sunsine

[erik]

File Code: 2300

Date: June 4, 2002

 

 

Dear Forest User:

 

Thank you for your recent expression of concern about snowmobiles on Mount St. Helens. We serve a variety of visitors to the mountain, especially for winter recreation. A mix of visitor expectations has generated a number of issues over the years, and we continue working to seek harmony with our service.

 

In 2000, more than 250 people attended a public meeting and recommended changes to improve the safety of those who recreate at Marble Mountain and Cougar Sno-Parks. This resulted in establishment of new speed limits and lowering other speed limits in areas shared by skiers and snowmobilers. We also are periodically monitoring snowmobile noise levels at the Sno-Parks.

 

Snowmobiles are allowed on Mount St. Helens through the Monument’s Comprehensive Management Plan. They are prohibited above 4,800 feet in elevation (essentially the Loowit Trail) between May 15 to October 31, through a Forest Order (CFR Order R-90-007). Snowmobiles are allowed above 4,800 feet during the remainder of the year and can travel legally to the crater rim. Snowmobiles are not permitted within the restricted area north of Mount St. Helens (in the crater and the Spirit Lake Basin).

 

Snowmobilers are not required to have permits to travel above 4,800 because the landscape is protected by snow.

 

The permit system for climbers, as called for in the Comprehensive Management Plan, was developed to administer mountain climbing within the carrying capacity of the resource and to provide users with information on specific hazards. As a resource protection measure, requiring climbing permits has worked well and has distributed climbing use over the entire week rather than concentrating it on weekends.

 

Although climbers are required to have permits year-round, climbing fees are only charged between April 1 and October 31. The daily limitation runs from May 15 through October 31, when the mountain is less protected by snow.

 

Snowmobiliers, while not required to have a permit or to pay a climbing fee, pay taxes upon purchase of their snowmobiles that contribute to a recreation fund. They also buy Sno-Park passes that help pay for plowing of the State-funded Sno-Parks. Snowmobile registrations are valid October 1 through September 30. Snowmobilers pay a $25 annual fee which includes one Sno-Park permit (an automobile parking permit required at designated Sno-Parks) for each registered snowmobile.

 

The number of concerns raised between climbers and snowmobilers on Mount St. Helens has increased in recent seasons, for several reasons.

1. The number of early season climbers appears to have increased in the past few years.

 

Page 2

 

2. The capabilities of snowmobiles have increased, allowing snowmobilers to go farther and climb higher than before, increasing the opportunity for interaction between users.

3. Overall demand for winter recreation opportunities at Mount St. Helens has increased to the point that parking lots are now filled to capacity, sometimes as early as 7:30 a.m.

4. The large amount of snowfall received in recent years has stayed on the ground later in the season.

5. Many climbers plan trips before the limited-use season begins May 15.

 

To see how climbing fits into winter recreation, it's interesting to look at recent use data for the Marble Mountain Sno-Park, November 1 through May 14. Even though climbing use is low compared to other winter uses, Mount St. Helens is still one of the most frequently climbed peaks in the United States.

 

Percentage of winter recreation use at Mount St. Helens:

Snowmobilers: 68 percent

Skiers/Snowshoers: 30 percent

Climbers: 2 percent (mostly in April and May)

 

As you will note, climbing is a minority winter use, but one that benefits from snow plowing funded through the Washington State Parks winter recreation program. Funds are generated through the registration of snowmobiles and the sale of Sno-Park permits. The motorized program (snowmobile program) pays for 68 percent of snow-removal cost, and the non-motorized program (sale of Sno-Park permits to skiers, snowshoers, and climbers) pays for 30 percent.

 

Climbers, skiers, snowmobilers, and snowshoers are all welcome on Mount St. Helens. Our job is to ensure safe opportunities for all. The Monument’s Comprehensive Management Plan directs the Monument Manager to “monitor and regulate this use” to protect the resource and reduce user conflicts.

 

We appreciate your comments and thoughts as we continue to review our policies and seek even better ways of managing limited resources for a growing population. Your input helps us do that.

 

Thanks again for writing.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Claire Lavendel

 

CLAIRE LAVENDEL

Forest Supervisor

 

Enclosures:

News Release of December 19, 2000

 

cc:

Cliff Ligons, MSHNVM

 

 

In response to E-mail messages, letter E-mailed to the following:

 

For Immediate Release

December 19, 2000 Contact: Jim Nieland 360-247-3900

 

New Rules Now in Effect at Mount St. Helens Sno-Parks

VANCOUVER, WA - With the winter recreation season opening at Mount St. Helens, several new rules are now in effect at the Marble Mountain and Cougar Sno-Parks at Mount St. Helens.

