The National Forest and BLM are currently planning to close off about half or so of the roads in all or most NF and (I think) BLM lands starting this summer.

So, it's going to get much, much, much worse. I depend on these roads for my historical research and I've already been cut off from numerous sites that I was able to visit, study and record only a few years ago.

So, I completely understand the frustration. What terrifies me is this was all done under the last "conservative" administration we are going to see for a while. By this time next year, we're going to still have a Democrat Congress and a liberal President, regardless of which party get elected, so I'm guessing this is going to get much worse.

With the global warming craze and anti-vehicle craze really heating up and only expected to get worse, as gas prices increase, I have a feeling that it won't be long before the only roads available for access are the direct through major roads and that's it.

I guess the bottom line is that recreatationlists just don't have the political power or at least were unable to harness it compared the enviros. Add the fact that logging, mining and timber land companies love having the forests and public lands locked up as it jeapordizes their interest much less. Their equipment doesn't get destroyed and there's less scrutiny on what they are doing when the public has to hike 20 miles to see the site.

This may not apply to wilderness, but wilderness is much about trading one plot of land for another. The enviros, business and government get together and agree to lock up a chunk of land that logging and mining have little interest in, in exchange for another plot of land that they do, which is why seemingly unwilderness areas are being locked up right now.

But anyway....I'm sorry to hear about this. I'm sure there are a number of sites up there that I was planning to visit in the near future that are now off my research list. Along with many others. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />