North Fork American Land Acquisition

(an open letter to District Ranger Rich Johnson of Tahoe National Forest)

Hey Rich, you wrote,

"GOOD NEWS!! See attached news release. rich j."

Thank you very much, Rich, for your fine efforts!!!

In that press release, you were quoted as follows:

"This parcel completes our efforts with SPI to protect this truly wild river ... ."

The press release does not make it clear, but I presume the 640 acres in question is Section 21, T16N R13E, near the confluence of Big Granite Canyon and the North Fork, which includes a portion of the Big Granite Trail. Incidentally, the ca. 1875 GLO map of this area has the legend "Rough Barren Mountains" centered over Section 21. And for this we paid $700,000, and that, *after* SPI helicopter-logged the section?

I strongly object to the idea that "This parcel completes our efforts." Our efforts should by no means be "completed" by this acquisition. This "completion" is based upon the pathetic notion of a Wild & Scenic River "corridor," defined by Congress to extend a quarter-mile to either side of the center of a given river.

Here we have the one and only American River Canyon. It is Placer County's Yosemite and might very well become a National Park. Does the great canyon extend only 1/4 mile to either side of the North Fork? No. Do the trails which give access to it extend only 1/4 mile to either side of the North Fork? No. Do the amazingly beautiful views from scenic overlooks up and down the canyon extend only 1/4 mile from the river? No.

For instance, the Big Granite Trail has already been damaged by SPI and another lumber outfit, CHY, on lands to the north of Section 21. The Sugar Pine Point Trail has been well-nigh obliterated by SPI in nearby Section 17, for instance. But they are not through ruining our heritage.

So, Rich, to me, anyway, it is silly to talk about "completing our efforts." There is very much more land, many thousands of acres, which I believe must be acquired by TNF, if the true extent and ambience of our wild heritage, in the American River Canyon, is to be preserved for future generations. To name just a few areas:

1. Snow Mountain.
2. Wildcat Point (Section 31, between Wildcat and Wabena canyons).
3. Sugar Pine Point, Four Horse Flat.
4. The North Fork of the North Fork.
5. Between the Royal Gorge and The Cedars.
6. Green Valley.
7. Rawhide Mine.

So, it's not time for "Job well done; now we can relax," but rather, "Job underway, but we must both increase the pace, and broaden the scope, of land acquisitons in and around the American River Canyon."

Thanks again,

Russell Towle

BLM Planning Process

The Folsom Area Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is engaged in revising its management plan. Below please find a letter to

John Scull

with regard to this plan, in which I used a "comment form" devised by the BLM.

I hope all of you will send similar letters (emails). The BLM needs to hear from us! Please copy me if possible.

(***)
Dear Mr. Scull,

I have heard that Folsom BLM will be forming a new Resource Management Plan for the lands it administers. I wish to make some comments and suggestions, in this email, and will use your "Comment Form" as a template. I understand that I should limit myself to one topic per Comment Form; so here is one topic.

I also wish to be added to your mailing list.

Here then, are my comments:

(***begin Comment Form***)

Topic/Issue: North Fork American River

Watershed: American

I think the BLM ought to:

The BLM ought to protect the wildness, beauty, and public access to the North Fork American Wild & Scenic River, including the entire canyon and canyon rim. Use land acquisition as a principal tool. That is, continue the BLM's past efforts to purchase private inholdings in the North Fork canyon, but expand the scope of these efforts, and increase the pace of the acquisitions.

In particular, in 1978 Congress created the Gold Run Addition (GRA) to the NF W&SR. The BLM was ordered to pursue land acquisitions in the GRA. No lands have been purchased. Private lands within the GRA are currently for sale, making some 250 acres, part of 800 acres which extend through the Diggings, north, to I-80.

