Comments on West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest Needed by Nov.14

Action Alert

For Immediate Release
10-26-05
Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Specialist

303-545-9011

The Monongahela National Forest, in West Virginia, is now accepting public comments on the proposed Forest Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) until November 14, 2005. It is important for mountain biker's voices to be heard. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association (WVMBA) urge you to comment.

Please help influence the way the Monongahela will be managed for the next 15 to 20 years.

The proposed Forest Plan includes four areas of recommended Wilderness, but the final draft could encompass as many as 11 areas, with 118 miles of trails and 25 miles of gated forest roads, including the Spruce Knob/ Seneca Creek backcountry. IMBA and WVMBA propose a diversity of designations to protect these undeveloped lands, rather than just the federal Wilderness designation, which bans bikes.

Help us ask the Monongahela National Forest planners to include mountain biking in their plans.

What to say:

The Forest Service's preferred alternative offers the best opportunities for mountain bikers but it has limitations. We support an amended alternative #2 that designates Roaring Plains and Cranberry Expansion as non-motorized backcountry recreation managed for multi-use, including bicycles.
Mountain bikers want access to backcountry recreation areas, and are concerned about restricted trail access in Seneca Creek, Roaring Plains, Cranberry Expansion and Dolly Sods North.
We do not want these areas designated as Wilderness.
Because Wilderness bans bicycles, we request diverse designations, including Remote Backcountry Areas, improved National Scenic Areas and National Protection Areas be used to protect the land while allowing bicycles.
The Forest Service has not properly emphasized the issue or the impact of possible trail restrictions created by Wilderness designations resulting from recommended Wilderness in the Forest Plan.
Mountain bikers support a healthy environment and land protection through diverse land designations - Wilderness is not the only option.

The draft management plan can be viewed here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/plan_revision/plan_revision.htm

How To Be Heard:

Letters are the most effective way to comment. They must be postmarked by November 14, 2005. E-mails should be sent before that date.

Postal mail:

Monongahela National Forest
Forest Plan Revision
200 Sycamore Street
Elkins, WV 26241

e-mail: