Jackson Forest Forum

A column appearing in the Mendocino Beacon and Fort Bragg Advocate News

July 17, 2008

RECREATION – this is the single most important aspect of Jackson Demonstration State Forest to many in our community. Avid campers, bicyclists, equestrians, hikers, shooters, and hunters use Jackson Forest regularly.

But, the number of recreation users today is small compared to the potential. For example, I feel confident that most people living on the coast don’t even know that there are 16 beautiful, widely separated public camp sites, some along the South Fork of the Noyo River, near historic Camp One, only about 8 miles from Fort Bragg. You can stay in these camps for up to two weeks, at no charge! While camped there, you have access to lightly traveled roads that are perfect for you or your children to bicycle, and there are numerous hiking routes. When the coast is fogged in, the summer daytime temperatures at these camps usually range from 75 to 80 degrees.

There are also numerous cross-country trails that are used by the local off-road cycling community. Few visitors are aware of these, and even fewer city enthusiasts know about them.

Why is there such limited recreation in our 50,000-acre public redwood forest? What can be done change this? These are questions being addressed the Recreation Subcommittee of the Jackson Advisory Group (JAG), an independent advisory body established as part of the new management plan for Jackson Forest approved in January of this year.

The answer to the first question is pretty clear. In the past, recreation was a low priority for the managers of Jackson Forest, who were charged with managing the forest as a timber operation. Most money from logging went to Sacramento.

Few resources were made available to handle all of the problems associated with public use of the forest – illegal off-road vehicle use and dumping, alcohol, drugs, noise and trash at campsites and party sites, vehicles causing environmentally damaging erosion during the winter, etc.

Without resources to do the job right, management discouraged forest use by “hiding” recreation sites, omitting signs advertising their existence and providing no maps of hiking or biking trails. They established a system of locked steel gates, failed to maintain recreation trails, and appalling to many local residents, dug ditches and placed rip rap across community trails into the state forest.

The answer to second question, “What can be done to change this?”, is going to be determined largely by the local community. Under the new management plan, recreation is an important component of the forest’s mission, and the independent advisory group, the JAG, has a mandate to assist in the development of a recreation users group, a user survey, and a long-term recreation plan.

At its last meeting, the JAG gave its Recreation Committee, consisting of Peter Braudrick and I, the authority to assist in the formation of the recreation group, act as a liaison between the group and Cal Fire and the JAG, and to draw upon the group for guidance in the development of a recreation plan.

If you want to see more and better recreation opportunities in Jackson Forest, now is the time to get involved. If you live near the forest and would like to see good access, maintained recreation trails, and no dumping, get involved.

f you’ve lived here a long time, you justifiably may be skeptical, but this time really is different. Funds to support recreation will be available because new legislation ensures that a major portion of logging revenues will come back to Jackson Forest. Further, the JAG has powerful support; so its recommendations will not be ignored.

The next meeting of the Recreation Committee will be on Saturday, July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Fort Bragg Senior Center, 490 North Harold Street. The first meeting was a great success, with 30 people attending. Five different recreation interests were represented: Hiking, Off Road Vehicles (OHV), Bicycling, Equestrian, and Shooting.

It was wonderful to see the respect, empathy, and mutual support expressed by almost everyone in the room. Everyone was excited by the obvious opportunity to see more and better recreation in Jackson Forest. Each interest group prepared a report giving its major interests, concerns, and goals.

At the next meeting, we will focus in on near-term priorities, assigning responsibilities, and setting milestones. We will also discuss how best to organize a Jackson Forest users group.

More information on the recreation meeting and the sub-group reports, as well as on recreating in the forest, is at www.jacksonforest.org .

Copyright Vince Taylor, 2008
Vince Taylor is a member of the Jackson Advisory Group

Northern California Trail Council (NCTC) Points

Submitted to the Recreation Committee by Cynthia LeDoux, July 3, 2008

There were several important points which should have been included:

1. Rd. 500 and 600 should be included as a main staging areas/trailheads.

2. Trailhead/Access from Mitchell Creek Rd./ JSDF 511 near Shoreline Arena should be (re)created and opened to equestrains, hikers, and bikers. Develop parking area.

