Take Action- Help protect the Wild Rogue
FLOW, 30.12.2004 20:00
Please comment on jetboat special use permits for the Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River!
Public comments are currently being accepted for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding the special use permits for outfitter and guide operations on the Lower Rogue and Lower Illinois Rivers. This DEIS will influence activities on 34 miles of the Lower Rogue and 3.8 miles of the Lower Illinois.
* * * rogue jet boats * * *
Please attend a public meeting with the Forest Service to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Where: Rogue Regency Inn, Medford, 2345 Crater Lake Highway
When: 7:00 PM, January 3rd, 2005
Written comments must be received by Monday, January 10.
There is a sample letter below and facts regarding effects of outfitter activities, such as the operation of motorized tourboats/jetboats on the Wild Rogue. Please send, by postal mail or e-mail, your comment letter.
Your comments are crucial in determining how the Forest Service develops its Final Environmental Impact Statement and manages these waters.
The DEIS is available online at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou/projects/special-use/outfitter-rogue-illinois-river/rr-deis-11-04-04.pdf
To send a comment letter and read more about the proposal:
http://www.oregonwaters.org/LowerRogueJetboatSUPprofile.htm
Mail to:
John Borton, District Ranger
Chetco and Gold Beach Ranger Districts
29279 Ellensburg
Gold Beach, OR 97444
E-mail:
comments-pacificnorthwest-siskiyou-chetco-goldbeach@fs.fed.us
Sample comment letter:
Dear John Borton and Siskiyou National Forest:
I am aware that the Siskiyou National Forest is developing an analysis of special use permits for outfitters on the Lower Rogue and Illinois Rivers and is determining whether or not the special use permits should be reissued or amended. I support the development of an alternative that would drastically reduce or eliminate entirely the activity of motorized jetboats on these magnificent Wild Rivers. Particularly in the Wild section of the Rogue, I support the "no action" alternative, or not renewing the permits.
I am very concerned about the impacts of intensive jetboat use on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Corridor. Large motorized jetboats disturb the river environment, negatively impacting fish and other aquatic species-such as the Northwester Pond Turtle. Furthermore, their noise and large wakes disturb the wildlife values for which the Rogue was originally designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Ultimately, the DEIS fails to adequately analyze the effects of re-issuing the permits under the Preferred Alternative. How can this document ensure the protection of all the rivers Outstanding Remarkable Values (ORVs) when the Fisheries ORV will clearly be diminished by levels of motorboat use that are "likely to adversely effect" Coho salmon?
Jetboats, in disrupting the fisheries and wildlife resources of the Rogue River, also negatively impact the recreational experience of users who hope to enjoy the spectacular qualities of the Rogue's wildlife, fisheries, and scenery. The public interest is in preserving the qualities of the river that caused it to be included as a charter piece of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, and in not giving undo preference to the highly disruptive activity of one type of user-namely, motorized jetboats/tourboats.
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act requires that the outstandingly remarkable values for which a river was designated must be "protected and enhanced." The preferred alternative in the DEIS should reflect this legal mandate instead of giving preference to commercial interests.
Thank you,
Your name
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For more information or to discuss volunteering with FLOW please contact Dan Serres, 541-241-FLOW, flow@oregonwaters.org or dserres@oregonwaters.org
To read more about the proposal: http://www.oregonwaters.org/LowerRogueJetboatSUPprofile.htm
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Too bad I Missed This 21.02.2005 - 14:03 Unfortunately I've been away from Rogue Valley IMC and have missed this news. Please keep us informed on further news concerning this issue. Rural Anarchist> |