The Sno-Parks, located north of Cougar, Wash., on the south slopes of Mount St. Helens, are popular winter recreation areas. Last year more than 76,800 snowmobilers, cross country skiers and other winter recreationists used these Sno-Parks. The parking lot at Marble Mountain often fills by 8 a.m. on winter weekends. The log cabin snow shelter at Marble Mountain, with its warming stove and tables, is a popular resting place for sledders and skiers.

New this year:

 A speed limit of 10 mph for snowmobiles and vehicles in the parking lots.

 A speed limit of 25 mph for snowmobiles on Forest Road 83 east from the parking lot to the first Sasquatch Trail.

 A speed limit of 25 mph for snowmobiles on Forest Road 8100 from nearby Cougar Sno-Park to Forest Road 830, and from Road 830 to Climbers Bivouac; also on the first half-mile of Forest Road 8312.

 A speed limit of 25 mph for snowmobiles on snowmobile trails designated with speed limit signs.

 Noise limits for snowmobiles in the parking lots and on the trails will be enforced. The state limit is 78 decibels at 50 feet.

In addition:

 No smoking or overnight camping is allowed in the Marble Mountain snow shelter.

 No animals are allowed in the shelter except for assist dogs.

 The rental season for the shelter has been shortened to June 15 through November 1 to allow climbers and others to use the parking lot while Climbers Bivouac is closed by snow.

 The summer rental rate for the Marble Mountain ski shelter has been increased to $100 per night.

 A new parking lot at Marble Mountain is partly complete and available to single vehicles only; no trailers permitted. The new lot, which holds 65 vehicles, should be complete by next season.

 

[ 06-04-2002, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: erik ]

[Greg_W]

Blindly looking at the use percentages, one would think that climbers are riding the coattails of the snowmobilers. However, the sno-park pass funds that Claire mentions are distributed state-wide whereas each climber's $15 stays in the Monument (right?).

 

Using her logic that snowmobilers have already paid an access fee via Sno-Park passes, couldn't we apply that to, say, the Enchantments? People already pay for a parking pass at the trailhead, yet have to pay for a backcountry permit. I know this will lead to more rants, but I wanted to put in two cents.

 

Greg

[iain]

Yeah, I think we're thinking along the same lines. I think it's amazing how she can try to rationalize the current system (i.e., snowmobiles not requiring a permit because in winter the snow protects the land). Wouldn't the same be true for climbers?

 

And it's not like the dirt underneath was really the issue here.

[richard_noggin]

Don't try to bring shit on other user groups.

The reason we don't have rights is because we don't get off our lame ass. How many on this board support the Access fund or go to area land use meetings? Obviously snowmobilers put a lot of time and money into there access. If outdoor recreational user groups would work togeather everyones access would be inproved

[Fairweather]

Sounds to me like Clare replied to your questions professionally and in good faith. You just didn't like the answers. How about (in this case) we do our part NOT to re-enforce our elitist stereotype in the public's mind....and let this one go.

[iain]

I don't think anyone questioned her professionalism. This issue doesn't seem to make sense at face value and people are trying to sort out the details. There is nothing wrong with that.

[Fairweather]

I don't dispute that the $15 permit is BS. I refuse to pay it to climb any of the volcanoes (except Rainier where the $$ seem to be well spent). My "just drop it" plea was re: snowmobile access.

[iain]

What was meant by the snopark pass comment? I already pay for snopark passes. Do snowmobiles pay more for that in WA? Also, I would point out they sometimes bring in those enormous horsetrailers of 4 snowmobiles, which is partly the cause of overcrowding at TH parking lots (at least in Oregon, Dutchman's Flat being a marquee contender)

[Greg_W]

Iain-

My only point was that the writer of the letter implied that snowmobilers already pay a "use fee" in the Sno-Park passes ($25 per snowmobile) which entitles them to use of St. Helens. The Sno-Park Pass program is state-wide (thus diluting the funds throughout all Sno-parks in WA) whereas the climber permit fee program is specifically for an ascent of St. Helens. That said, my opinion is that you can't just look at user percentages, you have to look at the dollar amounts each activity brings to the area.

 

Greg