Came across this article.
In the end, Jenkins, Cameron and many others settled on a compromise that formed the basis of the forest service's National Scenic Area recommendation. It calls for a nearly 90,000-acre National Scenic Area in western Rockingham and Augusta counties, open to things like hiking, biking, and use of existing roads like the one up to Reddish Knob. Within that area, the forest service also recommends a 6,100-acre expansion of the existing Ramsey's Draft Wilderness and the creation of a new, 9,500-acre Little River Wilderness - both in northwestern Augusta County.
Jenkins - Shenandoah Bicycle Company
Anybody know if MORE, SVBC have been involved in these discussions?
Forest Service Proposed Wilderness Map
'Friends' of Shenandoah Proposed for Little River
Our proposal is for the entire Little River watershed, which extends from Reddish Knob at nearly 4,400 ft. in elevation down to Hearthstone Lake, and the entire Middle Mountain area. The proposed Wilderness area lies within a boundary formed by Timber Ridge Trail, Hearthstone Ridge Trail, Chestnut Ridge Trail, Little Bald Mountain Road, Forest Road 101, and several tracts of private land on the west side of Forest Road 101. The Wilderness boundary would be set back from FR 101 and the private land to provide a buffer and allow space for construction of a new connector trail between Hearthstone Ridge Trail and Chestnut Ridge Trail. The proposed Wilderness boundary excludes Hearthstone Lake.
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The trails in the Little River area are very popular with mountain bikers. The reduced boundary will provide strong protection for the core area of Little River and Middle Mountain, while allowing mountain biking to continue on all trails except Buck Mountain Trail and Big Ridge/Grooms Ridge Trail. The remainder of the Little River Special Management Area would be protected as a National Scenic Area without a restriction on mountain biking.
I really don't understand why its acceptable to compromise for a Wilderness Area that lets HORSES, HUNTING, fishing, hiking, etc but not biking.
In the end, Jenkins, Cameron and many others settled on a compromise that formed the basis of the forest service's National Scenic Area recommendation. It calls for a nearly 90,000-acre National Scenic Area in western Rockingham and Augusta counties, open to things like hiking, biking, and use of existing roads like the one up to Reddish Knob. Within that area, the forest service also recommends a 6,100-acre expansion of the existing Ramsey's Draft Wilderness and the creation of a new, 9,500-acre Little River Wilderness - both in northwestern Augusta County.
Jenkins - Shenandoah Bicycle Company
Anybody know if MORE, SVBC have been involved in these discussions?
Forest Service Proposed Wilderness Map
'Friends' of Shenandoah Proposed for Little River
Our proposal is for the entire Little River watershed, which extends from Reddish Knob at nearly 4,400 ft. in elevation down to Hearthstone Lake, and the entire Middle Mountain area. The proposed Wilderness area lies within a boundary formed by Timber Ridge Trail, Hearthstone Ridge Trail, Chestnut Ridge Trail, Little Bald Mountain Road, Forest Road 101, and several tracts of private land on the west side of Forest Road 101. The Wilderness boundary would be set back from FR 101 and the private land to provide a buffer and allow space for construction of a new connector trail between Hearthstone Ridge Trail and Chestnut Ridge Trail. The proposed Wilderness boundary excludes Hearthstone Lake.
...
The trails in the Little River area are very popular with mountain bikers. The reduced boundary will provide strong protection for the core area of Little River and Middle Mountain, while allowing mountain biking to continue on all trails except Buck Mountain Trail and Big Ridge/Grooms Ridge Trail. The remainder of the Little River Special Management Area would be protected as a National Scenic Area without a restriction on mountain biking.
I really don't understand why its acceptable to compromise for a Wilderness Area that lets HORSES, HUNTING, fishing, hiking, etc but not biking.