Frenchman's Coulee Access Info

[olyclimber]

FYI, cross post from the Yahoo group for FCCC:

 

Meeting with Greg Fitzgerald on Saturday, 040710.

 

John Crock and Steve Cross, FCCC, met with Greg Fitzgerald on Saturday, July 10th at Frenchman Coulee. This was an introductory meeting, as Greg had recently

been appointed as the state Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) land manager for the considerable area that includes Frenchman Coulee. We got to know Greg,

and he got to know us.

 

Greg's main concern is for wildlife and habitat. He does not prioritize camping or climbing. He is concerned about the potential impacts of climbing and dispersed camping in the area. Greg pointed out that there may be many sensitive or rare species that in the area, and that the habitat itself is sensitive and slow to recover from damage. Without a baseline study however, he can not say what sensitive species are of concern. Greg indicated that if a survey were performed, federally listed species may be identified, which would give federal agencies control over activities at the Coulee.

 

Greg is dismayed about the plainly visible impacts of motorized access to the camping area. He indicated that it is a high priority for him to block vehicular access to the camping basin with cement "ecology blocks", possibly by the end of July. This would make the camp area walk-in. I am not clear on whether this applies to the Feathers parking area as well, or how to handle parking there. Clearly, the loss of vegetation in the camping area is accelerating and something needs to be done immediately to give more time for a more permanent management plan to be put into effect. The blocks are movable with machinery and

could be later re-arranged as management (siting of toilets, etc) became more firm. We promised that if the camping area is made a walk-in area, the FCCC would buy native plant seed and attempt to re-vegetate some of the damaged areas in the campground this fall. As for camping, it will not be sanctioned anywhere

other than in the basin (Greg will put up signs indicating that), because the basin provides containment for the wild fires that camping engenders. Greg said

that and he would not entertain the idea of building a new campground along the road either above or below the current campground.

 

We walked with Greg in the camping basin, to the Zig-Zag wall area, and up the climbers trail to the top of the descent gully overlooking the head of Echo Basin. We pointed out the success of the Coalition's braided trail

obliteration project. We described our litter cleanup projects. We pointed out how we have attempted to control four-wheeler access to other areas. He viewed

our trail and informational signage. We pointed out the voluntary falcon nesting closure of Middle East wall. We showed him some top anchors and explained how we

had been moving chains off of the top and down onto the vertical surface of the pillars. He appreciated how this would reduce habitat impact along the top. We discussed

how the FCCC is sensitive to the habitat, but pointed out that climbing itself had significant impact only in the narrow band at the base of the climbs.

 

Greg explained that there is little action on the management plan for the area. One restraint is funding. There is some money available from a land lease by the

Gorge amphitheater that is earmarked to be spent on improvements to DFW land in the area. He will not feel reluctant, however, to take the initiative to

intervene in damaging behaviors without a management plan, including banning climbing as a worst case scenario. Greg has money and departmental support for

road-closures and limiting vehicle access to the area.

Greg also suggested that we initiate contact with the landowner(s) of the cliffs

across the Coulee. He said that there is some interest in developing the tops of the cliffs near the entrance for a gated/recreational community. Greg said that

depending on how the land is appraised, it may be appraised at a relatively small value. I believe Greg was left with a favorable impression of the FCCC. We

hope that he will not see climbers as the problem, rather than the insensitive wheeled campers, such as the concert crowd. We were favorably impressed by

Greg's fresh enthusiasm for the habitat and his can-do attitude about controlling the excesses of four-wheeled access. I think that first impressions are important and climbers can help build a strong relationship with the WDFW by reducing impact, staying on trails, not building fires, etc while visiting the Coulee.

[Alpinfox]

 

Thanks for the post OC.