New Fossil Creek regulations

[fotogirl53]

A friend who works for the Forest Service sent me this announcement:
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Coconino National Forest


http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
For Immediate Release Contact: Connie Birkland (928) 203-7505
Date: February 22, 2010

New Camping and Campfire Regulations for Fossil Creek


Sedona, Ariz. – As students and families anticipate warm weather and head for water during Spring Break, the Forest Service is helping visitors prepare for changes at Fossil Creek, one of Northern Arizona’s more popular swimming and camping sites.

If you are going to Fossil Creek, the Forest Service wants you to know about new camping and campfire regulations that will affect your visit there. Specifically, to help protect Fossil Creek, beginning March 8, 2010, campfires will be prohibited throughout Fossil Creek and camping will be limited to certain areas away from the creek.

Big changes for Fossil Creek began in 2005 with the decommissioning of the Arizona Public Service Hydro-electric dam and the return of full flows to the creek. Then in 2009 Congress designated Fossil Creek as a National Wild and Scenic River. The Coconino and Tonto National Forests are working together to maintain and protect the area’s special values.

“Fossil Creek is incredibly beautiful and became popular really fast, so it’s no wonder that it’s being loved to death,” said Red Rock Ranger District Recreation Staff Officer Jennifer Burns. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing its beauty eroded from impacts of tens of thousands of visitors wanting to get close to the clear pools and lush vegetation.”

Officials say trees are being chopped down for firewood, human and pet waste is threatening water quality, streamside vegetation is being trampled as new trails are created and the ground is littered with waste, glass, trash and ash.

“We are very concerned about the threat of wildfire to the creek and nearby communities,” said Burns. “Last summer we put out over 200 abandoned campfires.”

As the Forest Service works with the public to create and implement a long-term Comprehensive River Management Plan, officials and volunteers will be on site informing visitors of current and anticipated changes in how the area is managed for recreation. “Until we get a long term plan worked out,” says Burns, “we have to stop the trashing of this treasure. We hope visitors understand these interim management changes are meant to buy us time.”

Because Fossil Creek is one of only two Wild and Scenic Rivers in the State, the Forest Service will be including Fossil Creek in a national Respect the Rivers campaign to connect people to their riparian environments, return watersheds and rivers to a healthy state and call on the public to become stewards of such national treasures.

For more information about Fossil Creek or how to help protect the area, please go to: http://www.coconinoforests.us, http://www.redrockcountry.org, or http://www.tonto http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml or call the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119 or the Payson Ranger District at (928) 474-7900.

They have created a brochure with the following regulations:
No camping within 1/4 mile of either side of the creek from the old dam down to the Fossil Creek Bridge. Camping below the bridge is allowed with a 100 foot limit from the creek.
Camping is allowed above the old Fossil Creek dam.
No campfires within 1/4 mile from the creek, from the head of Fossil Creek to 10 miles downstream to the Stehr Lakebed.
Construction of new or improvement of old campsites is prohibited.
Driving offroad is prohibited.
Violations are punishable with fines up to $5000 and/or 6 months in jail.

[chumley]

No camping within 1/4 mile of either side of the creek from the old dam down to the Fossil Creek Bridge. Camping below the bridge is allowed with a 100 foot limit from the creek.
Camping is allowed above the old Fossil Creek dam.
No campfires within 1/4 mile from the creek, from the head of Fossil Creek to 10 miles downstream to the Stehr Lakebed.
Construction of new or improvement of old campsites is prohibited.
Driving offroad is prohibited.
Violations are punishable with fines up to $5000 and/or 6 months in jail.

1. Its above the old dam that requires the most control. That's where most of the yahoos hang out. Camping in this area needs to be either, a. prohibited, or b. restricted to specific sites which require a free permit/reservation to use.
2. None of this will matter at all unless there's a ranger down there 5 days a week issuing actual tickets that cost violators actual money.

[writelots]

I agree with Chumley - the worst part of the problem is ABOVE the dam, particularly now that the big swimming holes below the dam have "filled in". The prohibition of campfires is a good move, though. Many of the yahoos and slackers that cause the trash and destruction problems are "no fire = no camping" types. If they provide any level of enforcement, this could help.

But, as Relaxopelli said - without constant (and in-person) enforcement, it's all just another silly rule that people don't understand or follow.

[snakemarks]

Thanks, fotogirl53 for posting this! I'm sure many have been wondering.

I agree with all of the above. With parks closing and FS manpower down to a skeleton crew, it's pointless to keep making rules they can't possibly enforce. How sad it will be if people ruin this beautiful place!

[te_wa]

this is almost getting as rediculous as the ten commandments - and by that i mean we really only need one - "do unto others...."
in this case, wouldnt "leave no trace" act as supervisor? even yahoos are eduacte-able.

[dysfunction]

in this case, wouldnt "leave no trace" act as supervisor? even yahoos are eduacte-able.

The problem with this is that we've lost all common sense.. so someone would challenge the "leave no trace" definition.

[snakemarks]

The problem with this is that we've lost all common sense..

um... not all.

[azbackpackr]

With parks closing and FS manpower down to a skeleton crew, it's pointless to keep making rules they can't possibly enforce.

FS is doing ok, it's the State that is having real troubles. Fossil Creek is under FS jurisdiction.

[dysfunction]

In response to snakemarks:
eh, while some possess common sense, the vast majority of the population certainly doesn't at all anymore

they're also the segment of the population that would cause a problem in the first place....

[snakemarks]

In response to snakemarks:
eh, while some possess common sense, the vast majority of the population certainly doesn't at all anymore

they're also the segment of the population that would cause a problem in the first place....

