:  Bear Creek Mountain Trail #1130. Conrad Meadows is closed.

Area Closure: Rimrock Peninsula Recreation Area including the boat launch.  There is no access from the 1200 road onto the 1200-711, 1200-712, 1200-713, 1200-714, 1200-715, 1200-716, 1200-725, and 1200-653 roads.                                              



End

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Current Situation: Fire growth on Monday was again minimal. Crews will continue to strengthen control and contingency lines. Sprinkler lines are installed on portions of the south boarder of the fire. The fire is creeping south as desired until it reaches the road which is the south control line. Increased smoke was seen yesterday as concentrated fuels dry out and burn. More crews will be released today after timing out. There will be a general downsizing of resources this week to fit the need. Weather continues to be favorable with cooler temperatures. New fires yesterday in the State may pull helicopter and other resources from this fire. The overall fire activity in the Northwest is increasing. Please note that there are new contact numbers noted above for fire information.



Containment is at 16%. Containment is a gauge of confidence that fire managers have that the fire will not escape containment lines, or in this case continue to move unchecked. The level of containment is not simply the amount of the fire that has control line around it, but along with that, consideration is given to expected fire behavior, and expected weather. The Haines Index is 3, which is very low. The Haines Index is a gauge of atmospheric instability and dryness of the air from 2 (very low) to 6 (high). The higher the index, the higher the chance of active fire behavior and fire growth.

The fire is still mostly within the Goat Rocks Wilderness with a few acres outside the wilderness but still on the National Forest. There is continued effort yesterday clearing and brushing roads forming the “box” around the fire for use as a backup control line; however fire managers are establishing direct control line where practical and safe to do so.

A priority has been placed on keeping the fire from advancing south onto private lands. Base camp is at the Peninsula by Rimrock Lake. The roads in the area of the fire and around the Peninsula are closed as well as some campgrounds accessed by roads that are now closed. See below for details on those closures. State highways 12 and 410 are open.

Background: This fire started by lightning on Friday August 9 and is burning eight miles south of Rimrock Lake and 35 miles southwest of Naches, WA. There are flight restrictions within a seven mile radius of the fire and at the Tieton Airstrip which is at the east end of Rimrock Lake. The Tieton airstrip is closed to general aviation. No campfires are allowed on National Forest lands. The fire is located mostly in Sections 15 and 22 of Township 12 N, Range 12 E.

Weather: Cooler today. Max temp on the fire 76 degrees, minimum humidity 30%. Winds light 5-7 mph from the northwest, gusting to 11 mph in the afternoon.

Road Closures: National Forest roads 1000, 1204, 1205, 1200-725, and the 1070 between its junction with the 1000 to its junction with 1070-595. Trail Closures: Bear Creek Mountain Trail #1130. Conrad Meadows is closed. Area Closure: Rimrock Peninsula Recreation Area including the boat launch. There is no access from the 1200 road onto the 1200-711, 1200-712, 1200-713, 1200-714, 1200-715, 1200-716, 1200-725, and 1200-653 roads. END

For immediate release:

August 20, 2013—4:00 p.m.

Contact:

Public Information Officer Michelle King, 509-653-1420

Naches Ranger District Front Office, 509-653-1401



New Fire on Manastash Ridge visible from Naches and Cle Elum

Naches WA— Monday afternoon crews responded to a smoke report on Manastash Ridge in Kittitas County, WA. As of Tuesday at noon, the un-named fire was reported to be approximately 25 acres in size near Shoestring Lake.

Cle Elum and Naches Ranger District fire managers have assigned two hand crews, smoke jumpers, rappellers, two helicopters, and a bulldozer to the fire. Firefighters spent the day getting access to the fire and establishing a safe anchor point. When conditions have allowed, crews have started to create direct and indirect fire line around the fire.

Smoke may be visible from the city of Cle Elum and along State Highway 410 on the Naches Ranger District. Forest visitors in the Manastash drainage or in the Little Naches drainage may see increased fire vehicle traffic and are asked to please drive slowly in these areas.



-End-

U.S. FOREST SERVICE FIRE UPDATE

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

215 Melody Lane

Wenatchee, WA 98801



For immediate release:

August 22, 2013—7:00 a.m.

Contact:

Cle Elum Ranger District Front Office, 509-852-1100

Naches Ranger District Front Office, 509-653-1401

Naches Ranger District Public Information Assistant Michelle King, 509-653-1420



Manastash Ridge Fire Update

Ellensburg WA— The Manastash Ridge Fire started August 19th from a lightning strike that occurred on the weekend of August 9th. The fire is located on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest along Manastash Ridge, south of Shoestring Lake.

The fire is approximately 400 acres and is located on the north side of the ridge on the Cle Elum Ranger District. In the afternoon, the fire can be visible from Cle Elum, Ellensburg, and Naches. Both the Cle Elum and the Naches Ranger Districts plan to issue area closures near the fire for public and firefighter safety. At this time the public is advised to stay out of the Manastash recreational area.

