[chumley]

The Wild and Scenic designation of Fossil Creek means bureaucrats can get involved in making poor choices for the places we love!

Of course, with a little bit of involvement from us, perhaps the things they decide to implement will make more sense? (I know, I doubt it too.)

But here's some info if you're feeling ambitious:

Coconino and Tonto Forests Host Public Meetings About Future Management of Fossil Creek
Date: September 10, 2010
Contact: Coconino Supervisor's Office - 928-527-3600

Phoenix, AZ — Coconino and Tonto national forest officials will host two public meetings September 21 and 22 about the future management of Fossil Creek.

The Fossil Creek planning team is seeking public input in determining management plans for the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River.

The first meeting is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. September 21 at the Arizona Game and Fish Office, 5000 West Carefree Highway, Phoenix, Ariz.

The second meeting is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. September 22 at the Du Bois Center Ballroom, NAU South Campus, Flagstaff, Ariz.

Fore more Information, call Lynn Humphrey, Fossil Creek planning team leader, 541-750-7158. Visit Fossil Creek Wild & Scenic River for more information about the project.

I personally think that the planning team leader should start by not having an Oregon phone number, but I'm not sure if that's the kind of feedback they're really looking for.

[Nighthiker]

Very popular area with only the required two meetings.

[big_load]

At least the meetings aren't in Oregon, too.

[chumley]

Dschur posted an update on the Fossil Springs road closure and it made me think about this whole thing again.

While it's not surprising, it's clear that the FS isn't going to complete it's management plan in 2012 as the schedule indicates.
See http://redrockcountry.org/fossil/index.shtml for all the details of the proposal
Note: "Charge fees all year" is in the proposal.

The more I think about this, the more I believe that the whole area should be designated wilderness, or at least the road forever closed to motor vehicles at the Fossil Springs Trailhead west of Strawberry as well as a few miles west of the creek on the Camp Verde side. The TH will need some improvements and possibly still a permit system that limits the number of hikers per day, but if the creek, waterfalls, and swimming holes can't be accessed without a 3-mile hike I think a lot of the problems go away. Make it like the waterline trail on the sf peaks. If there's a need for official access to the powerlines it's available, but otherwise it's closed to all except hikers, equestrian, etc.

None of that will actually happen because it doesn't involve charging fees for use, and I guarantee you the FS is going to make sure that they can turn this into a money-maker. I say send the yahoo swimmers to the slide-rock fecal-matter pools. Make Fossil Creek a wilderness area.

I think it's ironic that the river was actually better served environmentally when there was a flume and a power plant than it is now that it's a "wild and scenic" river.

[hikeaz]

I think it's ironic that the river was actually better served environmentally when there was a flume and a power plant than it is now that it's a "wild and scenic" river.

Just like 'The Wave' (and the Buckskin to a large degree) - before they started 'permitting' it, you'd never see anyone there.

The USFS uses 'camp hosts' at campgrounds all over the country - set him/her up in an outfitter tent down at the end of the Flume Rd. to walk around and help educate the dim-wits - and leave alone the competent majority. With what they will spend on this bureaucratic crap you could pay him/her pretty well. (Of course that doesn't keep hundreds of feds or their 'scientific' counterparts employed either)
Re. charging a fee.. recall that the USFS just had a Judge give them a little reading lesson, reminding them that to charge a fee all of these MUST be provided: restrooms, picnic tables, garbage receptacles (sure, trash trucks heading down from Strawberry to empty the dumpster - I can see it now...), parking, signing and patrols. And also that NO FEE may be charged for: General access - Pass-through travel by car, foot, boat, or horse - Scenic overlooks and pullouts - Wayside exhibits - Parking only - Dispersed areas with low or no investment - Information centers at administrative offices - Right-of-access permitted hunting & fishing access (keep those licenses handy, boys!) - Extra services for needs of disabled - Facility entry & use of standard amenity fee sites and services for persons under 16 & education. (oh, so Boy Scouts get in FREE!)



There IS an Arizona-based gal also on the 'team'.... rather than just complain here - remember to call or email her as well.

Elizabeth Dykstra
ID Team Leader, Fossil Creek
USDA Forest Service
(928) 527-3419
edykstra@fs.fed.us

[The Hippy]

I was really irked when I read this last year and saw no changes being made.
http://www.hcn.org/issues/43.3/arizonas ... d-to-death


end of this month my boyfriend and I will be taking the Subaru and the mountain bikes out to FC, park the Suby at Sally Mae and ride the bikes from there.
I'm really hoping nothing is closed, we went last year and some kids were having a huge neon desert rave down at the power plant...crazy!

i wish i had time to be part of some team to make decisions on how to care for FC, oh the changes to be made and how simple it all would be!!!
i was, however, able to send a few rather choice emails and phone calls to some friends in that area and they sent them along accordingly.
only time will tell how the "government" decides to take care of FC...until then those of us that are competent...just keep doing what we do, pick up other peoples trash, its goo karma! practice leave no trace and educate the future generations on conservation and preservation...all we can do but every bit helps.

[chumley]

District recreation officer in charge of Fossil Creek, points to two other Arizona riparian areas as possible models. Aravaipa Creek Wilderness currently operates under a permit system that allows no more then 50 people per day and no more than 10 people per party. Permits for spring and fall weekends at Aravaipa usually sell out within hours. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, outside of Tucson, charges a day use fee and can only be reached by foot or shuttle bus.

I sure hope they don't go the Sabino way. I'd much prefer the Aravaipa model...

[azpride]

Man, Aravapia is pristine. I would love to see Fossil Creek that way.