OK, I can go along with that! ;)

[Moovyoaz]

I find it interesting that the Forest Service says unless someone else in goverment provides them with rules, there's nothing they can do. The reality is if given rules, they may not have the resources to enforce them anyway. Sounds like the ol' bureaucrat two-step to me.

RESTORED FOSSIL CREEK GETTING TRASHED
10/10/07 The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... d1010.html

"A coalition of environmental groups (like Center for Biological Diversity) asked the Forest Service to LIMIT PUBLIC USE and install trash cans and portable toilets, but agency officials say they lack money and staff. More critically, the Forest Service lacks authority until a management plan imposes rules rangers can enforce. "We can cite them for littering, but if we see someone on a road created by another person, we can't do anything. We need some rules," Agyagos said.

"Some management policies changed when Congress added Fossil Creek to the list of Wild and Scenic Rivers, a designation that brings more protection. Agyagos said a revised plan COULD CURB OVERNIGHT USE or LIMIT THE NUMBER who can use the area at any given time. Determining a capacity for the land would help avoid problems like those at Oak Creek Canyon above Sedona, where contaminated water forces the closure of Slide Rock State Park each summer. "We'll always have the yahoos who don't care. We just need to teach (FORCE) everyone else to do it right.""

[base871]

Alot of the yahoos might not go there now anyway, with no dam to jump off anymore. This past year i went a few times and have noticed it not being as busy as usual. Maybe thats just me. Once the word got out that there really is nothing to jump from, they might have went somewhere else.

[joebartels]

I haven't been in years but from what I understand they go everywhere now. Especially around the bridge.

Personally I don't care how green the water is I don't get excited to go there anymore. It's like Havasu and more or less managed the same when you get down to the end result IMO. Guess some say Havasu is better now so maybe that isn't even a fair judgement...lol Hopefully the whole US doesn't turn into Tijuana... or worse

[Jeffshadows]

I haven't been in years but from what I understand they go everywhere now. Especially around the bridge.

Personally I don't care how green the water is I don't get excited to go there anymore. It's like Havasu and more or less managed the same when you get down to the end result IMO. Guess some say Havasu is better now so maybe that isn't even a fair judgement...lol Hopefully the whole US doesn't turn into Tijuana... or worse

This pretty much sums up what is happening at TV falls down here.

[Dschur]

From Coconino National forest Website...

Llamas, Volunteers and Businesses Join in Effort to Protect Fossil CreekFor Immediate Release

Date: April 12, 2010

Contact: Coconino Supervisor's Office - 928-527-3600





Sedona, AZ —As the Forest Service prepares for the thousands of recreationists expected to splash down in Fossil Creek this summer, volunteers and local businesses are helping to clean up the area and spread the word about campfires, parking and camping changes at Arizona’s newest Wild and Scenic River.

Charged with maintaining and protecting Fossil Creek’s special values, the Forest Service has prohibited campfires and camping in much of the area. New regulations are posted on area signs and bulletin boards.

In recent weeks, Forest Service crews have demolished as many as 300 campfire rings, installed new signs and set up boulders to discourage off-road driving. “We’ve been contacting as many visitors as we can to inform them of the new regulations,” said Payson Ranger District Assistant Recreation Staff Officer Chelsea Muise. “There is some confusion over the new rules, but the majority of the folks are happy to see the changes and ready for them to be enforced.”

Muise says the campfire ban is to protect the soil and the trees. “So many have been chopped down for firewood. The loss of trees means a loss of shade and a hotter river that will have a negative impact on the fish and wildlife. We also have been concerned about the threat of wildfire caused by abandoned campfires.”

Since the March 8 implementation of new regulations more than two dozen citations have been issued, mostly for illegal campfires.

In March, the Cinder Hillbillies 4-H Club of Flagstaff sent down a subgroup known as the Llucky Llamas to join in the effort to protect Fossil Creek. The group, mostly youth and their parents, packed out some 200 pounds of garbage on eight llamas, including ash and cinders from campfires as existing fire rings were dismantled by the Forest Service and Coconino Rural Environmental Corp.

“It’s such a beautiful riparian area and it’s being trashed because of the numbers of people impacting this desert oasis,” said Llucky Llamas group leader Eric Souders. “We want our 4-H kids to understand the importance of preservation of our natural areas and the destruction that can be done by those who do not understand the accumulative damage of seemingly small actions of cutting trees to build fires and leaving trash in these fragile areas.”

John Bittner of the Fossil Creek Creamery also helped haul out trash and reminds campers who stop at his store near Strawberry about the new regulations. “We are glad to see the enhanced protection of Fossil Creek and have signs posted about the changes. No camping on the creek is being widely received. Most campers appreciate it. The biggest change is the need to pack in a camp stove if you’re planning to cook down there.” Under the new regulations only gas fired stoves and grills are allowed.

As the Forest Service develops a long-term Comprehensive River Management Plan, rangers are stepping up their efforts to inform recreationists about how the area is being managed and launching the Respect the River campaign to connect people to their riparian environments. Efforts to educate visitors and restore riparian habitat are supplemented by the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission.

Forest Service officials suggest Fossil Creek visitors be prepared to pack out all garbage to appropriate disposal sites and plan their food, shelter and clothing needs to accommodate the no fires policy. For more information, log on to http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/ or http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml or call the Red Rock Ranger District at 928-282-4119 or the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900.

[Nighthiker]

Dschur heard anything about no camping between Horton Creek Trailhead and 260 and making Horton Creek a day use area ?

[Dschur]

Nope haven't heard anything on that.... Read the Payson paper all the time too and did a search on their website couldn't find anything.....