The BLM ought to *buy all 800 acres for sale at Gold Run*.
The BLM ought to *close BLM lands in and around the GRA to mineral entry and quiet all existing claims*. That would include the 800 acres mentioned above.
The BLM ought to *post an OHV closure on the GRA*.
The BLM ought to *restore public access, if only by foot, horse, and bicycle, to the Fords Bar Trail at Gold Run*.
The BLM ought to *restore public access to the Paleobotanist Trail, near Garrett Road, within the GRA*.
The BLM ought to *seek to acquire every private parcel on both canyon rims, from Lovers Leap on the east to (at least) Secret Canyon on the west, to protect the viewshed, maintain open space, and preserve public access to old trails and scenic overlooks*.
The BLM ought to *acquire private inholdings on the Blue Wing Trail, northeast of Iowa Hill*.
The BLM ought to *employ a full-time resident Ranger at Gold Run*.
The BLM ought to *perform a Wilderness Study on the North Fork canyon from Green Valley on the east to Fords Bar on the west, and seek Wilderness designation*.
The BLM ought to *close the Truro Mine Road to motorized access*. This road could be used as a mountain bike trail.
The BLM ought to *restore public access to the Roach Hill Road, through to Giant Gap Ridge, if only by foot, horse, and bicycle*.


Because:

The North Fork American River is quite rarely wild and beautiful, and should stay that way for the enjoyment of future generations. Already a W&SR, it could well become a National Park. Folsom BLM has done some wonderful things to preserve the North Fork, and should do more. It was frankly realized in the W&SR studies of the 1970s that the North Fork is in a rapidly growing area, and that special care would be needed to preserve the viewshed and protect public access. What was true then is only so much more true now, with millions and millions more people in California. There was urgency then, there should be even more urgency, now. Public access to our historic trails is a critical part of the future of the North Fork. Scenic values are exceptional and irreplaceable. Wild lands and open spaces are of great importance to our quality of life in California.

Optional (in order to be added to the BLM mailing list):

Russell Towle
P.O. Box 141
Dutch Flat, CA 95714

(***end Comment Form***)

Thanks for your consideration of these matters.

Sincerely,
(***)

Cheers,

Russell Towle

Placer Land Trust

Recently I learned that the Placer Land Trust (PLT) has become involved in efforts to acquire private inholdings in and around the North Fork canyon. They are looking at parcels between Secret Ravine on the west (near the base of the Stevens Trail), and Green Valley on the east (near the base of the Green Valley Trail).

In this they seem to be allied with the American River Conservancy in its "Giant Gap Project." Lands purchased would go to the BLM, which administers the North Fork American Wild & Scenic River from Green Valley to the Colfax-Iowa Hill bridge.

The desired parcels include some, but not all, of the 800 acres currently for sale in the Gold Run Diggings. I consider acquisition of these lands to be of the very highest priority; they contain much of the Canyon Creek Trail and the Paleobotanist Trail, as well as the historic hydraulic mine pit of the Gold Run Ditch & Mining Company. I only wish the scope were broadened to encompass all the 800 acres.

The PLT's homepage is at

http://www.placerlandtrust.org/

and may I suggest, they are worthy of our support, and can accept tax-deductible donations. Information may be obtained by emailing

info@placerlandtrust.org

With regard to the PLT's work in the North Fork, the Sacramento Bee reports as follows:

*******
Trust receives donation

By Art Campos -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, November 18, 2004

The United Auburn Indian Community has donated $50,000 to Placer Land
Trust, a nonprofit agency that is raising money to buy and preserve 630 acres
of wildland within the North Fork American scenic corridor.

The tribe, which owns and operates Thunder Valley Casino, presented the
check Saturday in a ceremony at Beermann's restaurant in Lincoln.

The UAIC established the Community Giving Program as a philanthropic branch
of its tribal government. It provides up to $1 million annually to nonprofit
groups that support education, health, arts, the environment, community
development and social services.
*******

Action Alert

The good John Moore of the Sierra Club, whose sustained efforts over many years have forwarded land acquisitions by Tahoe National Forest (TNF) in and near the North Fork American River, asked that I forward this "action alert" from the Trust for Public Land, to all of you.

Briefly, the "old railroad lands" which mostly passed to Sierra Pacific Industries (the notorious lumber company) have been all-too-slowly purchased by TNF. I wish to see TNF expand the scope, and increase the pace, of these acquisitions. Maybe the historic Big Granite Trail wouldn't be getting ruined, right now, if we all had been more diligent in letting our representatives know that our Placer County wildlands are very important.