3. Maps should have GPS coordinates(NAD 83/ Waypoints) trailheads should have waypoint markers, and website should have both. This way clear, concise reports can be made to CDF/JSDF, user groups can program their GPS, and use can be assesed and monitored to priotize maintenance activities.

4. Teaming with the other equestrain non-profit user groups such as the Northern California Trail Council (NCTC) and Shoreline Riders, Inc. (SRI) and the cycle club for trail improvements, patrol purposes, and funding of new water supply facilities such as the partnership happening between JSDF (Horvat) and NCTC (LeDoux) for the new water tank near Indian Springs.

5. JDFS should be one part of the larger Mendocino County Trails System with developed linkages with State Parks’ including Jug Handle, Big River, the Woodlands and cooperating private landowners. Keeping a larger vision in mind when considering trail development and/or decommission.

6. The historic and recorded Little Lake-Sherwood Trail should be repaired and maintained as it connects Willits to Mendocino through Parks, JDSF, and County Roads.

7. Investigate the development of easements w/ Campbell, MRC, and The Conservation Fund to maintain existing trails such as the JDSF 330- CMT 1000 (?), TCF to Big River State Park, etc… Lastly, defining trailhead vs. stageing area is really important as the groups appear to have interchanged the two words. These are some of the big points that I can think of off the top of my head. I will give this more thought between now and the 11th.

Cynthia LeDoux
Northern California Trail Council, president
Shoreline Riders, Inc, secretary

Recreation Committee Meeting

July 2nd, 2008

On July 28, 2008, the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group (JAG) had its first meeting. In addition to Committee members Peter Braudrick and Vince Taylor, about 30 avid recreationists attended. A brief introduction stressed that both the new management plan and the charter of the JAG mandate the development of expanded recreation opportunities in Jackson Forest. Now is the time for the community to make known its desires and to help design the recreation plan for the forest. The JAG has through 2010 to develop its recommendations for changes to the management plan. A recreation plan can be a part of the JAG’s recommendations. Unlike the past, Cal Fire is receptive to public input, and there will be funding to support recreation.

Five different recreation interests were represented, with many people supporting multiple interests: Hiking, Off Road Vehicles (OHV), Bicycling, Equestrian, and Shooting. It was wonderful to see the respect, empathy, and mutual support expressed by almost everyone in the room. Everyone was excited by the obvious opportunity to see more and better recreation in Jackson Forest.

The meeting broke into sub-groups to come up with points, goals, and priorities. Then each group presented its findings to the meeting as a whole, receiving comments and questions. There were common points among the groups. Almost everyone wanted an inventory and good maps of the present trails. There was a strong desire to expand the trail system. Also, the different groups wanted to be able to find ways to let each group have its favorite recreation without harming others’ pleasure in the forest.

I can summarize the feeling that pervaded the meeting in a few words: Respect, Enthusiasm, Anticipation.

Each group wrote up a report of the points coming out of its discussion. These are published here as separate posts; so that you can easily add your ideas, suggestions, and questions to the area of recreation that interests you the most:

• Bicycling Report
• Equestrian Report
• Hiking Report
• OHV Report
• Shooters Report

Please take the time to add your ideas and thoughts to the appropriate place. If you have an interest not represented in the reports, please add your thoughts in a comment to this post.

If you need background information on the policies and laws governing recreation in Jackson State Forest, you will find it here .

This was a great beginning. The next step will be a presentation of the results of this meeting to the Jackson Advisory Group at approximately 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2008. Agenda . Participants will summarize their points and answer questions. Anyone can add their comments.

If you are interested in being kept abreast of recreation committee meetings and developments, just say so in a comment.

If you would like to make your own post, contact me.

Let’s make Jackson Forest into the recreation paradise that it should be!

Vince

Woodlands Outdoor Center Points

Submitted to the Recreation Committee by Don Taylor (Director) and Jeanne Coleman, June 27, 2008

1) No logging in the special treatment area surrounding the Woodlands. (goal: inclusion of the special treatment area into state parks)

2) Provide recreational access in the form or hiking, biking, and horsetrails…connecting the different parks and communities.

3) Provide wildlife corridors…contiguous wildland areas for animals to move and breed.

4) Environmental or backcountry campsites

Bicycling Group Report

By Ray Duff

Meeting of the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group, June 28, 2008.

