Heads, up and read what I put together,and let me know if you have any questions.

Broken Bow Warning

It says requires authorization....

Basically it said that they are writing tickets for anything at all and that the guy doing it is a jerk. It made it sound like they were almost trying to close the place.

They are mainly cracking down around Broken Bow Lake. We still ride North West of Broken Bow Lake with no problems. Just stay away from Broken Bow Lake.

We are with U LaMig.. Don't Worry.............

That is in McCurtain County which is pretty much closed to anything but open roads. One person I know that was ticketed there was stopped at a camp cleaning up trash left by others. Mr. Lawson told them he knew they did not get there on the road he came in on because he would have seen them. He proceeded to tell them they could only ride the open roads. The road they came in on had no signs, berms, gates or anything else that would suggest it was no an open road. They mentioned that fact to him and he remarked that if you can not get a truck down it then is considered closed. They said they could easily get a truck down it. He then made the remark, ok lets say a Cadilac.He also had a Federal LEO with him that day. The LEO remarked that ATV's were causing to much trouble and after they got that area of Oklahoma shut down they would be headed to Arkansas.

Yes this man clearly has his own personal agenda.

Moral----stay away from McCurtain County.

Yeah, stay out’a McCurtain County. Come on up here and ride WPG, Fourche Mtn. Trail, Sugar Crk Trail, the Oden, Fiddler Creek, the Cossatot, 512, 514, Irons Fork….... Just stay out’a Wilderness, creeks, bogs, any other place that's closed, peoples yards, and if ya are on a crotch rocket, keep it below 60. Had a ticket issued the other day for 115 mph. Tell ‘em Smokey sent ya……….

Hey Smokey,

What is going on with 512 at Albert's Pike. What are they blasting, and how long will be it be closed for?

Replacing a bridge. Don't know how long it will be closed but for a spell. Ya'll need to watch this pretty close, I believe 512 from the east is proposed to be closed under MVUM. Sure glad that one is not on me. 512 from the west (38) will be open to the County line (that part is on me..).

So, will 512 be open from "Coyote Lane" west? I know you said 512 will be open westard to 38, but how far down 512? Coyote Lane is the trail/road that runs between 512 to CR 25. Its about halfway down on 512, and will Coyote Lane remain open?


I take it they are closing 512 to 369/Albert Pikes, because they are tired of Atvers dumping out near Alberts Pike and running up to 99 or going into the campsites which isn't allowed?

And is 99 going to the Blue Hole, is that going to be closed? I know that is out of your covered area, but maybe you can check.

It looks like the only riding will be within the Main WPG trail system?

And why are they building monster roughly $100,000+ concrete bridges over the creeks within the main WPG system? Specifically near te northern trail head, and the old swimming hole. These bridges seem to be an overkill, and for a dept to be so short on money I would think a more simple bridge would have achieved the same results.



The main WPG trail system is starting to look the main logging roads if they make them any wider or smoother. The next thing to do is pave the trails within WPG. I understand emergency personal may have to gain access, but a large part of that trail system is being ruin in my opinion.

Well, I put my fingers in gear before my mind was cranked up, as usual.. 512 East of 38 is not on my district but within Polk County. The Judge and I transferred jurisdiction to the County from 512/38 east to the Montgomery/Polk County line. From that line east, I believe, is scheduled to be closed. Will check on that Monday. 512 west of 38 is open to the locked gate.

Most of the roads from 38 and west, including 25 north and south, will remain open to OHV’s. N 40 D is the only one I can think of right now that will be closed, but it’s being closed outside of MVUM and is a dead ender anyway. Most of the roads on the Mena/Oden will remain open, unless they are already closed (bermed or gated).

WPG bridge was built with what’s called Title II money. That is $ returned to the county from the government for road work. Chip and sealing all around Shady will be this year’s project, plus a new bridge just south of the new bridge just finished. The reason the bridges seem like overkill is those roads are roads and not trails. We have to build for the eventual logging of those lands and they have to meet standards for log truck weights. The new bridge, however, will be a pre-fab job that will hold the traffic and only take two days to install. That’s the plan as of now. Probably next summer in August.