I suggest that you use the links at the bottom of this action alert to send emails to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, "to support the $1.5 million funding level for the Sierra Nevada Inholdings program in the final Interior Appropriations bill and thank them for their continued strong support for this important project."


*******
ACTION ALERT *** ACTION ALERT *** ACTION ALERT

HELP PROTECT LAND IN THE SIERRA NEVADA!

Congress is nearing completion of the FY 2005 federal budget and final
decisions on spending levels for next year will be made in the next few
weeks.

The Senate recently recommended $1.5 million for the Sierra Nevada
Inholdings program. It is very important that you continue to urge your
Senators to support the $1.5 million funding level for the Sierra Nevada
Inholdings program in the final Interior Appropriations bill and thank
them for their continued strong support for this important project.

It is critical that this funding level be included in the final
appropriations bill, or the opportunity to preserve this critical land
may be lost!

PLEASE SUPPORT FUNDING FOR SIERRA NEVADA INHOLDINGS!

The Sierra Nevada Inholdings program is a high priority for the Forest
Service because it aims to consolidate checkerboard lands within the
national forests of the central Sierra, as well as to protect river
canyons and watersheds in the region. Lands available for acquisition in
FY 2005 within the Sierra Nevada Inholdings program include 580 acres
along the North Fork American River and 773 acres of the Barker Pass
property, both of which are within the Tahoe NF. The North Fork’s steep
gorges and exciting rapids attract river rafters from around the
country, while hikers and backpackers are drawn to the challenging
trails and outstanding camping opportunities in surrounding forest
lands. At Barker Pass, a nearby Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
trailhead is a popular access point into the high Sierra from Lake
Tahoe. Because of its accessibility and beautiful views, hikers, fishers
and campers- frequently use the area.

PLEASE ACT NOW!

Before Congress completes its work on next year’s conservation funding,
please contact Senators Feinstein and Boxer. Thank them again and
encourage them to maintain the Senate’s $1.5 million recommendation for
the Sierra Nevada Inholdings program funded through the Land and Water
Conservation Fund in the final FY 2005 Interior Appropriations bill.


PLEASE CONTACT:
(NOTE: There is a significant delay in the delivery of letters to
Members of Congress due to security concerns. Instead, we strongly
encourage you to fax, call, or electronically contact your Member of
Congress in order to ensure prompt receipt. For online contact, please
go to the congressional websites listed below and follow instructions
for constituent contact.)

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein The Honorable Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senate U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202 224-3841 Phone: 202 224-3553
Fax: 202 228-3954 Fax: 415 956-6701
Email: http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html Email:
http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.html
*******

LWCF funds, North Fork

Letters of support for continued LWCF funding for land acquisitions in the North Fork canyon are needed. Below, my letter to Congressman John Doolittle. I sent the same letter, only changing the address and salutation etc. as needed, to Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (each addressed U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510). The letter is short, and might have been shorter--or longer--but for all its faults I think it is "good enough."

Both Senators, and probably Congressman Doolittle, have email forms for sending letters electronically, on their web sites, if anyone prefers that method. Google their homepages, go there, and click the email link.

*******
March 25, 2004

Congressman John Doolittle
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

re: LWCF funds, North Fork of the American River

Dear Congressman Doolittle:

Please support LWCF funding for Tahoe National Forest's land acquisition efforts in the great canyon of the North Fork American River.

I have hiked this canyon and climbed the peaks surrounding it since 1972. Close to Interstate Highway 80, it is strangely and wonderfully wild and pristine. Its great depth, over 3000 feet for many miles, has protected it from development, from roads, and from logging. Of course it is a Wild & Scenic River, but for my part, I think we should create a North Fork American National Park, from the Sierra Crest near Squaw Valley, all the way down to Colfax.

Due to President Lincoln's railroad land grants, in the 1860s, there are substantial private inholdings within the North Fork canyon. These have largely passed into the ownership of Sierra Pacific Industries, famous for clearcutting. Tahoe National Forest should be applauded for its efforts to protect this remarkable canyon, and be encouraged to continue, and to increase its efforts.

