Forest Service 35A road closures proposed...150 miles

neb · Jan 9, 2012

www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=36560
The Forest Service is currently working on its' road closure plan for the Coronado Natl. forest. This has the closure of 150+ miles of roads from the Huachucas to the border in Unit 35A. The comment period goes into February and the closures are to be implemented in early 2013.
I would advise anyone interested in this issue to review the plan and comment on it at the FS site.
Having hunted, camped, hiked in these areas for 35+ years, I am opposed to these un-needed closures of roads that have been present for 30-40-50 years or more. Over the last 30 years we have lost much access in these areas due to Wilderness and Trail designation.
My guess is that they have already decided what they will do and will only be affected by overwhelming opposition to these closures.
These closures will adversly affect hunter access and Border Patrol enforcement abilities and will do nothing to "protect sensitive areas".
Neb

BuzzH · Jan 9, 2012

Looks to me like most of the roads being closed are ones that dont go anywhere, or more than likely, punched in illegally.

From looking at all the maps, there is plenty of roads left open to access most all of it within a reasonable hike, most of it within 1-3 miles.

Didnt see anywhere that these closures made access unreasonable.

I bet the deer hunting improves in there.

Sell the atv and buy some hiking boots.

neb · Jan 9, 2012

There are currently only 5 comments on this issue at the FS comment site (all opposing the closures). If they are not flooded with opposition, these closures will be a done deal. Please spread the word.
neb

neb · Jan 9, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-09-12 AT 11:46AM (MST)[p]By that logic, close every side road from Canelo to Parker Canyon Lake. Several of the roads listed do not exist but many are loop roads and have been present for the 35 years I have been hunting in the areas. There are ample areas of Wilderness to hike in multiple miles if one wishes. unfortunately, adding 35 years of wear and tear makes it a little tougher to get in to some places.
The "Sell the ATV and buy some hiking boots" comment was not needed of helpful. You have no idea how much hiking I do or have done to make a snide comment like that.
Once access is closed they never open it up again.

neb · Jan 11, 2012

35 comments today on the road closures , all opposed to them.

IChaseCoues · Jan 18, 2012

Does this affect the Mustangs?

neb · Jan 18, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-18-12 AT 07:33PM (MST)[p]I did not see anything in the Mustangs but I don't think they are Natl. Forest. If you go to the site and look at the 4 maps the red roads are closures and the green /striped are restricted (i.e. no public access). It looks like they are prepping these areas for wilderness designation. They need blocks of 5000 acres without roads to push this later. The whetstones map shows most of it designated roadless already, again prepping for wilderness. If you look at the maps the closures are major. The Sierra Vista (Huachuca) Whitetail club voted overwhelmingly to oppose these closures. We are also looking into the application of RS-2477 rules to help keep the roads that were present prior to 1976. Idaho and Utah Sportsmen have used this effectively recently to stop some wilderness and road closures.
neb

neb · Jan 24, 2012

I thought I would send a follow up note after my contacts with the Border Patrol today.
I called the Border Patrol today and struggled through 3 underlings to get to the ?Public Information Officer? (at 520-748-3000) at the District Office of the Tucson District to ask about the BP input and policy/advisement on the proposed Forest service road closures in the Huachucas and access issues for the ranch road. You?d think I was calling to ask if the were seeing Martians....... the P.I.O. said ? I don't know anything about proposed road closures or the Forest Service plan? and ?This is the first I've heard about this plan? and several times referred me to the Forest Service for any questions. I left my number with her and asked if she could check on this issue and get back to me.
None of the people I talked to would or could give any info at all. The thought that the Border Patrol would not be intimately involved in the closures of 150 miles of roads within 20-30 miles of the Border is mind boggling to me. Maybe I just hit an isolated pocket of unawareness, but of the 4 people I spoke to , none would comment or acted like they knew anything about the proposed road closures.
Nathan Beneze

muleymaniac · Jan 27, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-27-12 AT 01:39PM (MST)[p]first kaibab - then coconino coronado proposal tonto proposals - they do not want us in their NF get it - good live with it

we have no options on how they regulate roads and access - the greenies are in control - hunting / camping heritages are lost for a long time !!

neb · Jan 28, 2012

I saw the Tonto proposals only allow you did go off the road one car length......In the Kaibab in Unit 9 they made it 30 feet. So if you set your camp 35 feet off a road you'll be in violation. I do not think 95% of the hunting have a clue these things have been done.
We're trying to fight this one as much as possible. But you do not have a say in any appeals process if you've not made objection during the comment phase which ends 2/28/2012 for the Coronado plan.

m_freeman · Feb 25, 2012

Honestly I don't mind leaving the car near the road and walking in a little bit if it preserves the wilderness. My concern is when the greenies stop the use all together.

neb · Feb 28, 2012

With a number of the closures "walking in a little bit" goes from 1-3 miles to 3-7 miles of rugged, Illegal/drug-runner infested country with roads that Forest Service and Border Patrol can use but the public cannot. There is already a 22,000 acre (34 square mile) Wilderness put in 1985 that blocked many miles of access roads. Fort Huachuca to the north completely blocks hunting access from the north side. I am on the CAT (Collaberative Alternative Team) along with several reps from hunting/outdoor groups who will meet in Sierra Vista on 3/13/2012 to see if we can come up with alternative plans to mitigate the worst of the closures. The last day to comment is 2/28 on specific roads. I would urge anyone hunting in 34A.35A and 35B to look at the map and comment on specifics if they have knowledge or interest in the openness or closure of specific roads or send me an email with the specifics so the information can be considered in the CAT meeting.
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