Please see the attached DRAFT Plaskett Ridge Proposal document that describes the potential phases of the pilot project. I have also attached the Draft Design Narrative. Just to clarify, the Draft Design Narrative is a working document that is meant to help inform development of the proposal, it is not a final proposal. Once the final proposal is developed, an implementation plan would define on-the-ground actions, information and education needs, and monitoring.
Please share the following e-mail address for anyone who would like to submit written comments regarding the developing proposal:
Plaskett Ridge Designated Dispersed Camping System
Pilot Project Overview
The intent of this pilot project is to address impacts associated with visitor use along Plaskett Ridge Road while maintaining dispersed camping opportunities in a semi-primitive motorized setting.
The proposal is to designate a dispersed camping system on Plaskett Ridge Road that would be implemented, monitored, evaluated, and adjusted as needed. The proposal includes two phases, with implementation of the second phase dependent on monitoring outcomes from the first phase.
This is a developing proposal, and we are seeking public input to help design the dispersed camping system. The Design Narrativedocument is a working document that provides a starting pointto develop a proposal, it is not the final proposal. Once the proposal is developed, an implementation plan would define on-the-ground actions, information and education needs, and monitoring.
Proposed – Plaskett Ridge Road Pilot Project (Phase 1)
Designate 7 camping areas with a total of 32 designated parking areas.
Vehicle-based dispersed camping would continue to be allowed within the 7 camping areas, as long as vehicles remain in the designated parking areas.
Fire rings would be installed in approximately 8 locations that are easy to monitor from Plaskett Ridge Road. These are intended to provide options for groups to gather and use fire rings in safer locations, while reducing the impacts from user created rock fire rings in individual campsites.
Information and Education would encourage low impact camping, Leave No Trace, and Tread Lightly principles, provide information on alternative camping opportunities, etc.
A Monitoring Plan would identify trigger points that would indicate a need to move into phase 2 of the pilot. Phase 2 would delineate individual campsite boundaries associated with the designated parking areas.
Potential monitoring includes number of campsites (rock fire rings, disturbed areas), size of disturbed area, campsite boundary expansion, vegetation and soil trampling, vehicle encroachment into wilderness, erosion near dispersed campsites, visitor conflicts, illegal fires, occupancy and use patterns, etc.
Future – Plaskett Ridge Road Pilot Project (Phase 2)
If monitoring indicates that impacts from dispersed camping are exceeding thresholds or causing unacceptable resource or social impacts:
Designate and delineate the boundaries of individual campsites associated with designated parking areas. Designated dispersed camping within the road corridor would be allowed only in the designated campsites. Walk-in dispersed camping beyond the road corridor would be allowed.
Since this directly affects you Kate, are you happy with the plan?
Penscratch, we have to try something, and this is a good place to start. It is fluid, thus can change if needed. So, yes, I support it.
I think this is a terrible idea! Why increase the chances of careless campers with fire 🔥 potential and the invasion of resident’s private property who live on Plaskett Ridge. Plaskett Creek Campground is enough!!
Feel free to contact me regarding safer dispersed camping. I have been camping for seven decades, and have never started a fire.
Jane, the area in question is already an extremely popular dispersed camping area. This pilot is an attempt by the USFS to *limit* the amount of environmental damage, fire risk, etc.