Help Chart the Future for Recreation in the Gifford Pinchot

Action Alert:  November 27, 2007

Hiking Indian Heaven Wilderness, Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Photo by Andrew Engelson.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Southwest Washington is a great place to hike - whether it's the Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens or the huckleberry fields of the Indian Heaven Wilderness.

The GP is beginning a process to prioritize recreation funds for the facilities that hikers use the most - trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas, and cabin rentals.  Through the end of January, YOU have a chance to let land managers know what you think should be the top priorities over the next five years. 

Why is this important?

This process will help determine which facilities will continue to be maintained or expanded and which will be closed.

What you can do

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is hosting four open houses to receive public feedback on the future management of its developed recreation sites. Open house meetings will be held during the first week of December in Southwest Washington to share information, discuss the proposed program of work, and gather comments.  See schedule below for open houses.

In addition, the forest will be accepting written comments through the end of January.  In composing your public comment letter or any oral remarks at the open house, consider telling them the following:

• Which Gifford Pinchot trailheads you use regularly and why;
  
• What sorts of amenities you expect at a trailhead; and
  
• What sorts of recreation should the GP value over the next five years.

E-mail your comments by the end of January 2008 to:  r6_gp_forest@fs.fed.us

Open House Schedule

If you can, please attend one of these four open houses during the first week of December:

• Monday December 3, 6-8 pm -- Forest Headquarters, 10600 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver

• Tuesday  December 4, 6-8 pm -- Rock Creek Recreation Center, 710 SW Rock Cr. Dr., Stevenson
• Wednesday December 5, 6-8 pm -- Mt. Adams Ranger District Office, Trout Lake, WA

• Thursday  December 6, 6-8 pm -- White Pass Elementary School, Randle, WA

More Information

For more information about the Recreation Facilities Planning process on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, click here.

For more info on how to speak up during Forest Service planning, contact Jonathan Guzzo or Kindra Ramos at WTA (206) 625-1367.