Some Upper Peninsula Residents In Revolt Over Federal Road Closings

uncle_ed

uncle_ed

Active member
Prime example of big government over reach. We need to continue to speak up on these matters as did the Bundy brothers out west. When federal land access is denied it impacts all of us and should not be just an issue for the locals to combat. We are all affected by this as it is all of OUR land and should be available and accessable for us all to enjoy and not restricted because some special interest group feels it should be.
 
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durphee

Well-known member
I do not know the specifics of this issue but what struck me was the article stated the "alleged" environmental damage. Well, I am all for protecting the environment but I am not going to support an "alleged" statement, prove it. Also, With such a vast area in the UP in federal lands can it not be possible to have both; protection of the environment AND public use of said land. There are trails that may cross over wetlands, can a bridge or bypass be worked out (yes i know that can be costly). It just seems the process of public comment, which is vital step in any public land decision, needs to be adhered to.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Fed and State will always try to over reach in the name of protecting the environment. WI did the same with some FRs starting maybe 5 years ago...I'm not sure what roads they closed ... focus was 2tracks and it was exactly the same reasoning as this and there was no stopping them. WI has been and is expanding forest lumber harvest so we do have new access to some areas so Feds and State say one thing then do the opposite when it benefits their needs. I often come away from these policies shaking my head and Fed and State has no idea what each other are doing. I brought documents to the State regarding a Fed program for dropping trees in Vilas lakes and the State had a fit said "no way in any of my lakes." I was like *** don't you guys talk? lol :)
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
whitedust said:
Fed and State will always try to over reach in the name of protecting the environment. WI did the same with some FRs starting maybe 5 years ago...I'm not sure what roads they closed ... focus was 2tracks and it was exactly the same reasoning as this and there was no stopping them. WI has been and is expanding forest lumber harvest so we do have new access to some areas so Feds and State say one thing then do the opposite when it benefits their needs. I often come away from these policies shaking my head and Fed and State has no idea what each other are doing. I brought documents to the State regarding a Fed program for dropping trees in Vilas lakes and the State had a fit said "no way in any of my lakes." I was like *** don't you guys talk? lol :)
Click to expand...

A large area you speak of in WI is in the Chequamegan National Forest in the Clam Lake area, where the old ELF line was, which was officially closed/tore down about 10 years ago now. The silly thing of it is, like you say, is the fact that they wanted to shut down the forest roads themselves, in an attempt to keep people out of these two-tracks. But they still maintained the forest roads in the summer. There are lots of FR#'s for the old two tracks that have seriously over grown now, to the point where I highly doubt you could get through very many any more.

So if those of you in the UP want to keep access to the two-tracks, fight now, as nature will take over if the gov't is allowed to do what it proposes.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
xcr440 said:
A large area you speak of in WI is in the Chequamegan National Forest in the Clam Lake area, where the old ELF line was, which was officially closed/tore down about 10 years ago now. The silly thing of it is, like you say, is the fact that they wanted to shut down the forest roads themselves, in an attempt to keep people out of these two-tracks. But they still maintained the forest roads in the summer. There are lots of FR#'s for the old two tracks that have seriously over grown now, to the point where I highly doubt you could get through very many any more.

So if those of you in the UP want to keep access to the two-tracks, fight now, as nature will take over if the gov't is allowed to do what it proposes.
Click to expand...

I have seen the same over growth here in Phelps on 2 tracks BUT our locals get out there and tear them up keep them open for hunting and dog work.....only way to keep ma nature from shutting them down Feds and DNR can not police 2 tracks although I have seen DNR on xcross county skis on unplowed Frs. He didn't want to talk skied by me when I had my sled parked....acted like I wasn't there.
 
favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
Seems crazy to close areas that already had access.
I wonder if it is politics or people abusing the region?
 
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jlrotax583

New member
I imaging that these two-tracks also serve as secondary fire breaks?
Or at least help to slow down a fire?
Seems like its a no brainer to keep the status quo.

-Jon
 
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snocrazy

Active member
Thats a good point Jon. More and more they are making it difficult to get any equipment in to fight fires.
On top of closing the 2 tracks, after they log out areas they leave so much madness behind dragging hoses or even walking is difficult.

We want to take out a single tree next to a snowmobile trail and ooh my god..... Habitat studies, approvals, inspections.... It is beyond effed up.
 
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