Participants: Ray Duff, Rick Riley, Chris Clutton, Jim Moorehead, and Jerry Blok

Results of short-term discussion of needs for bicyclists in Jackson Demonstration State Forest not necessarily in order of importance

1. Staging areas needed for recreation. A place to park, unload and load bicycles, safe to leave vehicles.

2. Longer trails for cyclists Connector trails and loop trails preferred. Dead end trails do not offer as much enjoyment for riders. Trails that loop or connect with other trails to allow longer rides for those who want ten to twenty miles of recreational use trail.

3. Maps are needed showing all trails, include loop trails, roads, staging areas.

4. Connecting trails between watersheds

5. There are problems with homeless and dope growers in State Forest. Cyclists are aware there are people living outdoors in forest and some illegal gardens, these pose special needs and concerns.

6. Signs are needed for trails, posted at trailhead and at intersections along trail

a. Identified trails are one way travelers do not get lost

b. Signs advise distance to objective, and rigor of trail.

c. Signs establish an identity for the trial that can be referred to in logging plans and             decommissioning of roads.

7. Multi use trails with rating on use – these can advise on need for closure during seasons. Trail use for some trails might have to be restricted in wet weather for protection of environment, and closed entirely at certain times.

8. Signs to find Jackson State recreation areas from Hwy 20, and at Camp 1, and Red Schoolhouse.

9. Post rules for trail use at trailheads and staging areas include restricted trails; e.g. trails only for hikers, or those trails for multi use, and locations of hazards.

10. Shooters deserve a separate area away from trail users, possibly out of sound distance with location well marked for persons who might happen into the perimeter.

11. Safe access for neighbors of the JDSF. There are property owners who live against or near the Forest. These need an opening to Forest that is safe.

12. Concern for timber operations that would inhibit trail use. Logging plans ought to include alternative recreational directions. If a logging plan includes cutting near recreational trails, an alternative area for recreation ought to be designated that is user friendly, easily accessible and in condition for use.

13. Roads may need to be decommissioned for environmental necessity, but previous road closures have left few alternatives for established recreational use. Consideration should be given to bridges, other amenities, and mitigations to promote recreational use.

14. Recreational Users of JDSF ought to be notified and allowed comment and input prior to road closures or decommission of roads.

15. A recreational crossing of Highway 20 is needed that avoids need to interface with traffic, possibly a tunnel under the highway. This would need to be a multi user passage.

Equestrian Group Report

By Forrest Tancer

Meeting of the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group, June 28, 2008.

Participants: Forrest Tancer, Stacey Bradley, and Lorraine Duff,

1. Designate and develop multi-use trailheads including Camp 1, Schoolhouse, Road 450.

   A. improve parking access

   B. possible manure boxes

   C. toilet facilities

   D. signage designating small and large loops from trailheads

2. Develop horse water on designated trails

3. Develop network of volunteers to maintain designated trails

4. Expand and modernize existing horse camps to accommodate larger trailers etc.

5. Designate some existing camping areas at Camp 1 to allow for horses

6. Create new map of JDSF that identifies hiking, biking, ATV, Equestrian trails and shooting areas.

7. Promote JDSF as a horseback riding destination in Mendocino County

Hiking Group Report

By Nancy Banker

Meeting of the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group, June 28, 2008.

Participants : Nancy McCarthy, Agnes Woolsey, David Jensen, Jim Moorehead, Linda Perkins, Mary Lou Brewer, Annie LeBus and Nancy Banker

Nancy McCarthy provided background on the work she did 10 years ago to produce 20 hiking maps of trails in JSDF. David advised the group that there are funds available, with a grant application, to secure funds for printing maps. He will help secure the funds.

We agreed that the first steps would include:

1. Inventory the existing trails

2. Survey and mark them

3. Clean up the trails

4. Record the level of difficulty

5. Create maps and publish them

6. Make maps readily available online

7. Request an inventory from the JAG

The group members expressed a desire for:

1. More localized maps (see above) of hiking trails

2. Well marked trails and trail-heads

3. Cabins, way-stations and/or camping areas throughout so that hikers can hike in, camp for the night and continue hiking

4. Connect trails within JSDF to facilitate hiking from one area to another throughout the forest

5. Connect trails to other areas in the county such as private areas that allow public access, other public parks and forests and BLM land (ala the Coast trail)

6. Establish a “Friends of the Jackson State Demonstration Forest” to help with trail building and maintenance

7. Connect with other organizations to assist in trail-building and maintenance such as Americorps. and the local ROP office.