The road up and over by the middle helipad was swapped for access (with the County) to the private lands around Board Camp Creek. We'll close one that crosses the creek just south of the new bridge location this spring.

quote:

Originally posted by Smokey the Bear:
Well, I put my fingers in gear before my mind was cranked up, as usual.. 512 East of 38 is not on my district but within Polk County. The Judge and I transferred jurisdiction to the County from 512/38 east to the Montgomery/Polk County line. From that line east, I believe, is scheduled to be closed. Will check on that Monday. 512 west of 38 is open to the locked gate.

Most of the roads from 38 and west, including 25 north and south, will remain open to OHV’s. N 40 D is the only one I can think of right now that will be closed, but it’s being closed outside of MVUM and is a dead ender anyway. Most of the roads on the Mena/Oden will remain open, unless they are already closed (bermed or gated).

WPG bridge was built with what’s called Title II money. That is $ returned to the county from the government for road work. Chip and sealing all around Shady will be this year’s project, plus a new bridge just south of the new bridge just finished. The reason the bridges seem like overkill is those roads are roads and not trails. We have to build for the eventual logging of those lands and they have to meet standards for log truck weights. The new bridge, however, will be a pre-fab job that will hold the traffic and only take two days to install. That’s the plan as of now. Probably next summer in August.

The road up and over by the middle helipad was swapped for access (with the County) to the private lands around Board Camp Creek. We'll close one that crosses the creek just south of the new bridge location this spring.

So 512 East of the County Line to Alberts Pike will be closed, and Coyote lane will remain open. 512 West is open until you hit the Pig Farm, which was never an option to ride anyways. So, I guess we will have to take CR 25 to Missouri Falls/Blue Hole and beyond.

Wasn't 512 a County Road? and not a Forestry Road? How, is a County Road being closed?

Now will 99 close? That is North of Albert's Pike right off 369. I know that isn't in your jurisdiction, but maybe you can check on that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LaMigraTx,

512 east of 38 to the County line is now Polk County jurisdiction. Just a play on words but it does mean we can't close it to ATV's. Hint: talk to Montgomery County Judge about Blue Hole and Little Missouri Falls....... I've never been to the Blue hole, guess I need to go before October 1. I really don't know about Rd 99, I got all I can handle on my watch right now. Go ahead and call Mt. Ida and see if they can tell you if it's shown open or not.

WPG will be logged "some day" not real specific on time but within the next 8 years. The main road through there is what we call a level II road, meaning it will remain open to mixed traffic. The bridges are to keep vehicles (all kinds) out of the water. We're getting hammered on water quality and vehicles stirring up the mud. I got stuck in there in my Explorer last fall, not really mud but loose rocks.

I went in tonight to look at the maps and got so confused I couldn't make heads or tails of them (the new ones). We have a long way to go to get this out to the public by Friday,I have set our open house for Tuesday, February 19 from 3:30 to 7:30 PM at Mena Ranger Station. Put it in the papers and on the radio starting this week.

I do have a good map but it's a long story.........The road we'll close this spring is going into the private land, just cross the creek and there's a gate so we'll block it prior to the creek crossing. No net loss on that one, you can throw a rock the whole road length now.

I just don't understand the forest service. Having a meeting on a weekday just plain sucks. Its like they know 99% of all out of state people cannot show up on a weekday because of work and such. Most people in Arkansas probably won't make it either since it is a weekday. It is almost like it has become the forest service way or the highway. I just don't get it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronnie:
I just don't understand the forest service. Having a meeting on a weekday just plain sucks.

Ronnie, if this is the language you are going to use, I ll bounce you off this site

Or

I ll send Steve-o after you...