Yesterday crews established a safe anchor point and are proceeding on the flanks of the fire building direct. There are approximately 50 personnel assigned to the fire including two handcrews, rapellers, smoke jumpers, and various air resources. Many crews are camping overnight in the area to have better access to the remote fire.

Fire managers are continuously monitoring the weather and fire behavior as warm and dry conditions are expected today through Thursday. Last night the fire was reported active until 1am. Forest managers remind recreationists and other forest visitors that fire danger remains high and there are still campfire restrictions in place on both the Naches and Cle Elum Ranger District. For more information and photos of the fire, visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3697/.

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3697

U.S. FOREST SERVICE NEWS RELEASE

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

215 Melody Lane

Wenatchee, WA 98801





Naches Ranger District Public Information Assistant Michelle King, (509) 653-1420

Naches Ranger District Front Country Trails Coordinator Kevin Hill, (509) 653-1436

For immediate release: March 31, 2014—11:00 a.m.



Seasonal Trail Restrictions in Effect April 1st

NACHES—Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest managers plan to implement a seasonal closure on Naches Ranger District motorized trails from April 1 until June 15 to protect natural resources, minimize damage to trails, and maintain quality trail systems.



The Naches Ranger District seasonal restrictions apply to all trails with any type of motorized designation and includes all trail users, motorized or non-motorized.



The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has successfully implemented similar temporary closures the past three years in the wet spring months. If conditions warrant, trails will be opened prior to June 15th on a case by case basis.



Naches Ranger District recreation managers have worked with motorized user groups to implement the closures in a manner that minimizes impacts to the public, while protecting natural resources. Both motorized and non-motorized user group members volunteer to maintain trails and help educate the public on the adverse impacts of traveling on muddy trails. These impacts often include increased soil erosion and additional trail maintenance.



Naches District Ranger Irene Davidson said, “Year after year volunteers prove to be invaluable to our recreation program, these trails are as important to them as they are to us.” Approved volunteers will be permitted on certain trails prior to the opening date to assist with maintenance and to help make trail opening determinations.



The selected opening date of June 15th is flexible and based on weather information and existing trail conditions. Trails in different areas may open earlier or later than June 15. The Forest Service and volunteer partners will make every effort to clear trails of logs and other forest debris so trail systems can be opened as soon as they dry out.



Information on the trail restrictions will continue to be made available through signs on major roads, news releases, radio announcements and website notices.



Naches Ranger District recreation managers will continue to assess the effectiveness of the spring motorized trail closure with regard to the intent of protecting trails and reducing annual maintenance needs.







-End-

Merrick Graves had some info to share...


Quote:
Somewhat true, the USFS is not doing this. The land that Plum Creek Logging owned is now managed Washington Department Of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). WDFW ended up with the land after the Nature Conservancy aquired it and did a land swap with Washington state. The manager of the Oak Creek Game Management unit put together a plan and put it thru the public comment process (where were your comments?) (this was a topic at a USFS sponsored TWIG mtg as well as at the PNW4WDA Wa exc Land Mtg) (and other WDFW meetings). WDFW is now starting to implement the plan. WDFW is not in the trail/road business, they manage wildlife and fish, so they are in the learning process with these lands.WDFW is mandating that the trails on their lands will be managed to state standards (Kinda like how DNR manages motorized lands) There is much to be done in the areas that WDFW aquired. A Discover Pass requirement is also part of that plan. With the numerous crossings of USFS and WFDW lands you best pay attention are you traverse the area. WDFW has enforcement in their plan. Woodpecker is being rerouted so that the start (lower end) of it is on the old Plum Creek road that PC put in for the last logging unit that PC harvested in the area prior to the sale of 16 sections in the Bald Mountain area. Other changes are to take place such as when multiple routes exist as part of the same trail they (the bypass's) will be closed down to where one will remain. Cow or Cattle Camp is on WDFW land as is Rock House, Bald Mtn, 4W675, 4w670, and numerous roads in the Rock Creek Drainage.The Motorcycle trail 966 will be returned to being a M/C trail (from Gold Creek to Bald Mtn)(short cut to Whistling Jacks from Bald Mtn).

It's been in the plans since WDFW aquired the lands. The last Nova funding cycle is where the monies came from. The plans were not fully funded. I know the Manager, he is a doer when it comes to these type of things.

Google Earth should show the trail that connects the FS1703(Gold Creek) (you must use the FS 1705, Spring Creek to get to the upper 1703) to Bald Mtn via a Motorcycle trail. Many years ago while under Plum Creek management the users converted the trail to 4x use. It is a very popular route. WDFW plans to return it to a M/C only trail.

Oh and by the way the FS1708 (Milk Creek) is open. It's back in pretty good shape to the point where it enters WDFW land (just past where the Lily Pond Trail spur road heads towards Lily Pond).