8. Develop theme trails, e.g., birding. botanical trails and historical trails.

9. Develop educational information and materials to help educate the public regarding the trails and the history of JSDF.

10. Create more trails to reduce the establishment of social trails.

11. Participate and support the eradication of invasive, non-native plants

12. Reserve a portion of the forest for the flora and fauna.

13. Create a vita course.

14. Connect with other agencies and organizations to assist with the development of hiking trails and their maintenance, such as the Sierra Club and the Audubon society.

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Report

By Ryan Whitaker

Meeting of the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group, June 28, 2008.

OHV Group participants: Steve Colombi, Ryan Whitaker, Mark Hontou, Joye Silva & Joyce Blok. The other member who attended the meeting supporting OHV recreation, but left before our discussion, was Steve Dunlap.

OHV (ATV’S, DIRTBIKES, MOTORIZED VEHICLES)

NEEDS:

• Motorized cycle trails for ATV’s, dirt bikes, (possibly jeeps)
• Staging area with camping - parking for street vehicles, bathrooms, water, trash/recycling facilities,
• Marked and maintained trails
• Ranger patrol (authority) - regulations according to state rules (sound, spark arrestors, "quiet time" hours, etc.

RESULTS:

• Revenue from campsites
• Gas purchase = % to OHV (more revenue!)
• OHV Registration (green sticker) - protect legal places to ride.
• Safe environment for kids/families to ride (demonstrate legal v’s illegal to set good example for our youth)
• Exercise/skills for our children’s health.
• Develop an appreciation for our environment by being responsible and legal

APPROPRIATE LOCATION:

• Less impact to residential areas
• Adequate off road space that includes access for all
• Specific areas for NO motorized vehicles
• Will share trails

MOTORIZED VEHICLE TRAIL MAINTENANCE:

• Volunteer groups to organize and maintain trail maintenance
• "Adopt a Trail" campaigns
• Access existing OHV funding for money needs

Shooting Group Report

By Don Hooper

Meeting of the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group, June 28, 2008.

Shooting Group participants : Don Hooper and Peter Maitlin (Redwood Practical Shooters), Joan Selchau, Arlene Moorehead

The following points were discussed by the shooting group at the Recreation Committee of the Jackson Advisory Group on June 28, 2008:

• Continued use of Redwood Practical Shooters range on road 450.
• Continued improvement of the site (range).
• Teach the safe handling of defensive firearms
• Teach CCW permit classes with certified instructors
• Work with CDF/JDSF to remedy the situation at the quarry — alleged unsafe shooting area with increased population in the area. Junk and dumping of garbage in quarry. Shooting allegedly out of control.
• Creation of a full service range (Rifle, pistol, shotgun). 200yds minimum (Supervised, alcohol free and maintained) under the supervision of CDF/JDSF and Redwood Practical Shooters.

Welcome to the Jackson Forest Forum!

This forum is a place to read about, comment on, and contribute to developing a long-term plan for Jackson State Forest.

Jackson Forest is a 50,000-acre publicly owned redwood forest located in Mendocino County, less than 4 hours drive from San Francisco. After being halted by court actions for almost eight years, operations in Jackson Forest are resuming under a management plan approved in January 2008. A key element of this plan, which reflected a consensus among timber and environmental interest, is an independent advisory group.

The Jackson Advisory Group (known affectionately as the JAG), has three years in which to develop a long-term landscape plan for the forest, including what parts of the forest will ultimately be restored to old growth and what and how parts will be managed for timber production and recreation. The advisory group will also work with the state to develop a world-class research and demonstration program.

The charter of the group is broad, and it has the support of the director of the state forestry department and the state Board of Forestry. The recommendations of the advisory group will set the course of this public redwood forest for decades to come.

Now is your chance to affect the future of the forest. Participate by attending advisory group meetings, joining advisory group subcommittees, submitting a post for this forum, or just commenting on other posts here. You can make a difference. The advisory group wants your input.

Thanks for participating!

Vince