Mt. Rogers and area closings

[TNhiker]

Closings due to bear activity.............




http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home.../trail-updates


http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs...losure-map.pdf


https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gwj/a...ces/?aid=48759

[Venchka]

Bump.
Wayne

[MuddyWaters]

Step in right direction finally
Shame it took so long
Delay and other attempts just made the problem worse and solution take longer

GSMNP is a good model to follow, they handle similar issues continuously.

I suspect ....the delay was until after peak summer activity was over.. ... .politics

[gpburdelljr]

Shame it took so long
I suspect ....the delay was until after peak summer activity was over.. ... .politics

i don’t understand your reasoning for this.

[MuddyWaters]

I suspect ....the delay was until after peak summer activity was over.. ... .politics

6th grade reading comprehension...

[gpburdelljr]

6th grade reading comprehension...

You ae correct, you did use the word “suspect”. My apologies. But as far as I can tell you have no basis whatsoever for this suspension, which is my point.

[Venchka]

i don’t understand your reasoning for this.

It’s clear as mud. School started. Labor Day is nearly gone. Visitors decline rapidly until leaf season.
Perhaps the problem will be diminished in time for the Leaf Peepers?
Wayne

[gpburdelljr]

It’s clear as mud. School started. Labor Day is nearly gone. Visitors decline rapidly until leaf season.
Perhaps the problem will be diminished in time for the Leaf Peepers?
Wayne

It’s a FS decision. They won’t lose any revenue by restricting dispersed camping, or camping on the AT, all of which is free, so why would they delay the closings till after peak season?

[MuddyWaters]

It’s a FS decision. They won’t lose any revenue by restricting dispersed camping, or camping on the AT, all of which is free, so why would they delay the closings till after peak season?

Ask this:

Why didnt they take the most drastic, effective step initially?

Because they attempt to balance priorities

[gpburdelljr]

Ask this:

Why didnt they take the most drastic, effective step initially?

Because they attempt to balance priorities

Saying they deliberately delayed past peak hiking season is a speculative assumption, unsupported by any information. If I’m wrong, and you have any real information on what went into the decision, please provide it.

[DownYonder]

Ask this:

Why didnt they take the most drastic, effective step initially?

Because they attempt to balance priorities

The answer is rather evident >>> because it involves several government agencies. These government agencies are so effective and competent that they still have nothing posted at Elk Garden. We drove by the parking lot/trail head at 3:30pm today. Counted 27 vehicles in parking lot and two separate groups that appeared to be backpacking (packs too large for day hikers) heading towards Mt Rogers. Problem should have been handled in the spring and is still being bungled.

[Venchka]

Did you read the list of groups involved with formulating a plan?
It was quite long and involved several agencies.
The the government moves in mysterious ways.
They do what they do because they can.
Wayne

[gpburdelljr]

Did you read the list of groups involved with formulating a plan?
It was quite long and involved several agencies.
The the government moves in mysterious ways.
They do what they do because they can.
Wayne

Where is the list of groups I nvolved in formulating the plan? I can’t find it in the links provided in post #1. While the ATC publicized the order, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that the ATC, or anyone other group, was involved in the FS decision and order. What would be the motive of the FS, or any other group , in delaying past peak hiking season. “The government moves in mysterious ways” doesn’t answer any of these questions.

[Venchka]

LaurieP, The ATC spokes person, listed the committee members when the group was formed. In August I imagine. I was on vacation at the time and not privileged to 24/7 WhiteBlaze access. A WhiteBlaze search should find the information.
Wayne

[Digger'02]

LaurieP, The ATC spokes person, listed the committee members when the group was formed. In August I imagine. I was on vacation at the time and not privileged to 24/7 WhiteBlaze access. A WhiteBlaze search should find the information.
Wayne

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Grayson Highlands State Park
US Forest Service - GWJeffersion
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club

Were the primary entities determining a plan. Closure was delayed in part because due to an additional review requested surprisingly high up the food chain.

Happy to answer any other specific questions

Andrew, ATC.

[Venchka]

Here is the original post:

Land managers are evaluating options to mitigate the human-bear conflicts in the Mt. Rogers/Grayson Highlands State Park area while also ensuring the public's safety.

The U.S. Forest Service, Virginia State Parks, the Regional Wildlife Manager from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Mt. Rogers A.T. Club are working together to address the situation.

Management efforts over the summer have included extensive on-the-ground education, the installation of bear-resistant boxes, and electric fences. ATC also just recently developed a bear incident report form (we encourage anyone who has had an encounter with a bear to use. It can be found at www.appalachiantrail.org/bears.)

We expect additional measures to address the escalating bear activity will be announced and implemented soon. Please follow ATC’s Trail Updates page at www.appalachiantrail.org/updates for the latest information.

Laurie Potteiger
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Wayne

[gpburdelljr]

As far as I know, no one has been injured as a result of the way the situation has been handled.

[MuddyWaters]

As far as I know, no one has been injured as a result of the way the situation has been handled.

Your not including the bears.

Every time they get human food it brings them closer to being a junkie. Closer to death.

Its not about the people

[Dogwood]

Your not including the bears.

Every time they get human food it brings them closer to being a junkie. Closer to death.

Its not about the people

It does involve people's behavior!

Im musing the strongly advised canister usage in that area to be upgraded to a mandatory status if bear human encounters and bears being habituated to human food doesnt improve. Beware being habituated to human food absolutely does involve placing responsibility on human behavior.

[soilman]

It does involve people's behavior!

Im musing the strongly advised canister usage in that area to be upgraded to a mandatory status if bear human encounters and bears being habituated to human food doesnt improve. Beware being habituated to human food absolutely does involve placing responsibility on human behavior.

I think you are right. There were similar types of problems with bears in Georgia before the bear canister became manditory.