Action Needed by March 30, 2008

The Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) was established by Congress to protect the spectacular botanical, fisheries, and recreational values of the Smith River Watershed.

Most people want a forest road system that provides reasonable access to the back country, while protecting the unique values of the Smith watershed. A few extreme off road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts are pressuring the Forest Service to allow ORV use in the most sensitive portions of the Recreation Area.

Please take a few minutes to complete the action alert below, to make your voice heard.

The Smith River Watershed: A Haven for Salmon and Wildlands...?

The Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) was established by Congress to protect the spectacular botanical, fisheries, and recreational values of the Smith River Watershed. From the high-alpine beauty of the Siskiyou Wilderness to the iconic splendor of the coastal redwoods, the Smith River NRA provides some of the best recreational opportunities on the West Coast.

The Smith River NRA is the heart of one of the largest wild and scenic river systems (315 miles) in the U.S. The Smith River watershed is home to rich ecological diversity. Over 176 miles of anadromous fish habitat, over 300 species of wildlife, and 7 distinct plant communities contribute to the lush natural environment of the Smith River NRA.

The Smith River NRA is famous for its world-class salmon, steelhead and trout fishery, as well as its spectacular kayaking and white-water rafting opportunities. The Smith River NRA is also home to numerous plant species that grow nowhere else in the world and the rare Port-Orford cedar. Unfortunately, the watersheds of the Recreation Area have been significantly degraded by past logging, mining and road building activities.

Currently the Forest Service does not have an adequate budget to maintain the bloated network of logging roads and mining routes that fragment wildlife habitat and harm water quality. So the agency is in the process of determining which roads to keep, and which roads to decommission.

...Or an ORV Playground?

While most people want a forest road system that provides reasonable access while protecting the unique values of the Smith watershed, a few irresponsible off road vehicle (ORV) enthusiasts are politically pressuring the Forest Service to allow ORV use in most sensitive and fragile portions of the Recreation Area. While the Forest Service intends to maintain over 265 miles of road for motorized use, and designate over 28 miles of back-country trails specifically for ORV enthusiasts, this evidently isn't enough for some zealots who believe that they should be able to ride wherever they want, regardless of the impacts on watershed or on other forest users.

Please take a moment to write to the Smith River District Ranger to let her know that you value the few remaining roadless areas in the Recreation Area for their wild character, clean water and biological diversity.

A Letter to the Forest Service Can Make a Difference. Thanks toKlamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center for the alert.

Use this address to send a letter via snail mail or use the template below to send an email:
Mary Kay Vandiver
District Ranger
Smith River National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 228
Gasquet, CA 95543