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COR

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  • Birthday 03/30/1977

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  1. Please take the opportunity to comment to the BLM about this issue before September 15! Supporting "Alternative 2" gives the most protection for climbing, and has been supported strongly by local rockheads. Please help out by emailing your (positive) comments supporting climbing to: BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov BLM's summary of options (Support Alt. 2): http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/plans/files/pdo_ea_fonsi_2012-0028_08162012.pdf More information in this thread: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1068637/Trout_Creek_OR_reopened_until_#Post1068637 **Even if you've never climbed here, now you have maps (probably the only time I'll ever post links to maps of OR climbing areas! Please check the place out and help protect it by emailing before the 15th Tom Sorenson Central Oregon Rocks, Inc.
  2. The issue is now up for public comment, as reported by billcoe on this thread: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1081068/Your_comments_onTrout_Creek_he#Post1081068 So, if you like climbing at Trout Creek, or if you might like to check it out someday, please take the time to comment to the BLM, suggesting "Alternative 2" as the best compromise for climbing access to the cliff while still protecting golden eagles. Thank you, Tom Sorenson Central Oregon Rocks more info at: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofTroutCreek
  3. Update: The BLM has lifted the closure for Trout Creek after the Golden Eagle nest on the crag was unfortunately abandoned. Luckily, climbers were not to blame for this abandonment, because everyone stayed off the wall! Apparently some other type of yahoo probably drove off the birds as they were attempting to nest. Thank you for your cooperation...the EA is still being written, and climbing will hopefully be allowed every fall/winter thanks to our cooperation with the BLM. The crag will be open until 2/1/2013, at which time it will be seasonally closed again in the hopes that golden eagles can successfully nest next year. I will update this information if there are any changes. Happy climbing! Tom Sorenson Central Oregon Rocks
  4. Update: The BLM has lifted the closure for Trout Creek after the Golden Eagle nest on the crag was unfortunately abandoned. Luckily, climbers were not to blame for this abandonment, because everyone stayed off the wall! Apparently some other type of yahoo probably drove off the birds as they were attempting to nest. Thank you for your cooperation...the EA is still being written, and climbing will hopefully be allowed every fall/winter thanks to our cooperation with the BLM. The crag will be open until 2/1/2013, at which time it will be seasonally closed again in the hopes that golden eagles can successfully nest next year. I will update this information if there are any changes. In response to JosephH: Yes, you are right. There are major political forces at work on this issue. The BLM is issuing raptor "kill permits" to wind farms, with the understanding that golden eagle habitat will be protected elsewhere (usually on the big cliffs we like to climb on). So it's especially important that we do everything we can to make sure that climbers are part of the solution and not part of the problem! Or else we will all be climbing on plastic... Happy climbing! Tom Sorenson Central Oregon Rocks
  5. The BLM is accepting public comment until March 30th. Here is a link to the Access Fund's easy-to-use letter generator...please take the time to comment respectfully if you like the idea of climbing at Trout Creek in the future! Thanks, Tom Sorenson Central Oregon Rocks, Inc. Access Fund Affiliate http://www.accessfund.org/c.tmL5KhNWLrH/b.5208267/k.8C84/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=tmL5KhNWLrH&b=5208267&aid=517424 PS. Great idea to trad climb at other locales like Bill's Columns or the gorge at smith until the eagles have fledged
  6. Thank you for not climbing at Trout Creek...see the FB page for more info From the "friends of trout creek" facebook page:‎ -A pair of golden eagles have occupied the nest on the Main Wall and are currently incubating one or more eggs! This highlights the importance of the efforts we have undertaken thus far, and lends credence to the possibility of this seasonal closure becoming perennial once the E.A. is finished (tentatively scheduled for the end of April). -The climbing community is committed to working with the BLM to protect this territory during golden eagle nesting season. This means continuing to honor the voluntary closure and contributing constructive ideas to help craft the best long term management plan for both eagles and climbers. -We hope to use the successful Smith Rock golden eagle management plan as a model to create appropriate seasonal buffer zones around each nest that will be independently monitored and managed, potentially allowing for some of the territory (away from the occupied nest and outside of the buffer zone) to open for climbing in May once the eagles have chosen a nest. -Strong emphasis must be placed on the value of this unique and near-perfect crack climbing destination to climbers, local businesses, and tourism/recreation. -Responses to the scoping letter are due by March 30th, and we encourage your constructive input. Once the E.A. is finished, it will be released and another 30-day comment period will follow.
