The Central Idaho Recreation Coalition (CIRC) is a non-profit grassroots citizens group formed in response to the problem of pervasive and inappropriate off-road vehicle and snowmobile intrusion on our public lands. CIRC's mission is “to promote the enjoyment and safety of recreational activities on public lands through management planning”. This includes both winter and summer recreational activities.
CIRC is currently working together with public land managers to develop and implement winter recreation plans that will benefit all user groups, including backcountry skiers/ snowboarders, snowshoers, Nordic skiers, as well as support and accommodate commercial endeavors. Included in our goals is the development of reasonably accessible backcountry ski locations free of user conflicts. Since CIRC was founded in March of 2003, we have made alot of headway. We have helped with the Forest Service Travel Plan rewrite on the Payette Forest which was the main reason for the birth of CIRC. CIRC has also grown to over 130 members in just 3 years. Our members have been active in letter writing, and outreach campaigns, issued press releases, and this is just the start. CIRC also participated in the Winter Recreation Forum which helped with the Payette Travel Plan. Our continued participation in these activities is crucial to obtaining our goals.Timing is of the esscence, as the Payette National Forest will be taking comments for the final decision of the Forest Travel Plan until May 18. On our talking points page, you can find info and links about how to make your comments, and some suggested talking points. You can also call the Payette National Forest Supervisors Office at 208-634-0700 to find out how to make comments.
Over the next few months we intend to continue to work on access issues by establishing a working relationship with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and explore the potential for Park and Ski parking lots in Valley County. We have helped to create and print a Winter Recreation map for all winter users, clearly indicating land use designations and encouraging respectful and responsible recreation. CIRC will continue to pursue our vision of large, easily accessible non-motorized areas for winter and summer users. Our focus for the upcoming year is to establish the need for non-motorized areas by documenting use by backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and cross country skiers on Forest Service and State lands in the McCall area. We need your help; if you enjoy quiet sports, use our contact form to let us know how often you get out and what areas you recreate in. We also need information about encounters with other users in the area. If you have had a negative encounter with motorized users or had to change your recreation plans use our public lands incident report form to let us know what happened. Gathering and providing this information to the Forest Service is essential in our efforts to influence the Payette Travel Plan revision.
Please join CIRC in working to protect your opportunities for solitude and a quality experience while recreating on public lands by clicking on the contact form and letting us know that you support a balanced and equitable approach to recreation planning. DON'T LOSE YOUR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...GET YOUR COMMENTS IN NOW! |