It would be nearly impossible to exaggerate the pressures for development here in Placer County. The parcel of canyon land owned by XYZ lumber company today, may be subdivided into "view" parcels tomorrow. Drastic adverse impacts on some of the most beautiful scenery in California have already occurred. Further land acquisition by Tahoe National Forest will help avert such tragedies, as well as preserve historic public trails in this area, which have routinely suffered closure and obliteration.

Please, Congressman Doolittle, continue to support LWCF funding for the North Fork. We received this precious heritage from our parents; let us bequeath it intact to our children.

Sincerely,



Russell Towle
Box 141
Dutch Flat, CA 95714
*******

Thank you all for your consideration of this very important matter.

If only we could secure some LWCF funding for the BLM!

LWCF and the North Fork: letters needed!

There are letters to write.

Over several years Tahoe National Forest (TNF) has been engaged in acquiring private inholdings in and around the Wild & Scenic River "corridor" of the North Fork American River. Land and Water Conservation Act funds (LWCF) have been used to purchase these lands, principally from Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), a lumber company famed for clearcutting.

Unfortunately, TNF did not receive any LWCF funds for FY 2004. There is competition for these funds between many projects scattered across the United States. To help TNF secure these funds for FY 2005, letters to our representatives in Congress are needed. These letters may be short or long, but one way or another they must ask for LWCF funds for land acquisition in the North Fork American. Addresses are below.

John Moore of the Sierra Club has been working on this project for quite a few years now. He asked that I send the following along to all of you; it may help to write your letters. John and I differ, apparently, on what the scope of future TNF land acquisitions should be; below he writes "The 10-year campaign to buy the North Fork American lands can be finished this year if public support is strong enough." I myself think it is very far from finished. Howsoever, one step at a time, and thank goodness for John Moore!

*******
LETTERS NEEDED to HELP PRESERVE
NORTH FORK AMERICAN WILD RIVER!

Acquiring private lands along the North Fork American Wild River is an
essential first step to keep the Wild River pristine and a potential
Wilderness.

Only two large parcels along the Wild River in Tahoe NF are still
privately owned: Government Spring and section 21 at the bottom of Big
Granite Creek (1120 acres altogether). The price: $825,000.

The Government Spring parcel is part of the scenic view from the
Mumford Bar Trail at the river. Acquiring the Big Granite parcel is
important because the Big Granite watershed contributes a large volume
of pure water to the North Fork.

The 10-year campaign to buy the North Fork American lands can be
finished this year if public support is strong enough.

Your letters supporting the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
appropriation to buy the North Fork American lands should be sent to
Congressman Doolittle (U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC
20515) and to Senators Feinstein and Boxer (U.S. Senate, Washington DC
20510).

Some reasons for acquiring the Wild River lands worth mentioning in
your letter:

The North Fork is a truly Wild River in a pristine, deep, rugged canyon.

The River supports an excellent trout fishery managed as a Wild Trout
Stream.

The canyon provides habitat for numerous large mammals, including black
bear and mountain lion, and 150 species of birds, including falcons,
golden eagles, and goshawks.

The canyon offers solitude and outstanding recreational opportunities
for strenuous hikers and fishermen (mention your own experiences!).

Logging or residential development of the private lands would gravely
damage the pristine canyon.

Environmentalists and the Forest Service are also asking for funds to
buy other Sierra Nevada Inholdings. The other inholdings are (1) lands
in the Middle Fork American canyon downstream from French Meadows and
(2) lands at Barker Pass on the west rim of the Lake Tahoe Basin. I
urge you to support LWCF appropriations for all these Sierra Nevada
Inholdings.

North Fork American would have first priority for the appropriated
funds.

Briefly, the Middle Fork American canyon is wild, deep, and pristine,
like the North Fork canyon, and provides similar wildlife habitat and
fishing and other recreational opportunities. The lands at Barker Pass
are near the Pacific Crest Trail and adjacent to the Granite Chief
Wilderness. These lands are suitable for construction of second homes,
which would significantly degrade the viewshed from the Trail and the
experiences of wilderness users.

If you want more information, contact John Moore at (916)731-7153 or
jkmoore6891@sbcglobal.net.
*******

Thank you all for your consideration of this matter!