Propaganda
After reading all the posts and seeing the pictures with the original article it's obvious the story is mostly about diverting attention from industry and lack of responsibility of the PC government. Blame atv's on the coming extirpation of the bull trout. Nothing said about the watershed or groundwater. Hmmm?
The main road into Fall Creek was built by industry over fifty years ago and then later extended to the forks of the Ram River and up the North Ram to it's junction. The section of Fall Creek which it provides access to has never had a bull trout in it and despite stocking cutthroat is still essentially barren. Sections of it commonly dry up in summer and winter or freeze solid. It will never be a fishery. This is not the impression the article and Crocker of the forestry conveys.
The section of creek which needs protection is the short section from the falls down to a crossing seismic line which is the only access to the area. It's barely a trail and because of topography atv'v cross and travel in the creek frequently. This is totally unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. The terrain is such it could be blocked off at both ends very easily and the problem solved. Having frequented the creek for some forty eight years I cannot see any difference in the number of bull trout spawning but there must be some negative effect. On the upper more accessible section enforcement is the answer and re routing of trails, not keeping people out period.
Now that the area is clear-cut the next few major floods will eliminate the bull trout - there is no doubt. All one had to do was try and drive highway 752 a few years ago and see the water running off clear cuts and lease roads flooding the highway over a foot deep to understand what I'm talking about. The atv's will have done nothing but it's already too late.
What really upsets me is how easily so many people are duped by this scapegoating and self righteously jump on the flavor of the day. You can't blame industry and government for wanting to hide the devastation of this entire area through to the Elk Creek flats and North to the Ram River.
The safety issue is another red herring. Do you think Sunpine has hauled 7 days a week 365 days a year for how many years? Why is this traditional access denied permanently and not just when there is an active haul?
As long as we have people who hate atv's and lack the ability to see beyond the end of their nose we can look forward to more of the same bs.
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