Pine-Strawberry Trail Improvements Proposed, need comments

[Sredfield]

The FS is seeking comments on big trail and trailhead improvements near Pine. I don't find any official announcement other than what appeared in the
Payson Roundup last week. The article is behind a pay wall but maybe you can see it at https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/loca ... e684d.html

Any positive comments you can make or elicit would be great. Due date is end of the month.

Proposed Action: Pine - Strawberry 11.7mb PDF

[chumley]

@Sredfield As a local community trail that utilizes adjacent FS land, this obviously affects the folks who live nearby the most, but if I read between the lines in that article, it seems like one person at the Payson RD is going rogue a little bit and not getting much help from HQ in Phoenix (and perhaps not even in Payson lol).

The Forest Service requires [Payson Ranger District Recreation Officer Angela] Abel to open the proposed trail and trailhead plan to public comment until Oct. 31

FWIW, the paywall popup didn't block access when visiting the site via my phone, ymmv.

[Sredfield]

@chumley
Ha! I"m certain no one is going rogue.

[hikeaz]

Here lies the rub: Portal 3 HOA has attempted to close off our access to public roads that lead to our National Forest. For years they have put up illegal signs that say private road, when it is in fact a public road. They have put up “no parking” and “no forest access” signs on the Trails End Drive, which is shown on the official maps as a 54 foot wide public roadway.) (Note - Spruce Dr and Juniper Dr have been renamed to Juniper Loop, as shown in the parcel map. The portion of Hilltop Drive along lots 121 to 124, between Juniper Loop and the TNF was formerly known as Manzanita Road, and is also a public road.)
So these are deeded public roads that lead to the National Forest. All other roads in Portal 3 are private. The signs themselves likely violate Gila County Zoning ordinance, section 103.6-B : “Signs, other than traffic safety signage, will not be allowed in any existing or projected street, right of way, or street easement.”
Even if the public were to park on the sides of the road, off the 25 to 35 feet of pavement, they would still be in the deeded 54 foot wide public area (27 feet to each side, from the center line.) Wouldn't the proposed small parking lot for four to five vehicles be a better solution?
https://www.portal3.org/_files/ugd/9b3c ... 2790a7.pdf

[big_load]

ere lies the rub: Portal 3 HOA has attempted to close off our access to public roads that lead to our National Forest. They have put up illegal signs that say private road, when it is in fact a public road. They have put up “no parking” and “no forest access” signs on the Trails End Drive, which is shown on the official maps as a 54 foot wide public roadway.)

Years ago, I experienced the same thing in newly-built neighborhoods adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. They put "no tresspassing" signs on the pre-existing access road around which the neighborhood was built and wallpapered a trailhead parking lot with "no parking" signs. People who do that kind of thing are attempting to defraud citizens of access to public lands and should be treated accordingly.

[hikeaz]

Yep... just like the Sedonaites..... Now that I am here, lock them out!

[Sredfield]

Send your comments to the FS--angela.abel@usda.gov

[Nighthiker]

Article regarding the proposed trailhead in today's Payson Roundup newspaper.

[chumley]

@Nighthiker
https://www.paysonroundup.com/news/loca ... 5c9eb.html