The Tuesday meeting is to try and explain (?) the maps and take any verbal comments we can. You can comment by fax, E-mail, phone, etc. Folks have 30 days to [officially] comment, receive maps, call me or any other FS manager when we do release - hopefully this Friday. I may be the only one other than Oklahoma even having the meeting. I promised folks I would, so I will. If folks do have only a weekend available, call and set up an appointment. The answer will either be yes or no; 50/50 chance for the other manages. I told everyone I'd meet whenever, they name the time. Also, Tuesday the 19th will be a progressive meeting, folks come and go. The invitation is still open by phone or in person at the Mena - anytime. I don't need no stinking 30 day comment period, I average a couple folks per day now and have since early December.

Looks like 512 east of Montgomery County line and coyote Lane (is that 912?) and the blue hole access will be closed. I don't seem to be smart enough to figure out the PM service here, how about an E-mail to me LaMigra Tx?

It looks like to me it will now be riding super dirt highways where we have ridden for years. That cuts out Blue Hole,Shine Bone,Caney Creek,Highline I am sure of,Sherwood Forest,5 Gallon Bucket Trail,Spider Trail and the list goes on and on. Before long we will have red lights put up on all the intersections. I can see it now. On Memorial Day weekend we are gonna have upwards of 200 riders on a 31 mile trail system. That is gonna be good. Don't mean to vent my anger at you Smokey but there is no give and take with this forst plan.

Ronnie

Sure there is, what we have is a Proposed Action. When the 30 day comment period starts (now maybe February 20) you will have an opportunity to comment on the Proposed Action and in doing so, you will have standing for Appeal. Up to now all we have are some ideas, generated into an Alternative. There should be several alternatives based on comments within that 30 day period. All the input everybody has had up to now does not mean a "hill of beans", except to frame a proposal. That 30 day period will give you legal standing.....

quote:

Originally posted by Smokey the Bear:
Looks like 512 east of Montgomery County line and coyote Lane (is that 912?) and the blue hole access will be closed. I don't seem to be smart enough to figure out the PM service here, how about an E-mail to me LaMigra Tx?

Wow, the finial nail has been put into the coffin for WPG. I have had friends and family riding all over WPG since 1970. To be honest its of no surprise I have been working for the Federal Gov't for over 12 years, and between their limited resources (certain depts), and special interest groups if they want something they will get it. Regardless, of other organizations input, and how well focused they are.

All I can say is thank god I don't own a business (cabins) directly around WPG. What once was a premier place to ride has been reduced to riding around on a 32 mile loop trail, which will be severely over crowded, and is being turn into a super highway for logging trucks. I am just waiting for the trails to be paved with concrete.

Its unbelievable what special interest groups/environmentalist/Bush Reforestion plan can do to one area. When individuals have been riding this area "since" 1970 without any significant impact upon the environment. Anyone with a reasonable mind can ride every single trail both in and outside of WPG, and realize there is no significant damage. All the trails through these areas are well established trails, and you don't find trails scattered all over the place or large sections of the forest torn up. 90% of the trails we proposed to remain open are hard pack, rocky trails, and have been there since 1970. I find it hard to believe a sediment disturbance by a large number of Quads, and can do anymore damage than a large/heavy rainfall. Where the rivers are so swollen banks are eroded, trees are washed away, and the river bottom is disrupted.

I can show more damage from large logging companies, and mining companies doing more damage to the environment than any 600lbs Quad X 1000 riders riding on trail or crossing one particular creek crossing. You have washouts, hydraulic fuel leaking every where, Rotella jugs everywhere, broken mechanical equip, trees ruin from collateral damage, huge acres of land being torn up, etc...and these environmentalist/forestry dept are worried about one trail through a forest or several creek crossing people have been riding since 1970.

Well Smokey I appreciate you taking the time to talk and hear us, but in the end the worse case scenario has come to fruition. I regret submitting all the maps I did, because it just made the job easier in closing these areas down. Maps and trails that people have been riding since 1970. There is no point in discussing this any further, and unfortunately the locals, businesses, as well as the Forestry Dept missed a great opportunity in turning this area into a premier off roding area, such as Hatfield and McCoy of WV, as well as the Paiute Trail, UT.