  7. Basically, the BLM imposed the mandatory closure without completing their environmental assessment, so local climbers and media called them out for not going through proper channels, and everyone had to take a step back. Now it's time for us to show that we can actually cooperate with land managers and not climb while they attempt to finish the EA, hoping that it will reflect well on their final decision regarding climbing access at the crag. Have you ever attempted to work with land managers before to maintain access to climbing areas? There is a lot of politics involved, and we have found from experience that playing nice is the best policy. I posted this information so that trad climbers who use this website will be aware of the closure, and hopefully climb at Smith Rock when they come to visit Central Oregon, until the situation is resolved. Thanks for your cooperation! You can follow the drama at the "Friends of Trout Creek" facebook page. Cheers Tom Sorenson, Secretary-Treasurer COR
  8. Trip: Trout Creek OR closed by BLM until further notice! - Date: 2/18/2012 Trip Report: Recently, the BLM closed the trad climbing area of Trout Creek to climbing on the basis of protecting golden eagle nesting sites. COR (Central Oregon Rocks, Inc) is a nonprofit access fund affiliate based in Bend, OR whose mission is to protect access to rock climbing areas in the region. We are working with the BLM to assist them in completing their EA for the area and allow public comment before coming to a final decision on closures. In the meantime, they have lifted the mandatory closure and instated a voluntary closure. We ask that you not climb at trout creek during the voluntary closure, because the BLM will be watching carefully to see how well we can manage ourselves as climbers. Thank you very much for helping to protect access to this amazing area. -COR News article about the closure: http://www.tsweekly.com/outside/outdoor-recreation/kids-and-the-government-in-central-oregon-climbing-popular-area-crag-closed-for-now.html Below is the most recent excerpt from the "friends of trout creek" facebook page, where updates to this situation can be found. https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofTroutCreek UPDATE!! On Thursday, Molly Brown, Field Ranger for the Prineville BLM signed an order to restructure the Trout Creek climbing closure from mandatory to voluntary, effective on Friday, Feb. 17th. THE AREA IS STILL CLOSED, AND IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO CLIMB ELSEWHERE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!! This is a great gesture of good faith by the BLM, and one that we suggested in the meeting on Monday. They have requested our assistance in distributing this news and managing the new closure format (including signage, public notice, and compliance). The signs at the trailhead will be replaced tomorrow to mirror these changes. It is paramount to our effort to work together to make sure that all climbers follow this voluntary closure, as our compliance can demonstrate our unity as a user-group dedicated to responsible access and stewardship. Our track record in the next few months will surely be included in the E.A., and will ultimately contribute to a permanent management plan. This is a "golden" opportunity to prove to land managers everywhere that we all want to protect golden eagles and our right to climb in this incredible place. In the meantime, the BLM has also agreed to release a new scoping letter, which will allow for further public comment before the E.A. is written up. We have cause for gratitude to the Prineville BLM for listening to us and taking swift action. Now, it is up to us to help them finish the E.A. and to do our part by staying away and encouraging all others to do so as well. Stay tuned for new developments.
  9. Recently, the BLM closed the trad climbing area of Trout Creek to climbing on the basis of protecting golden eagle nesting sites. COR (Central Oregon Rocks, Inc) is a nonprofit access fund affiliate based in Bend, OR whose mission is to protect access to rock climbing areas in the region. We are working with the BLM to assist them in completing their EA for the area and allow public comment before coming to a final decision on closures. In the meantime, they have lifted the mandatory closure and instated a voluntary closure. We ask that you not climb at trout creek during the voluntary closure, because the BLM will be watching carefully to see how well we can manage ourselves as climbers. Thank you very much for helping to protect access to this amazing area. -COR News article about the closure: http://www.tsweekly.com/outside/outdoor-recreation/kids-and-the-government-in-central-oregon-climbing-popular-area-crag-closed-for-now.html Below is the most recent excerpt from the "friends of trout creek" facebook page, where updates to this situation can be found. https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofTroutCreek UPDATE!! On Thursday, Molly Brown, Field Ranger for the Prineville BLM signed an order to restructure the Trout Creek climbing closure from mandatory to voluntary, effective on Friday, Feb. 17th. THE AREA IS STILL CLOSED, AND IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO CLIMB ELSEWHERE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!! This is a great gesture of good faith by the BLM, and one that we suggested in the meeting on Monday. They have requested our assistance in distributing this news and managing the new closure format (including signage, public notice, and compliance). The signs at the trailhead will be replaced tomorrow to mirror these changes. It is paramount to our effort to work together to make sure that all climbers follow this voluntary closure, as our compliance can demonstrate our unity as a user-group dedicated to responsible access and stewardship. Our track record in the next few months will surely be included in the E.A., and will ultimately contribute to a permanent management plan. This is a "golden" opportunity to prove to land managers everywhere that we all want to protect golden eagles and our right to climb in this incredible place. In the meantime, the BLM has also agreed to release a new scoping letter, which will allow for further public comment before the E.A. is written up. We have cause for gratitude to the Prineville BLM for listening to us and taking swift action. Now, it is up to us to help them finish the E.A. and to do our part by staying away and encouraging all others to do so as well. Stay tuned for new developments.
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